The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Can a 54 bed fit on a 50 frame?

Someome has a bed I can use on my project but he thought the humps in the rail might interfere woth the 54 bed. Any thoughts?

54 bed will go on the 50 the top of the side rails are flat on 54 and the lettering is different on tail gate.

That sounds right. So to confirm, are the frames Identcal in the rear of the 50 and 54 trucks.?

I'm fairly sure there are some frame differences. Anything can be done, with the right amount of work. You might have to whip up some custom mounting blocks to get everything to line up.

I don't have the specs with me, but I don't believe the 54 frames are the same. One significant change that occurred in '54 was the increase in the bed size. When my '54 is next to an older AD, the difference is pretty noticeable. This is not to say it can't be done, but it's likely it won't be a bolt-on application.

I believe another bolter maintains this site about GMCs - you may find technical specs to help here: http://www.oldgmctrucks.com/page0024.html

The rear portion of the 54-55.1 frame is different in that the kickup over the rear axle is lower than the earlier years. you can probably make the box fit as I have seen it done on other AD trucks but unless your original bed is gone why would you not want to keep it?

Thanks everone! I wish I could use it but it sounds like it wont work without mods. The guy that I want to buy it from thought the humps might give me some trouble.

my bed is pretty crusty so thats why I'm considering the 54 bed. I like the look and the mix and match doesnt bother me. If the price is right I'll do it. I'm just really having a hard time getting an answer if it will work.....Someone stated that the beds were bigger in 54....is that possible??????????? the hump on the 53 is much taller than the 54 so I dont think the hump is going to be an issue. Dont know!!!!!!!

The '54 3100 beds are the same length and width as the earlier ones, but the depth is about 3.5" more (at the tailgate). The '54 eliminated the mounting bolt spacer blocks, so that the platform height was lower (allowed by the lower frame kick-up), and the overall height from ground to the bed rail tops was slightly lower. Putting the '54 bed on the earlier frame will require the spacer blocks to clear the frame kick-up. The platform height would be the same as the '50, but the height to the bed rail tops would be increased by about 1.25".

It should work. I'm not sure if the mounting bolt holes will line up exactly the same. If not, it wouldn't be hard to drill some new holes.

I have a '49 which I acquired quite recently. In searching for a license plate bracket I discovered that the box was a '54. I'm learning new things about the old stovebolts everyday! I don't know when or how it was fitted to my truck but it doesn't appear to have any modification from looking underneath it. The look suits me just fine as well.
Rich