59 to 57 front

[Big Backwindow]

Will a 55-57 (2 headlight) front clip bolt in on a 59 ? Looking at a nice 59 swb big back window fleet side, but prefer the earlier front ends.

[OrrieG]

Yes but hood hinge attachment is different (need to modify fire wall bolt hole location), battery box is different, frame will need to be trimmed about 3 inches and you need to use the earlier radiator core support and all other pieces. You will also get quality interaction time with DMV if they need to inspect the truck. If cab vin and frame vin match will not be as bad.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

.....quality interaction time with DMV.......

SO elegantly stated

[Jemezcrusher]

Bam did this. I think Kabwe on this site. Had a great build thread on the trifive site. THink he had a 58 and put a 55-57 front on it.

Well worth a look

[Big Backwindow]

Thanks for the responses. The hood hinge location sounds like the only real issue. Not sure about a meeting with the dmv for sheet metal swap.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by Big Backwindow

Thanks for the responses. The hood hinge location sounds like the only real issue. Not sure about a meeting with the dmv for sheet metal swap.

If the cab vin matches the frame vin and you have a valid bill of sale and title with the same numbers should just be a trip to the DMV without the truck to swap the title. Next trip would be to register it to drive when "cosmetic repairs" are done. My truck is still the same 31 series it was when I bought it. DMV could care less that its got different motor, drive train, interior, etc. All VIN numbers match and always have.

[mongocanfly]

Around here (Ala) swapping a instate title is no issue..but if its from outta state they have to visually see the vin..and they don't care what shape its in or what body panels it has..I bought a wrecked blazer outta tenn one time and had to load it back on a trailer and haul it to the tag office for them to see the vin..I told them it was wrecked and disassembled when I first tried to tag and title it..they said they still had to see it..after reloading it and hauling it up there mostly disassembled then they told me ..."well, we could have sent a deputy out to verify the vin".....arghhhh..all they looked at was the dash vin..

[Big Backwindow]

Ok . I'm in Texas. Not swapping the frame only sheet metal. Texas doesn't care if you change the front clip( sheet metal). I was concerned it would basically bolt up. Thanks for all the help.

[roger55]

Correct.
Texas won't care since you aren't messing with the VIN tag location.
The DMV won't even be looking at it at all.

[dsraven]

i am doing a similar swap with my 57. the 57 frame was chopped up for a hoist so I got my hands on a 58 long box to use the frame. the 58 front end is longer and the rad support brackets on the frame are a little different location for the 57 rad support to bolt on. not a big deal just cut off the rivets, drill some new holes and install with some bolts. the frame in also a bit longer. check google for some pics of a chevy blueprint of the frame for the different years out of the assembly manuals or just fly by the seat of your pants. as far as I know the hood hinge bolts are in all the cab firewalls whether they get used for the different years or not. 58-9 attach to inner fenders as well, correct? can't remember. 55-57 bolt to firewall only.

[OrrieG]

58-59 hood hinges have two bolts to the firewall and one to the inner fender.