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Urgent!: Frame Identification

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Old Mar 26, 2003 | 09:07 AM
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Urgent!: Frame Identification

I also posted the note on 2x4 to 4x4 conversion, but have not received any replies. But I was hoping to buy a rolling chassis today of an early 70s 4x4 so I can covert my '71 2x4. My main question is, since the guy I am buying from does not know the exact year, can a '73 and later frame work on my '71 body without significant issues?

Also, how can I identify what year it is from the frame? There is no motor, just frame, steering box, axles tranny and t-case. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
 
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Old Mar 26, 2003 | 10:57 AM
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Urgent!: Frame Identification

the VIN should be on the top of the frame somewhere under where the cab would sit, passenger side.

as for the swap, I don't believe (not 100% sure!) you'll have many problems swapping an earlier body onto the 73 frame, just remember that you need to buy 73 chassis parts
 
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Old Mar 26, 2003 | 12:39 PM
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Urgent!: Frame Identification

Thanks for the info. I just talked to the guy again and he said it has a 67-72 bed on it, but the guy he got it from said he thought it was a 73 vehicle. My guess is that it is actually a 72 and he doesnt know what he had. I was hoping to find out what to look for in identifying a 72 vs 73 frame.
 
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Old Mar 26, 2003 | 01:18 PM
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Urgent!: Frame Identification

I did a search, but didn't find anything for 67-72 trucks. I want to buy a frame and I understand the vin should be on the frame somewhere. So which digit indicates the year? Will it be 2 or 1 digits (an example would be very helpful). Thanks
 
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Old Mar 26, 2003 | 01:29 PM
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Urgent!: Frame Identification

Nope, there isn't.

The VIN will tell what year but it goes by the consecutive unit number. When you find the VIN, plug it into here:

http://www.medicine.wisc.edu/~mrm/bronco/ftvin.cgi

Barry
 
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Old Mar 26, 2003 | 01:32 PM
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Urgent!: Frame Identification

The VIN on a 4x4 is on top of the passenger-side frame rail. It should be behind the front axle in the engine compartment. Another location is also on top of the passenger-side frame rail, under the cab right where the seat lines up.

Barry
 
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Old Mar 26, 2003 | 01:33 PM
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Urgent!: Frame Identification

Thanks BBB
 
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Old Mar 26, 2003 | 06:13 PM
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Urgent!: Frame Identification

I've usually found the number within about ten inches ahead of the engine crossmember.

mike
 
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Old Mar 26, 2003 | 06:20 PM
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Urgent!: Frame Identification

Hi mike, on a 4x2 it's ahead of the crossmember but on a 4x4 I've seen them behind the front axle. Did they change that sometime?

Barry
 
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Old Mar 26, 2003 | 06:32 PM
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Urgent!: Frame Identification

Your guess is as good as mine, Barry. I was thinking they all had it in the same place. I haven't looked at any 4x4 numbers.

mike
 
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Old Mar 26, 2003 | 06:56 PM
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Urgent!: Frame Identification

>Another location is also on top of the passenger-side frame rail,
> under the cab right where the seat lines up.

Maybe that is why I could not find mine! The cab is sitting on the frame from the <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">cab mount</a>s rotting out in front.

To answer your question on how to tell just a frame.

On the back frame rails next to the rear axle and on the front frame horns on my 1971 F-100 I measure 34 inches from the outside of the frame to the outside of the frame.

I do not know how much wider a 73-79 is, though if you have one 34 inches wide, I guess that would make it a 68-72.

Except on the 27 inch wide frames, which were F-250 high-boys?
 
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Old Mar 26, 2003 | 09:43 PM
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Urgent!: Frame Identification

Ok, thanks. I found the vin. Like someone mentioned, its on the pass. side, just behind the axle on the top surface. I already mentioned this in my other post about what I should look for, but it looks like it might be a 1975 F250 by the magic vin machine that BBB provided. But, a few of the numbers are very hard to read and could be interpreted as something else. So, as I mentioned in my other post (sorry for the duplication, both started out on separate questions) I was curious about which digit(s) in the vin indicate model yr? If one of those digits are one of them I am questioning, it might be something else.
 
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