I've been looking on my '79 F250 4x4. Same old story, doors and likely entire cab have been changed at some point on this truck, and the only VIN I see is on a sticker which suggests the cab was lifted from an F150.
The truck is most certainly an F-250 4x4, and the title reflects an an F26 VIN, but I'm trying to find it on the frame, in anticipation of trying to sell this truck.

I was stupid enough not to check it when I bought the truck five years ago, and since it was an in state sale, there was no VIN check at the BMV.
The person interested in buying it is also in state, so he wouldn't have any trouble titling it in OH, but I'd like to feel good about knowing the VIN on the title is correct.

You'd think I would know better, having been through all this with a CJ2A that had a body tub swap.

I did some scouring here and on my frame yesterday looking for it.
Anyway, I've seen locations mentioned anywhere from the radiator support all the way to the firewall. Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of dismantling it, so I've done the best I could with a wire brush, which got most of it down to the metal and I still don't see one.
One place, though it was talking about a '75, said right behind the front axle, which would be bad, because there's stuff for the brakes bolted there. there's also a rear brake like running on top toward the firewall, which is making it hard to

It appears the location is different for different years and models, so I'm hoping someone with a '78 or '79 F-250 4x4 has found one.

Thanks,

Sean

 

Here is a pic https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post15607160

Also on top of the passenger side frame rail about in line where the seat slider front bolt is.

 

Thanks, I did see that. I haven't found one near the alternator, but again, that pic also says for 4wd, it's further back right behind the axle. Again, I have something bolted over the top pf the frame there, not sure I can remove it to look.

 

I may attempt to crawl under with a light and a mirror to see if I can find the one near the seat.

 

The thing bolted to the frame might be a brake line bracket or if it is on the inside of the frame under the alt area maybe a part of the smog system?

The one under the seat area will be a hard one to locate.

 

Yeah, I don't remember what it was, except that there was a bracket bolted to the frame. Now that you mention it, there is what looks like an evaporative canister or something inside the engine compartment right there. If that's what I'm seeing from the outside, I'll unbolt it. Maybe I'll get lucky and there's clean metal underneath with my VIN stamped in it.

 

Yes I think that is what it is called anyway...??? I would think that the VI# is NOT underneath anything and out in the open.

Good luck, post up what you find.

 

I found it. Behind that thing clamped to the frame, which turns out to be an engine mount, and about parallel with the starter. I can only see enough of it to be sure it's the same number as on the title, but that's good enough for me to be sure I have the right VIN on the title. Have to move that brake line to get to the rest of it. Should someone seriously question it, it could be uncovered now that I know where it is.
Thanks, everybody.

 

Cool can you get a pic?

 

Tried, but It's dark in there. I can only see it with a flashlight and a mirror. It's pretty crowded.

 

Here's a pic of where it is, though. Directly below where you see the small mirror. Part of it is under that plastic brake line clip.

 

That silver flange you see to the left of my mirror is the top ear of the starter for positional reference. So the VIN was in fact stamped in between the two locations mentioned in the pic that was posted above. The VIN is F26HLED8207. I believe the H says it was a 351M truck from the factory. The guy I bought it from said it was a 400. I didn't care one way or the other. He or someone had done some engine work at some point. It sounds like it's got a hotter cam, and it's been converted to an Edelbrock 4-barrel.Engine runs really well, and doesn't use any oil. Odometer reads 60K, I'm assuming 160K, but the engine runs too well to have 160K on it without having had work. Could well be a transplant.

 

Thanks for the pic, so now we all know where to look.

 

You are correct. H is 351, S is 400. F26 is 4-wheel drive F250.