I recently purchased a 1951 Ford truck. It has the rear fender on the right side that is made for a spare tire. I am thinking about changing it to a standard one. I can't find any other trucks with this type of fender. Just wondering if it is rare or just not popular at all. Thank You.

 

They're not rare, but are getting hard to find in good condition. Assuming you have an F-1, you'll only find your fender on 1951 and '52 F-1's, and a few late 1950 built with the flat bedsides. The earlier ones have a different shape at the mounting surface to fit around the sculptured raised bedside, and don't fit against the flat surface. If it's an F-2 or 3, your options are 1948-52.

 

Might be that we need to see pics of the bed and fenders. None of the 48-52 trucks, no matter whether F-1, 2, or 3, had the spare tire bump as an option. That was an option on some of the 47 and earlier trucks, and didn't become available again until later in the 53-56 range. If the truck has had an earlier or later bed fitted, it'll make a world of difference to you. It is also possible that your fender was modified by the original owner, so in that instance it would be that a replacement fender from another similar model would be correct. Stu

 

My truck came with the side tire mount, and the under floor... I do not think my rear fender has been modified so would love to see pictures. I think my mount is on the left too, but will have to confirm that next visit.

 

OK. Here are a couple of pictures of what I have. Thanks

 

Your truck's original owner found himself a good body man. There's no reference I've seen that shows a side mount spare during the Bonus Built years. As a practical matter, I'd personally leave it like it is. Looks good to me. Stu

 

Yes. This was a 1 owner truck. A vocational school teacher had it. May explain the body work. Thank You.

 

That's very nicely done, but I'd be concerned that the bedside alone can adequately support a tire. It doesn't appear to have any heavier support steel to brace the bedside to the frame, running board, or bed?

 

Left rear fenders with cut out for spare tire: 1953/56 F100/250 / 1957/79 F100/250 Flaresides.

 

OTOH, if it's been there for 50 years already and nothing is broken, there's a good chance it's not falling off any time soon.

 

I like it! Too bad my I just finished the paint on my 52 or I would trade you for a very nice fender.

I mounted my spare inside the bed utilizing one of the fender bolt holes, substituting a long theaded screw and large washers to bold the tire down with wing nuts..

 

Thank You for the comments

 

Seeing how complete the bed modifications were done, would moving the tire and replacing the fender leave a 'hole'? A hole as in - the bed rail indents - and assuming there was some mod to the bed wall to support the tire - would still be present and might look a bit odd.

Your truck, your decision.

DW