1955 GMC VS 1955 Chev

[whodathunk328]

Afternoon Everyone

Long time lurker, first time poster.

Earlier this year i sold my 1954 Ford and Purchased a 1955 GMC with a camaro conversion subframe.

The concern i have is that the front end of the GMC is a series 2 front end and even worse, the front end is no longer chrome but has been painted to match the rest of the truck.

I have always prefered the 1955 Chev front end (grille, hood, bumper, etc).

I would like to know if the front fenders and hood from a 1955 chev will be a direct bolt on replacement to the gmc fenders and hood?

I look forward to your replies.

[whodathunk328]

Here is a photo of the front end i am talking about.

[Burbanaro]

Funny thing is Im doing the opposite. I believe the differance is the front core support mount so you need the core support also. I have a 58GMC Burb that has a 55/57Chev nose on it. I wish you were closer as I would love to get your 55GMC nose clip.

[judd55]

There are far more Chevy's than GMC's out there, I say if you don't like the GMC sell it and find a suitable Chevy............ You will lower the value and desirabilty of that truck by bastardizing it...........perhaps a colour change would win you over..........just an idea !!!

[62lwbc10]

I'm with Judd 100%. I'm a Chevy man myself but I do appreciate the gmcs and I think that gmc front end is bada$$.

[Zach B]

55 is a more difficult year to find. Why not just keep the body the same and do whatever ells. I'm with the other two on this. I like my Chevys but I have a touch of liking to the gmc myself.

[whodathunk328]

Thanks for all the replies. I will be changing the color eventually, not sure to what or when. I have lots of time to decide on that. Funny thing since I posted is a complete chrome front end has become available as an option.

[Coupeguy2001]

I do not personally like the painted chrome. To me, the original chrome with a fresh chroming job looks really cool.

I also think there are only a few yellows that would look good in a monochromatic scheme, and that is not one of them.
It is your truck now, get that chrome redone, and pick your favorite color and get it painted.
The masculine look of the GMC may be an acquired taste, but run with it, I think it will grow on you, and you will love that rare beautiful truck, especially when a lot of people will want to talk to you about it, leave their name and phone number on the windshield, and you experience the satisfaction all your hard work will bring.
And if you do not like it in the end, go buy a chevy clip, and paint it to match the rest of the truck.
BUT
I bet you will keep it all GMC.

People used to tell me before I painted my truck white that I would hate it.
But it always looks clean even when it's dirty, and it sparkles when its freshly cleaned up. I get a lot of people that say " That color looks right on that truck!"
There's something pristine about the right color white and chrome.
same with black and a few other colors.
So do what you want, just try the GMC first, because you have it in hand, then change it if you want to later.
Get that chrome redone, and you will have enough effort in the front end that you will have to finish the truck as a GMC.

[whodathunk328]

Double post

[55metalmonkey]

Originally Posted by whodathunk328

Afternoon Everyone

Long time lurker, first time poster.

Earlier this year i sold my 1954 Ford and Purchased a 1955 GMC with a camaro conversion subframe.

The concern i have is that the front end of the GMC is a series 2 front end and even worse, the front end is no longer chrome but has been painted to match the rest of the truck.

I have always prefered the 1955 Chev front end (grille, hood, bumper, etc).

I would like to know if the front fenders and hood from a 1955 chev will be a direct bolt on replacement to the gmc fenders and hood?

I look forward to your replies.

First thing: Welcome to the forum.

Second: yes the parts will be a direct bolt in

Since you've been a stalking the site I'm sure you've seen that people have their opinions so just to add my 2 cents, I like both Chevs and GMCs for very different reasons but I might be a little bias towards the GMCs since that's what I've been working on for the past 3 years.

Let me start by saying I like the Chev just for the sake it looks dang cool with the minimalist front end, if you go the Chev route you have a ton of parts choices from stock to custom grills. The problem (as I see it) is that you will be taking what looks to be a solid GMC and just making a Chevy clone. The guys who appreciate these trucks (like us) who know the differences will spot it a mile away because of the instrument cluster and the door ID plate.

There are a lot of people who love the GMC front end since they consider the very elaborate big front bumper/ grills the epitome of trucks of this era.

As for the painted front bumper/grill... not all GMCs came with a chrome front end. Quite a few came with a white painted grill but chrome seems to be the most common thing these days. Some of the parts on that front bumper are pretty hard to find since they don't re-pop allot of GMC only parts.

Not sure if you are considering the Chev conversion because the PO painted the front end but have you thought of sending the bumper/ grill/ hood insert in to get chromed? It will run you about $1500-2k but the value of the truck would be increased by way more than the cost.

In the end its your truck and if changing it over to a Chev is what you want then go for it, but if you are looking to maintain or increase its value then I would keep it as a GMC.

Have you considered a two tone paint job? completely changes the character of the truck IMO
Like I said, I might be a little bias but below is my truck..... almost done, just a few more dozen parts to put on

[70gmcjimmy]

I am biased, being a die hard GMC guy and have 4 of them. I drive my '55 most of the time, and use it as a truck. I get comments all the time and the most common comment is "Don't paint it". It will get painted someday but it will be two colors.

Rule of thumb on production is roughly 4 Chevys produced for every one GMC. If you don't want a GMC, it would sure be easier to sell it and buy a suitable Chevy. They did use different core supports but the same fenders so the Chevy grill should fit fine, and if you remove the bumper bullets the bumper is the same, just gotta weld up the holes.

Later---DAC

[buggy5872]

I vote to keep it GMC...You already have all the parts and they look in good shape. I only see a hand full of 55-59 GMC trucks and plenty of chevy.

[blue 72 gmc 4x4]

Keep it a GMC, lots of chevy faces around but not as many GMC's. Plus look at all that chrome! Mine will be new again sooner or later.....but everything is basically the same as a chevy, besides core support, dash, tailgate...that's about it really. If the grille of yours was chrome or a different color I think It'd be much better. But if you do change it over make sure to save that grille! Those parts are hard to find!

[wood1]

Originally Posted by judd55

There are far more Chevy's than GMC's out there, I say if you don't like the GMC sell it and find a suitable Chevy............ You will lower the value and desirabilty of that truck by bastardizing it...........perhaps a colour change would win you over..........just an idea !!!

That looks like a "bastardized" late model bed on that truck !!

Yep, not a lot of GMC's. And some parts are hard to find for sure...

[judd55]

Originally Posted by wood1

That looks like a "bastardized" late model bed on that truck !!

Yep, not a lot of GMC's. And some parts are hard to find for sure...

You are correct, proving I know what I'm talking about. In this case the original box was totaled. The cab was saved and put on a 92 chassis including the step side box making it less desirable to a purist, which I'd say the majority of old car and truck lovers are.

[57ToyBox]

Welcome to the brother hood, and let me start by saying Wow !!! You have a sweet looking project there.
I'm afraid I'm with the majority on this one. Your rig is much more rare and valuable as it is.
I would say, because your dash is a GMC you should keep it as a GMC.
If your parcel to the Chevy style? Find one. There is more Chevys out there then there is GMCs

[dubie]

If you prefer the chrome look, I'd be looking for replacement GMC front chrome rpieces. JML's build is a prime example of how nice these 55 GMC's look in all chrome. I always loved how the front end looked like it was holding the weight of the truck just in chrome on the GMC's.

[mr57]

Save your rubels and get it chromed. Even a piece at a time. Not sure if Provincial Plating is still around - might be called Provincial Bumper Exchange now - but they did all the chroming on my truck years ago and did it for a very reasonable price.

[sqrlnts]

Its funny how things turn out, you have guys with big back windows that want small and you have GMC guys that want Chevy front ends. Usually I say its your truck do what you want, BUT, you have a super cool truck. If the front chrome pieces were chromed or painted as in 55metalmonkey's pics above, I think that front end would grow on you.

[whodathunk328]

hey everyone
thanks again for all the comments.

Unfortunately provincial plating is no longer open and the one company I was able to find from alberta that still does chroming wasn't cheap. They wanted a few thousand dollars to re-chrome my pieces. I will continue to keep my eyes and ears open. at the end of the day there are other things that will get attention before I make my way to the front end.

I would like to lower the rear end a little more, try and make it a level stance.
Will likely look at flipping the axle on the leafs with a little notch.

[wood1]

Have you thought of Powder Coating??

[55metalmonkey]

Originally Posted by whodathunk328

hey everyone
thanks again for all the comments.

Unfortunately provincial plating is no longer open and the one company I was able to find from alberta that still does chroming wasn't cheap. They wanted a few thousand dollars to re-chrome my pieces. I will continue to keep my eyes and ears open. at the end of the day there are other things that will get attention before I make my way to the front end.

I would like to lower the rear end a little more, try and make it a level stance.
Will likely look at flipping the axle on the leafs with a little notch.

Good quality chrome work won't be cheep but I understand the sticker shock. have you looked in Ont.? there is a bunch of places in the Toronto/Mississauga/ Oakville area that do plating and might be a little cheaper since they have more competition and much more population.

[ChuckDriver]

Any updates?

[whodathunk328]

I was able to find some replacement chrome just before Christmas. The truck is in storage right now. Plans for the summer consist of notching the rear and installing a 4 link.

[JML55]

Cool truck , im a GMC all the way, there is a lot less GMC's on the road