Hello.
A little while ago I picked up a 49 ford f47, and will be starting a build on it very soon.
I like everything about the truck, except the long rear fenders. I'm a big fan of the 53-56 rear fenders. Was wondering if anybody has updated the f1 fenders to first gen f100 fenders. Wondering how it would look.
Thought I may be able to mod them to suit my taste, but the fenders I have are pretty rust free, and I'd hate to chop em up. Any thoughts?

 

Do your current bed and fenders have the embossed side feature?

 

I'm not sure exactly what that is. Here's a couple pics, you tell me.

 

Yes you do. The feature that creates the rectangular shape on the side of the bed is the emboss. The dimensions are carried onto the fenders - meaning that flat sided fenders from latter years do not fit cleanly since you don't have a flat sided bed. Anything is possible with ability, money, and time on your truck.

 

Ah, I see what you're saying. So I would either have to make the fenders match that embossed shape, or make the bed side match the flat fender. Something to consider thanks.
So assuming I can get around that little detail, think it would be a good look? Ever seen one done up that way?

 

I haven't seen a truck with the set up you are considering. There will likely be some fiddling with the running boards as well. Good luck.

 

Why not work on shortening the 49 fenders? The 49 fenders have the little body line that matches the front fenders. If you switched to 53 fenders you could add that body line?

 

I certainly coul chop them down, although I'm not super confident I could make them look half decent. I feel like they'll either look super cool or super crappy.

 

Occasionally, one will see someone who's replaced their bed on their 48-52 truck with a 53-56 version, fenders and all. My personal opinion, fwiw, is that it looks goofy and out of place. The front and rear fenders are a matched pair, and when they don't match, it really shows. My best advice is to embrace your stylish fatness.

 

Cutting the fenders down is danger land. The rolled bottom edge has a stiffener that helps hold the shape - eliminate at your own peril.

 

What about just cutting the back half off in the center and welding two front halves together?

 

IMHO, the fat fenders are what I like most about the F-1s but to each his own. If you could find a 51/52 bed it would have the flat sides. Most aftermarket beds are the 51/52 type. I got a ProsPick bed for my 48 and it had the flat sides. I have seen the later fenders mounted on an F-1 and it doesn't look that great...

 

Hmm that's too bad. Maybe I'll just learn to embrace the long fenders.