Was nosing around my project shed and was looking at my 51 chevy hardtop that had a s10 sub frame grafted to it. It is a restorable future custom project but I really don't like the sub swap the way it was done. In another corner is a 53 hardtop, it is in ruff shape and does not have a title. I know the suspension is the same and since plans call for using 56 chevy bumpers I am not concerned about the bumper bracket mounts. My main question is the body to frame mounts? Larry
The way to get an answer to this, would be to get your hands on the shop service manuals for each of the two years, and compare the measurements. Another possibility, would be if you could get access to a Hollander Interchange book. Have a look at this site: http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1949_53/index.htm Bob
According to this page of the 53 manual, there are more similarities than there are differences. I would bet that you could make the 53 frame work. There are differences, but if you used the measurements from the early frame as the reference, this is probably quite doable. http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1949_53/02frame/2_3.HTM Bob
the brakes are different. may be other changes but the 53 frame is better. length wheelbase and width should be the same. body mounts should be the same. 54 had better steering boxes and uprights lower the front about 3/4 inch.
If you go to the GM Heritage Center - Home site. Then click on Archive and then slide down to vehicle information kit and click on that a second page shows up saying Vehicle information kits Click on the Chevy car one. That brings up a list of years of Chevys and first click on the one for 51 and scroll down. They look pretty close to the same and are a few frog hairs different in total length. pages (gmheritagecenter.com) pages (gmheritagecenter.com)
Pretty sure ‘51 and ‘53 brakes are the same, change from ‘Huck’ (sp?) to Bendix happened in ‘51. If I’m wrong it’s any easy swap
The Jalopy Journal
