im looking for what it would cost for the entire from metal. Im talking everything. Fenders and innder fenders, hood, running boards, grill backings, lower valiance ext. I have a cab and know that i can get a bed for 1300 aftermarket. i need to price out what the metal besides the cab and bed would be. I am looking at a couple "donor trucks" and need to see what i should pay.


Has anyone made a spreadsheet of body piece prices?

Steve

 

What year and model is your truck? is it the 53 in your profile?
I am more familiar with 48-52 (Bonus built) trucks and any new front end sheet metal is pretty much non existent, have to use fiberglass or find good used.

on the 53-56 I think that you can buy new replacement fenders etc but not 100% check out LMC truck, Dennis Carpenter etc, there are probably at least 3 - 4 dozen aftermarket suppliers but can't think of more at the moment. try google 1953 ford truck and I'll bet you get a couple days worth of reading..

once you start pricing new parts your possible donor trucks (if in decent shape) might start seeming like a really good deal?? plus the extra parts you don't use or need can be sold to help offset your investment.

Good Luck

Josh

btw where are you located? I sold a 53 plus a bunch of parts to a friend of mine here local and he may be looking to sell them??

 

hey that was quick. Ya i have a 56. I know that there are aftermarket suppliers. I was just wondering if anyone has already found the cheapest suppliers and crunched the numbers to find total. Im located in Charlotte NC at uncc as a student but i love in Delaware so anywhere on the middleeastern coast is close enough.

im also looking for info on windsor block info. such as make up based on year

 

Many times, you can find a donor vehicle for considerably less than buying the pieces separately. Plus, you'll have leftovers to sell and recoup some of your investment, making the bottom line even cheaper.

It's also very unlikely one place will have the best price on every part, across the board. Quality will also be an issue if you're shopping strictly price. The old addage, you get what you pay for, really is very true. So unless you're willing to settle on quality, or spend more on shipping than you'd ever save on 'best price', you'll be far happier in the end to deal with one company with a good reputation for customer service. My 2c.

What info, specifically, are you looking for regarding Windsor blocks?

 

I'm in the same boat with my '56 project. I've compiled a spreadsheet of the parts I might need with prices and part numbers from LMC, NPD, Mid-Fifty and F100 Central. I still have not ruled out fiberglass from Be-Bops either. Then come the choices of custom inner fenders and gravel pan. Decisions.Decisions. If you want it I can email it to you.


Rick

 

Youy're lucky! The 56 stuff is all being reproduced and is available aftermarket or from stockpiled NOS parts.

Our Bonus Built stuff - particualrly 51/51 F1 sheet metal, or a good 8 Ft Express Bed is almost impossible to find and mega-bucks!

 

Hood-900$, front fenders-700-800$ a pair. inner fenders-350 to 400$ a pair, steel running boards- 500$ (US made)

 

Your best bet is to go to Dennis Carpenter its close by Lowes speedway; you can also get the parts from National Parts Depot which is a few miles from DC that way you will save big on shipment since its close to your location; the savings you get from other vendors you will make up & then some in shipping.
DC
front fenders-$500 ea.
hood-$900
air deflectors-$100 ea.
valance-$175
inner fender panels-$225 ea.
grille-$500
headlight buckets-$75 ea.
ring-$30 ea.
radiator cross member-$225

 

I generally have 700-800 in the front end complete with bolts.
All for 1956 ford trucks....but search and shop daily for best prices.
Don't think you need to pay big bucks when down the road guys will sell a whole truck for 500.00
Most of the time I rebuild the donor truck too......LOL

 

No matter what spreadsheet you come up with, you'll always end up far exceeding the costs with things you don't think of immediately such as taxes, shipping, hardware, etc. There's a bunch of '56 stuff around. Keep scouring message boards and classifieds and you'll find what you're looking for, and probably for considerably less than going with all new stuff, not to mention repairing what you already have.

 

hey guys. thanks. 71mach351 i would greatly appreciate that spreadsheet. It sounds like you and i are in exactly the same boat. we should bounce ideas off each other. Im going down the more modern road. 4 link, 351, manual trans, maybe airbags. I would be interested in what you are thinking for yours.
my emails is: s.oflynnobrien@yahoo.com


Im looking for a breakdown of the windsor history. Such as Metal composition,ext. I basically need yo know which years to avoid and which ones to grab. Also would a 351cleveland motor be better than a 351windsor?

Im planning on going to the supernationals in May, will things be less expensive there?