The VIN is often found on the top side of the frame rail on the passenger side, along the side of the engine ahead of the firewall. It ofeten is halfway under the inner fender, it is very shy. It is stamped in so it is usually full of something, be it dirt, rust, paint or undercoating. The owner might not want you to be scraping away at his frame.

 

I'm not an expert, but if the vin plate says it is 118 wheel base, that is a long bed. the short beds were 111 inches. I thought that 4x4 only came in the long wheel base trucks. 4x4 was not an option on 111 inch trucks. The only numbers that can or can't match on these trucks are the vin plate to the equipment that is on the truck. It appears to have a 59 hood and a 59 or earlier cylinder head and manifolds. Some early 60 models did come with 59 hoods I think. Just my thoughts.

 

Here's a nice one up thataway....not 4wd though. Check it out: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-F-100-Shortbed-1960-f-100-flareside-/151322570130?forcerrptr=true&hash=item233b872d92&item=151322570130&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

 

Thanks for all of the observations and info. I spoke with the owner today as I was scheduled to drive 1.5 hours on Thursday to look at the truck in person and possibly make an offer. I shared as much info as I could based on my research on the id plate and also asked about a lot of the items pointed out by the group on FTE.

He said it was originally a long bed and a prior owner cut/welded the frame and replaced the bed.

There is no heater. He got it that way.

The radio cutout on the dash was left by a prior owner, as were the screws holding on the id plate. He's not sure if the vin on the frame matches.

He doesn't know if the motor was replaced. I've read a couple of places that it's possible a '60 could've had an earlier 223 depending on what ford had available at the time of the build. Is that true?

He thinks the hood may be a '60 and just the badge is earlier. He says the braket for the '60 badge is still present.

That said, I said I'd give him $8K for the truck because I still really like it but I was concerned about the value with all of the known issues. He didn't go for it. Says he has a local guy that is a possible buyer at $11K...

I know it's a matter of opinion, but as a custom truck with the body in the shape it's in with 4WD and the known mechanical issues but a solid 223, any thoughts on the value at the $10-$11K range?

Thank you.

Oh, thanks for the link to the blue '60 step side in delaware. I've seen that one on CL locally for a while. Nice truck but for the money, I'd rather not go step side. Just a matter of preference.

 

the 60 hood is completely different. what I find odd is that he is vague on what he knows about truck-hood, VIN...etc, but seems to be firm on what he believes is the value of this truck. Id offer 9k and that would be it. IMHO

 

I didn't read anybody mentioning the steering wheel needs restoration and the missing tail gate. By the time you get those 2 things fixed you could be in it another grand almost.

 

Thanks. I could live with the wheel and tailgate and some of the other issues, just not at $11K. It looks like I'm moving on from this deal unless the owner comes way down on the asking price. Thanks again for the insight. It was a huge help.