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So... If one were trying to ID a truck by chassis rather than sheet metal, did Ford put the VIN on the frame? I'm in the midst of purchasing a small crane, and while the sellser has ID'd it as '57 (apparently the guy knows old tractors, not old trucks), the cab is '65. I suppose if someone had really wanted to put a 65 body on the frame of a 57 it'd be possible, though in my mind it would be easier to move the crane to a new chassis... Regardless, I'd like to know for sure when I go to close the deal. While it doesn't actually matter for the crane, and my use, it would be good a) to know for parts/service, b) to make sure the title is right so if I ever get it roadworthy, I could register it...
The cab badges are F750.
I'll freely admit that old trucks aren't my specialty in life... I'll wrench on anything (and pretty much have), but I don't really have a serious interest in the lineage...
And... To be clear, I had posted these questions down in the F100 and larger by year forums... I hadn't noticed the Large Truck group... Having now gone through a pile of the posts here, it look like top of right frame rail in front of the cab someplace... I got some of that in the other forums, but there wasn't any real commitment on the larger F series...
I'll be finishing the paperwork on this early in December, so I should actually have more info then... I'm sure I'll be back for a VIN decode once I figure out what's actually going on...
Pretty sure it's the same for the larger trucks. Top of the frame rail, close to the alternator, or back from that. Under the cab as well, under passenger footwell.
Well, the deal is closed now...
The title claims 1958. The VIN on the door, and on the title translates to 1965.
I didn't have time over the weekend to search for the chasis VIN, but matching the door tag is good enough for me. I can always get the title corrected if I want to.
I'm waiting on delivery now as it isn't street safe due to a significant air brake leak. That'll be job one along with checking all the hydraulic hoses. (most seem good, but I did note two that need to be changed.) The guy that will bring it to me is busy hauling Christmas trees this time of year...
While the Ford is nice, I'm really buying the crane, with the Ford just there to move it around...
Bill was kind enough to do the translation for me... Re-posting it here so I can keep track of the info...
F75 = F750 (gas).
K = 361 2V FT engine.
U = Louisville KY Assembly Plant.
712236 = 1965.
144" Wheelbase.
COLOR: Blank.*
MODEL F752 = F750 (gas), 23000 lbs. GVWR
BODY 481: 4 = Light Beige Crush Vinyl & Light Beige Wicker Pattern Vinyl / 81 = 81A Standard Cab.
TRANS L = Clark model 2651-V1 or 2653-V1 5 Speed Direct.
AXLE G3C:
G3 = Eaton model 16802 Two Speed Rear Axle / 6.50/9.04 / 17,000 lbs. Rear Axle Capacity.
C = Ford-Rockwell/Timken 6,000 lbs. Capacity Front Axle.
23,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
176 net HP @ 3,800 RPM
DSO 260449:
26 = Washington DC Ford District Sales Office, where the original selling dealer ordered the truck from.
0449 = Domestic Special Order number, truck ordered special by the original purchaser, not "bought off the lot."
*When there is no COLOR code stamped on the Warranty Plate, truck painted a non standard color per the original purchasers order, making it a Domestic Special Order.
