The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Picture of 53 1/2 ton frame

Just bought a 53 1/2 ton frame, I think? Looks like it is an ad frame, still has the rear end, springs, drive shaft, and front end on. Any markings I can look for to be certain? Our 53 doesn't sit on an ad frame, so I can't look there. Anybody got a nice picture of an original frame?

Coach-

I'm not aware of any specific markings that would distinguish it among the AD years. There are suspension and drivetrain features that would distinguish a 1/2 ton from heavier duty applications.

Although not a pic of a full frame, take a look at my frame donor photos and compare. Note that these include some post-graft photos, so the Nova rear end will not resemble your own drivetrain. Another source might be Tom Brownell's book How to Restore Your Chevrolet Pickup. Good luck!

coach,

I have never heard of a code/marking/ID on a '53 frame (but would be interested to hear if there is one). Of the parts you listed, the rear end is the only part with an ID. Try to find the casting numbers and post themn here. Then, at least the rear-end can be identified, but that is not going to provide a definitive ID of the date of the frame.

What front-end parts are still on the frame?

Tim

He is a partial frame picture of my 53 3100.

It's in the single digits here today. I will look for some of the things you guys mentioned when it warms up. Thanks!!

A couple of things can get you narrowed down to the '53 model year or later. I can provide pictures if you would like.

The drag link is a non-adjustable type (i.e. no cotter pin and big screw in cap to preload spring) This was carried forward through '55 first series trucks. Also different are the spindles and I believe the steering arm. Most obvious difference is the lack of adjusters on the drag link.

I believe the rest of the frame is the same as those trucks back to 1950 (first year of tube shocks)

I am pretty sure brake line arrangement for '53 is new as well. There is a block attached to the back of the master cylinder with two tubes attached instead of 1 as in previous years.

That should narrow it down to pre '53 or post '53

Don't know if this will help or not but one difference I know of with Pre 54 and Post 54 frames was the kickup over the rear wheels was about 2" shorter on the later trucks due to the new flat side beds that were a little deeper.
I traced these on a piece of cardboard to compare when I was thinking about going with a 54 style bed on my 51'.

[img]http://www.chevygmcofkc.org/Gallery/data/3002/1FrameComparison.jpg[/img]

MONGO

Coach,

Another obvious difference between '54 and '53-and-earlier 1/2 ton frames is there is no transmission-mount frame cross-member in '54. Also, the crossmember for the rear motor mounts in the '54 is at a different angle than the cross member in '53-and-earlier (different rear motor mounts, too).

Tim

There is a transmission mount crossmember! So it must be pre-54, right! I will check it out very carefully tomorrow, suppose to be in the 30"s. Thanks All1