A while ago I picked up a mostly complete short step bed for my '56 F100 Project. This bed is in great shape, but it is from a later model F-100 so the fenders are mounted higher on the bed sides than '53-'56 trucks. As far as I know, these bed sides, fenders, tailgate, and front panel are all the same from '53'-72. I intend to drop the fenders down to the correct height and fill in the existing mounting holes. I'm getting conflicting information on exactly how much higher these later fenders are mounted. Some say 1.5", some say 1", etc. Does anyone here have the correct information, or can measure from the fender mounting bolts on their '53'-'56 bed sides? Also, are the lower filler panels the same from '53-'72 or are the '53-'56 panels taller due to the lowered fender height? Thanks
The best advice I can give is mount the bed and running boards and then fool, with the fenders until it's right.
That would be my advice also. That is also how I did this one. You can actually see the viceclamps holding the rear of the fender in place while I marked holes.
The bigger issue here if there is one is where do you measure to or from? No 2 bolts are on the same vertical or horizontal plane. The fenders are a constant arc. The bolts are 5/16" and go into a 9/16" hole in the fender. The only thing that's constant is how they bolt to the running board. I think the only way to get it exact to stock would be to have a Stock 53-56 Bed setting there and make a template of the bolt pattern on it and do a transfer. That's way to involved for me, it's just a Truck Fender.
My biggest concern with this whole thing is that I have to cut the bedsides to clear wider tires. I don't want to cut too high that the lowered(correct for '56) fender height doesn't cover the new radiused cut. I need to clear a 29.5" tire, so atleast a 32" radius to allow for expansion, and by the rough measuring I've done, this is already too close to the top of the fender in the higher position. I also don't have running boards yet. We've got two local swap meets coming this weekend, so hopefully I can score a set. I'm not worried about exact placement, just a general idea. No big deal, I'll get it sorted.
You damn right! It's actually on a OT ch***is with OT engine and drivetrain. It's just cosplaying as a HAMB friendly truck.
My truck has that bed. I dont know what year the bed is as the truck was built before I bought it. From the angle to the center two bolt holes is 3.5 inches. From the top of the fender to the curve is 2.75 inches. Lower edge of the step to the lower edge of the fender is 1.5 inches. My tires are 29 inches tall on 10.5 inch rims with custom back spacing. There is no rubbing anywhere with 2 inch lowering shackels.
Yeah that looks to be the same later bed as mine. I'm not home to check the measurement right now, but I will later today. Thanks for the pics! I'm using an Explorer 8.8" full width and 15x10's with 7" backspacing and 275/60 MT Drag Radials (28.2" Tall) This combo will get the tires to clear the stock fender lips, but need to clearance the bed sides and build wheel tubs. I also want to be able to clear 29.5" (29.9" actual) ET Drag tires and compensate for suspension squat and tire expansion.
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