Can anyone tell me if a 1953 Ford f350 had dual wheels? My Dad is trying to restore a 53 Ford all original. He is also curious how the tailgate was originally painted. Were the letters on the tailgate "shadowed" (did the white kind of fade into the color)? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

Since your truck has a tailgate, it also has the 9' Express pickup bed. The only DRW F-350s were the cab and chassis or flatbed/stakebed equipped trucks. Can't help on the painted letters.

Edit - I should have first welcomed you. I should also explain that the truck's 17" wheels are the kind that are today called "widow makers". The 6 lug x 7.25" bolt pattern wheels are some of the hardest to find replacements for, but alternatives do exist. If you want we can go into all of that. Stu