addes426

I stand corrected. Upon closer inspection I see this truck has the proper front for a 54. The owner says it was sold new in 54 and titled as such when sold. The bed is anybody's guess.

OK, so, most likely what I'm seeing is trucks that have a mix match of parts, or at least the front panels swapped. I personally dig the 48-50. I like the flat face with no grill bars. I also think some of the sellers have no idea what it is and guess. Several I've looked at, (on line) have no title. One truck I've been looking at is titled as a 54 but has the early face and round front and rear fenders. pic attached.

I'm getting confused. I'm finding 3 front ends on these trucks. The 54 up has a trapezoid shaped grill opening with 2 grill bars. The opening has a raised edge. Now is where I get lost. I'm finding two other front end styles but they seem to be unaffected by model year. Both have a rectangle shaped opening with 3 bars. One has raised edges and open. The other is flat and has cross bars built in from side to side, which would be hidden by the 3 grill bars. I first thought one style was early, the other a later style, but I find both on anything pre 54. Somebody school me please. I attached a pic of a 55, a 49, and a 51 (advertised as such buy seller) Thanks

I think that unless something unbelievable comes along, I'm going to cool my heals a bit. I plan to hang out here, read the posts, ask a few noob questions, and wait for spring.

I'm in WV.

Well, that's where I'm the greenest, value. I've learned over the years that it costs the same to restore a Coronet 440 as it does a Super Bee or R/T (more or less) I know these trucks don't command big bucks. That's partly where I'm falling on my face. While I'm trying to see if there's good value in a truck, I miss it. I won't jump in WO at least some schooling. As far as the $3800 for the truck, it will depend on what's there and how apart it is. I was wanting something drivable. The old adage, "err in haste, repent in lesure" comes to mind. (been there, done that, don't want to do it again.)

I lost the 54 I wanted, the owner of the 53 won't budge on price and I just can't spend more untill I sell my 64 2dr project. Now, I know it's not a pilot-house but, I found a 47 3/4 ton, partly restored. L6 motor has been rebuilt, frame has been sand blasted and painted, body in primer, no bed. No pics but he's getting me some. It's close to where my youngest daughter lives so I'm thinking a look is in order. Can you guys school me on what to look for? It has lots of new parts and a clear title. I know it's basically a basket case by virtue of being disassembled. Still, at His asking price of $3800 or BO, I have to consider it.

Great links. These should be stickies at the top.

I'm 53 and hadn't noticed she was even wearing shoes till you pointed it out. I've been keeping up with this at work as I pass by a computer. They filter so much stuff, I hadn't seen this pic or some of the other pics.

I agree, I like the front and rear fenders to match. 53 is an odd year for that. Dig the truck over all though.

Agreed. I want to look at it, drive it, craw around under it, the whole 9 yrds. That's why I backed away from this one when the 54 popped up. Shoot, looking is the fun part.

Well, la'poop. The guy sold it yesterday. I was working 16s in the plant due to the weather and couldn't get free. I called this morning and it was gone. I guess I'm still looking. This has, however, been a lot of good info. The other truck I was looking at has a Nova sub frame. If I end up with something like that, respecting the truck is kinda moot. Might be better in the long run, always thought a Pilothouse with a C4 Vette suspension under it could bee a hoot. I can't hurt something that's already cut up.

Cool beans! I figured it had to do with disc brakes.

I've seen others mention the Cherokee rear axle on other sites. What's to be gained from that? This truck has a late 60s "B" 8 3/4 rear. It also had a 340 and 3.55 gears. The owner was running high 13s with it. He thought it had more in it but he was afraid of the drum brakes. He swapped out the 340 for the teen and 2.92s for the 3.55s to make it more street friendly. A great starting point for what I'm looking for. The Jeep rear interests me though.

Were good. I've always liked low and wide on everything but my wife.

To answer a couple questions, I think it needs to be lower because I like that look. I'm not going to haul anything but lawn chairs in it so pay load isn't important. I don't want to sub frame it because I want to respect the truck, as it was built, and I kinda dig the old school vibe. It's new to me though as I've never done it this way before. Sub frame, frame swap, I understand, this is new. I know I have to be careful of lots of things to keep it safe. For me, the fun thing about this hobby is the smile it puts on my face. I may be wrong but I want what I want. I do greatly appreciate the input. I've learned a lot from the insights. I can respect a perfectly restored vehicle and a rat rod. (as long as it's road worthy and safe) I just like to see folks enjoying the cars. That's why it needs to be lowered, just my vision of making it mine. Thanks for all the input. Hope this helps.

Cool, didn't know that. Good info.

Is it the truck in your avitar? I went to your profile hopping for a better pic. I like the look a lot. I think you and I may think a lot alike on several levels. Can you post a better pic of the truck?

I've talked to the guy at the link in your post. He will re-shape the front axle adding 3" of drop for $350. I live near Wheeling, WV and there is a business there that builds springs for trucks, customs, etc. I can probably get them to fix me up. My concern with re-shaping the axle is that it will have to make a more narrow track. I know this whole lowering thing can all be done. It's been around for years. It's just new to me. I have a friend who is into flat head Fords and I know he has the skill set to talk me through it. Not everybody who builds something builds it well or safe. I want to respect the truck too, while making it my own. That's why I don't want to cut the frame for "C" notches. If this were a hacked up old clunker, I'd never give it a thought.

Yep. I don't think I'd want it so low it drags on things, I just like a lower look. I'm a bit afraid of the axle flip, sounds like opening a can of worms. I has to be safe, that's first. I've seen some lowered a bit, just right, and it looks better than in the weeds to me. I want to drive and enjoy it if I buy it. I think you're right on the money.

Found a 54 I'm pretty impressed with. 318/auto/8 3/4, runs and drives good. It needs to be lower though. I'm not interested in a frame or sub-frame swap. I'd like to do it in a way that it could be undone. I know I can flip the rear spring perches for 3"-4" out back. I can get the front dropped 3" over stock and loose some leaves. Reversing the spring eyes has been suggested too. Any other thoughts or ideas?

Well. it's been rodded. The 241 is long gone. A LA 318 and 727 is in place now. I haven't bought it, still in the looking stages. The 54 titled as 56 makes me wonder. The interior is from a Neon as best I can tell. (seats are anyway) 12V conversion. Most everything else is stock. I kinda dig it, but I like the rat rod look too. He's asking $3600. I want to look at it as soon as the weather clears out. It's more what I want than a stock truck I think.

I googled the C-1-B8 and discovered this, a 1954 truck is a C1, B is 1/2 ton, 8 simply means it had a 241 V8. Done deal.

In my hunt for an old truck, I found an interesting one, titled as a 56. It looks like a 54 though. I figured that it was an early built 55 with the old style wind shield that didn't sell till 56 and was titled as a 56. I asked for the VIN (which is an ID number not a VIN back then) it comes up as a 54 C-1-B8 1/2 ton 241 V8 108-116 WB (it's the 108) Number 12275 off the assembly line. How does a truck that is plainly a 54 get a legitimate title saying it's a 56? Surely it didn't sit for 2 yrs. Any ideas? BTW, what does the C-1-B8 mean?

That's pretty sweet.