1954 red headed stepchild?

[Joey_B]

Hi All,
I bought a '54 3100 truck recently and quickly becoming aware that this specific year seems to be the red headed stepchild? Please help me understand why they list parts "1947 - 1954" and when you select the part it says, "will fit 47-53" why not 54? Then there are parts that fit 55-59... I understand it was a transition year but how do I order parts? Ex. My dash looks like an AD model but the manuals posted shows the 54 with a smooth glove box cover, while the dash is completely different on a 55 the glove box cover looks like what I'm supposed to have... Used parts (or even new parts) are scarce where I live and I have to have them shipped and if not correct could cost me a small fortune in shipping back. I've tried using GM part numbers for reference but no one whose selling them online (i.e. Craigs or ebay) refers to them so I'm unsure they will fit. Very confusing. Can someone shed some light on this for me?
Thanks

[MARTINSR]

Some parts are identical, some parts are similar and can be modified. That style went up to mid year 55 so there are 55's that look like your truck and there are 55's that look like a 55-59.

Brian

[vintovka]

In the process of restoring a 54 5 window 3100. Had to replace both the inner fender wells and the pass side front fender. These are unique to the 54 and 55 first series along with the grill and maybe the hood. The dash is completely different due to the one piece windshield as well, I aso think the bed, its top rails, fender embossing and might may be different from 53 back. I have heard the plastic coated wiring was new in 54 too. maybe there's a change chart somewhere tht lists all the changes for 54. Beware of shady vendors who offer parts for 54 you know don't exist.


FWIW: I was unable to find a repop 54 dash (or parts) to repair the kicked in speaker grill on mine. I have decided modify the dash to hold an 8" tablet for GPS, SPEEDO, sound system phone and anything else one of these can do. My Even add wireless Bluetooth speakers, gauge senders and maybe even the radar warning/safety systems (like in our 2017 Mazda cx-9 signature)

[Joey_B]

Thanks guys, it's kinda what I thought. Grrrr, oh well. BTW, that would be an awesome mod vintovka! Post up once you get it going. Guess I'll try and fabricate some of the parts myself then. Ahhh, the beauty of metal; create and if you mess up, tig and try again! Lol

[chev3600]

What parts are you looking for to fix or replace? We can always help you out with fitment questions.

[vintovka]

Beware the replacement reproduction "1954" inner and outer front fenders may cost you way more than fixing the old ones. Poor copies and holes not drilled correctly or at all. Seams are in wrong places and sellers know you probably can't afford to ship them back after paying horrendous freight to get them in first place.

[whitedog76]

The 54 & 55 1st series are oddballs. But, they are very popular because of the 1 piece windshield. The front fenders are specific to the 54's, as well as the inner fenders. The inners can be modified to fit, with little effort. Gauges are a complete different animal too. If you look at the 54/55 GMC's they have a flat dash with a 5 piece gauge setup, like the commercial trucks.

The rear frame doesn't have the large kickup in either, so your bed mounts are different than early years. The be has flat rails and not tapered ones too.

I've had arguments about the torque tube also, Some say it was 54 that went to the open driveline, some say it was 55. Anyway, my 54 3600 series is an open driveline.

There is also some confusion on when GM went to the full pressure 235. I'm not going to open that can of worms.

Good luck with your truck.

[Henry50]

If that's your truck in your avatar, it looks to have a 47-53 doghouse on it.

[mongocanfly]

I agree with henry..the cab is a 54 or 55..the front fenders , hood and grill are 47-53...as well by looking at the bed rails that indicates the bed is also 47-53. The 54-55 bed rails are flat on top instead kf the tapered rail..over 60 years a lot of parts get swapped around on the old trucks..I tried to copy and paste the pic of your ruck on here so the pic would be bigger but for some reason I can't seem to get it to work

[Henry50]

[vintovka]

Interesting to see parts match up like that. 54 55-1 had so many changes its a gamble to substitute parts from other years. We had problems with even the doors. The so called "reproduction" front sheet metal big vendors pass off are currently, IMHO, near junk. Dunno where they get their patterns

[Joey_B]

I guess this is going to be an interesting, fun project. I'm an old gear head but new to the old truck scene. It's awesome to me that folks young and old that are into it are also into sharing knowledge and helping out ...the way it's supposed to be, no? ...and very much appreciated!

[Russell Ashley]

From the angle in the pic it looks like the bed has been shortened. Is the frame from a short bed S10 or some other vehicle?

[Joey_B]

Yes, the previous owner sat it on an S10 and the bed is shortened and narrowed. Good and badbad; fresh steel underneath, lots of available parts but definitely going to do a bunch of fabricating to get the gate to fit.

[HO455]

The 1954 mayhem continues into the engine too! My 1954 235 is an early build date and as such it has a water pump that is not available. To change it to the late 54 you have to change all the pulleys and the brackets for the generator. Then when we rebuilt the engine I found out that half the main bearings were the early pinned style and the other half were the late tab style. Ended up having to buy two sets of main bearings. GRRRRRRR!

[vintovka]

Soon i will be drilling and bolting the new fender wells to the new Pass Side fender and to the original on the Drivers. NONE of the holes line up and cost extra $$ to match the new welds to the old. In short you can make anything "work" if you are not concerned about perfect fits. There was a truck with a 54 front end mated to a 50 cab on A PBS special lately, I noticed the technical director took special care not to show close ups of grill. Probably cause the show was supposed t be in 1953. Reminds me of the old adage "pound to fit and paint to match,