I just bought a '60 Ford F-100 the other day and don't know much about it. In fact I thought it was a '59, that's what the guy who sold it to me thought it was. I saw some pictures on the net that changed my mind though. The rating plate reads:

Serial No. F10J0R50881

WB color Model Date Trans Axle
110 F100 08H A 0B

GVW Cert. net HP RPM D.S.O
04800 126 4000 9936

Could someone please decode this for me? I would appreciate knowing what I actually have! I think it has a 292 V-8 w/2bbl but have know idea as to the type of automatic tranny it has or what axle. This early of a truck doesn't have a 9" rear end does it? Also I would appreciate any help locating engine and body parts dealers for this truck. Thank You!

 

Don't know what you have but can give some background as pertains to cars. The 9 inch differential came out in 1957. It is a very durable unit and most likely is on your truck. If the center chunk can be removed from the front and removing the 6 o'clock nut requires a box or open end wrench rather than a socket wrench, it should be a niner. By 1960 Ford had dropped the 272s and 312s but continued to build the 292s until 1962. If you have a y-block it is most likely a 292. As for transmissions, in 1960 Ford produced the 3 speed Cruiseomatic and the not-so -cool 2 speed Fordomatic. If your converter housing is a separate part you probably have a Cruiso, if the housing is integral to the rest of the trans it is probably a Fordo. Doubt if you have a Fordo since it was a poor car trans. Hope this helps.

 

Take the info you have to your local Ford dealer and they can decode the plate for you. I used to do it all the time when I worked for a dealer.
They can tell you engine, trans, axle ratios, what day it was built, and where it was built. Also the original paint color. Looking at the date code, it appears that it was built on Aug. 8 ,1959, making it a early 60. I am not 100% sure on it, but the dealer should have a microfiche or a set of books to tell you what you want to know.

Barry

 

F10JOR50881- F10=F-100,---J=223 6 cyl.,---O= model year,---R= San Jose, Ca. assembly plant,---50881= unit#. Youre truck came with a 3.92 rear axle,and 3 speed standard tranny. It was built August 08 1960. Hope that helps.

 

Well, if your truck has a v-8 and an automatic transmission its not the original motor and tranny according to your data plate, it should have a 223 6 cyl denoted by the J in the serial number and a 3 spd standard tranny denoted by A under the Trans. Built on 8th Aug. 1959

 

Hi,
I have a 60 F-100 also. Some of the confusion may be attributed to the production date as you know the new model always comes before the new year.
The other confusion on this truck may be related to the hood.
Apparently the 59 model has the hood with the wide grill and the letters F O R D in it (mine has this) and the 60 model has the wide grill with the big emblem in the middle.
Some of the early 60 models were made with the same hood as the 59 making people think the truck was a 59 model.
I really prefer the 59 hood myself.

BTW Any idea where I can find a solid tailgate for a 57-60 with a Fleetside bed? Seems people only make new ones for the stepsides. If I could get a stepside bed I would be even happier.

 

I don't suppose you live in alaska? I'd trade you my stepside bed for a fleetside!!

 

Nope, I live in New England.
I have been considering using a flare side bed from a newer model Ranger though. The soft curves of that bed would make a nice fit with the soft curving body lines of the rest of the truck.
My problem with the flareside is that it did not seem to fit the character of the truck as it just kind of flattened out on the side when the front end and cab have such nice lines.

I did see a 56 F-100 with one of those beds and it seemed to be a nice match.

 

Hey I also have a sixty ford truck,but i dont know anthing about the codes.My rear end came from the factory with a dana sixty,not a nine inch. I know that almost all 57-60 fords came with a nine inch. My transmistion is also factory and its called a fordomatic. This is only a two speed automatic, if your shift indicator only has low and high, then its probably a fordomatic.Another way to tell is that its partly water cooled.
I have factory front axle with the power steering equipment for a57-60 ford that i will not need if anybody is interested.

 

Hi 60 ford, According to my shop manual, the F100s came with the 9" rear. The F250, and 350 came with the spicer 60. How many lugs do you have on your wheels?
Kenny

 

I only have five lugs on my wheels. I defenitly have a dana rear end. I bought the truck from the original owner and he said that he custom ordered all the extras. But I really have no way of knowing thats true. Im turning the truck into a total custom rod , so im putting in a nine inch afterall.

 

The 1/2 and 3/4 tons came with either a 9" or a Spicer 44 (later bought out by Dana), the 44 was a option if you wanted limited slip, the 9" didn't have it available at that time. The 44 is a great rear end except it was only available in 3.92's and up. If you want to change to 3.73 and down you have to replace the carrier, which was about $250 new a couple of years ago.
Bob Wood
60 F100
302/C6 (it will run some day)

 

 

I'm wondering if the fellow with the front axle and power steering unit for the 57-60 f-100 still has it?