Question about 1954 & 1956 Grills NEWBIE
#31
03-28-2008, 02:15 PM
My reasoning for my feelings is that the aftermarket has destroyed the unique qualities of the one year body style of the 56. If it can be done, it's been done. When you can mail order an entire truck, then the adventure of taking a unique piece of automotive design history is gone. The amount of things available, from the chassis on up to the entire body, for the 56 Ford F-100, has made it a sad game for the relatively small numbers of 56 Ford trucks that are not fake.
#32
03-28-2008, 02:38 PM
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I disagree. If the aftermarket has destroyed the unique quality of the 56 truck, 32 Fords should be practically worthless. You can mail order the entire car and have been able to for years yet the 32 ford remains the most sought after of all rods. Not that I consider a fiberglass bodied car or truck a fake, but I'd like to know the percentage of 56 Ford trucks that are "fake". I'm sure 90% of them are real trucks. 
#33
03-28-2008, 06:52 PM
Originally Posted by sandhillmike
I have a 54 grill in very good condition, PM me if you're interested
thanks
#34
03-28-2008, 07:33 PM
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Originally Posted by GreatNorthWoods
I disagree. If the aftermarket has destroyed the unique quality of the 56 truck, 32 Fords should be practically worthless. You can mail order the entire car and have been able to for years yet the 32 ford remains the most sought after of all rods. Not that I consider a fiberglass bodied car or truck a fake, but I'd like to know the percentage of 56 Ford trucks that are "fake". I'm sure 90% of them are real trucks.
A simple question sure did elicit a lot of comments from 4 guys that I talked to. And 3 of the 4 would like to make me an offer on my 56 since they "had me on the phone" I already gave it away so I can't sell it.
Jon
#35
03-29-2008, 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by CIAF
I wondered about this so I called a few guys like my ins agents (2), an appraiser, and a vendor of hi $$ rods. Same answer: the real 56 with paper is worth a lot more no matter the cost to build. 2: a kit truck is worth half as much no matter that they cast 55K to build. 3: Lots od folks want a 56, few want a kit 56. 4: Some wont insure the kits. 4: kits are for posers that will have it built or can't wait to find real steel or all the parts to build one. 5: they said the same applies to the 32. A kit is NOT a 32, it is a replicar of a 32.
A simple question sure did elicit a lot of comments from 4 guys that I talked to. And 3 of the 4 would like to make me an offer on my 56 since they "had me on the phone" I already gave it away so I can't sell it.
Jon
A simple question sure did elicit a lot of comments from 4 guys that I talked to. And 3 of the 4 would like to make me an offer on my 56 since they "had me on the phone" I already gave it away so I can't sell it.
Jon
#36
04-08-2020, 06:49 PM
Welcome 
Many here will agree that the 54 grill is the ugly duckling of the 53-56 Effies. Switching grills between the different mid-fifty Ford pickups is a common modification.
Switching out the 54 grill will involve either patching the gravel pan to close the dimples for the 54 grill "teeth", or replacing it with an aftermarket one. The 56 grill has recessed headlight buckets that required a dimple in the air dams behind the grill to make room for the headlight bucket that sticks rearward further. You will need to either cut holes in the air dams or replace them with 56's. The park light brackets, lens frames and lenses are also unique to the 56 model. You'll have to deal with replacing them also, although they are not very expensive as new aftermarket stuff.
An easier route might be to replace the 54 grill with either a 53 or 55 grill, which use the same air dams and park light hardware.
The 56 grill is the only one that is commonly available as a chrome unit, either stock or aftermarket.
Many here will agree that the 54 grill is the ugly duckling of the 53-56 Effies. Switching grills between the different mid-fifty Ford pickups is a common modification.
Switching out the 54 grill will involve either patching the gravel pan to close the dimples for the 54 grill "teeth", or replacing it with an aftermarket one. The 56 grill has recessed headlight buckets that required a dimple in the air dams behind the grill to make room for the headlight bucket that sticks rearward further. You will need to either cut holes in the air dams or replace them with 56's. The park light brackets, lens frames and lenses are also unique to the 56 model. You'll have to deal with replacing them also, although they are not very expensive as new aftermarket stuff.
An easier route might be to replace the 54 grill with either a 53 or 55 grill, which use the same air dams and park light hardware.
The 56 grill is the only one that is commonly available as a chrome unit, either stock or aftermarket.
#37
04-08-2020, 06:51 PM
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#38
04-08-2020, 07:14 PM
hole size in airdams
Can you tell me what size hole I should cut in my 54 air dams so the 56 headlight buck e us and with grill will fit? Thank you
Welcome
Many here will agree that the 54 grill is the ugly duckling of the 53-56 Effies. Switching grills between the different mid-fifty Ford pickups is a common modification.
Switching out the 54 grill will involve either patching the gravel pan to close the dimples for the 54 grill "teeth", or replacing it with an aftermarket one. The 56 grill has recessed headlight buckets that required a dimple in the air dams behind the grill to make room for the headlight bucket that sticks rearward further. You will need to either cut holes in the air dams or replace them with 56's. The park light brackets, lens frames and lenses are also unique to the 56 model. You'll have to deal with replacing them also, although they are not very expensive as new aftermarket stuff.
An easier route might be to replace the 54 grill with either a 53 or 55 grill, which use the same air dams and park light hardware.
The 56 grill is the only one that is commonly available as a chrome unit, either stock or aftermarket.
Many here will agree that the 54 grill is the ugly duckling of the 53-56 Effies. Switching grills between the different mid-fifty Ford pickups is a common modification.
Switching out the 54 grill will involve either patching the gravel pan to close the dimples for the 54 grill "teeth", or replacing it with an aftermarket one. The 56 grill has recessed headlight buckets that required a dimple in the air dams behind the grill to make room for the headlight bucket that sticks rearward further. You will need to either cut holes in the air dams or replace them with 56's. The park light brackets, lens frames and lenses are also unique to the 56 model. You'll have to deal with replacing them also, although they are not very expensive as new aftermarket stuff.
An easier route might be to replace the 54 grill with either a 53 or 55 grill, which use the same air dams and park light hardware.
The 56 grill is the only one that is commonly available as a chrome unit, either stock or aftermarket.
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