| |
BUSY BOLTERS Are you one?  The Shop Area
continues to pull in the most views on the Stovebolt. In August alone there were over 22,000 views in those 13 forums.
| | Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | |
1 members (Danielbolt),
479
guests, and
1
robot. | | Key: Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod | | | Forums66 Topics126,777 Posts1,039,267 Members48,100 | | Most Online2,175
Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 30 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: May 2005 Posts: 30 | I am cofused(not unusual). Is the early 55 chevy truck frame the same as a late 55 to 59 frame or is it the same as the 54 frame?? I am contemplating a MII suspension and am wondeing which crossmember to use. Thanks for the help. Joe
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,144 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,144 | early 55 is the same as 54 | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | Joe,
If the sheet metal on your truck looks like the sheet metal (grill/fenders/hood) on a 1954 Chevrolet truck, your frame is the same as a 1954 frame.
Tim | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 30 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: May 2005 Posts: 30 | Thanks for the response. The front end sheetmetal is 54 or early 55. I want the flat bedside tops and I was led to believe that the frames kickup was different at the bed mounts between 53 and 54,(or early 55).. The reason I am asking all the dumb questions is because I am getting the parts together for what will be a buildup over a period of time(when I get the time)but it looks to me the starting point will be the frame. There is a MII based front suspension buildup on another forum and I think by kinda following it , I can get an idea of the work involved. Thanks , Joe | | | | | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | The '54 and '55 1st frames are different than either the earlier or later frames.
The difference between a '47 through '53 and a '54 and '55 1st is the kickup over the rear axle, and I do not believe anything is different at the front. In addition to the flat side tops, the bed is also deeper, and that is why the kickup is lower. The bellhousing crossmember is different after '53 also, that that does not impact the MII install.
The '55 2nd and later is completely different and would not work under a '54 or '55 1st cab, though the bed would fit nicely...
These details all assume a 1/2-ton truck but are pretty much the same on a 3/4-ton. The 1-ton has straight frame rails all the way back '47 to '55 1st.
1955 1st GMC Suburban | 1954 GMC 250 trailer puller project | 1954 GMC 250 Hydra-Matic | 1954 Chevy 3100 . 1947 Chevy COE | and more...
It's true. I really don't do anything but browse the Internet looking for trouble... | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 30 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: May 2005 Posts: 30 | Appreciate the info OldSub. So, I guess I need to concentrate on MII installs for the 54-early 55 front frame rails. I have seen several on late 55 frames but don't recall seeing much info on the earlier frames.From what I have seen, the install looks pretty straitforward except for the top hat(coil spring holder) angles. This looks to me to be the most critical part of the install. I guess if you screw that angle up, the camber could never be adjusted correctly. But, like I say, I'm starting to gather parts and just tryin to get a budget. Again, Thanks, Joe | | |
|
|
| |
