The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Difference between 55.2 and 59 cab?

Hood hinges are different for sure...what else?
I'm thinking nothing else is different but am open to learning otherwise?

Are the wipers/motor the same? Holes in firewall?

Also...what about steering column? 55 steering wheel is flat while 59 wheel is not.

I picked up a nice 55.2 cab and want to transplant it onto my 59.

Any words of wisdom are appreciated.

The fender braces at the top of the cowl are different but I don't think they make a difference in locating the fenders. Just a different design. I think they changed in 58, but don't quote me on that!

55.2nd braces are sort of square with a curved head and are mounted/spot welded in three places on top of the cowl where as 59 braces are more of a round design and if memory serves me have more surface area attached/welded to the cowl.

assuming the 55 is also a GMC, not a Chevy ....
hood hinge mounting points are slightly different, but can be fiddled as long as you're using the 59 inner fenders and hood

wipers are different, entire 59 setup should be transplantable

55/6 column is longer than 57-59, but the 59 column should fit OK, or you could use the longer 55 column with the 55 wheel

59 firewall is slightly different but can be worked around

otherwise they're close enough for Alberta girls

Bill

The 57-59 column is exactly 3" shorter than 55-56. 36" and 39".

Battery tray mount points are slightly different.

Thanks for all your feedback guys! Much appreciated!

Do you think my 280 lb muscular frame would fit behind a 55 column and a 59 wheel?

No, you don't want to use the 55 column and 59 wheel... it will not be comfortable at all.

The rim of the steering wheel itself is in the exact place on all of the years. When they dished the wheel 3" in 1957 they also shortened the column 3" to put the rim back in the same place.

Putting a 57-59 wheel on a 55/56 column would put the wheel 3" closer to you chest than it was in it's stock location.

The turn signal switch is different as well, when they dished the wheel they angled the turn signal lever.

Mike B

a big chap might like to use a 59 [short] column and the 55 flat wheel

Bill

Thanks for the help Bill!
Cheers

I looked at putting my 55 wheel in my 58 but decided it was not going to work, I think that made the bottom of the wheel way too close to my thighs if I recall.

Good point!

At the risk of turning this into another gas tank relocation MONSTER. ... I wonder if once it's removed from cab if I could relocate the seat back a notch... anyone try that?

The seat is as far back as it will go in it's factory stock location. The top of the seat back is just about 1/2" away from hitting the back of the cab. If you change the angle of the seat back to being more vertical I guess you could get more leg room, but you'd give up back comfort.

You could look for a seat with a thinner back assembly, maybe an S-10 seat?

Mike B