some questions for the 47-59 crowd - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

greystoke · 02-13-2012, 10:10 AM

Hello gentlemen,
I may be able to get a decent condition 59 GMC, I think it had a flatbed on it so I'm not sure of the wheelbase until I measure. One question I have is about the front grille, nothing against the GMC grille but I'd like the chevy grille more. Is this a matter of swapping an entire front end or just a core support and grille..or is it even easier? I have a 69 project so I don't know alot about the late 50's trucks.

meter swinger · 02-13-2012, 10:46 AM

The 58-59 grills should swap without issue. The earlier 55-57 are a little more complicated.
I vote for keeping that pretzel right where it is, check out 1958gmc's black stepside.
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**Dan in Pasadena** · 02-13-2012, 11:38 AM

+ 1. The GMC's ARE a little "toothy", I agree but they really grow on you after you see one brought back correctly, fresh chrome, etc. Meter swinger is dead on, do a search for "1958GMC" truck and you will be VERY impressed.
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_Ogre · 02-13-2012, 03:49 PM

i'm thinking it's a straight grill swap.

i own a chevy, but think the chrome gmc grills are sweet
i just can't get past the instrument cluster...

greystoke · 02-13-2012, 07:40 PM

thanks for the input guys, i'll check out some GMC's...not saying that's the way I will go but worth a look. This truck has no bed, i'm thinking the wheelbase is longer than the shortbed wheelbase so I would have to cut down the frame. I keep wishing someone would repop the fleetside bedsides for these trucks.

meter swinger · 02-13-2012, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greystoke

This truck has no bed, i'm thinking the wheelbase is longer than the shortbed wheelbase so I would have to cut down the frame. I keep wishing someone would repop the fleetside bedsides for these trucks.

should be easy enough to cut the frame down. Guys do it all the time with the 73-87 crewcabs to make a crewcab shortbed.
On the squares the difference is 14". Usually taken out between the rear cab mounts and rear axle front spring hangers.
Yes the fleetside fenders would fly off the shelves if they could do it for a resonable price.
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greystoke · 02-14-2012, 12:53 AM

ok gentlemen,

I have looked at some picks of the 59 GMC's and your right about the grille, it's decent and looks great in chrome.

_Ogre · 02-14-2012, 08:35 PM

gentlemen? must have me confused with someone else...

and

02-13-2012, 10:10 AM	#1
greystoke Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Buckeye, Arizona Posts: 694	some questions for the 47-59 crowd Hello gentlemen, I may be able to get a decent condition 59 GMC, I think it had a flatbed on it so I'm not sure of the wheelbase until I measure. One question I have is about the front grille, nothing against the GMC grille but I'd like the chevy grille more. Is this a matter of swapping an entire front end or just a core support and grille..or is it even easier? I have a 69 project so I don't know alot about the late 50's trucks. __________________ "Fear makes the wolf look bigger" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=305629

02-13-2012, 10:46 AM	#2
meter swinger Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Kennewick WA. Posts: 1,437	Re: some questions for the 47-59 crowd The 58-59 grills should swap without issue. The earlier 55-57 are a little more complicated. I vote for keeping that pretzel right where it is, check out 1958gmc's black stepside. Posted via Mobile Device

02-13-2012, 11:38 AM	#3
Dan in Pasadena Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 6,344	Re: some questions for the 47-59 crowd + 1. The GMC's ARE a little "toothy", I agree but they really grow on you after you see one brought back correctly, fresh chrome, etc. Meter swinger is dead on, do a search for "1958GMC" truck and you will be VERY impressed. Posted via Mobile Device

02-13-2012, 03:49 PM	#4
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: some questions for the 47-59 crowd i'm thinking it's a straight grill swap. i own a chevy, but think the chrome gmc grills are sweet i just can't get past the instrument cluster... __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

02-13-2012, 07:40 PM	#5
greystoke Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Buckeye, Arizona Posts: 694	Re: some questions for the 47-59 crowd thanks for the input guys, i'll check out some GMC's...not saying that's the way I will go but worth a look. This truck has no bed, i'm thinking the wheelbase is longer than the shortbed wheelbase so I would have to cut down the frame. I keep wishing someone would repop the fleetside bedsides for these trucks. __________________ "Fear makes the wolf look bigger" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=305629

02-14-2012, 12:53 AM	#7
greystoke Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Buckeye, Arizona Posts: 694	Re: some questions for the 47-59 crowd ok gentlemen, I have looked at some picks of the 59 GMC's and your right about the grille, it's decent and looks great in chrome. __________________ "Fear makes the wolf look bigger" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=305629

02-14-2012, 08:35 PM	#8
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: some questions for the 47-59 crowd gentlemen? must have me confused with someone else... and __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

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