"Can I ask what is the story with your heater hoses? I have seen that setup several times in pictures but cannot figure out where they go. Are they running two heater cores in the cab of the truck?"

That would be the "plumbing/control" for the 47-55 GM truck RPO "deluxe" heater.

The names and design of that "deluxe" truck heater system changed a little between 47-55, but the "plumbing" was/is the same. It was called the Air Flow Heater or the Fresh Air Heater.