Ralphy,
I hesitated to comment on the first link you gave above because I know you have a lot of original documents. The link above has some information that does not match what Chevy Duty has in its brief run down of
distinctive features of different AD truck years. I do not know much about differences between 47.5-49 but I think that a little of the 1954 Chevrolet Truck model information is incorrect (I think).
For 1954, the following information is questionable:
# Indented passenger rear fender for side mounted spare tire [ ? on driver's side in 1953-1955.5]
# Automatic Transmissions available along with a rare open drive line rear end [ ? closed drivelines with all 1/2 ton truck transmissions in 1954 - open driveline in 1955]
# Horn mounted on intake manifold [ ? horn changed in style (clamshell ?) in 1953 and was mounted on the intake manifold; the new-style horn was mounted on the radiator housing in 1954]
It is possible that some of the information from year-to-year was cut-and-pasted and might be questionned. Nonetheless, all the 1947.5-1949 information at the link might be correct.
As stated above, the Vehicle ID plate would have been the most useful item for dating the truck. As most of us are painfully aware, ID plates, and most other parts, have commonly been changed over the years (even though we have been assured that everything is stock).
Tim
