55.2-59 Rear axle width

[8man]

I am considering changing Old Blue to a Cameo bed. I read the 57-truck rear axle was 60" wide, can anyone confirm this is the same width for the Cameo?

Thanks.

[Hcb3200]

The 59 shop manual says

"FRAME and SUSPENSION"
"No Changes Made"
"Refer to Previous Chevrolet Shop Manuals"

And the 56/57 was just a supplemental manual to the 55 and the 55 has only a separate section for Cameo just showing how to work and reinstall the bed section. So looks to me all the same 55-59 for either step or cameo.

[mr48chev]

I can go measure the rear end I have but 60 inches is what it is. Inside the box is still 50 inches and the bedsides were the same and the Cameo fenders were set on over the bedsides. Reading this confirms that along with the "rare" taillights actually being 54 Car taillights. https://www.springdalechevy.com/blog...55-1959-642340
The Cameo is actually an inch wider over the wide spot of the fenders.

Parts source http://www.trucksandroadsters.com/CAMEO/index.html

[8man]

Thanks.

What shop manual do you have?

[8man]

Mr. 48, what shop manual are you using?

I need to get one and haven't identified the one I want yet.

This came up because I had a rear axle I wanted to use, but it is from a C10 and it's 65" mounting face to mounting face, and I didn't think that would work.

[Hcb3200]

Go here and you can find almost any year.

https://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/

[dsraven]

sorry, not sure, but I think so. the assembly manual should say if there is a difference. I measured mine long ago with the drums on, like actual wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface, and I am pretty sure it was 61 inches.
here is a thread that talks about camaro axles under the task force trucks
https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo...d.php?t=745721
and another
https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo...d.php?t=736349

its always good to go wrecker yard hopping with a tape measure and a couple of short lengths of flat bar or angle iron with a couple holes drilles in to fit over the wheel studs. bolt the metal onto the wheel mounting surfaces and they will stick out past the brakes but be parallel to the surface, then you can run the tape measure between them and know exactly what you have for width instead of doing an eyeball check and finding out later your eyeball took the day off, lol.
what I did was draw out, on the shop floor, the frame width and the box wheel opening width on the inside where the tires would contact. then you know exactly what you have. sometimes you find out the axle isn't actually centered on the frame or the body is outta whack. you can use a plumb bob to find the spots on the floor but if you don't have ithe body all put together then that does pose a small problem, lol. maybe somebody here could do some dimensional checks if thats the case.

[8man]

Thanks Hcb, I've called up 2 of them already that I know I'll be using in this build.

Mr48, I have a S10 ZR2 I was saving for the 54, and I was thinking I should use it on the 57, but now I'm thinking I need a shopping trip! If I get in trouble, I'm telling the wife it was your idea.

[Hcb3200]

If you want to get deeper in specifications and want more information on how many inches for this and that on your trucks

Go to this one
More measurements than you will ever need.

https://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.co...esto/index.htm

[mr48chev]

I wasn't using a shop manual. I was using the GM Heritage center vehicle information kit pfd.

This link takes you to the list of years and models https://www.gm.com/heritage/archive/...formation-kits

This is the top page for the PFD for 57 Chevy trucks. Most of the specifications you may need are in the pfd. https://www.gm.com/heritage/archive/...formation-kits

The link that HBC3200 provided should take you to the spot where you can find the 57 truck manual online.

You can buy the paper copies or originals from a number of sources and The factory service manuals from that time frame are written so that anyone who can read and comprehend can follow them. I'd buy both the service manual and the factory assembly manual for my library.

[8man]

Thanks guys. I am spending the rest of the day looking at this stuff.

[dsraven]

i found that most of the factory dimensions for track width are given to the center of the tread rather than the wheel mounting flange with the brake drums attached. so, if you wanna get an actual dimension that doesn't factor in wheel offset of the factory wheel etc, then you need to have somebody with an actual original rear axle do a dimension check for you.
or do a drawing of what you have and what you wanna install and see where that leaves you. otherwise get the parts you want and deal with the outcomes as you go i guess. there are a lot of specialized parts to do a cameo box. like a LOT. so if you are dealing on a cameo box ensure you get everything right down to the bumper mounts. otherwise you are gonna nickel and dime yourself and the project may stall. the other option is to build it with the box you have and then get the cameo stuff and when you have it all together done you can swap it out in short order.

[dsraven]

the factory assembly manual has dimensions as well, i think, but not sure how much cameo stuff it has in there as far as dimensions go.
if you get an axle that is too narrow spacers are an option. I am not a fan of spacers myself but lots of guys use them.

[mr48chev]

The fiberglass Cameo fenders were attached to regular stepside bedsides to make the Cameo box.

You can buy the pieces to build an original looking Cameo box from the link I posted in the other post but will probably run well over 4K to do it and that doesn't include stepside bedsides or front panel.

[8man]

Thank you again. I am still debating with myself over which bed, but I will definitely contact those guys and get their take on the complete bed. My wife really likes the Cameo look, so after 45 years, that carries a lot of weight. Thanks again.

[mr48chev]

It's quite an expense unless you already have most of an original Cameo bed.
I'm there with you wife though, I really like the looks of the Cameo and have since they came out new. I remember looking at one at the local dealer when I rode along with my grandfather to get his 54 Chevy sedan serviced thinking what a pretty truck. They were pretty rare around here because the farmers just didn't pay extra for extras that didn't actually do a job then. Many of them around here only bought a new pickup when their old one wasn't reliable anymore. Then they bought the cheapest one on the lot that had a heater and a step bumper.

That Cameo in a basket that I showed in the show your Craigslist/FB finds page on a while back sold pretty fast. Possibly to someone who just wanted the box.