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47-53 Chevrolet and GMC Doors

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by carmuts, Sep 17, 2013.

  1. carmuts
    Joined: Jun 17, 2009
    Posts: 858

    carmuts
    Member

    I have been looking at several 47-53 Chevtolet and GMC pickup doors to make sure I have mine ID'd correctly amd I am noticing some have the vent window and some do not. Can anyone explain to me if this is a year change or cab style change? Or something else that would make sense as to why some have them and others do not. I am more into Model A's, so this era is not my strong suit. Thanks Rod
     

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    Last edited: Sep 18, 2013
  2. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    47 AD trucks though 1950 had windows without vent wings. they also had the turn down door handles on the outside. 51 had vent windows but still had the turn down door handles. 52 and 53 had the vent windows and push button door handles.

    It's fairly easy to modify a later door to use one piece windows and i don't know why anyone would ever want to modify and earlier door to use a vent wing.

    The door latch striker on the the door post have to match the outside door handles. turn down handles take one striker and push button handles take a different one. Neither stays latched very well if at all if they are worn a bit. These are one vehicle where putting the bear claw style latches on them is a serious safety thing for you and your passengers and not just one of those cool things to do. 35 years ago my wife fell out of our 48 when the door flew open and still packs some scars from hitting the gravel. That was also the day she found out she was pregnant with our now 34 year old daughter while being attended to in the emergency room.
     
  3. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 23,263

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Earlier ones had no vent windows, there was a pillar vent, and later ones don't.

    If memory serves me, '50 was the last year of no vent windows.
     
  4. 1955IHC
    Joined: Aug 20, 2013
    Posts: 636

    1955IHC
    Member

    It was an effort to provide better cooling in the cab. Using cab vents instead but it didn't work as well so they returned back to vent wing windows. The last Chevy GMC to have them was a 1991.

    Sent via Western Union Express
     

  5. carmuts
    Joined: Jun 17, 2009
    Posts: 858

    carmuts
    Member

    Thanks, that makes sense now. Was beginning to wonder if I had completely botched the ID of these doors as I have had them for sale for over a year and no bites. Normally someone corrects me when I have it wrong and there has been nothing from that angle either. I took them out to the farm today and stored them away for awhile, so will no longer be advertizing them, just want to mkae sure I write on them what years thwey are correct for so I don't forget in afew years when i dig them back out.

    Glad both your wife and daughter were Ok after the spill. We all have some of lifes scars that is for sure. Rod
     
  6. lv2tri2
    Joined: Sep 14, 2012
    Posts: 14

    lv2tri2
    Member

    Will the doors, late 47 through early 55 Chevy and GMC interchange?
     
  7. carmuts
    Joined: Jun 17, 2009
    Posts: 858

    carmuts
    Member

    So these NOS handles are 47-50 then, not 52-54 then? Parts pile making more sense with some of it. Rod
     

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    Last edited: Sep 18, 2013
  8. carmuts
    Joined: Jun 17, 2009
    Posts: 858

    carmuts
    Member

    lv2tri2, did anyone answer your question? I am curiuos also. Rod
     
  9. Truckedup
    Joined: Jul 25, 2006
    Posts: 4,661

    Truckedup
    Member

    47-51 will interchange. I believe the push 52-55 button doors have a different latch than the earlier pull down handle doors.
     
  10. carmuts
    Joined: Jun 17, 2009
    Posts: 858

    carmuts
    Member

    After looking at pic's of the early 55's, I think they will physicly fit, but as stated in several places in this thread you will have to either change handles and latch assemblies for them to funtion correctly. Rod
     
  11. lv2tri2
    Joined: Sep 14, 2012
    Posts: 14

    lv2tri2
    Member

    No, I did however buy a 54 GMC cab and have 49 Chevy doors, that I hope will fit. I will go get the cab in Idaho in a week, I'll know for sure then.
     
  12. Don Lyon
    Joined: Jan 18, 2007
    Posts: 275

    Don Lyon
    Member

    Are you by chance getting the cab from a guy near Silverwood? He's almost a neighbor.
     
  13. carmuts
    Joined: Jun 17, 2009
    Posts: 858

    carmuts
    Member

    Let us know how that works out. I know they changed things some right in that era. But do not know the Chevy stuff very well. Rod
     
  14. lv2tri2
    Joined: Sep 14, 2012
    Posts: 14

    lv2tri2
    Member

    I found the 54 cab at a salvage yard in Mountain Home ID. Minor dents but no real rust. It's pretty nice. I will post the results on how well the doors fit.
     
  15. lv2tri2
    Joined: Sep 14, 2012
    Posts: 14

    lv2tri2
    Member

    I got the 54 GMC cab home, 2000 miles in 4 days. Hauled it in the bed of my F150, that was an adventure. My 49 Chevy doors fit beautifully. There is a very slight difference in the hinges. The jimmy hinge is a little heavier but does not effect fit. The striker plate is different and requires more depth in the cab to mount it. So at this point I still have some things to figure out.
     
  16. jetnow1
    Joined: Jan 30, 2008
    Posts: 2,152

    jetnow1
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from CT
    1. A-D Truckers

    The mounts are different on the early trucks than the later cabs but not a major problem. The strikers will be different, bear claw latches will be the
    best safety improvement you can make other than seat belts.
     
  17. mphudak
    Joined: Jul 30, 2010
    Posts: 175

    mphudak
    Member
    from Atlanta

    Iirc 47-48/49 used a different windlace for the doors.

    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     

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