When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hi all,
I am in the early stages of a '53 ford project and I am trying to wrap my head around exactly what I have to work with. The truck is definitely a 1953 F100 verified by the 8BA flathead engine and the frame serial number. My current confusion is about the driver's door handle. My passenger door has the expected shielded external lock.
Passenger Lock
The driver's side has no external lock but the handle has one integrated into the release button.
Driver's Side Lock
Does anyone have any idea what year of truck the driver's handle would have come from so I can try to get a key?
The truck was last plated in '81. I rescued it from a junk yard in 2001 and have only recently started working on it. I expect I will have many questions as I progress with my project.
Given that the truck has a hood off of a '55 and a behind-the-seat fuel tank, anything is possible. I will have to open up the door and see if the key lock is even connected to the latch assembly. This truck was somebody's pride and joy at one time but given it was about 28 years old when last driven, it was likely being limped along anyway possible near the end of its first life.
Doug, welcome to FTE the best Ford truck forum on the World wide Web!
How do you know the hood is from a 55? The hoods were the same 53-55. In 56 Ford added two bolts with large heads near the cowl, presumably for strength.
Post more pics of your truck and keep us posted on your progress.
Looking at LMC Truck website, the only Chevy handles I can find that look even close are different than what I have. Other than the integrated lock button, my driver's handle looks the same as the correct passenger one.
Looking at LMC Truck website, the only Chevy handles I can find that look even close are different than what I have. Other than the integrated lock button, my driver's handle looks the same as the correct passenger one.
Chevy Advance Design handle
What you have pictured there looks more like the side vent window latches..
Honestly, the attempts at breaking loose the flathead so far have been an experiment to see if I can. I tried several of the common un-sticking techniques to see if any would work. Heat and penetrating oil, Marvell Mystery Oil, EvaporRust, Cleaning Vinegar, Muriatic acid, all failed.
Now that the truck has made it to the garage, work will be more serious. My plan is that either the pistons will be starting to move by the end of this coming weekend or the engine will be ready to be lifted out for mounting on a stand for some more invasive unsticking. I may be suffering from some kind of OCD but I really want to use a flathead in this truck. The original style flathead fits my needs perfectly. Something to putt around with, not a highway machine.
Documenting my project is likely something better left to a dedicated thread rather than confusing my door handle question thread.
Last edited by Doug's Messy Garage; Jan 7, 2025 at 02:04 PM.
Reason: Bad link
That is possible but here is another view from LMC Chevy Door Handles Set '52-'55
Maybe the 55-57 Chevy handles are more in line with the Ford. If you want a lock on the left door you'll have to cut the hole in the door to add one . I had to on my 56 that wasn't a door from a Custom cab..
Your You Tube link doesn't work..
I guess I cannot link to a playlist. I reset the link to the video where I first looked the truck over with an eye to fixing it. There are several more videos on my channel if anyone is interested. I'm not really here to plug my channel though, I'm here for the great Ford truck information from people that have been there and done that before me.
I watched your video. The sheet metal doesn't look too bad. There's not many rusted out holes. Many guys here have started with worse, myself included. I couldn't see how the interior floorboards look nor the bed. They reproduce whole beds, and make a lot of patch panels if you need any.
I did notice the gravel shield or valance below the grille is from a 54. 1954 gravel shields have holes like you see for the fangs of the beautiful 1954 grille.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
'53 Ford door handle help
