I purchased a 49 ford f1 5 years ago with no title and I'm working on trying to get a new title. I only have one identification number on the frame rail theres nothing on glove box or firewall. my problem is the number on the frame rail matches nothing ive seen on the internet. the number on the rail is 88b973 and that's all there is. some one please help me thank you

 

The frame rail number came from the passenger side between the radiator and motor mount?

 

no the numbers from above the gearbox

 

The 88 fits the 1948 sequence, but the star following the 88 is odd. If it's a half ton the expectation would be that you'd have an RC in place of that second star. Might just have been a bad day for that guy on the line.

Edit - agree to focus on the frame rail. I didn't notice your mention of the number being on the bell housing. Stu

 

the guy i bought it from said it was a 49 its got the 8ba flathead hooked to a 3 speed on the tree and everything appeared to be factory

 

The serial number for title registration comes from the location I described. A word of caution, use a scotch brite pad or other non-abrasive media as the stamping can be erased with overly aggressive rust removal.

The column shift was a mid-1950 change. Prior to that (48-49-early 50) the trannys were all floor shift.

 

ill check between the radiator and motor mount when i get a chance thanks for the info there but i always thought the number above the steering gear box was the identifcation do you guys know of any reason y it wouldnt be stamped on the glove box label or firewall

 

If the tags are still on the glove box door or firewall, they certainly would be valid for identification. Over time, these can go missing.

 

they were stamped on a Patent Data Plate on the firewall and a weight plate on the glove box.

 

the plate on glove box is still there and looks original because of the steel rivets holding it on im having a hard time because everythings blank other than frame rail by geerbox does anyone know if canadian trucks had different identification

 

From what I have read, they started putting the shifter on the column in 1950. If it is a 49 it would have the shifter in the floor like my 49 has. Maybe I could be wrong and somebody else could confirm this.

 

The serial number was stamped near the steering box on passenger cars and Canadian built trucks. Some early 48's were stamped in the wrong place, however, that is NOT a Ford factory stamp, it's the wrong stamps. Ford used the K R Wilson A404B stamps.


Serial number location 1948-52 F series (passenger side)



The number 8 is the real giveaway on the wrong stamps

 

Sorry forty-niner, I missed the part of your reply telling about the shifter. It wouldn't let me edit my reply

 

thank you guys for all the info ill keep u posted on my findings

 

My 49 F68 Canadian serial number is on the frame rail above the steering box. Also further back on the frame but would have to look again to be sure exactly where.