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First post even though I’ve used this forum for a lot of info already. Inherited a 1955 F500 from my uncle a couple of years ago and have been doing my best to keep it decent and on the road. Currently about to try and replace the front tires / tubes on the dreaded widow makers against advice of every sane person I’ve talked to about them. Here’s a couple pics of the truck, if anybody would like to see what I’ve done to it so far or know some history I can throw that in here too The day we brought her home Original 223 Wooden bed that was on it was trash. Ripped everything off, treated light rust and painted while everything was open Old gas tank decided to spring a leak in my driveway, guess who got a new one for Christmas? First cruise last summer when I got the fuel situation fixed up. Wooden bedsides done as well
By the way, I see your truck has the original ford script bed. I have original Ford flatbed steel stakes. They came off a script bed I put on my 55 F350. I sold the truck before I could make racks and use them. I will sell them if interested. I live in North Central PA.
I have 8 stakes which is enough to make the front racks and 2 side racks. I kept one rack as is to use for measurements when making new rack boards.
Currently about to try and replace the front tires / tubes on the dreaded widow makers
I believe @bobj49f2 on the forum here has a set of safer lock ring rims that you can throw right on your truck that will use the same tubes and tries you acquired for those dreaded Firestone RH-5° widowmakers. So yourself, and those around your truck a favor.
Now with that out of the way....
Welcome to the forum, the best place on the Internet for these trucks! Love the pictures of your truck! She looks good (except for those darn RH-5° rims). Looking for a passenger side mirror? That could be a difficult one. Thanks for sharing!
By the way, I see your truck has the original ford script bed. I have original Ford flatbed steel stakes. They came off a script bed I put on my 55 F350. I sold the truck before I could make racks and use them. I will sell them if interested. I live in North Central PA.
I have 8 stakes which is enough to make the front racks and 2 side racks. I kept one rack as is to use for measurements when making new rack boards.
Man how cool is that! I figured there would be be some sort of factory option like this but never had much luck finding them. I would be interested in these for sure! I am in southern WV
I believe @bobj49f2 on the forum here has a set of safer lock ring rims that you can throw right on your truck that will use the same tubes and tries you acquired for those dreaded Firestone RH-5° widowmakers. So yourself, and those around your truck a favor.
now this is interesting! In the 20+ phone calls I have made to tire shops asking about these rims, only 1 said they would even think about messing with them and that’s only if they were the lock ring rims. Being that I already have new tubes / tires I would gladly consider this option! Thanks
Man how cool is that! I figured there would be be some sort of factory option like this but never had much luck finding them. I would be interested in these for sure! I am in southern WV
Let's talk off FTE. Text me tomorrow at five 7 zero. 6 six zero. O nine seven 6
Pictures of my 55 F350 with the new script bed and the truck I got them from.
By the way, I see your truck has the original ford script bed. I have original Ford flatbed steel stakes. They came off a script bed I put on my 55 F350. I sold the truck before I could make racks and use them. I will sell them if interested. I live in North Central PA.
I have 8 stakes which is enough to make the front racks and 2 side racks. I kept one rack as is to use for measurements when making new rack boards.
wow that book is very nice. I would like to have scans of those pages. My 1953 F 600 will be a small dumping grain bed to use around the farm. I would be interested to know if they had pictures of those
wow that book is very nice. I would like to have scans of those pages. My 1953 F 600 will be a small dumping grain bed to use around the farm. I would be interested to know if they had pictures of those
wow that book is very nice. I would like to have scans of those pages. My 1953 F 600 will be a small dumping grain bed to use around the farm. I would be interested to know if they had pictures of those
If a new truck buyer wanted a dump bed he had to add the hoist aftermarket. And many of the trucks that became dump beds were bought from Ford as cab and chassis.
If your bed doesn't have the Ford script on the rear panel, then it is an aftermarket bed.
If a new truck buyer wanted a dump bed he had to add the hoist aftermarket. And many of the trucks that became dump beds were bought from Ford as cab and chassis.
If your bed doesn't have the Ford script on the rear panel, then it is an aftermarket bed.
I do not have a bed, but the hoist does work off a PTO driven hydraulic pump. There are two cylinders, one on each side that operates the bar. I am pretty sure they used wooden oak 4" x 6" beams. The guy I got it from tried to use womanized wood which was twisted because he did not keep it preserved. I am going to use them for fence posts. In the meantime, I wheels I got from Bob were blasted and powder coated. When I pick them up, I will get tires mounted and finish the brakes so I can stop.
Last edited by wolfcoln; Mar 17, 2026 at 02:00 PM.
I do not have a bed, but the hoist does work off a PTO driven hydraulic pump. There are two cylinders, one on each side that operates the bar. I am pretty sure they used wooden oak 4" x 6" beams. The guy I got it from tried to use womanized wood which was twisted because he did not keep it preserved. I am going to use them for fence posts. In the meantime, I wheels I got from Bob were based and powder coated. When I pick them up, I will get tires mounted and finish the brakes so I can stop.
So what are you planning to do for a bed? Make one? Buy a used one? Buy a new aluminum bed?
