Hello all,

Just bought a 1965 F-100 step side from the original owner. 148,000 original miles, all original paperwork, no rust and runs like a clock. It is a 240 6cyl with 4 spd. I would like to decode the vin to make sure I understand all the equipment. It is a super basic truck (one sun visor, no radio, hand-operated vents), and it tops out at 55 mph. I want to change the rear gears with something like 373 or 353 to allow a better run down the highway (I will keep originals to make sure I have all the stock parts) but do not know the current ratio. Also I need to replace the seat cover but do not know what the interior codes are from the factory. Finally, the original owner ordered 5.5 x 5 x 16.5 wheels (he used it as a bee keeping vehicle - hives are heavy and fields have high brush) and I want to put 15s on the truck and need to know which wheels from f-100 to f-150 will fit, or if anyone knows where to get fresh hubcaps for the wheels with the interior tabs.

vin = F10JD696572

W.B. = 115
Color = L
Model = F100
Body = 381
Trans = F
Axle = C 5
Max. G.V.W. = 5000
Cert. Net. H.P. = 129
R.P.M. = 4000
D.S.O. = 75

 

CivicMinded --- Welcome to FTE!
There are some folks that frequent this site that have much more experience and knowledge than I on deciphering VIN and Warranty Data Plate information, but I'll take a stab at it and if I'm wrong, I'm sure they'll jump in and set me straight:

VIN# = F10JD696572

F10 = truck series code = 2WD, 1/2 ton

J = Engine code = indicates a 240" 6-cylinder, 1 barrel carb

D = Assembly plant code = Dallas, TX

696572 = consecutive build number; built in June, 1965

W.B. = 115 = short wheel base, short box.

Color = L = Holley (dark) Green

Model = F100 = 2WD, 1/2 ton

Body = 381 = I don't know ?? maybe it should read, 'B81' ?? if so, thus, Chassis - Cab, (only 1,852 units of B81 code F100s made) Does your truck have a box or stake rack or ?

Trans = F = 4 speed manual, (however, I don't know which 4-speed, I know there was more than one 4spd offered)

Axle = C5 = is a 4.10:1 rear gear ratio

Max. G.V.W. = 5000 = 5000lbs rated, 5-lug, 5.5" bolt pattern, 9" ring/pinion, std for 1/2 ton

Cert. Net. H.P. = 129 = 240" 6cyl (this was the first year for the 240 cubic inch inline six cylinder. It featured seven main bearings, hydraulic lifters, gear-driven camshaft, and an individual intake and exhaust manifolds).

R.P.M. = 4000 = rpm where HP was measured

D.S.O. = 75 = Domestic Sales Order for Phoenix, AZ; servicing AZ, NM and Western TX


You mentioned you now have 5.5 x 5 x 16.5 wheels. I've never heard of 5-lug 16.5" wheels. Maybe they're 5-lug 17.5" wheels?
The 15" or 16" 5-lug 5.5" bolt pattern wheels were used well into the late 70s, so they shouldn't be too tough to locate a set around down there in AZ.

--- Good Luck!
BarnieTrk

 

Thanks BarnieTrk!

I checked the vin plate and yes, the number is 381 for the body - perhaps a typo on the plate itself??? The original owner told me tonight that he bought the truck in northern New Mexico in October of 1965 so your decode seems to be accurate. As for the wheels, the manual says they are 16.5 but the actual tires show 16 and they are bias ply (snow tires in Phoenix!) and the wheels have the "innie" tabs. My desire to swap out the rear end gears is because the 410s make the truck wind out at 55. If it had a v-8 it would be fun, but with the 240 it makes the truck less useful in Phoenix where there are so many highways. It looks to me from checking out the differential cover that it is a Dana 60 rear end (although a mechanic said he had never seen a Dana 60 in a 1/2 ton stock with 5 lug wheels). The original owner told me he ordered the truck heavy duty for working bees - and that nothing was ever changed in the truck - I have service records, warranty card, manual, extra parts, etc and everything is original How can I tell if the differential is a Dana 40 or a Dana 60??? Sorry for the long post - I am new here and there issues are probably dealt with in other posts.

Civicminded.....

 

umm from what i remember, i cant remember where at exactly... but go to the rear end... crawl in from the back of it... so you can see the service cover... (the differential cover) i cant remember if its on a axle tube or on the differential its self... but bring a rag and a can of solevent... and maybe a wire brush... and brush the crud off... on a dana 60... it will have "60" on there some place... and on a dana 44 it should have "44"

at the bottum of this page, shows the dana/spicer axles pictures of them and how to find the number i was talking about, (you would be looking for number 3 or the model number if your axle is a dana 44 or dana 60) also is doesnt list the ford 9 inch... im sure some one else can tell you how to identify a 9inch though...

Differential identification charts


and the mechanic of yours is wrong... mine came from the factory with a dana 60, with 5x5.5 lug... (a 44 was swapped in on a later date though =( )

a bit more info on differen axles.... Axle Identification Chart

 

Welcome to FTE

To clarify the previous VIN and Warranty Plate decodes...

BODY Code 381: 3 = Medium Green Crush Vinyl & Medium Green Wicker Panel Vinyl // 81 = 81A Standard Cab.

TRANS Code F = Warner T-18 4 Speed Manual Transmission.

AXLE code C5: Spicer-Dana 60.2 / 4.10-1 / Limited Slip / 3300 lbs. Rear Axle Capacity.

GVW 05000 = 5,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight RATING. This is not the actual weight of the truck.

The GVW has nothing to do with what rear axle is in the truck, as the Ford 9 inch, Dana 44 and Dana 60.2 were all rated at 3300 lbs. rear axle capacity.

DSO 75: Phoenix AZ Ford District Sales Office, where the original selling dealer ordered the truck from.

Since the DSO is two digits, your truck was not a Domestic Special Order as all the equipment it came with were RPO's: Regular Production Orders.

When Limited Slip was ordered, Ford normally installed Dana 44's in these trucks, but...the Spicer-Dana 60.2 was another option, was available with or without Limited Slip

The 60.2 is not the same rear axle as a Spicer-Dana 60, which was only installed in F250's.

The wheels used with Dana 60.2's are the same wheels other F100 2WD & 4WD's used: 5 lug, 5.50" bolt circle.

The stainless steel 15" innie hubcaps have been reproduced by: thetruckandcarshop.com (800-243-8947) located in the city of Orange CA.

Does the truck have hubcaps now? I ask this because Ford did NOT install hubcaps on the rear wheels of certain trucks of this vintage, because the innie cap was not deep enough to clear the rear hubs. Ditto for the front hubs of 4WD's.

You can use F100 or F150 wheels thru 1996. 1977 was the first year Ford offered styled steel and styled aluminum wheels for F100/150's.

CAVEAT EMPTOR: Some 1980/83 F100's have 5 lug 4.50" bolt circle wheels.

 

CivicMinded,
Looks like the fellas checked in and corrected my errors.... cool.
I'm glad Bill chimed in and was able to clear up the mystery-to-me regarding the Body Code 381.

As for the wheels, if the tires indicate 16", I've got to believe that the wheels are 16" too. I doubt anyone would try to install & run 16" tires on 16.5" wheels. I'd suggest some new 16" radial tires - they'd make a HUGE difference in your truck's ride quality - my neighbor just bought some 235/75R-16 Firestone 'Destination A/T' tires and they're a good-looking tire.

Regarding your desire to swap out the rear end gears is understandable considering what you have and that it sounds like you're looking at lots of highway driving. If I were you, I'd look into swapping out the entire rear end housing with a very plentyful, used but in good shape 9" housing. Of course you'd want to ensure it is equipped with a 3.xx:1 gear ratio and have solid/non-damaged brake backing plates and drums. It is likely that going the housing swap route would be less expensive and an easier project to accomplish. You may need to change/swap out your driveshaft too, but rear end gears ($$) turn into bearing changes ($$) as well and to install/set up the gears properly ($$) isn't a project to take lightly. A quick site search would likely provide you with the info regarding what models/years of Ford truck rearends would bolt right into yours....

Another option to consider in getting your highway rpms down some for your 240", would be to swap out the T-18 4speed transmission for a T170 series 4 speed; commonly referred to as a 4spd/OD or T10FT (Code RTS) transmission. They can be found behind 6cyls and 302V8 of mid '80s 1/2 and 3/4 ton Ford trucks. A heavy hauling or trailering transmission - like what your T-18 is made for - the T10FT-RTS 4spd/OD trans is not -- but for cruising & daily driving on the highway it's great! I currently have a T10FT-RTS 4spd/OD transmission installed in front of 4.10 rear gears in my '65 F250 and it cruises down the highway comfortably. Again, a driveshaft change would likely be necessary - but that isn't usually a big deal either.

If you get a chance to share a link to any pictures of your truck (via photobucket or similar method), that is always cool beans... everyone likes pictures!

BarnieTrk

 

NumberDummy, Barnietrk and Billy - wow, great information! Thank you so much. ND, the truck does have front hub caps but not rear. Thank you for the info on the interior color and the rear differential. The more I look at this truck, the more I think I will just throw on some 16 radials and keep the rest as is stock. I would imagine these unmolested trucks are getting fewer and farther in between and perhaps since it is in such pristine shape I should just leave it as is - wash out the dirt, scrape the beeswax off the wood in the bed (which still has some of its original green paint on the wood!) and replace the seat cover (any ideas who might make a stock cover for this pickup?). I suppose if I want a highway truck I should just buy another truck that I won't feel guilty about swapping differentials, transmissions and engines - I would like a 72 short box f-series step or fleet side. I will post pics and set up a link soon of my f100. I will also send some money to support this site - you guys have given me valuable information!

 

NumberDummy,

Forgive my ignorance, but would you please explain the difference between the Dana 60 and the Dana 60.2?

Civicminded.....

 

smsautofabrics.com has the correct seat upholstery.

The Spicer-Dana 60.2 (and Spicer-Dana 60.3 optional in 1967/72 F100's) share next to no parts with a Dana 60.

The housing, axles, ring & pinion (3.54-1 ratio was also available), axle and pinion gears are 60.2 (or 60.3) only.

 

Thanks for the info and correcting me on my misuse of terms NumbersDummy - I did not mean to offend! As a side note, my brother worked at Packard Haven in Death Valley in the 1970s and helped restore FDR's Packard among others and cruised Sunset Blvd. in a 50 Packard Hearse for fun.

 

Can someone help me decode my vin? I have what I believe to be a 1965 f-100 flareside. Here's the vin:

F10AC844342

I would really like to know what tranny & rear end ratio I have because it's also very slow & I can't cruise with my car club. I'd like to put a higher ratio in it.

 

Welcome to FTE

Flaresides have wood bed floors and outside rear fenders.

Unfortunately, there's no code within the VIN or stamped on the Warranty Plate that decodes to any pickup.

F10 = F100 2WD

A = 240 1V I-6.

C = Oakville Ontario Canada Truck Assembly Plant.

844342 = 1966 .. assembled April 1966.

 

O.K, thanks. How would I find out what tranny (has a 4 speed) & rear end it has?

 

Look on the jam side of the driver's door, below the latch, there should be a Warranty Data Plate. Provide us with the information stamped there..... from that info, the information which you seek can be determined....if it's still the original equipment in it.

BarnieTrk

 

TRANS & AXLE codes stamped on 2nd line of Warranty Plate, located on the left door face below the latch.

4 Speed TRANS code will be either A = New Process 435 or F = Warner T-18.