Figure it best to get a progress thread started for my '53 and share with the kind folks here who will appreciate this the most.

I shopped around for a 53-56 F100 and came to realize that if I purchased someone else's finished project, it would be just that...
Someone else's.
If I decided to change things, I'd be adding a lot more cost onto what I had planned on spending.

Ultimately my goal is a '53 on the outside with all the newest goodies underneath the hood and inside the cab.

I made the decision to buy a bare bones '53 cab and chassis with a fibreglass front tilt, new box and almost all of the body work already completed.

The owner bought it off of someone else who wanted to complete a full restoration.
Fortunately for me, everyone had big plans for this truck but they either didn't have the time or had too many hobbies and interests on the go to continue on with the project.
This truck has no bondo anywhere. If there was a problem area, the metal was replaced. We got a few quotes for the paint work and everyone seems to agree that it's not going to need much more than a light sanding and it's ready for paint.


Lower half of doors have got all new sheet metal as well as handles shaved.


The truck came with brand new Bf Goodrich tires and new American racing rims. Not really my style so I hope to be able to sell them for close to their value since they are brand new, or make a trade with a tire shop here.
I'm leaning towards Budnik rims which are definitely more my style.


I'm going the suicide door route for style and function.
I wear prosthetic legs and it will be much easier if I don't have to swing my legs around as far to get out.

5.0L Coyote crate engine and transmission have been purchased.




Will keep updating as I receive pics from the builder.

Heres a link for anyone interested in additional photo's of the outside of the truck:
Matty's 1953 Ford F100 - Imgur

 

Great project! That truck is going to be an awesome ride with that Coyote!

 

One thing I forgot to mention about my plans for the truck was my choice for the wood planks for the box.

6 months ago I started to get into wood working and I purchased roughly 160 board feet of beautiful birds eye maple.
I had some ideas for projects but hadn't gotten around to it.
Then it donned on me... instead of using traditional oak planks, it's paid for and sitting here so what better project than my truck?
The boards are rough stock and 2" thick. It's as if it was meant to be.

I searched the net to see if anyone else had used B.E.M and I found 1 truck and the birds eye was also incorporated into the interior as well.
Not sure if I'll go that direction inside but definitely want to use it in the box.

1956 Ford F100 Maple Planks Photo 4
1956 Ford F100 Interior Photo 5

 

Sounds like a plan!

That is going to be one good looking and unique box.

 

can't wait to see more!

 

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Received new progress photo's last week from my builder.
Fenders are on the box now, engine is in the truck and he started on placement for the exhaust tips.

I suppose I can be indecisive at times and with a big project like this, I am trying my hardest to stick with decisions and not second guess myself.
Case in point: Exhaust placement.

I love the look of the exhaust frenched in the bumper as well as the rear fenders but I stuck with my original vision told him to make the cuts. No lookin' back now.

Maybe I'll compile a list of every 2nd choice I had for options and put it into a '56 F100 custom extended cab build I'd like to pursue in the coming years.

 

Subscribing.