New Project help: Whats the difference in 47-53 Chevy trucks?

[Southern C10]

I am looking at starting another project and wanted to know if there is a comparison write up or something showing the difference's in the 47 thru 53 model Chevy trucks or if there is no differences at all.

Thanks, Brian

[nebdrummer]

the brothers trucks magazine had a good write up of it. i cant find it right now but if i do, ill post up.

this is just off the top of my head.. so it could be a bit wrong

47-48 had bed tanks

51 had push button handles and 1 pc window

52 had push button handles with smokers window

54 the obvious grille, dash, bed difference

somewhere between 51 and 53 i think they removed the drivers side cowl vent.

then throughout the years the bed wood/strips differ a bit.
soem years, had thriftmaster with the hood side emblems, some didnt.
then some had a maroon knob on the cowl vent handle.

just a bunch of odds and ends stuff like that.

like i said, thats what i can come up with. i might be wrong about some of it, but i know its close.

also, 3/4 tons had narrower frames than 1/2 tons. and the 1/2 ton frame is about 2 inches closer to the bed wood than the 3/4.

[55dude]

47 had lever shocks still. 47'-50' had "pull down" door handles.

[Dan Bowles]

51 had pull down handles, not push button. Those came out in '52.

47-48 has a different inner structure behind the seat and a "dip" in the cowl center under the hood. No "H" ribbing in the cowl above the steering box. "Crotch cooler" side vent on driver's side. 1 piece glass doors.

49-50 has H, crotch cooler, 1 piece glass doors, turn down handles.

51 H, no crotch cooler, vent windows, turn down handles

52-3, H, no CC, vent windows, push button handles

54 is the best and most beautiful. 1 piece windshield, different dash, gauges changed. Push button doors (interchange 52-54). Grille change as well. Front fenders change to accept grill but will bolt on older trucks. Flat top bed is deeper. Frame changes. Trans/motor support changes (hydromatic available)

55S1, carry over 54 for 3 months of 55. Open driveline, different emblems.

Emblems change throughout the series.

[Southern C10]

You guys are awesome. Any pics of the push button doors? I am venturing over from the 67-72 side of the house and am not familier with alot of the details of these trucks.

Thanks, Brian

[Dan Bowles]

Stovebolt.com

Look at the Gallery. You can go year by year.

[nebdrummer]

^yup, you are correct.

i knew something changed in 51, and yeah, it still had turn downs and vent window.

[av8tr33337]

The 51 was the last year for turn down door handles and the first year for wing windows. To my mind that makes in unique (the missing link) That's what I'm working on.

[MrTucker]

read the discription on the inside cover of the LMC catalog - it goes pretty in depth on the year to year differences

[Dan Bowles]

It has been a while but I thought there were some errors on the LMC list. That and some missing items. Still, it is a good start.

Does anyone know how to tell if the ID tag for the '47s is for an Art Deco or Advance Design?

[av8tr33337]

Originally Posted by Dan Bowles

It has been a while but I thought there were some errors on the LMC list. That and some missing items. Still, it is a good start.

Does anyone know how to tell if the ID tag for the '47s is for an Art Deco or Advance Design?

Here is another link that may help you out

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/VIN.htm

[Dan Bowles]

Originally Posted by av8tr33337

Here is another link that may help you out

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/VIN.htm

Doesn't help me: For the '39-'46, it should be found on the right side of the cowl, under the hood. Advance-Design ('47-'54) and later trucks should have a plate located on the left front door post.

I've got a loose '47 GMC plate but don't know if it is an AD or an AD! Or did GMC even make the cross over year like the Chevies in '47?

[T Hilde]

When did they make the switch? I would think by running the VIN it tells you the date of manufacture.

[Dan Bowles]

That, I don't know!