The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop 1949-53 vs 1954-55 windshields

Hey Guys-

Jordan (jdl) and I were discussing cab similarities and differences. I made a statement that I believed 49 to 55 cabs were interchangeable, seeings how they all have the same mounting points. Jordan brought up a good point that, starting in 1954, the windshields were one piece. I said that I thought maybe the center piece would fit on a 54/55 cab, allowing it to be used with a two piece windshield.

So- my question is, can a 54/55 cab be mounted with a two piece windshield? Or, would a one piece windshield have to be used?

Thanks.

Dave,that would be a no-no,unless you cut a curved windshield in half and added a centre bar.
There is actually a discussion elsewhere on the 'bolt about this if that's what prompted your question.

The later one piece cabs used different roof and cowl pressings.
The roof lost it's peak at the front centre,and had a curved pinch weld area as did the cowl.
As far as I'm aware the rest of the cab was pretty much the same as the pre-53.
I have seen 47-53 trucks with a post 53 front clip and vice versa,so the front clips will interchange.

about 3/4 of the cab is the same as earlier years, but the roof and cowl are different, as are the dashes.

Thanks for the replys, which set me to thinking: If I'm going to replace the Blue Funks's cab with a comparable one, the cab needs to be a 1949 to 53, correct?

Yes, 49-53 (If you want to use your 51 gas tank).

How close do you want the cab to match a 51 cab?

There were some minor, almost unnoticeable, cab differences between 49-53. There were also some slight differences in screw-on interior parts, buy you would use your year's interior screw-on parts.

A little nit-picking would keep you away from 49-50 cabs (left side-cowl ventilator air scoop). There was also a different seam in the fire-wall that changed around 1948/49 (I dimly recall). The width of the seat changed in 1950 (I do not know if the seat base changed).

How the windlace attached to the cab-door opening changed in 1949, as did the mode-of-attachment of roof-panel bows.

Most of the above difference (except for the side vent) would not be noticed.

Actually, Tim, I'd like to replace it with a '51 cab. But close enough is good enough for me.

Thanks for pointing out the changes.

I'm not sure if the area around the door latch striker changed with the introduction of the push-button handles in 52. 51 doors are specific to that year and hard to find.