Question for the masses

[**grumpy**]

Ive had many 48-54 GM trucks, and My old baresteel 53 suburban I did a few years ago...but I havent ever owned a 55-59 truck, and dont recall even ever riding in one.

So, for those who've owned both styles, my question is this...

Is there any more room inside a 55-59 cab versus the earlier models?


I totally love AD trucks, and never cared for the 55-59 years, but over the past 2-3 years, I find myself liking them more and more. I actually like the 58-59s most, and I used to hate those most...haha


So talk to me fella's

[Sinisterspeed]

I believe there is a little more room in there. I currently have a 55,57,67,70,78,01 chevy trucks.

by far the most room is in the 67-72 as far as width its 3in wider inside then the 73-87.
I believe there is about the same amount of difference between the 47-55 and the 55-59 trucks but I could be wrong. I have never actually measured it the way I have those other two.

[pugs]

ihad both styles and id say they are fairly colse to the same amount of room. but it depends on the gas tank, either inside the cab and what seats you use

[PDW HOTRODS]

The 55-59 is about 3 or 4 inches wider than the 47-53. Leg room feels about the same as each other, but have not measured. I have a 47, a 53, a 58, and a 75, and I have just been looking for bench seats for the 53 and the 58. The 58 is about 2 inches narower than 73-87, but the seat from an 89 looked perfect. I have not found the right seat for the 53 yet.

[**grumpy**]

Im a big guy. 6'1 and 360 lbs....
I put a S10 bench in a 54 and it was too narrow. I swapped it for a dodge dakota bench and it was perfect width, but was too high.

I like to be down in the truck, so I took the factory tank out and took the "legs" off the dakota seat, and made it mount right to the factory seat riser. I sat way down in the truck. It was amazing how much room I had.

I was more concerned with width. There is occasion where I have to squeeze me, my wife and 2 teens in the cab. One is my 16yr old daughter, whos maybe 100lbs, but the other is my 13yr old son, whos 210.

I know we fit in a 60-66 cab, doing the seat my way, but Ive been wanting a 55-59 truck, so thats way I asked.

[BBEEP]

Get a burb!

[terd ferguson]

I know a '60-'66 seat hangs off over the step by 3" or more on each side. I got a super nice '61 seat to use in my '55.2 and it was way too wide to work. I even took the slider off to get it lower and the mounting tabs still hung over the step. Now I've got something else crowding up the garage, lol.

[**grumpy**]

Originally Posted by BBEEP

Get a burb!

Had one already. I built the baresteel one on the cover of the newest classic trucks mag. a few years ago....

But trucks are easier to find and cheaper, compared to burbs, and my current money situation limits me somewhat.

[ya it is a classic]

Originally Posted by **grumpy**

Had one already. I built the baresteel one on the cover of the newest classic trucks mag. a few years ago....

But trucks are easier to find and cheaper, compared to burbs, and my current money situation limits me somewhat.

how did you stop it from rusting? clear coat?

[**grumpy**]

Originally Posted by ya it is a classic

how did you stop it from rusting? clear coat?

Nope. Scotchbrite pads and WD40...

[pugs]

on my old 57 i used a seat out of an 88 and up chevy truck, i just cut the seat rails down a few inches

[terd ferguson]

Originally Posted by pugs

on my old 57 i used a seat out of an 88 and up chevy truck, i just cut the seat rails down a few inches

Attachment 535639

How's that seat look on the driver side? I'm looking for something that doesn't look new (no plastic or head rests or crazy levers) that will fit well. How much height did you cut out of the base?

And sorry for the slight hijack.

[pugs]

the seat had no headrest or plastic around the bottom, i dont remember but i think i took 3" from the front and 2"at the back, it was the perfect fit for the truck, reason o took a section out of the tracks as i wanted to sit low it the cab

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by terd ferguson

How's that seat look on the driver side? I'm looking for something that doesn't look new (no plastic or head rests or crazy levers) that will fit well. How much height did you cut out of the base?

And sorry for the slight hijack.

The "Standard" seat out of the 88 and later trucks is pretty plane but as Pugs mentioned the seat riser is pretty tall. I'm planning on sectioning the none on mine in my 72 GMC. The adjustment lever is a discreet little lever on the drivers side front corner that is somewhat hard to see and harder to find when you want to move the seat, at least with a saddle blanket seat cover on it.



As you can see Pugs cut quite a bit out of his seat riser to get the seat lower and I am going to take about 1-1/2 to 2 inches out of mine as soon as I get caught up on other projects.

[63chevyll]

i never noticed how much the seat up in the air

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by pugs

on my old 57 i used a seat out of an 88 and up chevy truck, i just cut the seat rails down a few inches

Attachment 535639

What is the dash out of in your truck???

[pugs]

it was a 54 dodge royal dash grafted to part of the original dash, actuall i still have it. the guy that bought the cab didnt want the dash

[CAL 58 GMC]

I put the gas tank under the bed and swapped the bench seats for buckets, I was really surprised how much room I have in the 58.