The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop 47 -53 door vs. 54 doors

I know that in 54 they changed the windshield to a one piece. Did that have any effect on the doors shape, or should I say, would a 54 door fit a 47-53? Are the roof and pillars the same? Can anybody provide a side by side comparison?

Thanks,

Robert

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137385

Go through this post we did on the HAMB. The truck started with a 51 door on one side and a 54 on the other. I've swapped doors back and forth with no issues other than the latch plates. I had a buddy argue with a guy at a swap meet last month that they were the same but the guy didn't buy so I ended up with a very nice 51 passenger door for a good price. All my cabs are '54s so I say they are the same. Until I get a '47-53 to prove me otherwise!

1947-50 doors had different side window (no vent) and latch/striker-plate (in comparison to 1952-1955)

1951 doors had a vent window but a different door handle and a different latch/striker-plate (in comparison to 1952-55)

1952-1955 had the same side-doors, latches, and striker plates

You should be able to interchange any 1947-55 door on any 47-55 cab, as long as you have have the right latches and striker-plates (the door opening dimensions did not change).

Dan, I looked through the post and found it to be a very interesting journal. But, I must have missed the door discussion. Which page was it on?

Tim,

Thanks for the good info on the doors. What about the roof line? I guess I should be more clear. Thinking about replacing the current roof on my 53 with a 54 (that I might have access to for a cheap price) because of damage from something sharp that creased the roof on the 53. Just trying to determine the proper way to make it fit. I know the 53 has a point to match the split windshield that the 54 does not have. Was wondering if I could cut out the pillars and use the 54 windshield along with the roof. Or, should I cut back from the front of the roof and fit it that way? Of course I would then have a Frankenstein 53 that would confused folks, but that's OK with me.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Robert

No discussion on my doors, just showing you that 51s fit on a 54! The red doors were 51s and now it has 54s.

I would suggest cutting all the way around the roof near the leading, side, and trailing edges and replacing it that way. You will leave the structural integrity of the 4 corners without trying to figure out what you need to do on the windshield, it will stay a '53. If you want to swap, you'll need the lower edge of the '54 opening to replace yours and it will be more welding fun. I'd scalp it and swap that way.

I'd wait until I could find a split windshield top. I'd also go for a 5 window cab and chop it! Then I'd send the '54 windshield to me and I'd put it in my truck. But that's just me.

You are going to have to replace the entire windshield pinch weld if you are changing from an earlier cab roof to a '54, the center part of the cowl changed as well to accomodate the new windshield design.