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#1327776 09/26/2019 3:13 AM
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Bks
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Thinking about getting this truck guy says it’s a 53 but the dash looks funny what yaw think
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63BE07A3-9B0D-4573-BA67-1ACF9AB47A7A.jpeg (209.86 KB, 495 downloads)

Bks #1327795 09/26/2019 10:40 AM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,262
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
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Posts: 29,262
It is not a '53 Chevrolet/GMC truck dash.

Maybe someone will recognize it?

Bks #1327818 09/26/2019 1:10 PM
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T
'Bolter
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That's a 1954 - 55 GMC dash. If the title says 1953 or Chevy it's wrong.

Bks #1327971 09/27/2019 11:02 PM
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'Bolter
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I agree the dash is 54 - 55.1 GMC, but it has the windshield divider bar... ???

Though I have seen some pictures of 54 trucks with divided curved windshields. Don't know if they were non-USA manufactured or what.

Last edited by Frank50; 09/27/2019 11:02 PM.

Professional Novice
Bks #1328008 09/28/2019 5:27 PM
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Wrench Fetcher
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Well, there's no hole for the clutch pedal either so it must have been a hydramatic truck.


1954 GMC 9314 - 261 t5
canuck49 #1328238 09/30/2019 3:03 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
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'Bolter
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I agree. No starter pedal hole either.
The windshield divider bar is still a puzzle...


Professional Novice
Bks #1328256 09/30/2019 4:50 PM
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Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
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If it is a 54/55 Z-series New Design GMC dash, the holes/cut-outs do not match the original dash - see images.

Also, all 1954/55 GMC trucks had a 1 piece windshield (up to the 450 series).
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Screen Shot 2019-09-30 at 12.47.40 PM.png (372.56 KB, 222 downloads)
Screen Shot 2019-09-30 at 12.48.17 PM.png (454.57 KB, 219 downloads)

Bks #1328293 09/30/2019 9:37 PM
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'Bolter
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If Tim's green dash is a 54/55 dash, it doesn't match the OP's. Too many glove box, radio, ashtray, holes and the choke & light switch holes don't match either...could it be from a really BIG GMC truck???

Need Spanky to get in on this one!

Mike B smile


Mike Boteler

1956 Chevy 3100 Resto Rod
1956 8400 Wrecker w/Holmes 525
1956 9200 Tractor w/Allison Automatic
1952 Willys M38 Army Jeep
1953 Willys M38A1 Fire Jeep
1978 Jeep CJ-5 Navy Jeep
1984 Jeep CJ7
+++++
Hughesville, MD
Bks #1328294 09/30/2019 10:01 PM
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Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,262
The photos I posted above are of the correct dash in a GMC Z-series dash (1954 through early 1955).

I owned and restored a GMC truck with correct dash.

Bks #1328296 09/30/2019 10:38 PM
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'Bolter
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Thanks Tim, I wasn't doubting you, just observing your picture and the OP's don't match...

Mike B smile


Mike Boteler

1956 Chevy 3100 Resto Rod
1956 8400 Wrecker w/Holmes 525
1956 9200 Tractor w/Allison Automatic
1952 Willys M38 Army Jeep
1953 Willys M38A1 Fire Jeep
1978 Jeep CJ-5 Navy Jeep
1984 Jeep CJ7
+++++
Hughesville, MD
Bks #1328306 09/30/2019 11:48 PM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,262
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
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No problem, Mike

My post was in response to the earlier two posts that said it was 54/55 dash.

I do not know newer dashes, but my guess is late 55 or newer. Not enough info to confirm that it is a “graft” of a dashboard, but that is one possibility?

tclederman #1328312 10/01/2019 12:14 AM
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5
Renaissance Man
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Originally Posted by tclederman
No problem, Mike

My post was in response to the earlier two posts that said it was 54/55 dash.

I do not know newer dashes, but my guess is late 55 or newer. Not enough info to confirm that it is a “graft” of a dashboard, but that is one possibility?
I'd say that it is a distinct possibility that it is a one-off grafted dash. There is ample evidence that it has been painted over the original color.
Having said that, GMC did some odd things over the years, but making a separate, very expensive set of dies to make a very short run of panels for that dash isn't very frugal in my opinion.
Carl


1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
Bks #1328313 10/01/2019 12:25 AM
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'Bolter
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Piping in here, looking at the discussion, and comparing pictures of pre- Z GMC and pre-54 AD dashes, including my ‘54 450,
It really looks like a GMC Z instrument panel grafted onto a , presumably 53 dash!
Frankenstein? If so, ain’t we smart to figure it out!


~Charley
1954 Chevy 3100 with 235
261 project engine
“Ole Blackie”
Follow along in the DITY
1963 Chevy half ton stepside short box 230
1954 GMC 3 ton 302
And several more Chevy camper and work trucks 1979 1987 1996
1931 Packard car, 327 i 8 auto
Bks #1328321 10/01/2019 1:50 AM
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Crusing in the Passing Lane
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My '54 GMC 630 also has a one piece windshield.

Ed

Last edited by EdPruss; 10/02/2019 1:48 AM.

'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
Bks #1328421 10/01/2019 7:23 PM
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Renaissance Man
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Dang, Ed. I just got done the other day praising you for always being right, then you go and type "64" instead of "54".
A typo does not make one wrong however, so your "always right" status is still intact. smile
Carl


1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
Bks #1328423 10/01/2019 7:31 PM
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Renaissance Man
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I zoomed in on the hole in the dash for the gauge cluster and you can see the remnants of the original dash where it was cut with a cutting torch.
Carl


1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
52Carl #1328433 10/01/2019 9:16 PM
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 9,830
Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums
Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums
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Posts: 9,830
Originally Posted by 52Carl
I zoomed in on the hole in the dash for the gauge cluster and you can see the remnants of the original dash where it was cut with a cutting torch.
Carl
Good catch.
Definitely looks like a hack job to change out the instrument cluster, but at least the ragged edges will be invisible when the cluster is installed.


Kevin
1951 Chevy 3100 work truck
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1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car)
Busting rust since the mid-60's
If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.

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