I bought this F1 that I thought was a 1948. The glove box door is missing and the firewall data plate is corroded/eroded away. I found the VIV on the frame. I'm told it is a 1949, but based on the sequence number, I think it may be a 1950. Also, there are too many digits in the sequence number. I believe it should be 6. I have 7 but the last to digits are partially overlapped. This was probably an error. I'm trying to determine what data to put on replacement glove box and firewall data plates.

 

Welcome to the forum! It sounds like you've been a lurker for awhile and have done some background research on your truck. I would agree with your assessment that serial number would indicate the truck is a 1950 model. I also agree it appears someone with the hammer made a mistake and tried to correct it with the 7th number stamp. It's hard to tell in the pic, for sure, but it appears the 4 may be over the 0. I guess take your pick.

It may be a crap shoot, but you might try taking the plate off the firewall and see if you can see the stamping from the back side. They are stamped very faint so it may not show anything, but it's worth a shot. The rivets that hold the plate to the firewall are really little spiral shank nails. Usually you can wiggle and pop them out from the back side.

You may already be aware of the numbers stamped into the firewall, near the cowl seam. In that string of numbers and letters will be a color code, a build date code, and your assembly plant code. If you can post that, we can tell you a little more about your truck.

Also, pics of your truck are mandatory, along with the story of how you found it and your plans for it, so please be sure to post more when you get a chance.

 

Interesting, I've often wondered how line workers would fix an oops! Just over stamp like that I guess.
I can't add anything to what Wayne has said except that your truck was produced approx. August of 1950. The firewall stamping would narrow that down.
One of mine is stamped 7RH12L6025 in case you weren't sure what you were looking for.
Welcome!

 

I appreciate the help here guys. Here's the info I can make out on the cowl: DLS TT 23 60I. That's approx. how it is spaced out.

 

If you could snap a picture of that and post it, that would be great. I see your location is posted as Houston, so it would not surprise me to see your truck would be built at the Dallas factory. (DL) To go with what mtflat added, if there's anything that looks like an H with the 23 number, that would be your build date code, August 23.

 

Some of you may have seen this truck when it was advertised for sale. I bought it just 20 miles from my house in SE Tx. It had no engine or transmission. I've been cleaning it up and removing everything on the firewall inside and out. The cab is very solid including the floor. The bed is solid too and has a sheet steel floor installed over the wooden bed. I have one small rust through spot on one running board. All the fenders have some rust through in the lower regions. There is almost no paint left, but, it was white. There are small areas of white paint on all the body parts under around and behind things. I believe all parts re original to this truck. The bed has smooth sides. This is another indicator that it is a 1950. Here are some photos. The cowl stamping is very hard to see.






I'm collecting needed parts and planning my work. The plan is to install a 1973 351C 4 barrel engine, AOD, 9" axle, Mustang II front suspension / power rack, tilt columb, new tubular engine and trans crossmembers, firewall mounted brake assy, A/C, and whatever else I come up with. I appreciate any and all help / suggestions. I will accept constructive criticism as well. This is my first F1 and I'm trying to learn everything I can about it.

 

You're going to make a lot of guys on this forum jealous with a project truck like that. You'll hear from them shortly.
I have one about like that - a 50 F4 that came from Wyoming. Sure is nice to start with a good foundation!

If you look at the "TT" I think you'll find it is an "H" with short lines over the uprights. If you compare that to the DLS, you can easily see the size difference.
So I call it Aug 23, 1950 build.
Original body color S is in my data as Silvertone Gray - a very pale shade that could look like white after all these years.
DL as Wayne said is Dallas assembly plant.
The 601 is the number of the vehicle down the line and means nothing to us today.
Tim

 

I had considered that it might be a very pale shade of grey. I buy that completely. So, it was built right here in Tx on my birthday. (a few years before I was born) I believe I've found my truck. Thanks for the help.
Wayne

 

That is a beautiful truck. I like your build plan. It will be a fun truck to drive. However, you won't need the tubular engine mount. After the MII is installed you'll need to build custom motor mounts to place the engine where and how it fits best. The suspension crossmember and the aftermarket tube mount units will want to occupy the same space, and there's only room for one. Everything else definitely sounds doable.

 

I agree with Tim on the H. It's not uncommon to see half a letter stamped in the firewall like that. August 23, 1950 is your build date. Happy Birthday!

 

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize there was a conflict with the crossmembers. I wonder if someone has a picture showing a MII crossmember with small block Ford engine mounts in place.

 

There's tons of pictures out there, some good, some not so good. This is typical of what you're looking to do.






PS, here's an old thread that covers a lot of your questions.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ne-mounts.html