The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1st or 2nd series1955 pickup?

I know, it's normally pretty easy to tell, however the truck I bought is Chevy chassis only, with a Ford body. So how can I tell if it's a first or secong generation 1955 based on frame/running gear?

After wire brushing the frame between the prior grinding and rust that was on it, I was able to read the following number " 55B 68 "

From what I learned reading some past posts the number that preceeded the 55 (which is now gone) would have told me if it was a first or second generation truck.

Are the frame measurements different between the series? If so, I was able to find the frame measurments for first, but not second series to compare.

The motor is a 1957-1959 (unknown which) with a 1954-1955 head on it, so that doesn't really help me.

Any suggestions or things to look at would be appreciated. I want to start ordering some parts, but a lot of things are divided by which series it is.

Thanks much for your help.

On a Second Series, the serial number will start with "255". The frame dimensions will be different, as the 55 1rst uses the '54 style frame. Here's the frame checking diagram for the '54, notice the taper at the front of the frame. Compare that to '55 diagram, you can see the differences. In addition, the wheelbases are different, with the '55 being about an inch shorter.

How wide are the leaf springs. I think 55 1st and earlier, the leaves were actually narrower.

I will give this a shot, but I am no expert on the task force series and I am going from memory for the most part:

Since the frame was stamped, pretty sure this is a second generation. They did not stamp the first series truck frames.

1954 had a closed driveshaft and the 55 first generation had an open driveshaft.

What type of front engine mount did it have. The early years used a two bolt through the timing cover and the later engines used a side mount with a single hole through the cross member. Not really sure when this change was made.

The second series did not have a full length running board so it will only have one support behind the cab, the first series had 3 supports on each side.

The first series has a shock tower mounted on the frame, the second series does not (going from memory)

The emergency brake on the first series had a horizontal shaft/lever that went behind the transmission, the second series did not.

The battery box for the first series is located on the frame and on the firewall of the second series.

The cross member at the rear bed is arched on the first series and semi flat on the second series.

The transmission cross members are different too.

The front spring perches are of different shape etc.

Just looking at the frame pictures that longbox posted really shows the characteristics of the two frames, compare these pictures to what you have.

First series

Second series

George has it, except the 55.2 does have 'shock towers' of a sort - here's some pics of the TF [2nd series] frame - pic 1 [has the front shocks, rad core mount brackets and the e-brake cross shaft on the driver side rail in place] - pic 2 - pic 3

Bill

Thanks for all the help everyone. It's currently not at home so I'll have to double check the measurements from the diagrams provided. However, from the pictures I have on file it is definetely stamped and it appears as though the frame does not get narrow in the front as the first series does.

Thanks again for your help!

Get rid of the ford body and replace it with a Chevy.

Lol, yea yea I know... I'll probably keep it just as a reminder to make sure I know what I'm actually buying. Although it worked out because it's a lot easier to find parts for a 55 Chevy than a 41 Ford

I like 41 Fords.

As commented before; a lot happens in 50-60 years...