The expression "time flies" takes on a whole new meaning when you realize it's been more than seven years since Ford Motor Company celebrated its 100th birthday: June 16, 2003. It was at the 50-year mark when the company's celebration of its Golden Jubilee coincided with the introduction of the F-100 series on March 13, 1953. To commemorate the 50th, 1953 Ford trucks came equipped with a special 50th anniversary horn button. In the world of customizing classic trucks where a stock steering wheel can get pitched faster than a major league baseball the odds of correctly determining the year of a fat-fendered F-100 tend to be a little difficult. Beyond a distinctive horn button there are numerous other features that can be used to identify or disguise the year and model of a first-generation Ford F-100.
At the heart of things is the vehicle identification number (VIN) that is stamped on top of the passenger-side framerail in front of the firewall. A matching VIN stamped on an aluminum tag attached with four Phillips head screws to the front of the driver-side door jamb. The first digits of the VIN indicate the truck style. F10 indicated the truck was an F-100.
The single letter following the truck style indicates the engine code. For '53-56 models, the letter D represented the 215-inch OHV six-cylinder engine that debuted in 1952 and ceased in 1953 when the 223-inch six-cylinder derived from the 215 was introduced. The last year a flathead six-cylinder was factory installed in a Ford pickup was 1953. That engine started production in 1941 with 226 inches and ended life with 226 inches; the VIN code was M. In the United States the 239-inch Ford flathead V-8 saw 1953 as its last year of production, and in Canada in 1954. The '53 F-100 engine code for the flathead V-8 was the letter R. In 1954 the optional V-8 engine's displacement remained at 239 cubic inches, but it was the first year for the OHV Y-block engine, a complete redesign, and the VIN code was the letter V. In 1955 the Y-block V-8 VIN letter changed to Z, and the optional V-8 engine's displacement was upped to 256 cubic inches.
Introduced on September 23, 1955 the slight styling revisions executed on the '56 cab ushered in what was to become the most iconic Ford F-100 ever produced-the most iconic of all classic trucks, actually. In addition to an all-new wraparound windshield, the '56 cab featured a lower roofline and offered an optional big rear window for the first time. Inside, the dashboard design was totally restyled.
Another first for 1956 was the availability of three states of tune for the new 272-inch Y-block V-8 option. The base, light-duty 272 came with a two-barrel carb and small-valve heads and had a V in the VIN engine code. The heavy-duty 272 was equipped with a two-barrel carburetor and big-valve heads and came with a Z in the VIN. At the top of the performance ladder was the R-code 272-inch Y-block that came with big-valve heads and a Holley four-barrel carburetor.
For the folks interested in knowing whether or not their '56 Ford Big-Window is an all-original truck, it might come as a disappointment to know the Big-Window option wasn't designated in the VIN with a special code letter. Although '53-55 Ford F-100s didn't have an external numerical emblem to proclaim the engine size, they did come with an emblem on the grille to denote whether the engine was a six-cylinder or V-8. In 1956 the newly designed grille was void of an emblem if a D-code 223-inch six-cylinder engine powered the truck. If the truck had any one of the three 272-inch Y-block engines available under the hood, a chrome-plated V8 emblem was bolted to the grille's center.
The lack of a V8 emblem on...
The lack of a V8 emblem on a '56 F-100 grille indicates a six-cylinder engine. A chrome-plated grille was included with the Custom Cab option.
The three holes above the...
The three holes above the V8 emblem on this '53 F-100 standard grille were factory drilled for a Fordomatic emblem. The Ford-O-Matic transmission was first offered on March 13, 1953. A Deluxe '53 grille had three vertical teeth on each side of the V8 or six-cylinder star emblem.
The '54 F-100 grille featured...
The '54 F-100 grille featured vertical bars similar in shape to the turn signal pods on either side. The chrome hash marks on both sides of the V8 emblem indicate a Deluxe model.
Hash mark free, a standard...
Hash mark free, a standard '54 F-100 grille would have only a V8, or a six-cylinder star emblem in the center.
I was tempted to keep this...
I was tempted to keep this '56 six-cylinder Custom Cab grille from Dennis Carpenter as an adornment to the desk in my office.
This '55 F-100 grille has...
This '55 F-100 grille has the six-cylinder star used from 1953-55. The eight chrome-plated carriage bolts were installed by this truck's owner after the stock stainless steel moldings present on all '55 grilles were removed. Notice the Overdrive emblem on the hood. If an F-100 came with Overdrive it will be indicated on the VIN tag.
On a stock '55 a V8 emblem...
On a stock '55 a V8 emblem all by itself, indicates either a three-speed column shift or a compound four-speed with a Y-block engine, and will be indicated on the VIN. 1955 was the first year for the Custom Cab option indicated with a Custom Cab emblem on the doors.
A chrome grille with a V8...
A chrome grille with a V8 emblem, and a Fordomatic script on the hood indicate a 272-inch Y-block with an automatic trans. If factory equipped, an automatic transmission will be indicated on the VIN tag.
The gear and lightning bolt...
The gear and lightning bolt design on the hood emblem originated in 1953.
This brings us to one of the most common reverse upgrades done to customize a '56 Ford F-100 since the trucks first hit the showroom floors. There were two ways that a V-8 powered '56 could end up with the cleaner appearing six-cylinder grille. In the early days when the trucks were new, or near new, typically the owner bought a base model six-cylinder truck, and then swapped-in a Cadillac, Oldsmobile, or Buick engine. In the case of a '56 that left the factory equipped with a 272, the trick was to round up a six-cylinder grille and stuff it in. Of course the proper terminology is to install it, and that's what we're going to do here on my Y-block powered '56 Big-Window.
The front end on my Raven...
The front end on my Raven Black '56 Big-Window is exactly as it came from the factory. I prefer the cleaner look of the six-cylinder Custom Cab grille, so this V8 emblem is history. A standard '56 F-100 grille came painted off-white.
The first step to swap a '53-56...
The first step to swap a '53-56 grille is to remove the turn-signal lens and bezels held with two Philips screws.
Next, the headlight rings...
Next, the headlight rings were removed by removing the Phillips screws at 12 and 6 o'clock.
With the headlight rings pulled...
With the headlight rings pulled forward and removed, access was gained to remove the headlight buckets.
Disconnecting the original...
Disconnecting the original headlight wires caused the insulation to disintegrate, and expose bare wire.
Once the headlight wires were...
Once the headlight wires were marked so they could be properly reinstalled the headlight buckets were removed.
The grille is held in place...
The grille is held in place with three 1/4-28-inch bolts. Two of them are seen here at 7 and 3 o'clock.
This is the third 1/4-28-inch...
This is the third 1/4-28-inch bolt located at 11 o-clock. Before unbolting, all of the 1/4-28s were soaked with Royal Purple Maxfilm penetrating spray.
Access to the three bolts...
Access to the three bolts is gained from inside the fenderwell. Notice how the Maxfilm has soaked through to the other side, proving this stuff really penetrates!
Access to the three bolts...
Access to the three bolts is gained from inside the fenderwell. Notice how the Maxfilm has soaked through to the other side, proving this stuff really penetrates!
One thing leads to another....
One thing leads to another. Further disconnection of the original headlight wiring has disintegrated a lot more insulation, and created a dangerous situation where an electrical fire is probable.
I'm not making another move...
I'm not making another move from here until after I have rewired this truck. To install the new grille, reverse the steps we took to remove the old grille.
As long as the grille is out,...
As long as the grille is out, it's a good time to clean all of those hard-to-get-to areas with Mothers Carnuba Cleaner wax.
The grille opening on '53-56...
The grille opening on '53-56 Ford F-100s is exactly the same, so any year fat-fender F-100 can be fitted with Dennis Carpenter's Custom Cab, six-cylinder grille.
For those wanting to retain the stock appearance of a V-8 optioned truck, Dennis Carpenter manufactures reproduction V8 emblems at its location in Concord, North Carolina.
Check out all of the oxidation...
Check out all of the oxidation that was removed. It's not a bad idea to wax the new grille before it installed, the wax coating will help to protect the chrome from rusting in hard-to-reach areas.