Mix and Match

[slimneverdies]

Guys I have a question about these AD trucks. I bought a 53 and now its time for a parts truck. I was wondering if a 50 chevy could use the same parts. I have access to a 50 chevy and all I want to keep of the GMC is the cab. I cant fix the 50 chevy because it doesnt have a title or vin #'s. So cant I change everything except the cab on the 53 GMC and just put on a GMC grill? Besides I think the GMC's are more rare to see.

Oh yeah they are both 1/2 ton shortboxes.
Thanks

[weldvair@embarqmail.]

Yep!

[solidaxel]

Keep the cab, chassis and title!!

[slimneverdies]

Thanks. Now can someone direct me on this site to "how to disassemble" one of these trucks.

[robin58]

Your best bet would be to buy the Factory Assembly Manual carried by most of the vendors.

[slimneverdies]

Ive look through bookstores and auto parts stores and cant find these books? Where do you suggest? Im ready to start on my first project

[weldvair@embarqmail.]

Do a search for Chevy Duty(they are called buy another name now,but a search will get them). They have them.

Don Meyer

[solidaxel]

Start with the parts truck,dis assemble it first that should give you enough experience. A basic wrench kit should be all you need along with a lot of ambition!!

[BigBlocksRule]

You'll probably need a cheap angle grinder from Harbor Freight, a couple of good pairs of vice grips and maybe even a blue-tipped Crescent Wrench (torch). I can guarantee there are a lot of bolts that are rusted solid and it's much easier to go ahead and bust 'em rather than trying to work 'em loose - as long as there's a nut on the other side and it's not threaded into a boss or other part.

[slimneverdies]

Thanks guys. Ive bought a 60 gallon air compressor tank, all sorts of little connections, and a small tool set. My buddy let me borrow his torch. Ive never done any work on my cars and this should be interesting. Though Im not a spring chicken Ive been around this type of stuff for years. Ive probably been through 15 cars in my lifetime and most of them customized by someone else.

[54 jimmy]

lmc truck has the factory assembly manuals. the part# is 30-0400 for the 47-55 ad trucks it costs $29.95 their # is 1-800-562-8783 or the web site is LMCTRUCK.com hope this helps you out. when i took mine apart i didn't need a torch just alot of loose juice aka pb blaster. to help with assembly later get lots of different size zip lock bags and lable them. this helps with the final assembly later,and so you don't mix the parts up since you have two trucks that you are taking apart.

[slimneverdies]

is it me or are the 53 GMC hood and grill dimensions different? Im just looking at them in the rain an cant really tell.

[54 jimmy]

the front clips on the chevy and gmc are different. even the rad support on the frames are different. found that out the hard way.

[mr48chev]

The assembly manual is a must have even though it is right at 30.00 it will save you a lot of grief.

I'd suggest investing in a couple of cans of PB Blaster, that sprayed on rusty nuts and bolts will save a lot of energy and frustration.
Outside of the original engines the biggest differences in these trucks are the front cross members that support the radiator support, the radiator and radiator support them selves and the grill assembly. There are also some differences in the dashes.

the other big difference that I have seen is that most GMC half tons are long beds while the Chev half tons are short beds.

It wouldn't be that hard to shorten the longbed frame and a guy could even step it a bit in the process to get the back of the truck lower.

I've got a bare GMC frame out here beside the shed if you need photos to look at for comparison. I'll have the nose off my 48 Chev in a few days and the engine out to be able to take photos of that too if needed although there are several photos of bare Chevy AD series frames on here already.

[floridasteve]

You also need to order the screwdriver set from one of the companies. The bolts used have the weird figure 8 looking heads on them. Some may twist off the others you will have to influence with whatever method you deceide on (torch, grinder or other). I think the best advise was learn from the disassembly of the first. It is pretty straight forward and not real complicated. Good Luck and the people here are always helpful

[lazerus]

those screws are clutch head screws if there is a napa near you they should carry the screw driver you need

[slimneverdies]

Thanks fellas. Im acutally in NAPA as I was reading this post