The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun differance in trucks

OK, I am getting closer and closer to jumping into a restoration of a Advance design chevy. but I still need to ask a few questions;

1. what is the major differance between a 1950 chevy and a gmc besides the grill?

2. how interchangeable are the two?

3. And I also should ask how interchangeable are the years between 47 and 53?

4. I know the 3100 is a half ton but what is the 1 ton and how interchangeable are they? is the body the same or just a look alike?

5. last one. can I put a half ton running gear on a 1 ton body & frame?

Hey,
welcome, I'll chime in and others I'm sure will add to what I know.
The grill, Engine, tailgate, and interior stuff Steering wheel, gauges and anything else that might have gmc on it are different.
I'm not sure if the front fenders are the same or not I am pretty sure the rest of the truck is the same.
Sheet metal is the same 1/2 3/4 and 1 ton except for running boards, splash aprons and bed sides all depends on the length of the bed.
My 3800(1 ton) has a 9 foot bed and so has the long running boards and splash aprons.
3600 (3/4 ton) has a bed longer than the 1/2 ton but shorter than the 1 ton.
49-54 are mostly the same. ONe piece windshields come in 54, and wing vents were available in 52 (I think...)

OK.. I think that covers most of it...

there is a ton of info here:
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/50index.htm

enjoy!

Jeremy

Front fenders between GMC and Chevrolet are Different due to grill opening etc. The front box panel on a One ton has an extra stiffener spot welded in. The one ton bumpers are nearly twice as thick as 1/2 and 3/4 ton.
But you can do anything you want to with anything. One of my one tons has a Cummins Turbo Diesel, Power servo Disc Brakes, 727 Tourqueflite transmission,with the top of the SM 420 transmission sawed off for shifter,3.07 rear end, 20 inch Dually armored car wheels.
Just Do It...........

The motor and the front crossmenber and of course anything with a logo on it. Because the parking lights are located different the fenders are different but not hard to interchange.

What is your goal? A running truck or a restoration?

There are a lot of small differences between the first Advance Design/New Design trucks and a '53. Major differences between '53 and a '54. Many of them can be adapted one way or another. Again, if you are restoring the differences matter, if not you can do most anything.

A 1-ton is a 3800 and someone else has already described the differences in sheet metal and bumper.

A GMC 1/2-ton is a 100, a 3/4-ton is a 150 and a 1-ton is a 250.

Front would be relatively easy, but the rear would be more complicated because the frame width and suspension are different.

Hope this helps. I own both 1/2-ton and 1-ton trucks if you ask specific questions I may be able to give you pictures and measurements. However I'm away from most weeks so I may be slow to respond. Especially if I forget or its raining...,