Hello,

Here is a photo album of a 1955 Chevy 1st series 1/2 ton truck with a Hydra-Matic
https://picasaweb.google.com/106723428487424188160/1955ChevyTruckBlue?noredirect=1

The Hydra-Matic in this truck has a Cadillac center case which means it is pan fed. Pan fed means there is a tube attached to the tranny oil pan to check and fill tranny from engine compartment. There is no side smoke stack filler on a Cadillac case. All internal parts are the same. Just the case is different.

The rear tranny cross member is there but not used for tranny support.

As you can see it has open drive shaft.

Thanks

1954 Chevrolet 3105 Deluxe Panel Truck
w/Factory HYDRA-MATIC