The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun 1 ton vs. 1/2 ton

I am looking at a 1954 1 ton. I have only seen pictures and I am in the process of scheduling a visit to view the truck. The pictures shows it has a bed not currently on the vehicle. I assume a 1 ton is a long bed? Are there any other major differences? Are body parts interchangeable?

Some 1 Tons had the extra long 9ft bed. I don't think they went to bigger front fenders and wider hood till the 1.5T. Others will know. Cab parts are same.

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/do...hevrolet-Trucks/1954-Chevrolet-Truck.pdf

Series 3800

Scroll down for drawings.

1 ton front end sheet metal should be the same as well.

Frames are different on the 1 tons

The running boards, aprons, front bed panel, and bedsides are all unique to the one ton. The cab and front end sheet metal are the same as 1/2 and 3/4 ton

Don't forget bumpers and bumper brackets -- unique to 1-tons.

The 3800 radiator support is also different from the 3100 and 3600 trucks.

Whitedog -- I didn't know that. What's the difference?

The 3800 uses just a center mounting point on the lower crossmember, wheras the 3100 and 3800 uses 2 mounting points. I don't recall if the dimensions are the similar or if the 3800 is slightly taller. I've had a discussion with someone in the past, just can't remember the specifics.

Now that's an interesting factoid. I figured the 31 and 36oo's all had the same center point ... hmmmm, so front clips on the light duty AD's are *not* exactly the same. Ya just never stop learning this stuff ...

Thanks!

The one-tons and bigger are set up that way so the frame can twist and work under the front clip without tearing the sheet metal and radiator apart. The smaller trucks had the radiator hoop cross-braced and mounted in two places to the frame. The fenders etc. bolted to the hoop. By the time I got my one-ton it had long studs and springs with washers and castle nuts holding the front end down to the frame. I don't think they came that way from the factory. I had worked on logging trucks that were set up that way to save the radiators from road shock when hauling out of the woods.

I've been watching the progress on a buildup of a "pickup" in a nearby town that apparently began life as a 1 ton box truck similar to the ones U Haul rents. It's a mid-1980s C30 cab with a stepside pickup bed mounted to the frame with the wheel wells centered over the dual rear wheels. The builder has widened the fenders to fit over the duals, and extended the front of the bed close to 3 feet. The bed is now close to 10 feet long. Strange-looking, but sort of cool! It's in primer now, so the job obviously isn't complete.
Jerry