Well, if your truck was originally built in 54, they did major upgrades to it. I wish I had a picture of the front floorboard where the transmission shift lever comes through with the firewall. That floorboard piece and where it mates to the firewall was slightly different in the early gassers. The upgrade may or may not have had the entire cab replaced. But looking at the dogbones fenders, etc, if it was originally that old, probably only the frame is from the 50's while everything else is 70's or newer. Other things on mods are adaptors for new headlights, older version wiring connectors in some places, gas to diesel front motor mount adaptor, etc...
On M35's in general. Basically here in the Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado area the government has sold out of all their M35's... With some exceptions... A Couple are left here and there at some fire departments, but they mostly sold all of them (In rough shape) a year or more ago... Clearfield GSA yard has about 10 each A2's and A3's that are being held for use in case a fire department needs them (backup). But basically... THEY ARE GONE! Funny... In 2011-2012 complete running M35A2's where going dirt cheap and the A3's a couple grand higher... (I totally dislike the A3's for many reasons I will not get into here... I managed to get a couple dozen before they ran out and am happy I did so... I have the newer M923's but for driving rough terrain and knowing I can get there... The M35a2's beat out the rest... So if you know of a surplus yard near you that you can get reasonable priced parts it would be worth it since it has a winch and some upgrades. (Plus you get the fun of restoring it!!!) Also you can try to negotiate the price down a bit... Too bad... A lot of parts like you need were melted down for scrap from Jack Tomlin's old yard... Sigh...
and do not beleave me when I tell my age.
