Hello, I am new on this forum and need assistance. I own a 1953 Ford firetruck and need to find out what I can about it's designation so I can begin learning about how to work on it. I hope to restore the truck but it is in very poor shape. I have attached a shot of the serial number plaque and if anyone can give me help decoding it, I would appreciate it. Thank you very much.

 

Welcome to the forum! We'd love to see more pics of your fire truck. There's not too many things cooler than an old fire truck.

I would be curious to know what documentation you have that says your truck is a 1953. From the glove box door and the year code in your serial number, the truck is actually a '52.
Your breakdown goes as this;
F6 = F6 truck
R = Flathead V8, 239 cu
2 = 1952
LU = Louisville Assembly plant
16679 being the consecutive unit number

Second row;
4 speed spur gear trans
2 speed rear axle, numbers listed are the gear ratios
color N = Vermillion, not surprising being a fire truck
23 F = build date code, June 23, 1952
the remaining numbers would be a tracking code used by the factory with no other correlation to the truck.

Hope this helps.

 

TWS, I too have a '52 F6 Fire Truck! I would be more than glad to help you with any questions you may have as I have gone down the path you seem to be starting on. Obviously, well all love pictures, so post some!

52 Merc, what table/database do you use for the decoding?

 

as a former FF. Def would love to see more pics of your truck! Love old pumpers! Congrats! Welcome to the world of bottomless pits!👍

 

Most of the data comes from the vehicle identification pages in the original Chassis Parts Catalog. The rest is 40+ years of observation and learning about geeky stuff like this. This was an easy one and I didn't have to crack the book.

 

The only information I have about the year is word of mouth.
What is an F6 truck? I have the Ford shop manual for 53 trucks. Do you suppose it will be appropriate for the 52?

When I can I will post some pictures but I am not happy about its appearance.
Here is it's history.
It was a military truck at an airbase in New York or somewhere near there.
It was donated to the Watauga, Tennessee fire department.
My uncle went to the airbase and drove it back to Tennessee.
This was probably in the late 60s or early 70s.
My father was a captain in the fire department and he adopted the truck and named it Ole Sparky.
It was used a number of years as a pumper and was eventually retired when a better truck was purchased.
My father passed away as a result of burns he obtained while trying to rescue two children from a fire.
As a result of sentiment, the fire department kept the truck and several years later someone began disassembling it to rebuild it.
In 2008 the fire department asked me if I wanted the truck.
I moved to Missouri and had no where to store the truck and it ended up in a field for ten years.
I am now able to put in time as I am mostly retired and am gathering information so I know how to start.
I think my first task will be to pull the wheels and get them free so I can move it to my home now.
I have a garage just barely big enough to hold it and will work on it there.
Any and all help I get from the forum will really be great as I am relatively ignorant about Fords and trucks.
My mechanical experience has been with Japanese cars and motorcycles.
This is probably too much information but I am glad to be on the forum and figure some of you may be the type of nut I am about firetrucks.

 

No, it is not too much information. We love the history of members' trucks. Just be sure to show pictures.

The 53 manual won't be of much use for a 52 truck.

 

Welcome to FTE!

The glove box door (actually called dispatch box back then) looks more like a '52 than a '53.

An F6 is pegged as a "medium duty" 2-ton truck.

Here is a look at the fronts, to help you figure it out:

 

An F6 is the equivalent of an F-600 in today's Ford truck language. Ford made a major change in their trucks for '53, so not much would carry over between the two year sets. The shop manual you want is this one...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/16543508684....c101113.m2108

 

Your truck is a 52, BUT it may have been purchased in 1953 and even titled as a 53. Some states titled when purchased rather than when assembled. The problem crops up here frequently depending on the state that did the original paperwork.

I also have a 52 F6 that I use to plow snow. It's just a cab and chassis with the 176" wheelbase that takes the proverbial 40 acres to turn it around.
To remove your wheels it will require a much larger set of wrenches and sockets that you've been using. HA
One specialty item that helps with the rear dualie removal is called a "porkchop" - seriously. You can purchase one at NAPA or any big truck service shop. You'll also want a Budd tool which is a large square "socket" - for lack of a better term. As Wayne said, be sure and get the right shop manual - pictured above.

Enjoy your project and keep us updated. Somebody around here will have the answer to any question you can ask. We've been there and one of us has done it. Don't hesitate to ask!
Tim

 

hey from what i
know is that ford made few changes to the 52 from the 51 mainly added chrome and introduced the 215 “costcutter” inline six motor. More than likely the pto pump is shot but it may be able to be rebuilt. The tank is prob rotted out as well as the piping from the pump to your outlets. That can all be replaced. The hard part will be to find hard suction drafting hoses as well as some of the other goodies such as wye’s and siamese couplings, fire ladder and nozzles. Make sure any hose or attachments you get are standard nfpa standard thread. You should be able to find nozzles and such at auctions, flea markets, even garage sales
the body and engine, tranny, rearend all that is well, about the same as any other truck. Just more of it, and how much you want to spend. Electrical is about the same except you have to consider your sirens and emergency running lights. Motor more than likely has low miles but a high number of hours. Have fun and remember its a labor of love and a hearty bravo zulu to your father from a fellow ff. Thanks brother!🫡


When I can I will post some pictures but I am not happy about its appearance.
Here is it's history.
It was a military truck at an airbase in New York or somewhere near there.
It was donated to the Watauga, Tennessee fire department.
My uncle went to the airbase and drove it back to Tennessee.
This was probably in the late 60s or early 70s.
My father was a captain in the fire department and he adopted the truck and named it Ole Sparky.
It was used a number of years as a pumper and was eventually retired when a better truck was purchased.
My father passed away as a result of burns he obtained while trying to rescue two children from a fire.
As a result of sentiment, the fire department kept the truck and several years later someone began disassembling it to rebuild it.
In 2008 the fire department asked me if I wanted the truck.
I moved to Missouri and had no where to store the truck and it ended up in a field for ten years.
I am now able to put in time as I am mostly retired and am gathering information so I know how to start.
I think my first task will be to pull the wheels and get them free so I can move it to my home now.
I have a garage just barely big enough to hold it and will work on it there.
Any and all help I get from the forum will really be great as I am relatively ignorant about Fords and trucks.
My mechanical experience has been with Japanese cars and motorcycles.
This is probably too much information but I am glad to be on the forum and figure some of you may be the type of nut I am about firetrucks.[/QUOTE]

 

[/QUOTE]

Thank you for the information. I am still taking stock of what I put in storage. As soon as I get a handle on it, I will post for anyone who is interested.

 

Thank you for your invaluable advice on the wheels. I have a million questions but I don't want to get ahead of myself. I am curious to know if I am right in assuming it is a 6 volt positive ground system.

 

It is 6V positive grnd unless someone changed it.

 

Before tackling wheel removal please do some Google searches for old discussions here of “Widow Maker Firestone RH-5°” wheels. And keep in mind that lug nuts are left hand thread on the left side and right hand thread on the right side. Stu