1956 chasis vin location
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 188
Likes: 53
From: Long Island
1956 chasis vin location
I was wondering if anyone can tell me if I'm looking in the wrong place, I have the chassis stripped down t the rails, everything is being replaced with the TCI front and rear suspension and I am having the dustless blasting done this weekend, so last nite I tried looking for the vin on the front upper chassis between where the front leaf spring perches were originally with a high speed scotch brite pad with no luck, I even flipped the chassis over and scotch brited the underside and found nothing either, am I looking in the wrong place or is there another location?, it is a 1956 f100 short wheel base, thanks,Pete
FTE Legend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 283,700
Likes: 8,278
From: northwestern Ontario
Not sure if the American were stamped different than the Canadian but on both of my 56's out of the Oakville plant in Ontario the stamping was on top of the left frame rail in 2 places. One above the steering box and the other about midway between the 2 running board brackets. I searched everywhere else and that was the only locations I could find
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,175
Likes: 4,782
From: Burbank, WA
US production was typically stamped on the right side. Go gentle with the scotchbrite on the wizzer. The stampings are not very deep, and if you get crazy with the grinder you might wisk them away without even knowing it. Lightly hand rubbing may be safer and more productive.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,093
Likes: 653
From: Brentwood, TN
Following up...I have another 56 that a PO installed a Volare IFS onto. Could not find the VIN stamping anywhere and assumed that it was destroyed in the process of installing the IFS. Talked to a local sheriff who advised me to stamp the numbers that matched my paperwork onto the frame in the general location to where I thought the original stamping was located. Harbor Freight has the number stamps and McMaster carries the star stamp needed to start/finish the number sequence. Custom shops regularly stamp the aftermarket frames they install in this manner.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,175
Likes: 4,782
From: Burbank, WA
Following up...I have another 56 that a PO installed a Volare IFS onto. Could not find the VIN stamping anywhere and assumed that it was destroyed in the process of installing the IFS. Talked to a local sheriff who advised me to stamp the numbers that matched my paperwork onto the frame in the general location to where I thought the original stamping was located. Harbor Freight has the number stamps and McMaster carries the star stamp needed to start/finish the number sequence. Custom shops regularly stamp the aftermarket frames they install in this manner.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: northwestern Ontario
I never seen any of those stars on the numbers stamps on mine just the numbers themselves that matched the plate on the door post..I think it must have varied between assembly plants
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,093
Likes: 653
From: Brentwood, TN
That's interesting. The rules will vary greatly from state to state. No cop around here would recommend self-stamping, and no shop I've ever been in here in Washington would ever think of stamping their own numbers. The state authorities would be looking to put someone in jail. That's not to say it's never been done, but just saying...
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 188
Likes: 53
From: Long Island
So I went home last night and checked all the locations and I can't seem to find them, even before I used the scotch bright wheel I sprayed it down with PB blaster hoping it would help with some type but NG, I'm having everything dustless blasted on Saturday so hopefully it can be found, I do have he paperwork and tag for it I will keep my eyes open for them, thanks for all the suggestions,Pete
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 111
From: southwest missouri
Just found mine while installing mustang 2 style front. They are in front of the passenger side spring hanger for the rear of the spring. I am amazed that there seems to be be no order on these trucks as far as standard operating procedures . They are not lined up very straight either.
Last edited by artscott61; Apr 25, 2019 at 08:36 AM. Reason: spelling
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,175
Likes: 4,782
From: Burbank, WA
Keep in mind the context of what's happening at the time. The frames are moving down a rolling assembly line, and this one guy's job is to hand stamp 13 characters as fast as he can, and keep track of what he's stamping as every one is different. Multiply this by a dozen assembly plants. I'm sure there were standards or they wouldn't be as similar as they are. They weren't building show cars and they didn't need to be perfect. Just marked according to federal law.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 892
From: Lititz PA
Abe, I went out to look at mine. With the inner fender in place, you can’t see anything. If you pull the right front wheel and look at the top of the frame rail with a mirror, that’s your best chance of seeing it.