AD frame difference - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sevt_chevelle · 05-16-2012, 10:11 PM

Is the 54-55 frame different then the 48- 53 frame?
Am wanting to swap my 3/4 ton frame for a 1/2 ton frame on my 49 and wondering what years will swap?
For some reason am thinking that the 54 frame is different and won't swap with the earlier trucks.

Thanks for any help...Eric

BlueJeep · 05-16-2012, 10:30 PM

Yes, it is different. The "hump" over the rear axle isn't as high, allowing the 54-55 to have the deeper bed like the 55-59. Other than that I'm not sure of the other differences...but obviously the cab will fit. What are you running for a bed? If you're getting a shorter bed anyway, might look for the 54 style.

sevt_chevelle · 05-16-2012, 10:42 PM

Am running the earlier style 47-53 bed.
If the 54 frame doesn't have the hump or as much, am guessing lowering the truck would be harder to due unless you install some C- notches.

Am not wanting to slam the truck in the weeds, just drop it down some and am NOT willing to raise the bed floor to accommodate a large C- notch...Eric

**mr48chev** · 05-16-2012, 10:51 PM

There are some little differences between the frames but not enough to worry about.

I've got a 54 Frame under my 48 and really never saw any difference in the kick over the rear axle. The 54 Bed is deeper because the sides go up equal with the Top of the angled out side rails on the 47/53 trucks. If you lay a board across the top of the rails on a 47/53 it will be the same depth at the bed floor as the 54 from that line to the floor.

The big difference I've seen is that the early trucks had lever action shocks and the 51 and up had tube shocks.

sweet70beast · 05-16-2012, 11:07 PM

The kick up is a bit lower on the 54 frame. I have a bare 54 frame and a bare 52 frame and it is a noticeable difference, however it won't be a big deal to put a 47-53 bed on a 54-55.1 frame. Vice versa might be a little different story.

solidaxel · 05-17-2012, 12:13 AM

Here is a 55 1st series SB and a 53 short bed.
Hard to tell from here

House13 · 05-17-2012, 12:57 AM

The cab mounts are different too...
Posted via Mobile Device

mknittle · 05-17-2012, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by House13

The cab mounts are different too...
Posted via Mobile Device

Yeah, 47-48? had three point{A rubber bushing} in the middle at thr rear
The later had shackles like leaf springs.

05-16-2012, 10:11 PM	#1
sevt_chevelle Lost amongst the CORN Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Northern Iowa Posts: 1,071	AD frame difference Is the 54-55 frame different then the 48- 53 frame? Am wanting to swap my 3/4 ton frame for a 1/2 ton frame on my 49 and wondering what years will swap? For some reason am thinking that the 54 frame is different and won't swap with the earlier trucks. Thanks for any help...Eric __________________ Currently working on How To Videos and custom metal 70 Chevelle gettin Sliced and Diced Anything But STOCK 70 Chevelle SS455 not a typo its a BUICK BABY 49 and 72 Chevy Trucks restored to original...close to it Drommer Stor....Norwegian for Dream Big http://s969.photobucket.com/albums/a...lle/?start=all https://www.flickr.com/photos/47922830@N03/ Pictures of my work and projects

05-16-2012, 10:30 PM	#2
BlueJeep Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Waukee, Iowa Posts: 1,608	Re: AD frame difference Yes, it is different. The "hump" over the rear axle isn't as high, allowing the 54-55 to have the deeper bed like the 55-59. Other than that I'm not sure of the other differences...but obviously the cab will fit. What are you running for a bed? If you're getting a shorter bed anyway, might look for the 54 style. __________________ build threads: 86 Suburban 88 Jeep 6.0 swap 49 Chevy truck 54 Chevy wagon 86 Suburban lowered 4/6 54 Chevy wagon 49 Chevy/s10 mix 88 Jeep Wrangler rockcrawler

05-16-2012, 10:42 PM	#3
sevt_chevelle Lost amongst the CORN Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Northern Iowa Posts: 1,071	Re: AD frame difference Am running the earlier style 47-53 bed. If the 54 frame doesn't have the hump or as much, am guessing lowering the truck would be harder to due unless you install some C- notches. Am not wanting to slam the truck in the weeds, just drop it down some and am NOT willing to raise the bed floor to accommodate a large C- notch...Eric __________________ Currently working on How To Videos and custom metal 70 Chevelle gettin Sliced and Diced Anything But STOCK 70 Chevelle SS455 not a typo its a BUICK BABY 49 and 72 Chevy Trucks restored to original...close to it Drommer Stor....Norwegian for Dream Big http://s969.photobucket.com/albums/a...lle/?start=all https://www.flickr.com/photos/47922830@N03/ Pictures of my work and projects

05-16-2012, 10:51 PM	#4
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,705	Re: AD frame difference There are some little differences between the frames but not enough to worry about. I've got a 54 Frame under my 48 and really never saw any difference in the kick over the rear axle. The 54 Bed is deeper because the sides go up equal with the Top of the angled out side rails on the 47/53 trucks. If you lay a board across the top of the rails on a 47/53 it will be the same depth at the bed floor as the 54 from that line to the floor. The big difference I've seen is that the early trucks had lever action shocks and the 51 and up had tube shocks.

05-16-2012, 11:07 PM	#5
sweet70beast Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Shelley Idaho Posts: 876	Re: AD frame difference The kick up is a bit lower on the 54 frame. I have a bare 54 frame and a bare 52 frame and it is a noticeable difference, however it won't be a big deal to put a 47-53 bed on a 54-55.1 frame. Vice versa might be a little different story. __________________ 1970 Nova 327/T5 (my 1st car) 1971 K-20 350/350/205 (winter DD) 1953 GMC Suburban 1968 Chevy Bel Air 1976 Chev C-10 1972 Skylark (suncoupe) 1 of 3943 made

05-17-2012, 12:13 AM	#6
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Re: AD frame difference Here is a 55 1st series SB and a 53 short bed. Hard to tell from here Attached Images __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42

05-17-2012, 12:57 AM	#7
House13 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: The REAL Nor-Cal Posts: 68	Re: AD frame difference The cab mounts are different too... Posted via Mobile Device



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