The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1947 - 1959 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-11-2023, 12:24 PM   #1
8man
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Bryan, Texas
Posts: 2,379
Rear axle width

I am considering changing Old Blue to a Cameo bed. I read the 57-truck rear axle was 60" wide, can anyone confirm this is the same width for the Cameo?

Thanks.
__________________
8man-aka Robert
1948 on a S10 Frame, small block with a carb
1954 Cab, 53 Front and Bed, 50 Doors, S10 Frame, Power TBD
Build thread: "]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=746899&highlight=wife%27s+48[/URL]
[/URL]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=840204
8man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2023, 04:30 PM   #2
Hcb3200
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Suwanee GA
Posts: 273
Re: Rear axle width

The 59 shop manual says

"FRAME and SUSPENSION"
"No Changes Made"
"Refer to Previous Chevrolet Shop Manuals"

And the 56/57 was just a supplemental manual to the 55 and the 55 has only a separate section for Cameo just showing how to work and reinstall the bed section. So looks to me all the same 55-59 for either step or cameo.
Hcb3200 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2023, 04:31 PM   #3
mr48chev
Registered User
 
mr48chev's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toppenish, WA
Posts: 15,709
Re: Rear axle width

I can go measure the rear end I have but 60 inches is what it is. Inside the box is still 50 inches and the bedsides were the same and the Cameo fenders were set on over the bedsides. Reading this confirms that along with the "rare" taillights actually being 54 Car taillights. https://www.springdalechevy.com/blog...55-1959-642340
The Cameo is actually an inch wider over the wide spot of the fenders.

Parts source http://www.trucksandroadsters.com/CAMEO/index.html
Attached Images
  
__________________
Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club.

My ongoing truck projects:
48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six.
71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant.
77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

Last edited by mr48chev; 12-11-2023 at 04:38 PM.
mr48chev is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2023, 04:33 PM   #4
8man
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Bryan, Texas
Posts: 2,379
Re: Rear axle width

Thanks.

What shop manual do you have?
__________________
8man-aka Robert
1948 on a S10 Frame, small block with a carb
1954 Cab, 53 Front and Bed, 50 Doors, S10 Frame, Power TBD
Build thread: "]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=746899&highlight=wife%27s+48[/URL]
[/URL]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=840204
8man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2023, 04:36 PM   #5
8man
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Bryan, Texas
Posts: 2,379
Re: Rear axle width

Mr. 48, what shop manual are you using?

I need to get one and haven't identified the one I want yet.

This came up because I had a rear axle I wanted to use, but it is from a C10 and it's 65" mounting face to mounting face, and I didn't think that would work.
__________________
8man-aka Robert
1948 on a S10 Frame, small block with a carb
1954 Cab, 53 Front and Bed, 50 Doors, S10 Frame, Power TBD
Build thread: "]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=746899&highlight=wife%27s+48[/URL]
[/URL]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=840204
8man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2023, 04:36 PM   #6
Hcb3200
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Suwanee GA
Posts: 273
Re: Rear axle width

Go here and you can find almost any year.

https://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/
Hcb3200 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2023, 04:44 PM   #7
dsraven
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: calgary alberta
Posts: 8,333
Re: Rear axle width

sorry, not sure, but I think so. the assembly manual should say if there is a difference. I measured mine long ago with the drums on, like actual wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface, and I am pretty sure it was 61 inches.
here is a thread that talks about camaro axles under the task force trucks
https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo...d.php?t=745721
and another
https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo...d.php?t=736349

its always good to go wrecker yard hopping with a tape measure and a couple of short lengths of flat bar or angle iron with a couple holes drilles in to fit over the wheel studs. bolt the metal onto the wheel mounting surfaces and they will stick out past the brakes but be parallel to the surface, then you can run the tape measure between them and know exactly what you have for width instead of doing an eyeball check and finding out later your eyeball took the day off, lol.
what I did was draw out, on the shop floor, the frame width and the box wheel opening width on the inside where the tires would contact. then you know exactly what you have. sometimes you find out the axle isn't actually centered on the frame or the body is outta whack. you can use a plumb bob to find the spots on the floor but if you don't have ithe body all put together then that does pose a small problem, lol. maybe somebody here could do some dimensional checks if thats the case.
dsraven is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2023, 04:48 PM   #8
8man
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Bryan, Texas
Posts: 2,379
Re: Rear axle width

Thanks Hcb, I've called up 2 of them already that I know I'll be using in this build.

Mr48, I have a S10 ZR2 I was saving for the 54, and I was thinking I should use it on the 57, but now I'm thinking I need a shopping trip! If I get in trouble, I'm telling the wife it was your idea.
__________________
8man-aka Robert
1948 on a S10 Frame, small block with a carb
1954 Cab, 53 Front and Bed, 50 Doors, S10 Frame, Power TBD
Build thread: "]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=746899&highlight=wife%27s+48[/URL]
[/URL]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=840204
8man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2023, 04:57 PM   #9
Hcb3200
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Suwanee GA
Posts: 273
Re: Rear axle width

If you want to get deeper in specifications and want more information on how many inches for this and that on your trucks

Go to this one
More measurements than you will ever need.

https://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.co...esto/index.htm
Hcb3200 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2023, 05:00 PM   #10
mr48chev
Registered User
 
mr48chev's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toppenish, WA
Posts: 15,709
Re: Rear axle width

I wasn't using a shop manual. I was using the GM Heritage center vehicle information kit pfd.

This link takes you to the list of years and models https://www.gm.com/heritage/archive/...formation-kits

This is the top page for the PFD for 57 Chevy trucks. Most of the specifications you may need are in the pfd. https://www.gm.com/heritage/archive/...formation-kits

The link that HBC3200 provided should take you to the spot where you can find the 57 truck manual online.

You can buy the paper copies or originals from a number of sources and The factory service manuals from that time frame are written so that anyone who can read and comprehend can follow them. I'd buy both the service manual and the factory assembly manual for my library.
Attached Images
 
__________________
Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club.

My ongoing truck projects:
48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six.
71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant.
77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.
mr48chev is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2023, 05:03 PM   #11
8man
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Bryan, Texas
Posts: 2,379
Re: Rear axle width

Thanks guys. I am spending the rest of the day looking at this stuff.
__________________
8man-aka Robert
1948 on a S10 Frame, small block with a carb
1954 Cab, 53 Front and Bed, 50 Doors, S10 Frame, Power TBD
Build thread: "]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=746899&highlight=wife%27s+48[/URL]
[/URL]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=840204
8man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-12-2023, 09:37 AM   #12
dsraven
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: calgary alberta
Posts: 8,333
Re: Rear axle width

i found that most of the factory dimensions for track width are given to the center of the tread rather than the wheel mounting flange with the brake drums attached. so, if you wanna get an actual dimension that doesn't factor in wheel offset of the factory wheel etc, then you need to have somebody with an actual original rear axle do a dimension check for you.
or do a drawing of what you have and what you wanna install and see where that leaves you. otherwise get the parts you want and deal with the outcomes as you go i guess. there are a lot of specialized parts to do a cameo box. like a LOT. so if you are dealing on a cameo box ensure you get everything right down to the bumper mounts. otherwise you are gonna nickel and dime yourself and the project may stall. the other option is to build it with the box you have and then get the cameo stuff and when you have it all together done you can swap it out in short order.
dsraven is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-12-2023, 09:52 AM   #13
dsraven
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: calgary alberta
Posts: 8,333
Re: Rear axle width

the factory assembly manual has dimensions as well, i think, but not sure how much cameo stuff it has in there as far as dimensions go.
if you get an axle that is too narrow spacers are an option. I am not a fan of spacers myself but lots of guys use them.
dsraven is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-12-2023, 06:43 PM   #14
mr48chev
Registered User
 
mr48chev's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toppenish, WA
Posts: 15,709
Re: Rear axle width

The fiberglass Cameo fenders were attached to regular stepside bedsides to make the Cameo box.

You can buy the pieces to build an original looking Cameo box from the link I posted in the other post but will probably run well over 4K to do it and that doesn't include stepside bedsides or front panel.
Attached Images
 
__________________
Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club.

My ongoing truck projects:
48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six.
71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant.
77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.
mr48chev is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-12-2023, 07:01 PM   #15
8man
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Bryan, Texas
Posts: 2,379
Re: Rear axle width

Thank you again. I am still debating with myself over which bed, but I will definitely contact those guys and get their take on the complete bed. My wife really likes the Cameo look, so after 45 years, that carries a lot of weight. Thanks again.
__________________
8man-aka Robert
1948 on a S10 Frame, small block with a carb
1954 Cab, 53 Front and Bed, 50 Doors, S10 Frame, Power TBD
Build thread: "]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=746899&highlight=wife%27s+48[/URL]
[/URL]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=840204
8man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-15-2023, 05:12 PM   #16
mr48chev
Registered User
 
mr48chev's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toppenish, WA
Posts: 15,709
Re: Rear axle width

It's quite an expense unless you already have most of an original Cameo bed.
I'm there with you wife though, I really like the looks of the Cameo and have since they came out new. I remember looking at one at the local dealer when I rode along with my grandfather to get his 54 Chevy sedan serviced thinking what a pretty truck. They were pretty rare around here because the farmers just didn't pay extra for extras that didn't actually do a job then. Many of them around here only bought a new pickup when their old one wasn't reliable anymore. Then they bought the cheapest one on the lot that had a heater and a step bumper.

That Cameo in a basket that I showed in the show your Craigslist/FB finds page on a while back sold pretty fast. Possibly to someone who just wanted the box.
__________________
Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club.

My ongoing truck projects:
48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six.
71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant.
77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.
mr48chev is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:02 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com