54 chevy to earlier grille?

[dapolice1]

Hey guys I am looking at a 54 to buy for a VERY good price.
I like the earlier grilles (50-53ish) much better than the 54. Can I simply bolt on the earlier grille or what else is involved.

[53 Chevy]

I am not sure if the bolt pattern is the same. I am pretty sure the 54 fenders have a sunken place where the parking lights go and the earlier ones do not. The whole front end can be changed. I wish I could be more help.

[dapolice1]

Thanks for your reply.
This truck is in really good shape. The bumper although painted is very straight and nice. Is the 54-55 bumper in that condition worth more than the earlier units? Just curious since there were fewer made.

[53 Chevy]

I would think the bumpers would have about the same value. Is the 54 original or a rod? My 53 is a mild custom / rod and i am not running bumpers.

[dapolice1]

Sorry I ment the Grilles.
I would run it as a rod not factory. I as well want the smooth look. No emblems, smooth running boards, etc. I like the earlier grille because it fits the look I am after, smooth low profile. The 54 55 is just too big to make that goal happen.

[53 Chevy]

That Is How Mine Is. Smooth Running Boards, Smooth Hood, Smooth Tailgate, No Drip Rails, Shaved Door Handles, Roll Pan And A Fiberglass Filler That Goes Below The Grill.

[dapolice1]

Send me pics of your ride? PLease?
I love this forum and some others, but I can not find much for this year model trucks. DO you have any good sites, or venders for parts? The body is really staright, but will need the earlier front fenders, grille, smooth boards, etc.
Thanks for your help and any info you can give me.

[jaymz1970]

I have a 1954 1/2 ton with a 1947 grill on it. I bought the truck this way and you can see on the inside of the front fenders where the guy welded up the running lights. I need to find a front bumper to put on it still but the rest of it looks like it wouldnt be too hard to do.
Jamie

[horvath]

I've got a 54 and it's a street rod. I don't know if the grill swap would work (easily) or not, but you should check out my web page ... I have everything I've done in photo-tutorials and there are TONS of helpful tips about all kinds of stuff -- visit the link below my sig.

[dapolice1]

Alan I actually looked at your sight earlier, and your right it is very well laid out and very informative.

Jamie,
Do you happen to have or can you take pictures of your grille and maybe the welded markers? I mean does the grille appear to fit correctly or did he have to mod it pretty extensively to get the finish right? Can you tell?

Thanks Guys.

[53 Chevy]

SORRY, I don't have a digital camera and can't send pics. I will look around and see if I can find where I ordered my running boards and stuff from. Will let you know if I find it. I ordered the filler that goes below the grill from a place in Texas. The name was something like Sackse's Rod Shop. I know i did not spell that right.

[jaymz1970]

Sorry I have not got back to you sooner. I can try to round up some pics of the truck when it was still together or try to take some for you, but I cant untill next week. I am slammed on my other car and wont be around the truck untill after sunday. If you have an imagestation.com account there are a few on there. my truck Hope that helps and i'll try to get some more to you next week.
Thanks,
Jamie

[Apache]

I think there is some differences in the fenders are they not? BTW: The windshield in the cab is different. You probally knew that but I was just reminding. Make people wonder when they see it coming down the road anyway.

[littlemike]

HORVATH.i checked out your site and loved that picture.check out what i just found while i was fishing.another money pit.lol.

[horvath]

LOL!

A stovebolt that married a tree.
:rndll:

[TooMany2count]

Originally Posted by dapolice1

DO you have any good sites, or venders for parts?.

The Stovebolt Page one of the best older Chevy/GMC forum i have found, && i'm not taking anything away form the folks who are here. but then i would bet most of them that are on that board also... o yea they have a good swap met section too....joe

i think they will fit.. there's a pic of one on Stovebolt, let me find it

[horvath]

The Stovebolt site is definitely the best source of info for these ol' trucks ... no bout adout it.

And for hot rod/mechanical/electrical/etc. info, there's no place like Hotrodders.com

[TooMany2count]

can it be a 54 or a 53, really it's a 54 that has a 48-53 front clip. so i cant tell u if a early grill will fit 54 sheet metal but the early front clip will fit the cab....joe

[RUDEDAWG]

just wondering, are you interested in selling the '54 grille? PM me and let me know.

[dapolice1]

I have not purchased the truck yet, but when/ if I do I will consider selling the grille.
I am concentrating on finishing my 50x60 shop first, then the truck.
Thanks for all the help and replies.

[Phat]

Just did my 54 and installed a 48 grille. I like to fab and weld but it really was not worth the time. Get a older set of fenders. The hood is OK
Grill opening has to be cutt parking light pockets have to be cut out and welded up.
Your grill and front fenders are pretty rare so you should have no trouble selling. I could not find a set for a wrecked one around here.

[ccpanel]

in order to do a swap to a 47-53 CHEVY ONLY swap it makes life easier if you change the whole front group as a whole. front outer fenders are different and will NOT work with the early stuff.

inner, hood... all else will work.

if changing GMC-you can only go back to a late 49 or 50 and up. the 47-early 49 use a special frame setup and well-its real hard to deal with(but not impossible)