My 1948 Ford is a bit of a puzzle. The original ensignia on both sides of the truck says F2. All three serial numbers match: 88RY-11684. According to the manual, 8RY means it's an F3. The wheel rims are 17" which goes along with the F3. Anybody have thoughts how this mixup might have happened?

 

From the Cars & Parts Magazine - Catalog of Ford Truck ID numbers 1946-1972:

Has a note that effective engine number 110141, Ford replaced the Y with the letter D to distinguish the F2 series 3/4 ton truck from the F3 HD 3/4 ton.

Your low serial number would have been stamped when they were still all 88RY's.

 

I agree with the serial number. As for the 17" rims....my f-1 had 17" as well so lots were interchanged apparently. Mine was owned by a service station so they had the old snow tires on the back as well.Other then that your f-2 is not much different the the f-3..... jml

 

Take a look at your rear brakes, the F-2 has 12 in brakes drums, and the F-3 has 14 inchers.

 

The rear brake drims are definitely larger than the from. I'd say at least 14".
Looks like I have an F3 with an F2 label. Go figure!
Thanks for all the input.
Ron

 

What I meant to type was: The rear brake drums are definitely bigger than the front. (It's getting late.)

 

So does that mean the "HD" indicates "heavy duty" 3/4 ton? This was my understanding until someone told me that the F-3 was more a one ton pick up as compared to the 3/4 ton F-2. F-3 Brien

 

HD was the heavy duty 3/4 ton. F4 was the rated one ton and was offered with a long pickup box as well as flatbed.

F1 = 4700 gvw
F2 = 5700 gvw
F3 = 6800 gvw
F4 = 7500 gvw single wheel; and 10,000 in dual wheel.

 

This is what I thought. Thanks for the confirmation.

 

Not to nit-pick, but F4s were not offered with express (pickup boxes), they were offered with flatbeds. The nine foot express beds were introduced with the newly designated F350.

 

By all means nit pick - that's how I learn best - lol! You made me dig out the books and I agree with you. I guess I was thinking of the '47 and earlier when Ford listed the one ton with an express box on the 122" wheel base, but they quit at F3 in '48 when the one ton F4 was extended to 134".

For what its worth (and so I don't confuse anyone), prior to 48 there was no F series designation, only the tonnage rating.

1948 - 52 F1 to F8
1953 on F100, 250, etc

This is what makes this forum a great place to share info and challenge memories. Keep up the good work! - Tim