Fender interchange

[l78vetteman]

I am somewhat new to the early Chevy trucks. So, let me start with a basic question on the interchangeability between the single headlight '55-'57 trucks and the dual headlight 58/9 trucks. Can you change one front for the other? Is the cab the same. I want to change a '58 to the '56 style front.

What about the step side beds. Are they the same from '55 to '59? What is different on the '60 to '66 step side beds?

Thanks,
Rob

[_Ogre]

oh the humanity... i don't get it, the 58-59 are far superior to the 55-57 trucks

you would need to change all the front sheet metal and core support.
everything on the bed is the same 55-66

[l78vetteman]

Orge,
Thanks for the reply. Great looking yellow truck you have there. The interior project is awesome.

[blackdiesel]

YES, please change out all the 4 eyed monsters running around, giving chevy a bad name with all the ugly trucks out there. lol But you will have to work the hood hinge holes on the 58 cab to get the 56 hindge on and cut 3" off the front of the frame.

[_Ogre]

pay no attention to blackdiesel, he knowth not what he sayth. he be downright sinful

orge is a round, tasty fruit, ogre's are not tasty, but have been know to be a little fruity

thanks!

[blackdiesel]

wondered how long it would take you to catch that. lol, I could say that the 58-59 were the best also....., but then we would both be wrong.............

[l78vetteman]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

pay no attention to blackdiesel, he knowth not what he sayth. he be downright sinful

orge is a round, tasty fruit, ogre's are not tasty, but have been know to be a little fruity

thanks!

Sorry about the typo - better with tools than with computer

[Maximus]

hah the debate continues...
as mentioned, the cab-back sheet metal is the same.
One note that most people dont know or mention is that the larger hoods of the 58-59 variety caused a design change in the hood mount. The top mount is in the same location, but the lower bolt hole is LOWER by like 1/2" or so... so the hood hinge will not bolt up right on the bottom unless you drill a new hole in the cab, or drill a hole in the lower part of the 55-57 hinge. the only other thing worth mentioning is that i think in the later years they changed threads. My 59 cab had different threads in the doors, i stripped out my 55 door with the wrong bolt... and new patch panels for the door hinges use the old course threads, the 59 used fine threads...

as for the debate, you would normally never hear me say this, but after seeing a red '59 I really think they are pretty nice trucks. would I sell my 55' and go buy one? no, but mainly because my dad has a '55 belair, If i was looking for a truck though, the 58-59 wouldnt be excluded from my list.

plus, they really did get the better part of the bargin with the bed. The cameo bed looks nice, but its just silly not to utilize the bed space, something they got right in 58' with that bada$$ fleetside bed.

here is a similar truck that I saw, this one was a random google find.
ironically, this '58 is one of the low production cameos or a replica, but that front end in red with chrome. i cant say anything but bada$$

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by blackdiesel

but then we would both be wrong.............

oh the blasphemy...

for the record: i like all classics; ford, chevy, dodge, hudson, etc... restored and custom.
if this was an all makes forum, i'd root for chevy/gmc; if this was an all chevy forum (which by coincidence it is), i'd root for the 55-59 trucks, since this is a 55-59 post, i root for the 58-59.
i just like stirring the pot

either way, blackdiesel is off my xmas card list

[blackdiesel]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

oh the blasphemy...

for the record: i like all classics; ford, chevy, dodge, hudson, etc... restored and custom.
if this was an all makes forum, i'd root for chevy/gmc; if this was an all chevy forum (which by coincidence it is), i'd root for the 55-59 trucks, since this is a 55-59 post, i root for the 58-59.
i just like stirring the pot

either way, blackdiesel is off my xmas card list

LOL