Pulled the trigger on the 55- TF no chassis truck - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

55chiefdoug · 08-02-2016, 03:59 PM

I decided to go ahead and move forward (this weekend) on the 55 TF SWB truck. It comes with no chassis/frame (it is just sitting on the frame below) and it comes with a 59 cab and doors and doors for extra parts. The bed is one piece fiberglass. I have him below $3K right now, any thoughts?
I have a c10 donor for frame. I was thinking the ez chassis swap kit, 2 wheel drive with lowered suspension.

OrrieG · 08-02-2016, 05:09 PM

58-59 cabs are different from 55-57 in the firewall area (hood and clip mounting). Front clip items are different too. Doors are the same. Interior stuff is the same.

55chiefdoug · 08-02-2016, 05:28 PM

he wants it all gone and said there are some wiper parts and "other" items in the 59 cab that I may be able to use on the 55. I will need the glass out of the 59 doors

lynx5653 · 08-02-2016, 06:07 PM

looks like a good start and the c10 chassis should work fine especially with ez chassis kit

**mr48chev** · 08-02-2016, 09:47 PM

If that sheet metal is as solid as it looks in the photos I'd say go for it.

I've told the story before but when I bought my 48 in 1973 the truck I really wanted bad was a 55/56 big window shortbed. I probably never will own one now but they are still one of my favorite trucks.
As far as the chassis goes it's your truck and your money and as it sits the truck has no chassis so head

55chiefdoug · 08-03-2016, 07:49 AM

lynx5653 do you have experience with the ez chassis kit?
I see mixed reviews but can't get anyone who has actually used it- good or bad, to respond to me.

lynx5653 · 08-03-2016, 02:08 PM

no I have not used it but from what I have read and seen it seems to a good quality kit and I will be using on my 55 and my 58. Sorry I couldn't be more help

dsraven · 08-11-2016, 10:26 AM

is the front clip all welded together across the front?
personally, I prefer the lower style of truck compared to the tall 4x4 look but hey, thats why it is called hotrodding, you do what YOU like and everybody else either likes it or keeps walking.
if you decide to put a different frame under the truck you may consider fabbing one up, they are really pretty flat with a dip in the front and a bump over the rear wheels. if you look at some of the things guys have done to their stock frame it is really only the original centre section of the frame that is left being used when done with the front clip replacement and the big c notch rear section. might as well have just started over if you know a welder or are good at welding and have a place to work. google images for 58 apache frame measurements for an image of a stock frame and you will see they are pretty flat. you could use rectangular tubing and install a mustangII front end or whatever you want up front. vary the width dimension to line up perfectly with whatever front clip you want, then build rear suspension accordingly. cab mounts and crossmembers would be easy to build as well.

08-02-2016, 03:59 PM	#1
55chiefdoug Registered User Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Warrenton, Va Posts: 8	Pulled the trigger on the 55- TF no chassis truck I decided to go ahead and move forward (this weekend) on the 55 TF SWB truck. It comes with no chassis/frame (it is just sitting on the frame below) and it comes with a 59 cab and doors and doors for extra parts. The bed is one piece fiberglass. I have him below $3K right now, any thoughts? I have a c10 donor for frame. I was thinking the ez chassis swap kit, 2 wheel drive with lowered suspension. Attached Images

08-02-2016, 05:09 PM	#2
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: Pulled the trigger on the 55- TF no chassis truck 58-59 cabs are different from 55-57 in the firewall area (hood and clip mounting). Front clip items are different too. Doors are the same. Interior stuff is the same. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

08-02-2016, 05:28 PM	#3
55chiefdoug Registered User Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Warrenton, Va Posts: 8	Re: Pulled the trigger on the 55- TF no chassis truck he wants it all gone and said there are some wiper parts and "other" items in the 59 cab that I may be able to use on the 55. I will need the glass out of the 59 doors

08-02-2016, 06:07 PM	#4
lynx5653 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Lagrange,ME Posts: 349	Re: Pulled the trigger on the 55- TF no chassis truck looks like a good start and the c10 chassis should work fine especially with ez chassis kit __________________ 1955 2nd on 86 chassis Daily driver

08-02-2016, 09:47 PM	#5
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,718	Re: Pulled the trigger on the 55- TF no chassis truck If that sheet metal is as solid as it looks in the photos I'd say go for it. I've told the story before but when I bought my 48 in 1973 the truck I really wanted bad was a 55/56 big window shortbed. I probably never will own one now but they are still one of my favorite trucks. As far as the chassis goes it's your truck and your money and as it sits the truck has no chassis so head __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

08-03-2016, 07:49 AM	#6
55chiefdoug Registered User Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Warrenton, Va Posts: 8	Re: Pulled the trigger on the 55- TF no chassis truck lynx5653 do you have experience with the ez chassis kit? I see mixed reviews but can't get anyone who has actually used it- good or bad, to respond to me.

08-03-2016, 02:08 PM	#7
lynx5653 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Lagrange,ME Posts: 349	Re: Pulled the trigger on the 55- TF no chassis truck no I have not used it but from what I have read and seen it seems to a good quality kit and I will be using on my 55 and my 58. Sorry I couldn't be more help __________________ 1955 2nd on 86 chassis Daily driver

08-11-2016, 10:26 AM	#8
dsraven Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: calgary alberta Posts: 8,346	Re: Pulled the trigger on the 55- TF no chassis truck is the front clip all welded together across the front? personally, I prefer the lower style of truck compared to the tall 4x4 look but hey, thats why it is called hotrodding, you do what YOU like and everybody else either likes it or keeps walking. if you decide to put a different frame under the truck you may consider fabbing one up, they are really pretty flat with a dip in the front and a bump over the rear wheels. if you look at some of the things guys have done to their stock frame it is really only the original centre section of the frame that is left being used when done with the front clip replacement and the big c notch rear section. might as well have just started over if you know a welder or are good at welding and have a place to work. google images for 58 apache frame measurements for an image of a stock frame and you will see they are pretty flat. you could use rectangular tubing and install a mustangII front end or whatever you want up front. vary the width dimension to line up perfectly with whatever front clip you want, then build rear suspension accordingly. cab mounts and crossmembers would be easy to build as well.



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