does the license plate go on the driver side and do the letters on the tail gate remain un painted

 

yes, the license plate light goes on the drivers side. The letters on the tailgate should be painted. most were a shade of white, unless you had a white truck.

 

Do you mean the letters are the same color as the rest?
If so my 53K mile 54 F350 fits all your questions.

Get an insurance policy on that gate, Ive noticed several eyeballing mine!

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 04-Jan-02 AT 09:32 PM (EST)]hey 286 merc what's a good 54 ford tailgate worth I have a chance to buy one for $63.00 US Mine's has a Grain shoot. Thinking of buying it for possible future use.

 

That'a a steal tailgates are going for $475 and higher.

 

If you want to restore like original, then you need to know that the letters were not painted a different color than the truck. However, I painted the letters on my '54 F-100 the same "sungate ivory" as the grill. It looks real nice. Also, if you want to be accurate with your '54 the correct taillights are the round ones, not the "shield" type. They were used in '55 and up. But remember, "It is your truck, you can do what you want!"

Abe '54 F-100

 

 

thanks i appricate the response

 

thanks i appricate the response

 

thanks i appricate the response

 

Stickshift

Abe thanks for the info on the tail lights for the '54. I have a '53 F250 and am doing a ground up resto on it. I would like it to be as authentic as possible. I take it that the '53's would also have the round tail lights? Where can I find verification of this as well as the white color you mention for the grill and tailgate letters? Thanks.

 

OK, now is "Sungate Ivory" the actual correct "white or cream" trim, rim and grill color for these old trucks? Or is that just a color you used that you thought looked pretty close, or you used just because you liked it, but it wasn't that close? Who made/makes the paint by that name?
-G.B.

 

stickshift and 54 Guy:
Sungate Ivory is the name of the creme color Ford used on the grille in '54 (I think it was also used in '53). This is verified several places. I suggest you buy the 1954 Ford Truck Specifications, Features, Manual. I bought mine from Mid-Fifty for $10. (Check the FTE Store first) It is full of facts, stats, specs, production numbers, colors, paint schemes, etc. This is more reliable than hearsay or a book. The wheels in '53 and '54 were painted the body color. 1955 and '56 wheels were painted Snowshoe White.
Where can you get this color? I wrote to Color-ite on the web at: http://www.color-ite.com/ Send them a stamped, self addressed envelope and they will send you a paint chip for your body color and your grille color if you so request. My body man then got the chips scanned at the local car parts store. Also the painted parking lights I bought were the ivory color.
Stickshift, Yes, the taillights in '53 were round also. I just discovered that I may have bought the wrong round ones. Mine have stainless (or chrome) around the outside and I think they should have been just black paint. I will have to do some more research. Don't take the word of all the repro parts mail order places. Also, I really do not think those cute little chrome mirrors were available for '53-56. I have yet to see those mirrors in a vintage photo in any dealer brochure or old magazine ad, nor have I seen them on any '53-56 Ford truck in any junk yard I have been in. I think they were designed for '57? and later. If any one has an accessories book that proves me wrong, please let me know.
The wheels on F-250 and above were painted black (not body color) in '54 and I assume '53. Buy the Spec Manuals for 1953. They sell them for '55, and '56 also.
Abe '54 F-100 astauffe@oak.kcsd.k12.pa.us

 

the door mirrors had to be available before 57 as the 53-55's have different mounting holes than the 56-66 trucks.