So I know the cab and doors are at least close enough to make work on a half ton. And that the fenders are not only wider but have far larger openings. Is there anything else that's basically the same as half ton? Is the hood the same or is it longer? And what about the grill? Pic of the same type of donor truck I'm looking at..... though one I'm looking at is much nicer
There is year differences. Vents and door handles. http://www.1954advance-design.com/A-D_factoids/index.html
So appears only the cab and doors will work. Oh well the one we're looking at for her to buy is super clean
you can look up the parts in the parts book... https://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/parts/1929_54/index.htm
I personally think you should grab a F350 frame and running gear and drop the cab on it. It would be even better if you could find a suburban to take the center window section from. Mount it right behind the doors and then reattach the back of the cab. Throw a short stake bed on it and it would be a perfect family truck with room inside and out to haul groceries, kids, pets, or car parts. Power steering and brakes would make it wife friendly.
The big trucks can definitely be good donors or parts trucks for the half tons. My wife bought this big one at auction for me for $600 while I was out of town one time and the guy bidding against her offered her the half ton for $300. I bought it when I got back in town and ended up with plenty of nice parts to build a pickup for $900. Then, I actually ended up selling the big truck for $800 a few months back which tells you what I have in the rust free half ton.
The start of a pickup with a clean, rust-free cab/doors, is a huge time saver. If the price is right for you, start there. The larger trucks sat higher than pickups, so less a chance of cab mounting points, corners, etc rotting out. Good luck in the quest to find her one, what used to be considered cheap, can now price many out of the market.
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