I noticed something yesterday
 

I was out doing some welding on my Panel yesterday and noticed some more small differences that could help narrow down the "What year do I have?" questions.
My panel is missing the ribbed H pattern above the steering column on the fire wall where as both my 50 3100 and 54 Suburban has it.

Here is the 50

[IMG]http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/19...600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG]

Here is the 48 Panel

[IMG]http://inlinethumb62.webshots.com/47...600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG]


Also the sway bars are different

The 48

[IMG]http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/25...600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/47...600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG]

The 50

[IMG]http://inlinethumb14.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://inlinethumb29.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG]

Re: I noticed something yesterday
 

It may actually be a '47. The absence of stiffening in the firewall and the presence of the multi-fuse fuse box are both '47 things. I usually look next at the transmission but you don't appear to have one so that's out.

The torque tube length is unique on a '47 if it still has the tube you might measure and compare the length to your later truck.

I have a '47 AD COE waiting for someday. Its cool to have a unique truck.

Re: I noticed something yesterday
 

Yep, having or lacking those ribs is one of the identifying signs of what year the cab actually is.
The break must be between 49 and 50 as I have a 49 cab with the flat firewall and a 51 and a 53 cab with the ribs.

The 49
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...20info/002.jpg

The 53
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...info/003-1.jpg

Re: I noticed something yesterday
 

My 49 doesn't have the ribs.

Re: I noticed something yesterday
 

Mr48 that cab you call a '49 appears to have the multi-fuse fuse panel that I've never seen on a truck later than '47. I don't know with certainty that it couldn't be a '49 but it makes me wonder.

Re: I noticed something yesterday
 

I never really knew what year the panel was because the vin number crosses to a 48 3/4 ton which is obvously not the right vin. I new it was a pre-49 because of the knee action shocks. Unfortunately the torque tube and axle are gone.

Does anyone know if the sway bar style is 47 only or did they use them up to 49?

Re: I noticed something yesterday
 

First one I have seen with a sway bar.

Re: I noticed something yesterday
 

I know I've seen the answer to this but with a little searching I've not been able to recall where.

There is some logic to '47 only but just because it makes sense doesn't mean that's the way they did it.

There is also a school of thought that says each factory used up the old parts instead of making a clean change-over on some date. Don't know if that's accurate either, but it does muddy the waters a little. Having been born after the last of these trucks left the factory does mean I didn't see any of them being built...

In researching the sway bar be aware that GMC used a similar but different bar. The mounts are different and they do not easily interchange. In fact it may be a GMC sway bar discussion that I'm remembering that explained the change-over from early to late. If that is the case it was probably on OldGMCTrucks.com and might be found by searching there. Of course then the information may be different than for a Chevy....

Re: I noticed something yesterday
 

Well looking for something else I just stumbled on an Internet page that says the large fuse block was used through '49. I don't believe everything I read on the Internet but in this case it may be that my own experience does not match what GM was doing...

Re: I noticed something yesterday
 

I have a 49 with a large fuse block aqnd a 50 with a small block. 49 should have lever shocks