My Dad just got his 1948 F3 Truck out to start working on it. We are trying to figure out what the Serial Numbers mean. I was wondering if anyone could help me out.

Serial # F3RIKC16883
Model WBY

Thanks.

 

Before you get too involved with this truck, you may want to do a little more investigating. The number you posted is for a 51 F3, not a 48. It decodes as follows;
F3=F3
R=239 V8
1=1951
KC=Kansas City assembly plant
16883=consecutive unit number.

Where did you find this number? Does your frame number and/or paperwork match any of this? What leads you to believe your truck is a '48?

 

It's not a '48, if the plate matches the frame. It's a '51. F3 is obvious, R is V8, 1 is 1951, KC is Kansas City, and the digits are the truck's unique number. My truck is F3R1KC15275, and a line worker scratched #9 3/12/51 into the cowl. The WBY isn't understood, except that the Y is the code for the F-3 model. Check your frame on the passenger side near the motor mount to see if it matches. It's not uncommon for a prior owner to screw together a bunch of mismatched pieces to help him flip it. Stu

 

We were told it was a 1948 when he bought it 18 years ago.

I looked at the frame and these are the numbers 98RC495466

Here is a picture of the serial numbers

 

Looks like a 1950 V8 half ton to me. Would I be right that the title matches the tag, not the frame? Stu

 

Welcome to FTE!

The other guys will get you sorted out on your truck numbers. I just wanted to welcome you to the friendliest Ford truck site on the Internet.

 

How about some pictures of the truck?
Ed

 

How does it compare to the ones shown below?

 

Here are some pictures of the truck. We have been getting very confused by trying to figure out the year. The information you all have given has been very helpful but yet makes us even more confused. Because it looks like the grill is 1950 but the interior dash is 1951. Then the numbers in the serial number says it is a F3 but the numbers from the frame says it is a 1/2 ton. So needless to say we are a little stumped at the moment.

 

It does appear to be a mongrel, not all bad, so long as your title matches the frame. Stick around, ask questions and post picture with the question if possible. And, welcome to the forum.

 

It sounds like someone swapped out the cab to me.

 

Here are a few more pictures.

 

Yes, it appears someone swapped the cab from a 51 F3 and put it on a 50 F1, then sold it to you as a 48 with mis-matched paperwork.

 

It's not an F3 bed as they have wheel tubs that show in the bed. Welcome to the site. It's looks like a decent truck to work on. Have fun

 

Has a late 1950 half ton bed with wood floor and straight pockets. No doubt belonged on the frame as original. There's nothing wrong with having the later cab, it's just a question of what WY considers the truck to be. Generally the frame number is the controlling factor. That's why I asked which one the title matches. Stu