The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Chevy truck frames

My knowledge and books are all GMC. I believe that the answer to my questions are valid, no matter which brand, but I'd like confirmation from the Chevy part of the Peanut Gallery.

In 1954, what wheelbases were offered for Chevy 1/2 ton trucks? GMCs were 116" and 125 1/4"
In 1954, what wheelbases were offered for Chevy 3/4 ton trucks? GMCs were only 125 1/4"
In 1954, what was the approximate width between the frame rails at the rear of a 1/2 ton Chevy truck? GMC trucks were around 47"
In 1954, what was the approximate width between the frame rails at the rear of a 3/4 ton Chevy truck? GMC trucks were around 36"

I'm trying to help an internet friend identify what may be a Johnny Cash Special.

Thanks for the help.

Chevy only offered the 116" WB in 1/2 ton trucks, and only 125 1/4" in 3/4 tons.

The FAM (figures dated Jan 1954) indicates that the frame width for 1/2 tons was 46" (outside measurement) and 3/4 ton and larger trucks it was 36".

Here's the Vehicle Info Kit for '54.

New guy says 116" wheelbase and 36" frame width at the rear. The only way I could think to get that is to narrow a 1/2 ton frame or shorten the wheelbase on a 3/4 ton frame.

And all this time I thought that the longer wheelbase was an option in the 3100.

Either narrowing a 1/2 ton frame or shortening the wheelbase on a 3/4 ton would be difficult. Not impossible, but there would be evidence either way.

FWIW, a 55.2 half ton has a 114" wheelbase and 36" wide frame at the rear. Maybe he's got a 55.2 frame and didn't measure that closely on wheelbase. It wouldn't be hard to get 2" off if measureing at the ground.

Is "New Guy's" frame Chevrolet or a GMC?
I recall reading about a short bed 3/4 ton GMC, but it may have been a long bed 1/2 ton GMC, which indicates that I actually do not recall.
Sincerely,
The Captain of the Peanut Gallery.

Carl, I've never seen a short bed 3/4 ton GMC. But GMC made wheelbases of 115", 125 1/4" and 137" in the one ton models from 1946 thru 1950. They dropped the 115" in the one ton in '51, but kept the other two.

How would you tell if the frame was Chevy or GMC?

"New guy" sent me a picture overnight that explains all the confusion about what his truck is.

Would you ride in this???


Looks like early to mid 60s GM pickup coil spring rear suspension adapted to an AD to me.

Yeah, that looks like a 55.2 or later frame to me. Definitely not a 1/2 ton 54 or 55.1 low hump frame. Here's a pic of a Chevy '54 3100 frame I had for a while.

The front crossmember has a distinctive jog in it towards the front to match up with the front engine mount of the longer GMC inline 6.