Projects 1953 Ford F-100 Restoration

Tonight I got the seat finished up. The frame had several broken springs and rods, which I repaired by doubling them up with another wire and wrapping them together with thin wire. I repainted the frames grey, stitched new jute over them, and hog-ringed new seat covers and foam, which I got from Seatz Manufacturing in Anaheim, CA. They're two tone vinyl (light grey with dark grey on the top and sides) and are a dead ringer for the worn out seat covers my dad used in the 1980's restoration, and I think are pretty close to the OEM covers.


This is how the seat started. Not too bad, but the frame had rusted in a few places and, the covers were hole'y, and the foam and covers had mildewed in storage.



I got to look at the new vinyl covers for all of 5 minutes, and then covered them up with a red saddle-blanket seat cover set. Hopefully it will help them to last longer, and the saddle-blanket look fits well with the motif of the truck. Next I'll need to enlist a friend to help me load it up and take it over to my parents place where we can install it.

Something I could use you guys help on with this project, I'm looking for under-hood pics of 53' Ford F-100's that are stock. I can't seem to Google it as everything comes up with hot-rod and modified pictures. In particular I'm trying to see where and how various components would have been mounted to the firewall and fenders at the factory.

 

You’re doing a great job on the truck. I’m sorry you lost your dad. I did too 12/5/23. It affects you for sure.

 

Thanks. It sure does. He was on the decline for the last 10 years, and I would occasionally get comments from others how I needed to finish the truck before it was too late, but his mental and physical state, wanting to "help", and our busy schedules kept that from happening. I honestly feel better working on the truck now because before when I worked with him, it felt like I was working with half his mind while doing all the labor plus undoing his (well meaning) mistakes. Now I'm still doing all the labor, but it feels like he's mentally there 100% with me now. He always told me "getting old ain't for sissy's".

 

I absolutely love this project. I just talked to my dad a couple weeks ago about finally picking up where he left off on the 53 f100 he jokes he's had longer than my mom. It's chopped and essentially ill just end up getting the cab and maybe some good random sheetmetal. One thing my dad always pointed out and warned me about on these trucks as far as body work goes, the A pillar from the windshield out towards the door has a "wing" to it and protrudes or is even with the door. I have always been told this was to help with wind noise inside the truck, and most of the done trucks I see they get rid of it. Just a random insight, but I enjoy seeing what you're doing with this one, and it hits home for me!

 

Love your truck- great job! Sorry about loss of your Dad, I'm sure he was very proud of you.

 

Y’all doing a great job, those 53-55 F100 are my favorite trucks. The color is era correct I just love everything about it. Frank