54-56 compatibility
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 808
Likes: 2
From: east central Illinois
54-56 compatibility
This web site is great. I've learned a lot just from reading all the topics. I'm looking for a project truck and have a couple questions. How do I determine parts compatibility between 1953-1956 F-100's? Are there any web sites or reference manuals out there? From what I have read the fenders, hood and bed are interchangeable. The windshield is different on the '56, correct? When was the 12V electrical system introduced? I could ask a lot more but I think you know what I'm after.
I would like to do a stock restoration. My dad recently finished restoring a 1947 Ford coupe and I'm going to be asking him for a lot of advice. Trucks aren't exactly his specialty, though. It's up to me to figure them out. Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks!
Kevin Kessler
I would like to do a stock restoration. My dad recently finished restoring a 1947 Ford coupe and I'm going to be asking him for a lot of advice. Trucks aren't exactly his specialty, though. It's up to me to figure them out. Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks!
Kevin Kessler
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 6
From: Connecticut
54-56 compatibility
53-55 are basically the same. They were also 6 volt. 56 was the first year for 12 volt. The grilles varied all 4 years. 53 were flathead V8's or 6 cyl OHV. 54-56 were Y block engines starting with the 239 Y block, then the 272 and finally the 292. The hood, fenders and bed interchange, but the 56 doors and windshield are all by themselves. The cab for 56 is different.The 53-55 dash is the same, the 56 is different. I'm even told there's a difference in the hood hinges in 56. maybe a expert in these years can better separate the differences.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 296
Likes: 1
From: Red Bluff U.S.A.
54-56 compatibility
Barry, you're correct on everything even on the hood hinges, the 53-55 hinge holes are a different size than the 56. You can use the 56 hood on the 53-55 but if you use the 56 hinges on 53-55 then you have to use the 56 hinge bolts.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Seattle USA
54-56 compatibility
A few other differences:
1. The battery box hole is of a different size.
2. Gas tank is under the cab on 53-55; in cab on '56.
3. Dished steering wheel on '56, flat steering wheel on 53-55.
1. The battery box hole is of a different size.
2. Gas tank is under the cab on 53-55; in cab on '56.
3. Dished steering wheel on '56, flat steering wheel on 53-55.
New User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: boise usa
54-56 compatibility
The '55 cabs were also known as slant cabs and didn't have the "built-in" visor as on the '56. Also, the vent windows are different between the 55 and 56 (56 being rectangular and 55 being triangluar). Also, there even is a difference between the tailgates and bed sides of the 56' F-100 short box and long bed. The Long bed tailgates are wider and a bit taller, so a short box tailgate will not fit.
Rono
Rono
