I purchased an old ford truck a few years ago and am starting to restore it.
trying to identify it but am confused by the serial #. serial number on the frame next to the steering box reads 799Y (the Y is three letter I's in the shape of a Y) with 7 digits there is also a plate in the glove box with the same # on it. and the model # best I can read is 79C. is this a 1/2 ton with a V8? I thought the Y on the frame meant 1 ton or is that for the V8 eng. I also have a 4 speed Trans and 16" Wheels. 114" wheel base. and I apologize I am new to posting on threads any help on that will also be appreciated.

 

more knowledgeable people will chim in. but i think a 4 speed would be from a 1 ton or bigger!

 

Just checked the # on the transmission it matches the frame #. what throws me off is the model # on the plate 79C is for a 1/2 ton. and the 16" wheels if it were a 1 ton I think it should have 17" with split rims.

 

And the wheelbase would be 122" as well. 5 big lug nuts on something like 7 1/4 bolt circle would be one ton, 5 smaller normal lug nuts on 5 1/2 circle is half ton. I think a 4 speed was available in the half ton from the factory.

 

Everything so far is saying 1/2 ton I appreciate all the help. Sure I will be posting more in the future.

 

The 114" wheel base and 16" wheels are half ton only features. A spur four speed could be a half ton feature. A model 79C is a 1947 half ton. The 799Y follows no pattern I find a reference for. If it was a tonner it'd be 122" with 17" wheels and 5 lug x 6 7/8" bolt pattern. Stu

 

My '46 1/2 ton VIN starts with 69Y, so I know your pain. Mine is definitely a 1/2 ton. Must have been the frame stamping guy on Monday after a real good weekend!

 

Welcome to the site.
This is not all that uncommon, believe it or not. The numbers were stamped one character at a time, and not always correctly. The 4speed was an option in the half tons. But being 114" wheelbase is, as others have said, the best way to tell that it is indeed a half ton.
By the way, pictures are always welcomed here, so please, feel free to share some pix.

 

thanks for all the info pix will follow soon

 

yeah we need pictures!!!