Hello, I have a 1965 F-350 and I want to know what the original color of the truck was and just what the truck had stock and when in the year it was built. The serial number is F35YR775998, WB is 132, Color J, Body 581, Trans A 22, and RPM 72. If anyone could decode at least one thing that would be an immense help to me. Thank you!

 

According to what you have provided, this is a 1966 model year truck, not 1965. Also, your RPM is not 72, but 4,000. I suspect the 72 is your DSO. Take another look at your tag with this information in hand and let us know if something is not as I have it listed.

F35 = F350

Y = 352 2V

R = San Jose CA Assembly Plant.

775998 = 1966, assembled November 1965.

132" Wheelbase.

J = Rangoon Red

F350 2WD, 10,000 lbs. GVWR

581: 5 = Red crush vinyl and red wicker pattern vinyl / 81 = 81A Standard Cab

A = NP435 4-speed

22 = Dana 70 Rear Axle / 4.83-1 / No Limited Slip / 7,400 lbs. Rear Axle Capacity.

10,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

172 net HP @ 4,000 RPM

72 - San Jose, CA - District Sales Office

Thanks
Chad

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Hi TA455HO,
Thank you for decoding my vin. I thought it was a 1965 as that is what the vehicle's title said and so did the owner who owned it since 1990 said as well. The numbers match on my plate. Is there much difference between the 1966 model year and 1965 model year as I bought a shop manual for the 1965 year truck? I need to rewire the truck as the wiring is old and there are so many loose connections, would a diagram from the 1965 book work on my 1966? What is a DSO? I am new to these vintage trucks.

 

DSO in this context stands for District Sales Office - where the selling dealer ordered the truck from. Dealers didn't work directly with the factory in most cases.

Many things are similar between 1965 and 1966 for an F350. The 352 was a code "D" in 1965 and a code "Y" in 1966. Same engine, they just changed the designation.

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If your truck still has its original seat, AND the seat still contains the original build sheet (a.k.a., rotation sheet), the build sheet will provide an exact production date and additional details regarding the truck's factory configuration. It might be a long shot, but is easily verified. My truck's build sheet was tucked into the seat cushion's springs on the passenger (right) side. I'm not certain the build sheet was consistently placed on the passenger side, so look around.

Regards,

Steve

 

Thank you Steve,
I will have to look under and inside my seat for that paper. Where is the VIN number on the frame of these trucks? I am thinking the door could have been replaced as the truck is not 100% stock and has had quite a few additions to it over the years.

 

The chassis VIN is on the top of the right frame rail, in the engine compartment, roughly midway between the radiator support and the firewall.

Below is a photo of the frame-rail chassis VIN on my 1961 F-350, but I, unfortunately, don't have a photo showing the larger context.

Regards,

Steve

 

Here's a picture from one of my F250 4x4 trucks. Should be in about the same location. Passengers side - top of frame rail. Just ahead of the front axle looking down. Go easy if you have to remove years of grime in that spot. Some solvent and patience - maybe a little wire brushing. Definitely don't pull out the grinder. Lol.



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