Rookie questions

[trulyjonny89]

I have a 59 3100 and I've always liked the look of the 55-57 front fenders with the single headlights instead of the dual. Now my question is can tbose be easily swapped out? I understand some wiring will need to be done but as far as fabrication goes is any required? Has anyone on here done it?

[57chevyman]

youde have to swap the 59 fenders, hood, and grill for 55-57. the shape of the opening for the headlights is oval on your 59, where they are more narrow and rounder on the 55-57

or you could get a complete fiberglass 55-57 tilt nose

it looks like around 2 grand in new parts whether steel, or the fiberglass nose.

id look on ebay and craigslist for used parts if i were you.

[mr48chev]

The 58/58 frame horns are a bit longer as the 4 headlight noses are a bit longer. One of the TF savvy guys can fill you in on what to do there. In the 70's and early 80's it was a popular swap just as putting 56 hoods on 57's to get rid of the humps on the hood.

Be prepared for the four eye brigade to throw a fit and fall in it though as some of them are hard core four headlight folks.

[Kim57]

I believe the hood hinges are also different on how the attach to the cab. Should be pretty easy swap though. I like the single head light look also.
Kim

[OrrieG]

Radiator core support and inner fenders are different too so you will need to get the complete front dog house. It mounts in the same place, but frame is about 4" longer to push the bumper out to account for the longer 58-59 fenders. Battery boxes are different, hinges mount different.

It was a pretty common conversion before people saw the light and started appreciating the 4 lite Fleetsides. As long as the cab and frame VIN are the same should not cause any issues with DMV. Friend had one that was converted, it was titled as a 58 but had a 57 clip. Your truck do what you want.

[trulyjonny89]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Radiator core support and inner fenders are different too so you will need to get the complete front dog house. It mounts in the same place, but frame is about 4" longer to push the bumper out to account for the longer 58-59 fenders. Battery boxes are different, hinges mount different.

It was a pretty common conversion before people saw the light and started appreciating the 4 lite Fleetsides. As long as the cab and frame VIN are the same should not cause any issues with DMV. Friend had one that was converted, it was titled as a 58 but had a 57 clip. Your truck do what you want.

thanks for the advice guys obviously i shall just leave it the way it is then for sure. Definitely like the look of one head light just isn't going to be worth the problems in the end.

[58CameoAZ]

From one Four Eyed Brother to the Other, welcome!
Give the extra Eyes a chance it might grow on you like they did on me.
Ive had my 58 Cameo since i was 16 and now that i am older i bought a 59 Stepside
for my Oldest Son,Got to admit i hated the 58 & 59 Chrome Emblems but now
that i am Older i love all that Chrome!
Even found the V8 Emblems for Both turcks,
Good Luck with your Truck,
Allen

[OrrieG]

You will come to appreciate the wide bulldog stance; the sweeping lines back from the headlights, across the fender, transitioning into the lower body line; the grille that screams "here are the running lights and turn signals" with the subtlety of Miley Cyrus twerking; the bulbous hood begging the question of what magical powerplant lies beneath; and pair of headlights that puts the Kardashian sisters to shame. Welcome to the 4 lite brotherhood....

[57chevyman]

would it be a crazy idea to try to make one round headlight with the correct bezel fit in the wrong shape opening where your two headlights are now? obviously there would be metal work and body filler involved. maybe someone can photoshop it for you to see what it could look like

[trulyjonny89]

Originally Posted by 57chevyman

would it be a crazy idea to try to make one round headlight with the correct bezel fit in the wrong shape opening where your two headlights are now? obviously there would be metal work and body filler involved. maybe someone can photoshop it for you to see what it could look like

That wouldn't be a half bad idea actually. I'm sure there are people on here who could do photoshop like that. I personally can't so hopefully someone can if they have some free time.

[57chevyman]

did this in 5 min. maybe the idea i was getting at would be like take a 1957 bezel and make it fit into the 1959 bezel by trimming the 1959 bezel...depends if the 1959 bezel is big enough from top to bottom...otherwise youd be trimming the fender to make it fit. it would be an interesting project to try to do..

[OrrieG]

Google 1959 Fleet Option. GM was all over it...

[Highsider]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Google 1959 Fleet Option. GM was all over it...

[OrrieG]

Thanks highsider, I was not near my computer.

[Russell Ashley]

My opinion is to leave it alone. I have a 57 but I think the four headlight models look great.

[1958Warrior]

Sounds really like you bought the wrong year truck .
I would think trying to swap to single eye or vice versa would affect the value when you go to sell it.
1st thing I think of when I see a mismatched front end on a truck is it was wrecked.
Fleet option would be best option, or remove the inner headlights and use the opening for fresh air duct for engine , least amount of irreversible damage to the truck.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

You will come to appreciate the wide bulldog stance; the sweeping lines back from the headlights, across the fender, transitioning into the lower body line; the grille that screams "here are the running lights and turn signals" with the subtlety of Miley Cyrus twerking; the bulbous hood begging the question of what magical powerplant lies beneath; and pair of headlights that puts the Kardashian sisters to shame. Welcome to the 4 lite brotherhood....

Lol and wow

I think a few day ban would be good for orrieg, just for using milley cyrus and the kardasians on this site

[capnduane]

Chevrolet got it right, right out of the gate!