New parts issue
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4wd High
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 9
Likes: 4
New parts issue
In my efforts to get this truck to paint faster, my wife recommended / told me to just get new parts rather than spend time fixing the old. My front fenders aren't that bad but was pretty bad when I started fixing them in 1990. They still need a bit of work to look good. So, I ordered new replacements. I put them on and noticed that they were built like crap and need about as much work to fix them as my originals! The same goes for the bed. My rear fenders are ok, but the rest would take a bit of time to repair. I ordered new sides, front and tailgate. The front panel doesn't fit the sides as it is supposed to. Did I order from the wrong place? Does anyone make parts that fit like they are supposed to? I'm sending the fenders back and debating on sending the front bed panel as well.
Are new hood hinges worth the cost? Mine go up and down but with a fight. It's a 3-point closure process. Front to side to side and around again multiple times. Granted some lube would probably help tremendously, but I don't want any oils before painting.
Are new hood hinges worth the cost? Mine go up and down but with a fight. It's a 3-point closure process. Front to side to side and around again multiple times. Granted some lube would probably help tremendously, but I don't want any oils before painting.
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 578
Likes: 176
From: Thompsons Station, TN
I’m far from an expert, but when I order parts, I’ve found that if not USA made, that Taiwan parts do ok. China is hit or miss; mostly miss. Mexican parts are another hit or miss. Again, this is my experience.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 3,649
Likes: 816
From: Swan River Valley M.B Can
I guess some of the answers would depend on what level of finish you're after , are you doing it yourself , what is your skill level and availability - value of your time and of course budget . If show quality is what you're after there will be no parts that don't need some work as these trucks were never great to begin with . If you are paying some to do the work it should be relatively easy to get a rough estimate of hours needed to repair the old fenders . The hinges ( assuming you have a 53 as per your handle ) are another thing all together . They don't work perfect even new and are very intricate to get to work decent . There are many hinge threads on here including one I started on the very expensive eddy motorsports billet ones .
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,376
Likes: 5,386
From: Central PA
Hood hinges: my very stock original 55 F350 hood was awesome. It opened easily and stayed fully open. It closed easily. I could close it with one firm motion. And the hood near the cowl stayed down. I didn't have to go around and push it down .
I wish my 54 hinges worked as well. I have another pair sitting on my workbench but I never get around to trying them . Lubing all moving parts will help .
I wish my 54 hinges worked as well. I have another pair sitting on my workbench but I never get around to trying them . Lubing all moving parts will help .
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 245
Likes: 27
From: Southern Arkansas
I bought new and shop replace mine when they reassembled the front after being painted, as I had to do the dance as well on the old ones. Now with new hinges it’s a total pain to even get it to open as well as close. Hood will eventually open but it binds on one side while the other side opens just fine and nothing is different while closing. So until I can figure out what’s going on with it the new hinges have been a waste of money for me.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,376
Likes: 5,386
From: Central PA
I had the hinges apart
I don't think I put enough coils on the springs when I put them back on, so they are weak. I drilled out the holes of the hinge arms I have on my workbench
I have 56 hinge bolts. They have a larger shoulder so my theory is they will rotate better than the smaller 53-55 hinge bolt shoulders.
Kevin and other 56 owners.... any comments on your hood opening and closing?
I don't think I put enough coils on the springs when I put them back on, so they are weak. I drilled out the holes of the hinge arms I have on my workbench
I have 56 hinge bolts. They have a larger shoulder so my theory is they will rotate better than the smaller 53-55 hinge bolt shoulders.
Kevin and other 56 owners.... any comments on your hood opening and closing?
FTE Legend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 283,683
Likes: 8,269
From: northwestern Ontario
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,366
Likes: 1,725
From: AKRON ohio
I had the hinges apart
I don't think I put enough coils on the springs when I put them back on, so they are weak. I drilled out the holes of the hinge arms I have on my workbench
I have 56 hinge bolts. They have a larger shoulder so my theory is they will rotate better than the smaller 53-55 hinge bolt shoulders.
Kevin and other 56 owners.... any comments on your hood opening and closing?
I don't think I put enough coils on the springs when I put them back on, so they are weak. I drilled out the holes of the hinge arms I have on my workbench
I have 56 hinge bolts. They have a larger shoulder so my theory is they will rotate better than the smaller 53-55 hinge bolt shoulders.
Kevin and other 56 owners.... any comments on your hood opening and closing?
I've had great opening and closing hoods and hoods that are just ok. I find that the 56 hoods with the bolts in the cross brace in the middle rear of the hood close the best.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,376
Likes: 5,386
From: Central PA
everything on a 56 was an improvement compared to what was on a 53-55. There are many differences thru the years from 53 to 54 to 55 to 56. 53 trucks had many structural problems that they had to make several improvements. The front ends in general have a lot to be concerned with and ford figured it out from year to year making improvements
I've had great opening and closing hoods and hoods that are just ok. I find that the 56 hoods with the bolts in the cross brace in the middle rear of the hood close the best.
I've had great opening and closing hoods and hoods that are just ok. I find that the 56 hoods with the bolts in the cross brace in the middle rear of the hood close the best.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,366
Likes: 1,725
From: AKRON ohio
I have a 55 hood here with them too. But upon further inspection it had a b6c part number on it so it was a 56 part number service replacement hood
so 56 onward 53-55 got 56 service hoods once the baaa replacement stock was exhausted
so 56 onward 53-55 got 56 service hoods once the baaa replacement stock was exhausted
Last edited by bigwin56f100; Nov 27, 2025 at 04:32 PM.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,376
Likes: 5,386
From: Central PA
My Uncle Abe was in an accident with Grandpa's truck years ago. The left front was damaged. The hood was replaced with a 56 hood. When I tore the truck apart in 1998 it had a 56 style left air deflector.
In 98 or 99 I bought a better hood at Carlisle. It also was a 56 hood with the 2 bolts. If they had made That hood lip repair part I would have kept the hood.
In 98 or 99 I bought a better hood at Carlisle. It also was a 56 hood with the 2 bolts. If they had made That hood lip repair part I would have kept the hood.
Thread Starter
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4wd High
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 9
Likes: 4
Thanks for all of the replies!! Once I get the shipping back to where these fenders came from I'm going to make my originals work. I've done a bit of body work in the past. It's like drywall mud to me. I can make it look good ..it just takes forever and a bunch of dried mud turned to dust to get there! 🤣🤣 My hinges appear to be fairly tight on the pins. And I'm pretty sure lube will help them 1000%. Just don't want any lube around the bare metal before painting. The more I move it the better it's getting. Guess I'm questioning the movements of 72 year old hinges that haven't been connected to anything and moved in the last 35 years! 🤣🤣 I'm curious as to what 2 bolts in the center are you guys talking about?
