Recently, like yesterday discovered a 1961 Ford 4x4 which mind you sat for over a year in California weather not too horrible right? Well new battery and some gas in carburetor and it fired up first try no hesitation to that sweet sounding 390 V8. Well original motor I was told was a 6cylinder however it has been converted. Everything checked out solid frame, solid body, just some sun decay to the red paint. I have the VIN which I believe is the correct one but can someone decode it for me?

VIN: F26CR150053

It appears that I may be trading this guy for my 1973 Ford F250 Ranger non-4x4. I love my truck but since I'm originally from east coast I prefer that 4x4. And I don't quite have the $2000 he was asking. I will see if I can get a photo up of what I have for now until I get VIN decoded and decide if I want to complete the pink for pink. Thanks guys.

Mike

 

Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Irish19614x4's Album: Irish19614x4 Pictures

Not sure if that link will take you to my garage where I posted photos. But if it works check them out, if it does not work let me know! Thanks.

 

Welcome to FTE

F26 = F250 4WD

C = 292 2V

R = San Jose CA Assembly Plant.

150043 = 1961, assembled March 1961.

1961/64 F100/350: Only available V8: 292. 1965/67 F100/350 were available with 352 2V's.

390's (and 360's) were first installed in 1968 F100/350's, used thru 1976, but 390's were not available with 4WD

Since all FE engines look identical, on sale day, 352/360's magically become 390's!

Is it a 390? The only way to know for sure is to measure the stroke, which is 3.78."
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Pictures: This truck is what is known as a "Frankenstein Monster" with parts swapped from other vehicles. Besides the swapped engine...

The wheels, outside mirrors are aftermarket. The hood side emblems are from a 1963/64, the front bumper is from a 1964/66, the front fenders and Styleside bed are in-correct.

1961/63 bumpers bolt on using 3 bolts per side in a triangular shaped pattern. 1964/66's use two bolts per side.

1961/65 F100/250 4WD, 1966 F250 4WD front fenders have a 45" opening radius. Fenders on this truck were only used on 1961/66 F100/250 2WD, 1966 F100 4WD, have a 36" opening radius.

1961/65 F100/250 4WD, 1966 F250 4WD used 1957/60 Styleside beds, called the "wrong" beds by enthusiasts, because the bed lines do not match the cab lines.

The bed on this truck was used on 1964/66 F100/250 2WD, 1966 F100 4WD.

Does the VIN on the 'Pink Slip' match the hidden frame VIN? Better verify before buying this truck, as CA DMV frowns on mismatched VIN's!

Hidden frame VIN located atop right (passenger) side frame rail, either partially under cab or in front of cab.

If VIN's don't match, it's possible with the FE engine that the body has been installed on a 1965 or 1966 frame, considering the 2WD front fenders, 1964/66 front bumper & Styleside bed.

If the VIN's do not match, IMO: PASS as acquiring this truck is like opening a can of worms. If inspected by the DMV or polizei, when VIN's don't match, this is a sign that vehicle may have been stolen at some point.

Then, you may have to prove in court that you didn't steal it. Not Pleasant!

 

NumberDummy

Hey thanks for all that detailed information. I will now go and verify all this to be 100% sure of the information. With that being said does make me feel uneasy about the deal. I also, did my own homework last night to check registration fee's from CA DMV and turns out the owner stated it would be $160 to register due to Non-OP status but when I checked in system it was more like $253. Not including a transfer title fee which will most likely put me over $300 range I think. I would have to call or look that up the cost. Considering I just paid $201 to register my 1973 Ford I'm not fond with shelling out extra cash for that.

Not to mention the biggest factors you pointed out about it being a "Frankinstein Monster" scares me just a bit as it should right? LOL I do recall owner stating someone came before me to look at it and checked that out and he mentioned she climed under it to verify VIN on frame, etc and it all matched up but at the time of my viewing I did not know all this so did not check that. Now I wish I did so I wouldn't have to go look at it again just to find out it does not match. I will see if owner will get that information for me.

As for the mismatched parts I did take into account of certain parts didn't look right but wasn't all too concerned. I do not plan to make it a show truck so that would be my least concerns. However, for it to hold value it would be much better to have original parts. Running a different year frame and a cab from 1961 not cool and may just run away then.

I will keep you posted, and in the meantime I will post garage photos of my 1973 Highboy. Give you the VIN from that as well to verify its identity. I can't go back on this deal now lol, I own the 73' so have to keep it unless I pawn it out to someone else. I have faith its for the most part original despite the mirros I know those are not.

 

Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Irish19614x4's Album: 1973 Ford F250

I understand this link is for my 1973 and this is 1961 and up section but thought I show it to you guys to see what I may have traded.

 

One might also ask you mentioned if truck was inspected by DMV or police might find that it is stolen! When would this ever happen? I have bought and sold many classics in the state of CA and never once been pulled over for that type of inspection or ever selected for inspection by DMV. Still working on getting owner to verify that VIN on frame to the Pink slip VIN. Will post more later if I can get that information without him just telling me it matches.

 

Run the frame VIN thru the DMV's 800 number if it's different than VIN on title.

1961/62: Look on the inside of the glove box door for the Warranty Plate, which is metal and riveted on.

Will have the VIN, W.B. (wheelbase), Model/Trans/Axle codes, GVW and etc stamped on it.

1963/79: Warranty Plate located on the left door face below the latch.

Take a look-see at how the FE engine is mounted, as only 1966 F100 4WD's used the same set-up your High Boy has.

All 1961/64 F100/250 2WD/4WD, 1961/66 F350, 1965 F100/250 4WD, 1966 F250 4WD used the 3 point engine mounting set-up. L shaped bracket bolts to engine with center upper/lower front insulators.

Bell housing has two "ears" on it, R/L lower insulators located below cross member, R/L upper insulators located above cross member, below ears of bell housing.

Bolt passes thru lower/upper insulators, thru ears. Nuts/washers tie the whole enchilada together.

btw: I've registered over 300 vehicles in CA, but none were Frankenstein Monsters.

 

NumberDummy,
I totally trust you guys on here before I even trust the owner of the vehicle any day. I'm not sure I can get owner to get me VIN off frame so either I will go there tonight and look or tomorrow. As for Warranty Tag inside the glove box if that matches the VIN on title all that means is the body is true to that VIN and year but like you said the frame could still be a different year? And again, not that I would be worried about misc. parts but if I did get truck I would be looking to at least get some of the original parts back on it. As for frame if it is not stolen then I wouldn't care anyways. If I were to ever sell it after building it I wouldn't expect to become rich off it. With that said though I don't want to open a can of worms and my main concern would be if stolen or not.

 

I would keep the highboy, never trade down always trade up. The 61 250 4x4 is kind of a rare truck, but after seeing your highboy, I would trade that.

 

DMV's do not go by VIN's on Warranty Plates, as they're too EZ to change. 1963/79 example:

People replaced damaged left doors with used doors. 99.9% of the time, they failed to install original Warranty Plates on the replaced doors.

Swapping Warranty Plate glove box doors is EZ. Warranty Plate same 1961/62, 1963 is one year only, 1964/65 same, 1966/69 same.

1961/65 applies to US trucks only, as trucks assembled in Canada thru 1965 use a different VIN and Warranty Plate. 1966/68 Canadian VIN/Warranty Plate same as 1966/69 US.

1961 F250 4WD production figures: Platform & Rack (Stake Bed): 78 / Styleside Pickup: 149 / Cab & Chassis: 359 / Flareside Pickup: 1,671

 

Hey again I know this is not a 1973 Forum area but I will provide my VIN to recieve a DECODE if possible and feel free to PM me if needed to not break any rules on here.

VIN: F25YRS84941

 

You sure the VIN begins with F25?

F25 = F250 2WD Pickup (F26 = F250 4WD Pickup).

Y = 360 2V

R = San Jose CA Assembly Plant.

S84941 = 1973.

 

Are you saying don't trade my highboy or you saying that I should? If you say I should why you say that?

 

Yes, it does begin with F25, my highboy is a 2wd not 4wd so I expected it to show that. The tag I sent you was for my 1973 not that 1961. Thanks.

 

No such thing as a 2WD High Boy. High Boys (enthusiasts term, not FoMoCo terminology) are 1967/76 F250 4WD's & 1977 F250 4WD's assembled before serial number Y20,001 (February 1977).

Some people also consider 1959/66 F250 4WD's to be High Boys.

All have an in-cab fuel tank and a divorced transfer case. Available as a Cab & Chassis, or Regular & Crew Cabs with either Styleside or Flareside Beds.

1973/77 High Boys: Only Power Assist P/S was available / Disc brakes were first offered in F100/250 4WD's in 1976.