I decoded my vin tag on the door 2 nights ago, but I believe it's not correct.. After about 11 hours of researching the past 2 nights.. From what I've read, my guess... It has 76-77 front end.. 73 dash/gauges, 73-77 hood, 73-77 seat belts, with a 351, I believe the motor never came in f100-Rangers.. , It says its a 1978 f100 ranger, with a 302 Originally dark jade, with all jade vinyl interior. My floor boards, dash, seats, inside of cab, under hood and bedside are red/gray.. Currently the truck is flat black but I scratched through the paint and have still only seen red/Grey. I honesty don't believe it's a 78 either. It has split bumper grill, round head lights, seat belts are only across lap, I've seen in pictures that 78-79 have belts from the top also. Doesn't have a 78 steering wheel either. I've tried pulling the vin from the frame under the hood. It's very rough all I've been able to make out is F----UV6135, can anyone help to determine the year? Any thing to look for in difference?.. I was told it was a 78 but the guy also thought it had a 302 in it.. I believe the doors been switched. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

2 letters then 4 numbers indicates a 1978 my truck. 73 to 77 had 1 letter 5 number vins. But I am certain someone with far greater knowledge will pipe up soon

 

Correct, but I'm almost 100% positive that my vin tag on the door is not accurate to the cab,bed, and forsure the frame. I was able to pull a few letters off of the frame vin. not enough to decode it but enough to tell that it didn't match the door tag. I know its not accurate to the bed because, starting in 76 they added a door over the gas cab. from 73-77 it was just an exposed gas cap. Which is what mine has.

 

my two cents:

yep door vin tag has probably been lost with a door replacement with a different vin tag, so if the truck is registered to the vin that is on the door only you and us will know it unless the top of the framerail has a good stamping of the vin that matches it, and sometimes you get lucky and the bodybuck tag on the engine side of firewall will have the complete vin on it too, OR if the sticker on the drivers door B-pillar is still there and just painted over you may be able to remove the paint off of the plastic coating to reveal the vin...

exposed gas cap was 73 - early 77,
wide windshield chrome was available until 75 or 76,
clear front marker lights were 73 - 75 or 76,
your front bumper is 73-77 style,
ford had 17 or 19 different door mirror styles available during the run of this body style,
chrome rear bumper is an added aftermarket or swapped on 80s one thats been modded to fit,
hubcap is 80s style,
steering wheel is 73-77 style and will not fit on a 78-79 column so this also means that the wiring harness is 73-77 unless some serious modification was done(if youre having issues with turn signal lights this could be one cause),
all emblems have been removed meaning sheet metal has been swapped or the holes have been filled.

 

In most states, for the VIN to be "legal" it must be attached to a permanent part of the structure. That's why the door tag (warranty plate) can't be used for title purposes and that's why Ford doesn't call it a VIN tag, it's not.
On these trucks, the "legal" VIN is the frame stamped VIN.
On Fords the last six digits of the VIN is the trucks serial number. Each model year has it's own number series.
Your frame VIN, UV6135, is problematic. It doesn't exist, Ford didn't use that series of numbers.
From '73-'77 the serial numbers were one letter followed by six numbers. '78-'79 series were two letters followed by four numbers.
The '78 model year ranged from AE0,001 to CK9,999. The '79 model year's range was DC0,001 to FK9,000.
Is it possible that the "U" is a disfigured "D"? that would make the frame a '79 model.
You truly have a "frankentruck"

 

Try using a wire brush and some degreaser to clean the frame.

I've always found the easiest way to access the frame rail on the passenger side is by dismounting the rim and getting your head right under the fenderwell.

Post up a really good pic of the vin# once the frame is all clean. The VIN stamping is directly below your alternator on the passenger side (just confirming you're looking in the correct location).

 

There is a second location on the frame where the VIN is stamped. It is on the top rail on the passenger side under the cab (approx directly below the passenger's butt). Obviously, this is a PITA to access but it may be necessary. After giving upon the primary location I'd try a mirror and some good lighting before doing anything drastic.

 

And it may turn out that your truck ..... ain't really your's.

 

But there are remedies. Important factors include:

• possession of the vehicle
• having it registered, even if it references the VIN on the warranty plate and that is different from the VIN on the frame
• having a bill of sale from the last registrant

Policies vary from state to state so best to research that before taking any official action.

 

It was just a thought, nothing more. If that vin on the frame is that of one stolen .... say 10 or 30 years ago, then the "true" owner is either that owner or an insurance co. that paid his claim. Chances are the open poster has a truck that was not stolen, but rather is just a conglomeration of parts .... but stranger things happen.

I have a buddy who had his deceased dad's '70 Chevrolet K-10 restored PU parked at his shop and one day he came to open up and it was "gone". No insurance for theft. You can bet if it turns up in a sale or transaction, he'll want it back. He knows its likely been chopped or parted out ... or someone changed a vin on a door. He also knows that stolen vehicles have turned up after decades when an unknowing family member goes to settle an estate or a shipper goes to load it on a ship to Europe, etc ... and someone checks the frame or confidential vin location.

 

It may not be the "legal" vin, but there are tags on the firewalls. My F350 has a spliced cab. The firewall tag and warranty plate both match, but the blue sticker was for a 77 F150 4x4. If you are really lucky, you may find the punch card that the assembly line used stuck in the dash which I found in my parts truck.

 

VI locations on 2wd.

 

The best answer as to what year? The answer should be an emphatic, "Yes!"

.

 

Grill is 76-77. Speedo goes to 100, meaning it's definitely not newer than a 77. What motor? 351-400 first year is '77. 76 would have the 360-390 options. If it's a 300, that doesn't help....That's all I got.

 

Dash cluster looks like it has the low fuel economy light. I believe that was used in 1976 only.

You may want to take a listen to Johnny Cash's song "One Piece At A Time".