Will a 54-56 nose and fenders fit a 52? There is a cab with front clip for sale locally

They should, AFAIK. There's a bit of "license" available to you.

I dont understand what "Licence" means

Like artistic license. Maybe latitude would've been a better choice. What I was getting at is you should be able to swap fairly extensively for a few years there (like 48 or 49-56 or so). AFAIK, until 57 the changes weren't all that radical, so making some swaps requires little to no modification.

Hate to kill your good time here, but the 54 clip is different then a 52 clip. The hood line is at a different level and the fenders mount differently. I think the fit at the doors will be the most troublesome. A 54 (55 and 56) fender has 3" or 4" wide flanges at the rear of the fender, 90 degrees to the fender surface that run from the top of the fender to the bottom. Those flanges are bolted to extensions welded to the firewall . You open the door to gain access to the fender bolts. (I just know I don't have any pictures here anymore.) This picture is a 54. Notice how high the fender line is on the door and the shape of the nose?

A 52 (48 up to 53) fender bolts to a 6" long angle plate that bolts to horizontal plates in the front fenders. Those angles then bolt into the side of the firewall/cab 90 degrees to the front of the firewall. You access the angle bolts from inside the cab.

All that said, make sure which truck (and clip) you actually have. I think this era truck has the years confused more then any other Dodge trucks ever built. Gene

This red primmered one has a 52 cab & clip. Notice the body is lower on the door, the hood is taller, and the nose has a different shape, esspecially at the center. The wheel wells have been modified on the red one, but both have original fender tops, are original along the door edges, and have original hoods. Gene

I don't have a link or anything, but I'm sure I read somewhere that the first few 54 models were made from the left over parts from 53 before they changed to the new body style. I'll keep looking and see if I can find where I read that. Maybe it is a Canadian thing?
Matt

This is also a good source of info :

http://www.dodgepilothouseclub.org/index.htm

Matt

I have a 56 if you don't move on those would you mind PMing me the info. Good luck on your project love these trucks.

My truck is a 52. There is a cab and clip together on craigslist thats 54-56. I dont want to swap cabs because mine has a Pontiac dash that is staying. Ill get pics. Its been mildly customized and want to keep it custom. Thanks for the info. sucks but oh well