After reading yet another pathetic attempt (of many!) by 'NumberDummy' in this thread to discredit the data and information contained on FORDification.com, I felt the need to once and for all try to put an end to the relentless attacks and misinformation being by thrown out by this person.

I am the owner of FORDification.com, so I'm the best person to answer the question about where the site's info comes from...and I'm here to tell you that ALL of the '73-'79 VIN decode information comes directly from the 1979 Ford Light Truck Master Parts Catalog, dated October 1979 (Form FPS 8096-A) and also includes the 'Change 1' additions dated April 1980 . Any "errors and omissions" are the factory's...not mine. While I do have a huge collection of factory memorabilia and third-party books, this "Red Book" is NOT one of them, nor have I ever even seen or read this book. All third-party sources of information on the site is directly attributed to the source on the appropriate page.

Having said this, I will state that FORDification.com does include some info from this 'Red Book', but for the '67-'72 trucks, not for the '73-'79 trucks. Since all of the detailed production information on Ford trucks isn't available to the public without paying a third party, I've included previously printed data from two sources at 1967-1972 Ford Pickup Production Numbers - FORDification.com, one of which is the 'Red Book'. The 'Red Book' data was supplied to me by a site member in the form of a Microsoft Word file, and on that page the production numbers printed in this book are compared to the production numbers printed in the 'Standard Catalog of Light-Duty Ford Trucks 1905-2002' simply as a very general reference, not a carved-in-stone listing. That page is the ONLY place on the entire site which contains any info from this book, and the data shown from the 'Red Book' is clearly labeled as such, so there is no confusion that these are actual factory numbers. NONE of the '67-'72 or the '73-'79 VIN decoding data comes from this book....NONE!

If 'NumberDummy' had actually taken the time to actually COMPARE any VIN decoding data from the 'Red Book' with the data I posted from the factory MPC, he'd know that that the data posted at FORDification did indeed come from the MPC. In fact, I'd be happy to provide any scans of the MPC pages in my possession which contain these "multiple errors and omissions" if it will finally put these unsubtantiated claims to rest.

My site, and all the time and money invested into providing this information, is done solely out of a sincere desire to help other Ford truck owners. I get nothing out of it otherwise...I accept no paid advertising, all expenses are paid out-of-pocket. This is simply a site put together by a devout Ford pickup enthusiast in an effort to share information. It's my hobby, but I do take it seriously. I do my best to ensure all data is complete and correct AS PRINTED by the source, and all sources used are plainly posted on the relevant pages so there should be no question as to where it was obtained. Is all the data at FORDification 100% complete and accurate? Of course not...I'm not so deluded to think it is. I do prefer to use factory catalogs and memorabila as a data source, since they'll tend to be the most accurate, but even those...INCLUDING the factory MPC...are filled with errors and omissions, as well as changes. The '73-'79 VIN decoding data on my site came from an MPC which was later revised by the factory (Nov. '80) with a few changes, but that doesn't mean the info presented is inaccurate. It's presented AS PRINTED by the factory, and the page clearly states that!

I'm not sure why this guy goes out of his way to continually try to cast doubts on the accuracy of the information on my site, but I have an idea. Years ago, when he first appeared on the scene, he signed up at the FORDification forums and immediately started trying to tell us that information we knew to be correct wasn't. For just one example, he swore up and down that on the bumpside trucks, the factory auxiliary fuel tank filler neck was ALWAYS below the beltline, when we actually know for a fact that the '67-'69 trucks had them above the beltline and the '70-'72 trucks had them below. When I finally proved this to him using factory data, he suddenly departed, never to return. I'm thinking that the embarrassment over being proven wrong (and it's happened multiple times over the years) caused him to try to 'save face' by spouting off to anyone listening that my site's info is inaccurate....when he KNOWS better!

Another problem is that this guy, helpful as he is, is also with the belief that his beloved Final Issue MPC is the end-all for all questions. However, the Final Issue MPC itself includes a HUGE number of INTENTIONAL omissions. As parts became obsolete, the numbers were dropped from the Final Issue MPC...but that certainly does NOT mean they were never available, as he constantly tries to tell the public. Not only do I have multiple issues of the various MPCs, I also have the print editions of the individual-year parts catalogs for each year, so my sources aren't tied to only a single book.

I actually find it pretty ironic that I'm posting this message today, of all days. I got started in November 2011 digitizing the COMPLETE contents of the text portion of the '73-'79 MPC...the exact same one I used to post the VIN decoding data to my site years ago...and today the project was basically completed. I can't begin to tell you the amount of man-hours invested into this project, but when I started it back in 11/11, I had just undergone some surgery that would keep me from moving for several weeks, and since converting the MPC to a digital format (so it would be searched) was something I'd always wanted to do, I decided that the weeks I was going to be confined to a chair would be best served by getting started on this project, to give myself something to do. I spent at least 16 hours PER DAY for several weeks working on this, and with the 12 hours I invested yesterday and the 8 hours today, the project is getting closer to summation. Right now, the entire text portion of the '73-'79 MPC is in the form of a single searchable 93MB PDF file. Shortly I will be getting started exporting it to an HTML format and posting it online, so that anyone can search for a specific part or engineering number....without having to come groveling to the self-imposed guru of MPC data otherwise known as 'NumberDummy' for his own divine version of condescending 'help'. The data presented will be AS PRINTED in the previously-mentioned '73-'79 MPC for research purposes only, which SHOULD put an end to the constant accusations from the 'Dummy' that the VIN data wasn't actually obtained from where I've always said it was.

Of course, I have no doubt he'll try to find some other way of casting dispersions on FORDification's data, which will probably be by his claiming that it's not indicative of the later edition of the MPC put out in November 1980, which will include some changes and revisions not included in this earlier edition. He'll need to understand, however, that the Nov. '80 MPC is only available on microfiche (which I do have, as well as the 'fiche machine from a former Ford dealership), so digitizing this one would be more of a monumental effort than the earlier printed versions. However, I will eventually amend the VIN data to include any changes shown in the Final Issue MPC...the changes will be added to the VIN data pages and the changes will be clearly labeled as such.

The bottom line is this: when someone contantly belittles the efforts and questions the accuracy of information presented by a fellow Ford truck owner, he'd damn well be ready to supply the hard-core facts to back up his unsubstantiated claims. I can prove the source of the data at FORDification as coming from the factory-issued MPC...and 'NumberDummy' simply cannot prove otherwise. Period. So give it a rest! Come down off your self-imposed appointment to your ivory tower and see that your constant belittling of others and condescending attitude towards everyone, not just those who might disagree with you, isn't doing you any good and actually hurts those you're trying to 'help'. People really aren't as ignorant as you seem to think.

Keith
FORDification.com

 

I stand by what I said. I've seen the results of FTE members using your decode charts. Some of the info is dead bang wrong.

Some of the info is only listed in the 1973/79 Ford Passenger Car Parts Catalog, so it could not have come from the truck parts catalog.

And btw: I've seen some info on your site that was taken directly from my posts here on FTE. I don't care, but you might give credit where credit is due.

 

Dad has a '74 and '75 highboy with the axle code 24P. Your site states that 24 stands for a Dana 60 with 4.10's. That is correct.

For the "P" though, your site shows a Dana 60 front with 4.55 gears. This is incorrect. The P stands for a Dana 44-6CF Front Driving Axle with 4.09 gears.

 

So you say its another pathetic attempt "of many"? So you lurk around here without even having a registered login just to see what ND says about you and your info? Then sign up just to bust his *****? Thats what seems to be pathetic to me. If you are so sure your info is correct then pull up your manties and go back where you came from and stick to your info. If its that good then maybe everyone will see ND as a fraud and come to your site. Until then theres no need to come in here crying like a school girl. Just because you own the site doesnt make your info credible. Alot of people own stuff they know nothing about.

 

Keith: Post a link for your 1973/79 F100/350 VIN decode, and I'll point out the errors.

 

Keith, I for one Thank You ..... I check out your sight often and as I am nearing 59, as I have done virtually 98% of my own service and repair over the years starting when I was a teen, as I've spent hours looking over parts books, looking up parts and then retrieving same to find out a mistake was made, I know there are mistakes to find in any of them.

Likewise, I appreciate the time and effort Bill (ND) puts in here. He is a valuable source of info as well, but not infallable.

It's why I cross check agaisnt other sources when it's important to me. Nothing personal, just a learned habit.

 

This was posted to the above-linked thread. To keep from cluttering up an unrelated thread with this discussion, I'm replying to it here.

Really? I'd be very interested in knowing what MPC version you're using, 'cause the one I'm using...and the very same one I keep telling you the info came from in the first place...does indeed include a code A for the 460. Please note that I highlighted the entry in this scan for your convenience:




Not according to the above-mentioned MPC, which shows a code P for a Dana 60:

 

OK, I've heard the term Fordification but I've never checked it out until just now. The site claims to be "a source of information, discussion and help pertaining to the full line of 1967-1972 Ford light-duty F-series trucks. By only concentrating on this 6-year span of F-100, F-250 and F-350 trucks, we can be much more thorough and complete than other 'all-inclusive' sites." I'm just a little curious as to why then, you would post a rant in the '73-'79 forum on this site.

 

It has nothing to do with what parts catalog I'm using, it has everything to do with the wrong VIN/Warranty Plate decode info listed in your charts.

Where it came from, I dunno, but it's not listed in my 10/78, 10/79, 2/81 and 10/88 editions of the 1973/79 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalogs, all on microfiche.

And btw: I could not find any 1973/79 related VIN/Warranty Plate info on Fordification. What happened to it, did you take it down to correct all the errors?

 

Because we're discussing the sister site at .net, which pertains to the '73-'79 trucks.

 

It has EVERYTHING to do with what catalog you're using, because if you're saying your catalog doesn't show that data, then YOUR MPC is incorrect. You say you have an Oct. '79 MPC...if you do, then check out page 21 of the General Information section, and then try to tell me that the code you say can't be there isn't. You know where my code came from, because I left the MPC page header on my scan to verify my source.

My May '76 microfiche AND Nov. '80 microfiche both shows code A for a 460 in a truck.

 

You edited your post before I could reply. In answer to your question...no, nothing has been touched, all the VIN decoding data is still listed in the Tech section at the .net site. I'd be happy to have to assist me in correcting "all the errors" though.

 

From Fordification.net / VIN engine codes.

M = 1975/79 390 4V / M = 1974/76 390 4V is correct, FE engines cancelled at the end of the 1976 model run.

Hmmm, it seems you've corrected the mixed up series codes. The last time I looked (where a member had used your chart to decode his 4WD), the F100 4WD series code was mixed up with the F150 series code.

You probably have made other changes as well.

Since 11/2006, I've decoded over 1,000 VIN's for members. One reason why: FTE's VIN decode info is CRAP, has multiple errors and omissions.

And before 11/2006, no one on FTE was decoding VIN's, Warranty/Rating Plates, Certification Labels. No one was typing FoMoCo part numbers, searching for obsolete parts, then posting the sources if found.

I do this jazz for FREE, no one is paying me a cent.

 

C'mon guy's, lets just get along. Both ND and Keith GIVE awsome information to us all. One cannot beat the price they charge us...FREE! Why are we making a big deal if a "P" or something contradicts the information from a couple of 40 year old manuals?

I worked for both Ford and Cheby in the past, I went to many factory training classes. Contradiction of information seemed the norm from one instructor to the next with all providing so called "proof" to prove their point No one is REALLY wrong here.

ND and Keith, thank you both for all of your efforts to give us the best information available.!!

 

Closed until the local mod can deal with this.