Stock Restoration Question: Underseat Toolbox
 

I have heard that back when they were new, 1953 F-100's had a shallow metal box welded to the floor under the seat. This was where the jack and tire iron were stored. All that's left of this in my old truck are small scraps of sheet metal at the weld points. Does anyone know more about this box? Size? Did it had a lid? I am pretty sure that the truck carried a bumper jack, so I assume that it must have been at least thirty inches long. A photo would be a great help.

I just went through the Chassis Manual and don't find it. Not in the Accessories section either. Could it have been a dealer item? Stu

I've never seen a special box there as a factory item. AFAIK the tools were in a cloth bag. Panels had an open metal box for the tool bag mounted to the wall behind the seat. Trucks came with a frame screw jack, not a bumper jack.

I believe that the "small scraps of sheet metal at the weld points" to which you refer are probably the remnants of the strip of angle metal that was put across the floor at the rear of the seat to keep stuff from behind the seat from moving forward. The only tool-related option that I know of is the tool tray that mounted to/on the rear cab brace behind the seat.

I don't know where I got the idea that there was a tool box. Maybe I saw a photo somewhere a long ago. Anyway, something was spot welded to the floor toward the back under the seat. Would it have been simply an "L" shaped piece of sheetmetal, just high enough to keep the jack and tire iron in place? I don't see any spot welds on the sides, so I guess the seat track/frame kept the jack in place sideways. Does anyone have this original piece of metal still in place in their truck?

I just ran out and took a couple of pictures of the metal piece in my 55 F250.
It is 41 inches long and 2 inches high.
Is that what you are needing?

http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1292368309

http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1292368330

Here is a picture with the seat brackets still in.

http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1292367964

According to the sales brochures, the "Tool Kit" was a canvas bag that included the following items:

1. Pliars;
2. Screw Driver;
3. Tire Iron;
4. Spark Plug and Cylinder Head Bolt Wrench
5. Wheel Stud Nut Wrench; and,
5. Jack Handle

This along with a 1 1/2 ton Mechanical Jack was standard equipment.

On the 48-50 (?) 51/52 Series there was a tool tray atop the gas tank behind the seat. That is not listed as being either standard or optional equipment.

Starting in 53 the tools were stored under the seat as far as discussions here have shown - perhaps behind the lip you pictured.

Those strips are a PITA...most people either cut them out or just bend them over. Once you have your carpet and pad installed you'll never know it's there.

Hi Julie,

I know we discussed this before. This is the first time I saw a list of tools that came with the 53-56 pickups. I have a jack (several) and jack handle (several). I have a funny looking wrench that was in my truck when I bought it from my grandfather. It doesn;t say FORD on it however. Do you know more about these 6 tools. Where did you see this list. I have a lot of literature so I can learn more of this stuff but have not found that yet. Perhaps I have come across this stuff but did not know it....

please inform,
thanks, Abe

You're probably thinking of the tool box that Jules mentioned for the 48-52 trucks. It wasn't under the seat though, it was upon top of the fuel tank. The 48-50 trucks box had rounded ends and the 51/52 trucks were squared off.

Not sure what if any the 53-56 trucks might have had. I know the 59 and 60 trucks that I've had didn't have anything (or should I say....anything left..LOL)

Bobby

Thanks all, especially to Harrier and Julie. This is the information that I was hoping to find. Very helpful. I'm hoping to have my whole truck ready for paint by mid summer (2011). I'll post pics if I actually get that far.

I just check my 1948-1956 Ford Truck Parts and Accessories Illustrations Catalog. Nothing indicated for a tool box under the seat. That strip is shown in several places as part of the floor. Pics do show seat belt installation which is kind of neat for a 53.