Hey guys,
Of all the old Fords I have owned I picked up my first Fridge today. This has always been one of my favorite bodystyles. I think it will liik great beside my 62 F100. I am on my way back to Kentucky from Sonora, CA with it as we speak. Whenever I stop to get fuel people aak about it. I could really use some help decoding the numbers....

V.I.N. F25C9R47719
W.B.: 118
Color: X
Date: F28C
Trans: 10H
Axle: 04B
Max GVW: 7400
Cert. Net HP: 158
RPM: 4000
DSO: 1499

 

F25 = F250 / F25 series code does not designate F250 2WD or F250 4WD in 1959/60 / 1961/72 would be F25 = 2WD / F26 = 4WD.

C = 292 2V.

9 = 1959.

R = San Jose CA Assembly Plant.

47719 = 1959 Numerical Sequence of Assembly, the trucks specific serial number.

118" Wheelbase.

X = Goldenrod Yellow (apropos since it came from the CA Gold Rush town of Sonora).

F28C This is the MODEL code: F28C = F250 4WD, 7,400 lbs. GVWR / 1959/60: Only the MODEL code designates 2WD from 4WD.

DATE code follows MODEL code, will be three digits: two numbers, one letter (example: 22A = January 22, 1959 .. The year isn't noted as it's within the VIN).

10H = No such trans code listed in parts catalog. If a 4 speed: F = Warner T-98.

04B: 04 = Spicer/Dana 60 Rear Axle / 4.56-1 / no Equa-Lok (Limited Slip) / 5,200 lbs. Rear Axle Capacity // B = Spicer/Dana 44 Front Driving Axle / 4.55-1 / 3,000 lbs. Front Axle Capacity / Equa-Lok not offered.

7,400 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

158 net HP @ 4,000 RPM

1499 = Domestic Special Order number. The truck was ordered special by the original purchaser, not "bought off the lot."

 

Bill,
Thanks for the help! I doublechecked the trans code again. It plainly says 10H. Maybe 1Oh? It is a 4 speed so I guess it would have to be a T98. The rear axle you said is a nonlimited slip, correct? This truck even has the flare side bed. It is really neat looking on the old split rims. Being special ordered I think this is a rarw beast indeed!

 

I'll betcha that 10H is the DATE code, cuz it cannot be the TRANS code. You typed F28C as the DATE code, but that's the MODEL code.

The DATE code is listed between the MODEL code and the TRANS code.

10H = Assembled August 10th, 1959 / A is January, M is December. The letter I is skipped.

Look on the plate again, see if there's an F after 10H. Assembly line workers did not always stamp the codes correctly.

1959 thru today: If the AXLE code begins w/a letter: Limited Slip / If with a number, no Limited Slip.

 

Bill I just found the F Code! I pulled over for fuel in Montrose, CO when I found it. It was in between the Trans code and the code after that. How could you tell this is a F350 flareside box? He said it is the original flareside box, but if it's original you would of thought they would've used the 8' box. Either way it looks good, and itdefinitely looks original. This truck actually has factory power drum brakes! I have only seen that one other time.

 

Hi all,
I have just purchased my 2nd Vintage Ford truck.

I have owned my 1940 Ford 1.5 ton Stake Body truck for 3 years now and just picked up my second truck. The second truck is supposed to be a 1936 Ford 1.5 ton Stake Body truck. My question to you all is. What is this VIN number - BB I 8 2532750. The truck is all apart and needs a total restoration. The only number I have found was on the left frame rail just in front of the cab. It just doesn't match any 1936 numbers that I've researched.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks.
Steve

 

F = TRANS code for Warner T-98 4 speed. It's listed on the Rating Plate between the DATE code and AXLE code.

Sequence as listed on the Rating Plate: W.B. / COLOR / MODEL / DATE / TRANS / AXLE / GVW / CERT. NET HP / RPM / DSO

Since the truck was a Domestic Special Order, and you didn't list the COLOR code, the space may be blank.

Vehicles painted non standard colors per the original purchasers requests have no COLOR code and so are Domestic Special Orders.

1957/66 F350 pickups were only available with Flareside or Styleside 9' Express Beds. Also available as Cab & Chassis, with a factory installed Flat or Stake Bed.

There was no F350 DRW pickup available until 1980, then Styleside only. The fiberglass rear fenders bolt to the quarter panels (bedsides).

 

Very interesting. However this is a F250. So it is curious that it came with a F350 bed. Why do they call them express beds? I guess they were used for delivery purposes.