I
I'm trying to positively identify the year and any other info this VIN # plate will give me. Please help me if you can. Thanks

 

I'm sure Bill(Number Dummy) will be along soon to complete this answer. Here's what I come up with for starters.
VIN Format: 1953-1960 Ford truck

Decoding: F10D5U18836


DigitUsageVINDecoded1-3SeriesF10F100 Conventional4EngineD223 6-cyl5Year519556PlantULouisville7-11Sequential Serial #1883618836

Serial numbers are sequential per plant


regards, Mark.

 

Mark was spot on for the VIN decode. Here's the rest of the plate.

4800 gross weight
110" wheelbase (6 1/2 bed)
102 horse power at 3400 rpm
3 speed-heavy duty transmission
3.92 rear end
Y color code for Vermillion Red
303A-63 is the production code and no known way to decode that I know of. Should not be relavent to identifying your truck.

If any more doubts, check the top of the passenger side frame rail just forward of the firewall. You should find a matching VIN stamped there.

Cheers, Rick

 

Thanks guys this was very helpful. I knew that vin plate had a lot of info but this is awesome to get this much info. I was wondering about the original color & now I know. If y'all could kindly point me in the right direction as far as good quality parts suppliers that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for great info.

 

F10 = F100.

D = 223 1V I-6.

5 = 1955.

U = Louisville KY Assembly Plant.

18836 = 1955 Numerical Sequence of Assembly, the trucks specific serial number.

4,800 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. / This is not what the truck weighs. FoMoCo said: Warranty void if maximum gross vehicle weight rating exceeded.

110" Wheelbase.

102 net HP @ 3,400 net RPM

3 Speed Heavy Duty Manual Transmission.

3.92-1 Rear Axle Ratio.

Y = COLOR code Y is not listed in the 1948/56 truck parts catalog for 1951/56. Truck catalog sez: 1954 COLOR code R = Vermilion. Looking at the paint chips (^) original color was sorta light blue.

303A-63 = Production Code. AFAIK, it cannot be decoded, as there's no parts catalog info for it.

 

Midwestearlyford.com
Midfifty.com
Dennis-carpenter.com
LMC Truck
These all are good parts guys for your specific truck.
Dancarpenters.com for sheet metal especially if you can't weld and need a bed built.
Speedway Motors and Summit Racing for speed parts if you're going to make a hot rod. (This is only a couple from 100's of hot rod suppliers that you should be able to easily find).

Good luck. Post some pics of the project and let us know what your plans are.

 

Brian, welcome to FTE, the best Ford truck forum in the world wide Web!

Who painted the data plate. If you remove the screws I bet you'll see the original color under it.

And in order to be a full fledged bona fide member of our FTE fraternity you must show us pictures of your truck!

 

Brian welcome to FTE

MAC's
Bob Drake
Terry's F100s
BOB's F-100 Parts
Obsolete Classic Parts
Direct Sheet Metal


Are some other vendors that sell parts for our old trucks.

These are a few of the folks that make After market (up dated) stuff.

Western Chassis
Classic Performance Parts aka CPP
Performance On Line aka POL

Go to a magazine store and buy a copy of "Classic Trucks". It'll give you some ideas & some of these vendors info.

 

If BOB is located in Riverside CA .. he has a terrible reputation on FTE

Member who lives in Australia ordered headlight parts for his '56 F100. What he got was rusted out crap. Bob refused to take the parts back, refund his money.

This member then posted a thread in this forum talking about the problem, warned members to stay away.

A member of the 1967/72 forum, who lives in IA ordered a front fender moulding for his 1972 F100 Ranger XLT. Told Bob the moulding is 3 3/8" wide.

Bob sent him a beat to death 1967 moulding that is 1 1/4" wide, charged him 100 bucks + shipping. Again Bob refused to take the moulding back, refund the money.

This is actually Classic Auto Parts located in OKC .. Their original name was Obsolete Ford Parts of Oklahoma City.