I am looking at buying a 78 F150. I was sent a picture of the order/build sheet and don't know how to decode it. Is there a template that any of you know of that I can use? Thanks!

 

When you say build sheet, are talking about something like this? If yes, no template that I know of.
You might consider getting a Marti Report, that will give you a lot of info on how your truck was equipped when it left the factory.
Marti Auto Works - Concourse Quality, Hobbyist Price
The second picture is a Marti Report

 

That is it, Mike. I have gotten a Marti Report before, but wanted to see what options it came with before buying it and hoped the build sheet had that information on it. Darn. thank you for the reply!

 

If the seller sent you a pic of the Warranty Plate (riveted to the left door face below the latch), Mike or I can decode it for you.

 

Thank you for the reply, ND. I didn't get a pic of the plate, but did get one of the order sheet. Seen here:


Not sure if it is too blurry or if you can get any specific information from it. Thanks though! Much appreciated!

 

VIN F14SLBA6928
F14= F150 4WD pickup
S=400 cu in 2bbl V8 engine
L=Michigan Truck Plant
BA6928=1978 model year consecutive serial number

 

Thanks again for that, Mike. Does the sheet have any info on trim level or color? The pic is blurry, so that is why I hoped someone had a template and could decipher options the truck originally came with. On the fence about buying it. It has had a repaint (not pretty), a rebuilt 400 and seems to be a Ranger Lariat shortbox 4x4 with manual.

 

That info is there, but the assembly line codes used weren't the same as the warranty plate.
The paint codes on the build sheet are on the top line, just to the right of the VIN, about center. It's the one with the dark header above it. Below "PAINT" it's divided into "BODY" and "ACCENT". On your sheet the body color is shown as "3G" and the accent is "6P". Neither of these codes translate into the "normal" paint codes on the warranty plate. On the warranty plate "3G" would translate into a two-tone paint with "3" being the primary color and "G" being the accent, secondary color. 3 wasn't used for a paint code in '78 and G was chrome yellow, but, like I said, these codes aren't the same.
The "buck tags" that some people find on their firewalls have the same problem. Some codes can be deciphered others can't, but at the time they made sense to the workers building the trucks.

 

Ah, I see. That is good information to know! I will see if I can get a picture of the warranty plate.