The plate Shows 1RY. What does that indicate? Pictures available in Bill's New Toy.
After reading and research the F3, I almost backed out of buying this one, but when I found out that the owner inherited it from here father who had bought it brand new ( has the original bill of sales dated 11/51), I couldn't resist. I will pick it up next week.

Any help on the model ?
Thanks
Bill in Bama

 

I've got a '51 F-3 that has a similar early style data plate. Ford discontinued this style data plate mid year 1951. I've not seen any reference that explains these codes, but logic says the "1" is for 1951, the "R" is the V8 code, and the "Y" is the F-3 code used at the factory. The truck looks real solid so you have a good platform for your project.

I don't know what your plans are for it, but looking at your close up of the front wheel I see you've said you're gonna get rid of that. But that's not a Ford widowmaker. I can't see a size on the tire, but assuming it's a 17", that's a three piece Chevy wheel from an early '50s 3/4 ton or one ton. They can still be serviced, unlike the Ford widowmakers. You, however, won't have similar wheels on the rear since they won't fit over the hubs. I've tried. So, if you are gonna try to keep it stock looking I can give you the options. If you're gonna swap the rear end and do it more "dark side', the other guys can give you input on that. Stu

 

Truckdog,
I think you are right , I kept digging and it appears that the 1 indicates year and the Ry indicates it is a V8 3/4 pu.
Please give me the option to keep it as original as possible. If I really wanted an easy job, I would have found an F1 to play with.
My problem is that I am not very experienced on autos and truck, having not fooled with them in about 30 years and now I have a 1952 m38a1 and this truck with which I can play to my hearts content. I should to busy this summer.
Ps I think since the plate is an old one, this truck is probably oneof the early 51 models.

 

Right, it's an early build.

As for the wheel options, I just did a LONG posting for another fellow, so I'll link that here for you. Same info, but it could be that yours would be easier if you have 12" rear brake drums. Ford switched mid year '51 from 14" rear drums on F-3s to 12", and moved the parking brake to the back of the transmission. It's the early 14" rear drums that cause guys all the troubles. So in addition to what's in this thread you could also use just about any F-250 16" wheels. And if you could find the original F-2/F-250 wheels they'd allow use of stock hub caps. Here's that thread.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...r-options.html

You've also got a M38a1 you say. That's a Jeep, am I right? I've also got a '49 FFPW project. A B1PW126. Stu

 

An M38a1 is the first round fender military jeep . I also have a 1947 civilian CJ2 that has been in my family since 1970. My wife says I am starting my second childhood and the only difference from the first is the size of the cars and trucks with which I am playing.

 

Ditto. Gotta play. Stu

 

I can be really oblivious, but where can I find the pics of "Bill's New Toy"?

Also, since this is an early 51 with the early data plate, would you mind posting the serial number? I've heard they were a continuation of 49/50 numbers, but I've never seen one that could be verified.

Tim

 

Click on his user name then on the public profile section. Then click on the pic of his truck. There's a bunch of pics, and one of the data plate. I was wondering whether you'd want to add this to your log. Stu

 

Thanks Stu... the serial number of F3R1LD xxxxx is the standard serial string for 51/52 models. That makes it a later production.

Early 51's are rumored to have SN's like 98RY xxxxxx That's what I was looking for. Guess I'll keep looking.

The puzzle for me is the assembly plant stamp of LD ? It should be either LU Louisville (which I would expect for a truck in 'bama) or LB for Long Beach CA

 

Tim - That's bizarre. It's pretty clearly an LD, isn't it? Makes you wonder what the frame shows. Given Bill's history of the truck, it should be LU.

As for the early/late question, I've (probably wrongly) used that 9/4/51 date cited in manual as my dividing line. The late '51s have the '52 style glove box door plate, and eliminated the firewall patent plate. I've got a parts truck like this. Those before that date then have the old style plate like Bill's plus the firewall patent plate, but with the later style numbering system.

One of my other '51s has the plates like Bill's, with F3R1KC numbering, plus on the firewall a line worker scratched #9 3/12/51. So the later numbering system was in use by that date, at least in KC. Stu

 

here is a link that show what the marks mean I only could find it from a 1956


56 F100 | 1956 Ford | Truck | F100 | Information | Parts

 

Bjorn thanks - you can see Ford was modernizing the process by 56. I wish the early F series was as simple.

Stu, it sure is a curiosity. I've never paid much attention to the 51/52 serial numbers even tho I have 2 of them. Maybe somebody should do a sticky like Carl and I have done on the 48/50's.

48-50 Ford produced roughly 150,000/yr which would be a total of 450K for 3 yrs, but the serial numbers go as high as 510K which would work if early 51's were stamped the same way. (I've always heard the date was 9/15/51, but I'll go with your manual)

From your info are you saying it's probably just the plate style that changed and not the serial numbering?

The other thing I find odd about the 51/52 numbering is, I've never seen a number go above 5 digits - and don't remember seeing one much above about 35,000. Did each plant run their own string from 001 - end of yr? OR......

 

Wonder if someone reversed letters and ment DL which was Dallas?

 

Bill Welcome to the site. Looks like you got a great project there. I have a 51 F1 five star that I haven't started on yet and a 53 F1 that is being darksided and about 60% done. What part of Bama you from? I'm in Glencoe about 60 miles north east of Birmingham.

 

Tim- I tried to do this within your quote and it didn't work. So please go sentence by sentence. Stu

1. I rechecked the Chassis Manual and it does say 9/4/51.

2. I think that's right. I've got three '51s. Two have the older style plate like in Bill's picture, the other one has the '52 style plate. All are numbered using the '52 style sequencing pattern.

3. I think so on this last point also. But it's very odd because my KC truck with the 3/12/51 date scratched into the firewall has a number in the 15xxx range. It has the early style plates. My '51 with the later '52 style plate (no firewall patent plate) is a St. Paul build and its number is in the 21xxx range. My '51 Ranger has the old style plates with a Highland Park number in the 43xxx range. I guess it stands to reason the HM produced more trucks, but that's a big difference.

Bill - What you say is possible. The way to tell is to check the frame on the passenger side aft of the engine mount diagonal. There will be a star before and after the numbers. You may have to scratch the rust off to see it. Stu