ford truck "VIN" HELP!
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Trailering
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Good thunder
ford truck "VIN" HELP!
I have a ID # stamped near the front vent above fire wall of 4SP18L1238501 can any one help with this and my 49 F1 is a 98RC199957 any one have any info available to me??
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Crossville, Tn
4= Birch Grey (color)
SP= Twin Cities (Saint Paul) assembly plant
18= Day
L= November (1949) Build date
1238501= would be the monthly production number, but it would be nowhere near that number.
Your SERIAL # (They didn't have VIN#'s until 1954 and the recognized 17 digit vin didn't come into place until 1981) This number should appear 3 places, Rating plate on glove box door, Patent plate on firewall, and Stamped in the Right frame rail near the radiator.
9= 1949 or 1950 The change point was about 300,000
8R= 239 cu in V8 (flathead) engine
C= F-1 (1/2 ton Model)
199957= production number (1949)
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Trailering
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 3
From: Good thunder
OK, if this is the firewall stamping I can help you out BUT....
4= Birch Grey (color)
SP= Twin Cities (Saint Paul) assembly plant
18= Day
L= November (1949) Build date
1238501= would be the monthly production number, but it would be nowhere near that number.
Your SERIAL # (They didn't have VIN#'s until 1954 and the recognized 17 digit vin didn't come into place until 1981) This number should appear 3 places, Rating plate on glove box door, Patent plate on firewall, and Stamped in the Right frame rail near the radiator.
9= 1949 or 1950 The change point was about 300,000
8R= 239 cu in V8 (flathead) engine
C= F-1 (1/2 ton Model)
199957= production number (1949)
4= Birch Grey (color)
SP= Twin Cities (Saint Paul) assembly plant
18= Day
L= November (1949) Build date
1238501= would be the monthly production number, but it would be nowhere near that number.
Your SERIAL # (They didn't have VIN#'s until 1954 and the recognized 17 digit vin didn't come into place until 1981) This number should appear 3 places, Rating plate on glove box door, Patent plate on firewall, and Stamped in the Right frame rail near the radiator.
9= 1949 or 1950 The change point was about 300,000
8R= 239 cu in V8 (flathead) engine
C= F-1 (1/2 ton Model)
199957= production number (1949)
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 11
From: Crossville, Tn
Ok thanks much, the first # is on a cab that I got today, there is no plate on the fire wall of that truck and also no tag on glove box! But on the 98RC the second # is off of a frame I have and I will check the numbers on the cab and glove box and patent plate of that truck tomorrow!
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Trailering
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Good thunder
Ok thanks so much for the Info!! Very much appreciated!!
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,783
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From: Kalispell, MT
SP has always had more than the 'normal' 3-4 numbers after the firewall date code
I have at least 10 recorded that had 7 digits after the date code, but they range from 5-10 characters. Certainly not a monthly figure but I don't know what they mean.
I have at least 10 recorded that had 7 digits after the date code, but they range from 5-10 characters. Certainly not a monthly figure but I don't know what they mean.
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Trailering
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 17
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From: Good thunder
Ok just looked at my other cab and that firewall tag is 98RC198857 and that matches my frame but the branch stamping on the firewall tag says HP but there is no stamping on the cab of that below the vent at all, maybe it was a Monday truck!! Lol
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,783
Likes: 559
From: Kalispell, MT
The firewall stamping is found on maybe half of the trucks built - and I'm probably being generous with that. Maybe not more than one in 4 are stamped.
As Joe said, only the frame # counts for title so if you swap cabs, go with the frame #.
You can actually swap firewall/cowl tags (data plates). They use a twist pin to attach and can be pried/driven back out
As Joe said, only the frame # counts for title so if you swap cabs, go with the frame #.
You can actually swap firewall/cowl tags (data plates). They use a twist pin to attach and can be pried/driven back out
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Crossville, Tn
The HP indicates that it was made at the Highland Park plant in Michigan, the stampings are probably on the firewall, just in a different location. My truck was built in Norfolk, Va and the stampings are above the hood spring on the drivers side.
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