frame swap

[Spblack]

anyone put a 58-59 cab and clip onto a 1955-1957 frame? I hear theres a difference up front, just curious how much difference.

[OrrieG]

Frame is about 3" longer on 58-59 to accomodate longer fenders and hood. Radiator support, spring hangers are the same. Cab mount is the same.

[Spblack]

Thanks orrie, I just picked up a long bed that I want to convert to short bed and found a smoking deal on a short bed frame, but it looks like I may have to pass.

[Spblack]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Frame is about 3" longer on 58-59 to accomodate longer fenders and hood. Radiator support, spring hangers are the same. Cab mount is the same.

is the wheel base the same? will the tires center up in fender?

[OrrieG]

Yes, wheelbase is same 55.2 - 59 for short beds.

[_Ogre]

is the location of the core support further forward of the 58-9 frame orrieg?

[dsraven]

yes, rad support brackets are further ahead on the 58-59 and the frame is longer out front possibly due to the filler panel behind the bumper.

[1-ton of fun]

I can try to double check. I have one of each, but my '59 is in storage
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[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

is the location of the core support further forward of the 58-9 frame orrieg?

No.

FAM (55-57) shows 33.76" from firewall to center of radiator support bracket. I measured my 59 it is the same. The FAM shows 9.38" from CL of bracket to end of frame, my 59 measure a little over 12", so all the additional length of clip is in front of the radiator support. Also the inner fender panels, which bolt to the radiator support swap 55-59, if the support was different the inner panels would need to be also. 55-57 and 58-59 radiator supports have the same basic structure but the tin panels on the side with the louvers have a different configuration which is why VA sells two different condenser line kits.

[dsraven]

I have a 57 gmc going onto a 58 chev frame. the rad support brackets for these two are definately not in the same place. maybe check the old car manual or perhaps somebody on here has an assembly manual for one or the other that they can check the frame dimensions for then compare the two.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by dsraven

I have a 57 gmc going onto a 58 chev frame. the rad support brackets for these two are definately not in the same place. maybe check the old car manual or perhaps somebody on here has an assembly manual for one or the other that they can check the frame dimensions for then compare the two.

I did check the manual and my truck. Maybe GMC and Chevy are different???

[ChuckDriver]

Radiator support mounts are in the same spot 55-59, the additional length for the 58-59 is on the front of the frame.

GMC and Chevy rad mounts are completely different!!

[dsraven]

58 59 chev rad support mounts are definately in a differnt spot thN 57 gmc, trust me on that. I had the 58 frame boxed with nuts welded in for the rad support brackets and then when I went to mock things up the brackets were not in the right spot for the 57. Maybe chev and gmc are different?

[ChuckDriver]

Well, all I can say is that my cab and frame are both 58's and I bolted a complete 57 front clip to it using the factory 58 rad support mounts.

[bobinbc]

Originally Posted by dsraven

58 59 chev rad support mounts are definately in a differnt spot thN 57 gmc, trust me on that. I had the 58 frame boxed with nuts welded in for the rad support brackets and then when I went to mock things up the brackets were not in the right spot for the 57. Maybe chev and gmc are different?

Old thread I know but in case anybody is wondering about this rad support mounts can be in 2 different locations on 55-59 depending on whether the truck originally came with 6cyl or v8..

I have a Canadian 56 GMC and the core support is the same as the first 57 chevy I had. Both trucks were originally 6 cyl. The 2nd 57 I built was originally a v8 auto and core support mounts were about 5-6 inches closer to firewall.