47-55.1 I have a question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**mike1971c10** · 06-14-2019, 04:03 PM

Hey guys, I usually hang out on the 67-72 side but I'm working on my sons'
54 five window. My question is, did the '54 have a ball and socket drag link? I look in the assembly manual and it shows tie rod drag link and the shop manual shows a ball and socket. This has the ball and socket, and the balls on the other parts are worn out. Can I press out the balls and use the tie rod type or do I have to change the whole thing?
mike

mr48chev · 06-14-2019, 06:20 PM

This is saying that 47/53 had the ball and socket and 53/54 had the tie rod end style.

https://www.classicparts.com/Chassis/products/63/1/0

People have converted them to the newer style but I think they take a tapered reamer and ream the correct taper in the holes.

The trouble with dealing with these trucks and not finding quite what you expect is that over the years guys went to wrecking yards or robbed a parts truck of what ever parts they needed to fix their truck and didn't pay a lot of attention to getting the exact part at times. The "well if we swap that other piece too it will work" thing.

DransportGarage · 06-15-2019, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr48chev

This is saying that 47/53 had the ball and socket and 53/54 had the tie rod end style.

https://www.classicparts.com/Chassis/products/63/1/0

People have converted them to the newer style but I think they take a tapered reamer and ream the correct taper in the holes.

The trouble with dealing with these trucks and not finding quite what you expect is that over the years guys went to wrecking yards or robbed a parts truck of what ever parts they needed to fix their truck and didn't pay a lot of attention to getting the exact part at times. The "well if we swap that other piece too it will work" thing.

...and those farmers were armed with stick welders, and they weren't afraid to use 'em! (...at least in my case...)

06-14-2019, 04:03 PM	#1
mike1971c10 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: phoenix az Posts: 431	I have a question Hey guys, I usually hang out on the 67-72 side but I'm working on my sons' 54 five window. My question is, did the '54 have a ball and socket drag link? I look in the assembly manual and it shows tie rod drag link and the shop manual shows a ball and socket. This has the ball and socket, and the balls on the other parts are worn out. Can I press out the balls and use the tie rod type or do I have to change the whole thing? mike Attached Images __________________ my build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522167 vietnam vet 67-68

06-14-2019, 06:20 PM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,282	Re: I have a question This is saying that 47/53 had the ball and socket and 53/54 had the tie rod end style. https://www.classicparts.com/Chassis/products/63/1/0 People have converted them to the newer style but I think they take a tapered reamer and ream the correct taper in the holes. The trouble with dealing with these trucks and not finding quite what you expect is that over the years guys went to wrecking yards or robbed a parts truck of what ever parts they needed to fix their truck and didn't pay a lot of attention to getting the exact part at times. The "well if we swap that other piece too it will work" thing. __________________ 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.



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