55 gmc

[Pfdchief]

i have a 55 gmc 150 that i installed a 79 camaro subframe on. The original radiator support was damaged so i would like to put a aftermarket Chevy support in. will this work? I assume I will have to redo some brakets or is it a bolt in operation? They look completely different in pictures. This is my 1st attempt at building a project and dont want to buy parts that I cant use! Any help??? Thanks

[OrrieG]

Some say there is a difference in GMC and Chevy radiator supports, but I found one from a 58 GMC and put it in my 59. I stood them up side by side and could not see and difference and so far everything is bolting up fine. Maybe the 55-57 are different????

[BBPanel]

I retained the Chevy rad support when I installed the GMC fenders and grill and did not have to do anything special. I did not use the stock radiator because I have a BBC in it so did custom Afco radiator. -Bob

[70gmcjimmy]

Originally Posted by Pfdchief

i have a 55 gmc 150 that i installed a 79 camaro subframe on. The original radiator support was damaged so i would like to put a aftermarket Chevy support in. will this work? I assume I will have to redo some brakets or is it a bolt in operation? They look completely different in pictures. This is my 1st attempt at building a project and dont want to buy parts that I cant use! Any help??? Thanks

If your '55 GMC is a 2nd series, I'm sure it would be much easier to use the Chevy support with the Camaro stub, not to mention better radiator mounting too.

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Some say there is a difference in GMC and Chevy radiator supports, but I found one from a 58 GMC and put it in my 59. I stood them up side by side and could not see and difference and so far everything is bolting up fine. Maybe the 55-57 are different????

Yeah at least '55 and '56 GMC's are different using a center mounted radiator support that required a top hoop which also supported the whole front clip. I'm pretty sure '55 2nd Chevys used a support that mounted from both frame rails with channel shaped frame brackets. The support in my '55 was torched out and the crossmember was gone too along with the missing top hoop. I built a Chevy style support for it. I still have an I-6 so it was built to fit a 1954 Chevy radiator that I had laying around.

Originally Posted by BBPanel

I retained the Chevy rad support when I installed the GMC fenders and grill and did not have to do anything special. I did not use the stock radiator because I have a BBC in it so did custom Afco radiator. -Bob

Hey, Bob, this is DAC from South Dakota. I have a different name on this forum. I never asked before, but did you put a Camaro stub on your panel? I'm pretty sure what you have done will work great for Pfdchief.

DAC

[BBPanel]

Originally Posted by 70gmcjimmy

Hey, Bob, this is DAC from South Dakota. I have a different name on this forum. I never asked before, but did you put a Camaro stub on your panel? I'm pretty sure what you have done will work great for Pfdchief. DAC

DAC, no someone put a MII on the oem frame rails before I got it. And mine is a 56 - I assumed Pfdchief was referring to a 55 2nd series. -Bob

[Pfdchief]

yes it is a 2nd series. sorry forgot to mention that part

[G&R's57GMC]

I'm using a Chevy frame under my GMC. The Chevy rad support sits forward of the GMC support thus the hood latch bracket on the GMC hood is a different shape then the Chevy.

So 1 could use a chevy hood or the latch bracket from 1 and then use the Chevy latch and panel, cross piece, Grill and lower panel making the GMC grill a Chevy.

Or fab a latch panel to match the GMC hood bracket and keep the GMC Grill.

[BBPanel]

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

I'm using a Chevy frame under my GMC. The Chevy rad support sits forward of the GMC support thus the hood latch bracket on the GMC hood is a different shape then the Chevy.

So 1 could use a chevy hood or the latch bracket from 1 and then use the Chevy latch and panel, cross piece, Grill and lower panel making the GMC grill a Chevy.

Or fab a latch panel to match the GMC hood bracket and keep the GMC Grill.

I'm using the chevy rad support (in 6 cyl position), chevy latch, chevy latch panel, chevy hood and GMC grill.