The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun 1/2 and 1 ton cab difference?

Im just wondering if they used the same cabs for the 1/2 3/4 1 to s? In 1953

Cabs are the same all the way up to the 2 tons, exept for the COE trucks.

welcome to the garage rat, look around a bit - all conventional cabs are the same for any year - so you could interchange any of the models you list, including the front clips - the 1.5T and above use different front sheet metal and the fenders in particular are much different for the big ones

Bill

Hey thanks so much that's what I thought but I just wanted to be sure. I'm picking up my 53 gmc this weekend and am looking toward to being part if this family.

I remember a post awhile back about running boards. There are some differences in running boards.

There are 3 different lengths of running boards, obviously, for the 1/2, 3/4, and 1 ton. However the front running board bracket and the bracket at the end of the cab (mounted on the frame) are in the same location for the 3 above mentioned sizes. A rack body uses a short running board that ends at the rear on the cab. This short board only requires 2 mounting brackets (on the frame) therefore all three size trucks in the rack body or flat bed format will use the same short running boards.

And the short boards for the 1/2 through 1 ton trucks are different than the short boards that fit 1.5 and 2 ton trucks.

Hi, I am curious exactly what is the differences in the front sheet metal. I have a 1.5t that I am putting on an s-10 frame and the Fenders look like to me they have a longer length at the front. Also the grille looks like it is a bit wider at the point of the turn lamps. Am I correct as I do not have a 1/2 or 3/4 ton to examnine.

Thanks, Mike

reddie - it depends on the year what the exact differences are, but generally, the big bolt fenders are wider, have a larger wheel opening and a slightly different shape at the front to accommodate the much bigger wheels/tires - grilles may also be wider and higher .... a big bolt front clip on an S10 chassis will look very out of place

you can check the GM factory specs for your year here to see differences in measurements

Bill

Thanks Red great link! If I am looking at the measuements right the fenders on mine are just a scootch over an inch wider on each fender. Before I say 100% one way or the other I am going to hang the front sheet metal when I get to that point and see what it looks mocked up.

Mike

I bet you find the big bolt fenders look silly with small truck wheels in them and all the extra room.

That was the fear when I started to really think about building this one. All the same I am going to be on the look out for another doghouse.

Mike

Doghouse?

Ahh, that term must not be in use in your area. doghouse refers to the front sheet metal.

Mike

I am used to the term doghouse referring to the sheet metal around the rad on late thirties and forties vehicles. It was a self contained structure that had the appearance similar to the front of a doghouse. The AD trucks don't really have that structure.

reddie8
The grills on the 1.5 ton and up have taller verticals than the 1/2 thru 1 ton trucks 47-53,because the fenders are taller.
But the grill bars themselves can be used.
In other words,if you have a damaged bar or 2 you can use one from a big truck grill as a replacement.
You can mix and match the bars(they are notched on the back offset from center top to bottom)but you cant mix the verticals.
regards,
steve sr.

There are at least 4 different front fenders
I have seen for GM trucks, there is even a full width, large wheel opening one on school buses and? that I have on my 1 ton, 4WD truck. 3/4 and 1 ton ones have only slightly larger wheel openings than 1/2 ton, but are narrow, never seen a full width, small wheel opening version.

Ed, youre talking about pre 47conference trucks, other info above is 47-54