The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 53/54 3100 chassis

What is the difference between the 1954 and the 1953 Chevy 3100 Chassis? My cab is 53 but the front sheet metal and bed are 54. Nothing is together right now and ordering springs, IFS kits can be confusing when looking up parts.

TIA

Welcome to Stovebolt. Since you’re only asking frame dimensional questions I will leave your post here. Questions about IFS and other modifications should be addressed in the HiPo forum.

Thanks Martin! The differences in the two frames is my main concern since there is supposed to be a change in 54 from the earlier AD 3100 trucks. I know it's something about the rear kick up because, as I understand, the 54 bed isn't supposed to fit the earlier AD frames.

Yes you are correct. We have several ‘54 experts around and I’m sure one will chime in soon.

Thanks again!

There is a difference in the crossmember that the trans. sets on. The 54 has the later style engine mounts which can accomidate the later model bell housings up through 72.
That is the only difference I am familiar with. Other Stovebolters will have more.
George

Thanks!

Pages 49-51 describes/shows 1/2 ton chassis changes in 1954

As George describes above (and, as shown/described) at the link in my earlier post, above.

You should have no problems with fitment of your combination of parts.
The '53 and '54 cabs mounts are the same, so the '53 cab will fit on the '54 frame.
The '54 front clip will mount to the '53 cab.
And of course, the '54 bed will fit on '54 frame.
Carl

My big question is how to tell what frame I actually have, 53 or 54.

The engine’s rear motor mounts are the “dead give away”

Scroll to the bottom of the page that I linked-to, above.

54 frame has a lower frame kick up over the rear axle as well to accommodate the deeper 54/55 bed.

This is what the back section of the 54 frame looks like. It's very similar to the 3/4 ton truck frame. The 53 and earlier have a very large U shaped kick up.

This is the earlier frame

Look at the crossmember where the rear engine mounts are located. '53 rear engine mounts were horizontally mounted. '54 where mounted on an inboard angle.

52 Carl is absolutely right in that all the sheet metal will work whether pre or post 1954. One may have to make custom bed mount blocks, custom cab mounts, and custom bell housing mounts but if you are not capable of doing this maybe one should stick to newer trucks where it's just a matter of unbolting a part and bolting another back on. On old rides I expect to do fabricating or spend eons hunting down an exact part which in my case is never going to happen. A 54 (note curved windshield) with 53 bed and front clip.

[img]https://i.postimg.cc/0zwCCsDW/truck-roll-pans-clips-003.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i.postimg.cc/v1y5L6QT/truck-roll-pans-clips-001.jpg[/img]

Thanks all! I now know I have the 54 chassis thanks to you guys. I'm in the process of replacing all four corners and most of the cab floor but I'm pretty fair with body work and welding. Now if I can hoodwinkle a couple of the grand kids for muscle I'm in good shape. I have a 53 cab with the front and rear sheet metal being a 54. I like the character of the split windshield and the vent windows of the 53 and earlier.