Can anyone tell me why the 1960's are grouped with the 1948-1959's? To me, the 1960 model (which I own) looks a lot more like the 1957-1961 models. Is there something other than the appearance that causes tham to be grouped with the earlier trucks?

Thanks.

 

The '57-'60, known as the "Orphan Years" trucks are the 1st of the Stylesides & are grouped into the '57-'58 & the '59-'60 sets.

Now this is for Informational purpasses so you know the Body Differences between the '57-'58 year sets & the '59-'60 year sets.

"The '57-'58 F/M-series trucks will swap perfectly between themselves & '59-'60 F/M-series trucks will swap perfectly between themselves, But not between the two Sets of Year Models.

The '57-'58s F/M-series trucks have the ROUND Turn Signals, the Wider Lower Fender section for the Round T/S, Taller Grille, Narrower Grille/Vallance set-up & Shallow Peak Hood.

The '59-'60s F/M-series trucks have the RECTANGULAR Turn Signals, Narrower Lower Fenders for the Rectangular T/S, Shorter Grille, Wider Grille/Vallance set-up & Progresively Deeper Peak & Taller Upper Sections on the Hoods.

Because of these Body changes between year Sets, if one wishes to incorporate singular Front Cap parts from either of the 2 Year Sets, one has a Great deal of Body work ahead of themselves to do, because it will be necessary to either Fill-in the Gaps between the Sheet Metal or get rid of Sheet Metal no longer needed from the swap.

Plus the Peaks on the '59-'60 Hood are To Deep for a Proper fit w/ the '57-'58 Grilles, as they will not close or if one manages to force the fit, they'll Rub horridly.

The only way to avoid this is either to leave your truck the way it came out of the Factory or Swap-out the Complete Front Cap between the 2 Year Sets."

For Interiors, besides the Black ('57-'58) & White ('59-'60) *****, the '57-'58s had Horn Buttons (H/B) & the '59-'60s had Horn Rings (H/R).

Mechanicals, Frames, Cabs, Interiors (except for ***** & h/b's) are all intechangable between the '57-'60 years models (except for the front caps between the '57-'58 year sets & the '59-'60 years sets).

 

61 and up look alot different, the frames are wider. 48-56 look even more different, those frames are narrower. Now to get to the point...57-60 aren't very popular. The group would be so small that you wouldn't have enough members to answer all your ??????'s. You can get alot more info this way. By the way, I'm an orhpan owner (60 flareside)for more than 10yrs and really enjoy it. You don't see very many orphans on the road. Another name for them was fridge, because they wer'e square and boxy.
Funny thing is is thats how their building cars and trucks now.

 

Great answers.
Information is more scarce for the 57/60's also and this is one of the best places for info.
I didn't realize the horn ring/button was year specific. My '59 has a button but could have easily been changed sometime.
Thanks
Gotta love those "Fridges"

 

Welcome to the board. I have a 59 panel and they're not the cutest on the block but she's do.
later Mike

 

I believe that the standard cab came with a horn button and the custom cab came with the ring.

 

Thanks for all your help, guys. I really couldn't find much on this subject but, as usual, this forum comes through!

The reason for my original question is so I can look for parts at the junk yard. I needed to know what is and is not interchangeable.

Chris

 

None of the FOMOCO Lit. &/or Photos I've got for the '59-'60 even hents that, as all it shows is an plain jane Arm-Strong Steering Horn Ring & a Master Guide Power Steering Horn Ring & No Buttons, period, end subject.

The steering wheels for them are ever shaped differently because of the fact they used the Ring & not a Button. It has a Cut-out for the Ring to Specifically fit into, just the same as the passenger cars do. What's more than likey happened is that a P/O swapped out the Original steering wheel for what's there now some time in the past.

 

Our "Orphan Years" trucks set the Style (styleside ) for others to follow even this far into the future.

 

I still might have a source for either the standard or CC ring, if you're interested.

 

That's what we're here for, mate, just ask away.