The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 54 GMC vs Chev

I've been looking for a 54 5 window chev, haven't found one yet. But I did find a 54 (I think) GMC 1/2 ton 5 window pickup.

The body looks identical except the grill. Are the parts for the GMC and Chev interchangable? Does anyone know the big differences?

Engines are different, chevy engines are shorter and the rear mounts are different. I actually have a 54 GMC 100 w/ a Chevy 261 and SM420, which originally came from the factory with a 248 GMC engine and a hydromatic tranny. The gauge cluster is also different between the Chevy and GMC. A chevy anti-sway bar does not bolt right in to GMC without an adaptor because the front cross member is different. The transmission cross member is different as well. Slash aprons are different. There may be other things different, but those are the ones that come to mind.

Jim

Front crossmember is different. Grille and surround are different. Front splash pan is different. Hood is different. Tailgate is stamped GMC. Dashboard, gauges, ashtray, glovebox door and horn button are VERY different. Engine is actually designed for truck use, not a passenger car. Hood ornaments (if installed) are very different.Deluxe GMCs could be ordered without the Nu-view corner windows.

GMCs were positive ground, Chebbies negative. Both were 6v systems.

Parking and taillights are the same. Front fenders are the same. Bed and rear fenders is the same. Cab sheet metal (other than the dash) is the same. Glass is the same. Seat is the same. Gas tank is the same. Transmission, axles and brakes are all the same.

GMCs were produced in far smaller numbers than Chebbies. Knowing that you have a real truck is priceless.

Basically, if I couldn't find a 5 window chev, could I use a GMC 5 window cab and keep the rest chev?

How hard is it to change a positive ground to a negitive ground system?

I think there is not a more beautiful truck than a 1954 GMC with a crome grill and surround. You will have something that not many others have. Why ruin a GMC by making it look like a Chevy?

Canadian G.M.C's had the same 235 engine as the Chevy's; not the long motors as in the U.S. And so engine mounts are the same. As mentioned above there are lots of front end sheetmetal differences. You could use a G.M.C cab on a Chev if it's condition made it worth the transplant. Conversion to 12 volt negative ground isn't a problem. Search the electrical forum for that.

Curt B.

Thanks guys.

The only reason I would use a gmc cab is because I'm having trouble finding a 5 window chev. I'll have to do some more thinking. The engine I will be putting in is a 1962 261 out of a Gmc stake truck.

Thanks again

cujo8, the rear mounts are the same for standard tranny trucks. Your rear cross member is different because it was a hydramatic. Yours unbolts, standards don't.


AlZ, keep it GMC.

Thanks Cletis, I did not know that.

cujo

I forgot the knobs - some are different, others are the same as the '54 Chebby but in a grey/almond color.