As I understand it, the frames for the short bed '53, '54 and 55 and the panel trucks for those same years are essentially the same with exception of the position of the rear spring brackets. Is this so?

My reason for asking is that I have two '53 trucks and one extra frame. I am looking for a '53 to '55 panel truck. It may take a long time to find one. I may never find it. I have a '97 Aerostar Electronic 4WD. I want to eventually put the complete drive train and suspension under a panel truck. I have the frame and the Aerostar. I could start work on that part now but I have no idea if when or ever I will find a panel I can afford. I'm an old geezer so I may not last long enough to find one. I was thinking I would just go ahead and build the chassis because it would work just as well with a pick up cab and bed as a panel body. That way I could use it for my other '53 pickup or sell it to somebody that doesn't want to, or can't do all the work. At that point it would essentially be a bolt together project.

I just hauled the Aerostar home yesterday and my wife was quick to point out that I have ten vehicles here now and only five of them are licensed. That doesn't count trailers and a camper. What's worse there is another one to come in less than two weeks. If I show progress on a few of these vehicles in terms of building or taking them apart I think I would be in a lot better stead with my wife.

If the frames and wheel bases are the same as I suspect I think I'd like to get started and harvest the Aerostar stuff and haul the rest to the junkyard. If you folks can verify my understanding of these trucks using the same frames it would help me decide to get started. Thanks in advance for any help with this.

Later Folks...

 

It is my understanding that you are correct: the pickup and panels use the same frame. Location of the rear spring brackets are also identical. 56 rear springs are longer than 53-55, otherwise the 56 frame is also the same.

 

Thanks Randy,
I was pretty sure about it but not 100%.

Later Man...

 

There is a minor difference in the panel truck chassis...there is an extra crossmember in the rear but it is a bolt on. If you find a panel without a chassis you may have to dig a bit to find this crossmember if you choose to put the panel on a pickup chassis. I see panels every so often here in SoCal but that's a long way from Ohio.

 

Hi Charlie,
A small difference like that would not be a real problem as it could be fabricated and added. It would be good to see a drawing of it or a picture though. If I ever do find a panel it would probably still have the frame and the cross member.

Yeah, there aren't a lot of those things around here. Were in what is known as the rust belt where they have used salt in the Winter for at least fifty years, maybe longer. Thanks for the tip.

Later Man...