Hello - I'm new to this forums and could use a little help getting going. It appears that I will be inheriting my father's 1953 GMC soon. I'm looking forward to owning and enjoying this classic piece of iron that's been the family for a while now (20+ years). I would like to remove the aftermarket flatbed on it and go back to an original style bed. However, I'm being told in by some part companies that may mean changing the frame if it was originally a flatbed. But I'm not sure if it was originally a flatbed or not. The flatbed pictures I mostly see while googling are 1 ton and/or dualie rear ends. Could someone help me figure out how to determine that? What would I be looking for on the frame or VIN number that would indicate that? Is it possible to make the conversion if it was or would I be looking at changing the entire frame? TIA Here's a pic for reference 228448_203069756400846_3455526_n by awulff posted Feb 10, 2020 at 3:29 PM
One other update. My dad says it's a 100-22 model. And the current bed is a homebuilt bed on the original from. So that means it should be able to accept a restoration, regular bed. Correct?
First, welcome to the forum. Originally, there was a metal tag on the driver's side door jamb between the hinges. Looked like this: It should have the chassis serial number on it. A good decipher guide for old GMCs can be found at OldGMCtrucks.com - Serial Numbers - GMC Decoding and Deciphering Links and Key Your truck appears to be a '52 or '53 because of the combination of ... a. push button door handles b. vent windows in the doors c. two piece windshield Most likely a '53 because chrome was in short supply (Korean War) in '52. Assuming they haven't been modified, 1/2 ton (101 short 116" wheelbase and 102 long 125" wheelbase models) had 6 lug wheels, 3/4 ton (152 model only available in 125" wheelbase) had 8 lug wheels and 1 ton (251 model 116" wheelbase, 252 model 125" wheelbase and 253 model 137" wheelbase) also had 8 lug wheels. Non of the 3/4 ton trucks had dually rear wheels. Some of the 1 ton models did. None came from the factory with flatbeds installed although you could buy a bedless truck and have the dealer install a flatbed. Frame was the same, regular or no bed. Here is my '52
Thanks for the help. Great looking truck. Love the hat! So unless the frame has been modified, I should be able to remove the flatbed and bolt up a factory bed without issue?
Dad said it was a 100-22 so I think that's a short bed. Don't really mind either way. But just want to get into the project and have the wrong stuff.
There isn't really such a thing as a 100-22. 100-22 is a generic term for a half ton of either wheelbase with a 228 inch engine.
Welcome to the forum! When you determine what bed you'd like, peruse Mar-K.com. They make their stuff in Oklahoma- not overseas.
I'm picking up the truck this spring in KS. So grabbing the parts of OK City is a possibility. I'll need fenders too which I'm not sure they carry.
Another vote for MarK. Although they make a reproduction, the quality and fit is excellent I'd only put reproduction fenders on your truck as a last resort. You'll put more money in the repop parts getting them to fit than you would straightening out some originals. I bought my rear fenders from Mother Trucker in Tucson - he posts here once in a while and also on the Facebook Chevy 3100 page. Here's my truck with a MarK bed. An oak bed from MarK There's a junkyard in Casa Grande, Arizona with a lot of AD parts - you might give him a call and see what he has for fenders - Desert Valley Auto Parts
Great looking truck. I'm assuming that's a frame switch. And thanks for the tip. Found out from dad it has a 116 wheel base - so short bed which what I expected. Dad said he might have a contact with some parts too.
Ditto what they guys said about Mar-K, and their complete bed kits are surprisingly reasonable. http://www.mar-k.com/Catalog/index.aspx?LID=3367
Another vote for Mar-K. Picking it up there would be a good thing. This stuff is heavy and I remember a freight company helping me unload it here in Nashville.
"I'm assuming that's a frame switch" - Nope, it is a stock '49 GMC frame IIRC, the shipping from MarK was close to $200 for the bed I ordered from them. The wood was a separate delivery and was about $80 to my door. MarK has a couple of sales per year - one that gives about 10% off and another that throws in the shipping. You can sign up on their website and they'll notify you when the sale is coming up.
The ride is just a lot lower then stock so I figured there was a change. I'm actually hoping to go tot MarK and pick up the parts. It will only be a few hours away from where I'm getting the truck.
You will be surprised by the Mar-K facility; it looks more like a college campus than a manufacturing operation.
