My vote is for the saggy door handles and the Ford script tailgate.

I would also like to point out that the fact that there isn't one defining emblem or badging to designate the far superior Bonus Built trucks from the later 53-56 shows the lack of imagination that the designers put towards those 53-56 trucks.....
(woohoo! let the games begin)

Bobby

 

Touche!

But to me it shows a lack of planning by Ford engineers.

 

Abe,
You're probably right, but I have to spin it so that the Bonus Builts seem superior...LOL

Bobby

 

I was hoping there was something defining the 48-52's for something I have planned..

 

John,

Except for the basic shape of the body and the name Bonus Built, I don't thing there is any one thing that really defines the trucks.

Bobby

 

That's what seems to be the case Bobby, and I guess any details on the dash are not the same either..?

 

Nope
48-50 have the same dash, 51 and 52 have different dashes.

 

 

I was hoping for something identifying like the hood emblem of the 53-56 and would include all models from F-1 on up..

 

 

I did notice this unique fuse panel / kill switch I'm not familiar with in Bob Jones album but not quite what I was looking for..lol

 

I'll have to agree with FortyNiner. Some with the badges on the cowl, some on the hood, but they all have them. The "Original F-Series" - no (3) digit numbers to complicate things! - Bob

 

The door shell is the same for 48-52, afaik. But there were differences between the 48-50 and 51-2 in the vent window handle (lock button vs no button) and the stainless inside handle escutcheon on the 48-50 was only used on the "Extra Cab" version for 51-2, while the 'lesser' cab models got a cheap rubber one.

 

Only have had my truck for 6 months or so. The amount of knowledge being thrown out there is really amazing. Im learning so much from reading the differences being thrown out there.

 

the 48-50 are mostly the same and then there was the 51-52 were only had small changes. But the are the first F1.

But the Bonus Built is the first F-1, that later became the F-100 of the 53-56 series!