I purchased this vehicle 10 years ago and was driving it until I had to serve in Iraq. I parked my truck in my shop about 6 years ago and decided to take it for a little drive this weekend (STUPID me I didn't do any checks). When I returned to my house the front wheel just came off . I was hoping for some information on it so that I could restore it. Haha I had my truck registered as a 61 F-100 but now that I am looking at pics I'm realizing that my truck maybe a 65 or newer. I would really like to be able to decode the VIN but I haven't been able to find a reliable site to use Anyway if someone could point me in the right direction or decode the VIN for me that would be great. The VIN plate in the glove box had these numbers stamped on it (but no more paint to tell me what they mean)

F10JK132552 114 F101 A 11 4000 114 3600 1203

I'm assuming from some other posts that the 114 is the wheel base (matches my tape measure hehehe). Anyway any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm also going to be using LMC Truck parts to get replacements does anyone know how well they are at getting parts?

Thanks for your time,

Jimmy

P.S. I also have pics if that would help

 

its a 61 f100 4x2, 223 cid 114hp @3600 rpm raven black in color and made in kansas city, i didnt look up the rest ill let you have some fun. here is a couple of web sites that should give you everything you need.
Didgey Specs 61-66

Color Chip Selection

https://www.ford-trucks.com/vin-decoder/index.php

nummberdummy is the best one for this, he is as book of knowledge when it comes to these trucks. he will chime in soon.

 

Thanks for the links . The color chip selection doesn't show a Black for a 61 though do I need to check another year?

It's strange though that the '61's I've seen all have the spare tire mounted behind the driver's side and mine is located under the bed on a swivel arm.... also most of the pics that I have seen have the "FORD" on the top of the grill and mine is the middle I have posted pics on here under my name

Thanks,

Jimmy

 

My pics are posted under Hixbeme's Free truck. Hopefully the pics are good enough to see details

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...?albumid=36344

 

That's a '61 grill and the spare is under the bed as well on the 61 Uni I just bought two weeks ago.

 

Where did you get Raven Black from?

There's no COLOR Code listed.

The COLOR Code is listed after the wheelbase, before the Model Code.

The A following the MODEL code is the TRANS Code (not the COLOR Code), followed by the AXLE Code.

F10JK132552 / 114 / F101 / A / 11 / 4000 / 114 / 3600 / 1203??

F10 = F100 2WD

J = 223 I-6

K = Kansas City Assembly Plant

132552 = Assembled January 1961

114" Wheelbase

F101 = F100 2WD / 4,000 lbs. GVWR

A = 3 Speed Manual Transmission

11 = Ford 9" Rear Axle / 3.70-1 / non Limited Slip / 3300 lb. Rear Axle Capacity

4000 = 4,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

114 HP @ 3600 RPM

1203?? Incomplete DSO Code.

 

Wow that is a lot of Info . Quick question though is why on the galleries that I've seen a lot of the '61 trucks (Flareside/Stepside) is the spare mounted on the side of the bed? Was it factory made or was it an option or what? I think mine looks better with the spare under the bed but that is my opinion. I really appreciate all the help with the decode.

Also is there someplace to get a complete DSO on the body or frame? Can I find one using my VIN or what? Anyway thanks again.


Jimmy

 

see i knew you would come along numberdummy, i was looking at the chip chart when i looked at it. my mistake, just keeping you on your toes. there is a raven black on the chart i listed, its at the bottom of page but just noticed those are 66,s colors. there is another link to paint colors, but is on another forum and would be right to list. it shows a list pretty much the same colors.

 

The left rear fender with a cutout for the spare tire was an option.

The DSO code is only on the Warranty Plate, and has either 2 or 6 numbers, not four.

Ford didn't always stamp the numbers together, so there should be two additional numbers before or after the 1203 DSO code.

It's also possible (but unlikely) that whoever stamped the 4 numbers left off the additional two by mistake.

Is there a COLOR code on your Warranty Plate? As stated, it's after the wheelbase of 114, before the model code of F101.

The reason I ask is...with a DSO code of 6 numbers, that makes the truck a special order. If there's no COLOR code, the truck was ordered with a non standard color.

 

I used a pencil and piece of paper to get the last 2 # of the DSO . Not sure if the last # is an 8 or 3 though since it was worn down. The number is 1203 7 8/3 is there some place to find out what the DSO number means?


Jimmy

 

Right here.

DSO: 120378 or 120373.

12 = Buffalo NY Ford District Sales Zone Office, where the original selling dealer ordered the truck from.

0378 or 0373 = Domestic Special Order Number. Your truck was especially ordered by the original purchaser, not "bought off the lot."

Since there's no COLOR code, that's prolly the reason the truck was special ordered, as someone asked to have the truck painted in a non standard Ford color.