55-56-57

[jim-bob]

I sure would like to see some pics of 55-56-57 stepside..(I don't really need any of the "cameo" pics.) The site "how about some pics 47-59" doesn't show enough of the 55/56/57.. I'm thinking one of these may be my next truck.. Also which year did you choose and why. Please put the year with the picture..Thanks

[Wrenchbender Ret]

Here is my 56 i'm working on now. I put a T-5 trans. in it. It still has the original 6 cyl. but I am going to build up a new 350 this winter & put in it. I have a 3 carb settup I will put on it.
George

[Dan in Pasadena]

There are no Fleetsides in '55, 56 or '57 EXCEPT Cameo's. Fleetsides began in '58.
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[jim-bob]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

There are no Fleetsides in '55, 56 or '57 EXCEPT Cameo's. Fleetsides began in '58.
Posted via Mobile Device

..well..you can tell I'm a beginner..thanks! (I guess I'll have to lean toward the stepsides)

[jim-bob]

Originally Posted by Wrenchbender Ret

Here is my 56 i'm working on now. I put a T-5 trans. in it. It still has the original 6 cyl. but I am going to build up a new 350 this winter & put in it. I have a 3 carb settup I will put on it.
George

..very nice..which ones had the spare on the fender and which ones didn't..thanks

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by jim-bob

...which ones had the spare on the fender and which ones didn't..thanks

I THINK it was an option you could get on any of those years but someone with more detailed knowledge than I will chime in.

PS, since you brought up Cameo's did you know the Cameo uses the same bed as the stepside just with fiberglas covers to give the appearence of being a smooth or fleetside?

[parkwood]

Here's one we put together for a friend...

[parkwood]

A friends in primer...........

[BigDan3131]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

I THINK it was an option you could get on any of those years but someone with more detailed knowledge than I will chime in.

PS, since you brought up Cameo's did you know the Cameo uses the same bed as the stepside just with fiberglas covers to give the appearence of being a smooth or fleetside?

It was an option and finding the fender in good shape is hard but finding the mounting bracket is tougher so I was told.

[jim-bob]

..PARKWOOD: what year are these two..I see some differences in the grills and fuel doors..are these just customizing? beautiful trucks..I really like the one in primer..

[jim-bob]

Originally Posted by BigDan3131

It was an option and finding the fender in good shape is hard but finding the mounting bracket is tougher so I was told.

Thanks Big Dan.. I not particular fond of the fendered spare anyway..I suppose if I found a decent truck with this fender I could swat it out with a full fender?

[Dan in Pasadena]

Jim-Bob,
The gray primered truck is a '57. That grille is a one year only as is the oval fender emblems. Also note the two raised detail lines on the hood - all '57 details. I don't know about now but years ago when I had one, '57's were highly desireable.

As for the copper one, you can't tell what year it is from the pictures because the body has been shaved of the emblems. See Wrenchbender's post #2, note how the hood emblem is long and runs along the crease in the hood/ Also note the fender emblems are above the body line. On a '55 the hood emblem is not as long and is above the crease. The fender emblems are below the body line. There may be other details that differentiate 55's from 56's but I'm not sure what they are.

Here's a picture of the fender emblem temporarily mounted on my '55:


Here's a picture of another guy's BEAUTIFUL '55 panel with the hood emblem showing:


Oh and before you ask, as far as I know that bird hood ornament on the panel never came on '55''57's. I THIN K you could get it on a '58-'59, but I'm not certain.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by jim-bob

..PARKWOOD: what year are these two..I see some differences in the grills and fuel doors..are these just customizing? beautiful trucks..I really like the one in primer..

Forgot to address your question on fuel doors: These trucks never came with fuel doors. Gas tanks were all behind the seat and the filler neck came through the body on the driver's side. Lots of guys relocate the tanks to below the bed for space and for safety.

Many years ago I saw a piece on 20/20 about our trucks in accidents. The rubber connection from the filler neck to the tank neck would get rock hard over the years and tear easily in an accident spewing fuel on the occupants. Obviously, a horrendously dangerous thing. I will be relocating mine asap using the tank that Chuckdriver did on his '57. Check his build thread for the details.

[jim-bob]

..Very helpful! I believe I favor the '57 step-side..hope I can find one

[Dan in Pasadena]

You will. Just don't get "hot pants" to get SOMETHING - like I did with my '57 of years ago! I ended up with a good truck that had been a Navy, then school district truck so it was well maintained mechanically but it was more heavily rusted than I should have bought. Today/ I'd fix it myself, but in those days I coulda got better and for less

[jim-bob]

ttt

[mixermike]

here's my 57

[jim-bob]

..good looking truck mike..got pictures of the front?

[Dan in Pasadena]

Mike, What's your rear bumper off of?

[meter swinger]

some truck candy. first red one is 57 with shortfleet, black one is 56 i think with a fleetside bed. rest are 58-59. fleetboxes came out mid 58. i kinda have little bit of a fleetside addiction

[Dan in Pasadena]

Yeah, I LOVE the Fleetsides, but I prefer them behind their original '58-'59 frontends. Maybe its cause my Dad had a '59?

[jim-bob]

..I'm really enjoying see these trucks guys..very nice and very interesting.. Please keep'um coming and thanks..

[parkwood]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Forgot to address your question on fuel doors: These trucks never came with fuel doors. Gas tanks were all behind the seat and the filler neck came through the body on the driver's side. Lots of guys relocate the tanks to below the bed for space and for safety.

Many years ago I saw a piece on 20/20 about our trucks in accidents. The rubber connection from the filler neck to the tank neck would get rock hard over the years and tear easily in an accident spewing fuel on the occupants. Obviously, a horrendously dangerous thing. I will be relocating mine asap using the tank that Chuckdriver did on his '57. Check his build thread for the details.

Dan, thanks for helping out jim, i've not been here in a few days.. Yes the primer one was a '57 and the copper one is a '55.. i like the '55 grill better than the '57 grill, but that's just me.. as for the gas door on the copper one the owner told me it came from some kind of ford truck or ford van not sure which... but it works great.. Wayne

[jim-bob]

..I agree with Wayne, I like the 55-56 grill better..57 grill favors a Ga. catfish just kidding 57 guys..I hope I can find a 57..
Wondering if a 55-56 grill can be install in 57 without too much trouble.
I like the 57 hood creases and where the fender emblem was moved.
I read today in LMC Truck Mag. that the 57 hood is slightly lower than 55-56..
do any of yall know anything about this??

[Kim57]

jim-bob
The fenders and top and bottom cross pieces are different. The fenders and top piece have indentations in them that the grill fits into.
It would be easier to put a 57 hood on a 55/56 or you could just change the fenders and cross pieces.
Kim