I've inherited from my (now retired and no longer driving) father a 1985 F150 with a 300 straight 6 and a 4 speed manual with a granny gear. I determined its an 85 by the sticker on the driver's door frame and by looking up the vin on Ford fleet website. The Ford fleet website is a start, but i'd like whatever additional information I can find. The vin is:
1FTDF15Y1FKA86579

The sticker on the door jam adds: trans b, axle 18, springs A V, body bb4, type-gvw f154.

I'd also like to know what transmission I have; I have a guess, but i would love to know for sure. Thanks for your help.

 

use the vin decoder under the articles/specs menu at the top of the page for the VIN info.

 

Thanks, That clears it up a little more, but I did not see the my transmission code listed. The options were D, E, M, T and U. I have tranmission code B. Any idea what that is?

 

Welcome to FTE, JB!

Where did you get that D E M T U stuff? It looks to me like there were lots more available.

Transmission code B = Clark 4-speed overdrive

Source: FoMoCo 1980/89 Light Truck Parts Catalog.

 

Model Code (Type-GVW) F154 = 1984/ Pickup, 133" WB, 5450# GVW rating - F150 2WD

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Body Code BB4..... The 1st two characters identify the color & type of materials used in the interior upholstery..... 1st digit is type of material & type of seat, 2nd digit is trim color

BB = Blue all vinyl
4 = Styleside Pickup

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Springs.... This is a PITA to look up, all I can say right now is A is the code for the front, and V for the back.

Maybe more later.

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Axle Code 18 is another odd one....

1983/1985 (inclusive) = 3.08:1 ratio, 3,750 lb. capacity Ford non-locking
1986 = 3.00:1 ratio, 3,800 lb. capacity Ford
1987/1989 = 3.08:1 ratio, 3,800 lb. capacity, Ford locking

 

Thats awesome guys, thanks.

 

So...a correction is due here. I originally said the truck has a granny gear because that is what I was told and it was a couple of years ago when i drove it last (no current registration so no test drive for now), but based on your information that would seem to be incorrect, so my apologies on the bad info i provided. Regarding the Clark 4 speed od, is that the same as the T170FT?

 

Welcome to FTE

1FT = FoMoCo USA-Complete Vehicle.

D = Class D, 5,001-6,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating range.

F15 = F150 2WD Pickup.

Y = 4.9L I-6 EFI

1 = Check Digit, FoMoCo use only.

F = 1985.

K = Kansas City MO Assembly Plant.

A86579 = 1985 Numerical Sequence of Assembly.

F154 = F150 2WD Pickup, 133" Wheelbase, 5,450 lbs. GVWR

BB4: BB = Blue all Vinyl / 4 = Styleside Pickup.

B = Clark/Ford model RTS TS-OD 4 Speed Top Shift Overdrive.

18 = Ford 3.08-1 / non Limited Slip / 3,750 lb Rear Axle Capacity.

SPRING: AV: A = E0TZ-5310-A .. Front Spring, 2,300 lb. Load Rate / V = E2TZ-5310-A .. Rear Spring / With an E2 prefix, Load Rate cannot be determined after 1981.

Decoded using: 1980/89 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog.

Note: FTE VIN decoders aren't worth TWO CENTS! Have multiple errors and omissions.

 

JB,

NumberDummy somehow found some more information for your transmission as well as weight ratings for the springs, you can believe him as he did this kind of stuff for a living for 30-some years.

From what I can find, the T170FT is a different name for Ford/Clark RTS TS-OD your truck was built with.

http://www.blueovaltrucks.com/tech/t...ons_manual.htm

 

If the spring part number prefixes begin with E0 or E1. the load rate can be determined by reading thru the 1980/81 front/rear spring charts.

If the spring part number prefixes begin with E2, E3 and etc., you're SOL

RTS listed in Manual Transmission Application Charts .

Ford confusion: There is no info inre to a Clark 4 speed in these charts, nor is there any Clark 4 speed parts lists.

 

Front springs seem to be separate from the rear springs, correct? Different sections?

At least, that's the way I remember it, don't remember how I found (at least some) stuff last time I went there....

 

Basic part numbers: Front: 5310 / Rear: 5560

Happy New Year!