Differences between 1954 Chev and 1954 GMC

[mach92bill]

Going by the serial number, my truck is a 1954 GMC. I have been led to believe that there are differences in the front sheet metal, rad mounts etc. Reason for the query is that a rad mount from a Chev fits right on to my front crossmember. I need some enlightenment before I go looking for parts.

Thanks.

[brikar]

need pictures

[mach92bill]

Thanks, but pictures of what?

[brikar]

It sounds like you have a truck with no front clip,so pictures of the frame cross member where the rad support bolts to would help some of the guys here tell you what you have.The only thing chevy and gmc shared on the front clip sheet metal were the fenders, everything else was different.As far as the frame crossmember rad support i always thought they were the same on them but not sure, some one else here might know for sure, are you looking for chevy front sheet metal or gmc? if your looking for gmc i can maybe help you with some of the parts

[mach92bill]

Yeah, no front clip. I'll take a couple of pics and try to post. I have fenders, and/or a front clip available, but came from a Chev. I will need grille, grille surround and hood.

[mach92bill]

Couple of pictures

[Hogger54]

Here is the front of my '54 3600.
I can get more detailed pics if you want.

[Katrina/10]

You have a Chevrolet engine and a Chevrolet frame.

[mechanixman]

Yeah, it's definitely chevy.
Here's a picture of my 52 3800
and a couple references.

Hope it helps

[brikar]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

You have a Chevrolet engine and a Chevrolet frame.

are you talking about Mach92bill pictures or hogger54 and is there a difference in the frame crossmembers on a gmc and chevy?

[mechanixman]

They're both chevy
If you take a look at the pictures I posted, the red cross member is off a chevy, and the blue is off a GMC.

[Katrina/10]

Originally Posted by brikar

are you talking about Mach92bill pictures or hogger54 and is there a difference in the frame crossmembers on a gmc and chevy?

Those are both Chevrolet. Do you mean the other crossmember under the front of the cab?

[brikar]

Yes I see now ,

[brikar]

Machanixman I have a friend wanting to put his 53 gmc 1 ton on a 1/2 ton frame ,if he found a chevy frame is the front cross member the only thing he'd have to change?

[mechanixman]

Originally Posted by brikar

Machanixman I have a friend wanting to put his 53 gmc 1 ton on a 1/2 ton frame ,if he found a chevy frame is the front cross member the only thing he'd have to change?

Assuming, he's using the chevy drive train, I believe so.

[mach92bill]

So, it would appear then, that one could build either a GMC or a Chevy on the same frame. The only consequence would be that the ORIGINAL engine would not fit. If one were planning to use, for example a sbc350, and fabricating mounts for it, it would be immaterial which frame was used. Am I correct?

[Katrina/10]

Originally Posted by mach92bill

So, it would appear then, that one could build either a GMC or a Chevy on the same frame. The only consequence would be that the ORIGINAL engine would not fit. If one were planning to use, for example a sbc350, and fabricating mounts for it, it would be immaterial which frame was used. Am I correct?

Not really. The GMC and Chevrolet radiator shells are totally different and specific to the frame.

[mr48chev]

Mach92Bill, from all appearances your truck is a Chevrolet with a 235 engine. I don't have any info on Canadian GM serial numbers or vin numbers but I think they are out there. The only differences in the cabs that I have found is that the gauges are slightly different on GMC trucks than Chevy trucks and the panel above the speaker grill says General motors truck rather than Chevrolet.

Bricker on your friend's truck I'd see if the crossmember out of the 1 ton frame matches up with the 1/2 ton frame and if it does drill rivets and swap it over.
A guy could modify the radiator supports so that it was Chevy on the bottom and GMC on the top but that might be just as much work as swapping crossmembers.

[sweet70beast]

Starting in 54 the guage clusters between Chevy and GMC got totally different. Before then you could turn a GMC into a Chevy by putting Chevy guages in but starting in 54 it is no longer possible to do that.
Posted via Mobile Device

[brikar]

Originally Posted by sweet70beast

Starting in 54 the guage clusters between Chevy and GMC got totally different. Before then you could turn a GMC into a Chevy by putting Chevy guages in but starting in 54 it is no longer possible to do that.
Posted via Mobile Device

The canadian made 54 and 55 1st series chevy and gmc trucks used the same chevy dash only u.s. gmc was different, and you can find the gauge clusters from those years but in 12v in our chevy school buses all the way into the early 60's and with 12v electric temp gauge