The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Using different year body parts

New member here.
I have a 1954 Chevy pick-up with good grill, hood and front fenders. It has no running boards or bed, and an iffy set of doors and a cab with poor corners and a shot 235 with a cracked number one cylinder. I have the chance to buy a 1948 with a 216, good cab running boards and bed, decent hood and fenders and a bad grill. When I consider replacing the engine and bed on the 54 and the body work, I come up with a price that it is considerably more than the price of purchasing the 48. What I don't know, and am not even sure where to find is the compatibility of the 2 different years parts. Is this possible or even adviasable. My goal is a dependable weekend hauler and occasional commuter. I know there are some design differences, split windshield and bed sides, but I am willing to overlook that if I can correct the problems both of them have by grafting them together. I will also post in the Engine section about the engine differences. Sorry about the long post. Thanks, Nate

This is a pretty good place to find compatibility. The frames are differant between the 48 and the 54. The main differance is the bed mounts, a 48 bed will not fit on a 54 frame and vise versa without serious modifications. The '54 frame is much flatter than previous ones and the bed mounts completely differantly. However, any stepside bed up into the 1970's will fit on a '54 frame, so you should be able to find another pretty easily. Someone else here will post cab info. I think the '48 cabs had a differant frame mount from the '49-54. However, I wouldn't pass up the chance to get a good parts truck, you can always trade around for parts for someone who might be in the exact opposite situation than you, trying to fix up a '48 with '54 parts.

The 54 hood, fenders, and grill parts will fit on an earlier cab with no problem. You might consider selling those parts and finding another truck instead of the 48 that is in better overall shape. That 54 grill is very desireable and could get you a good sum of $$$ in the swap meet or better yet - Ebay. Probably get enough from the grill to fund most if not all of the new truck.

I can't quote what years will work but I can say I've seen several early model trucks with a a late model "flared" fender bed on them and they looked pretty doggone good. An S-10 bed might work or regualar size? I think junkyard price on some of them may be to your liking and keep the 54??? Just a thought, something I've seen done.

I have been close to selling the 54 many times over the last year, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I just like the look too much. However, I hadn't thought about parting it out. This gives me something new to think about. However, it does sound like trying to piece together something out of these two trucks is not worth the hassle. Thanks.

A couple of things to think about

54's had the gas tank behind the seat.
48's had the gas tank under the bed.