Vin decoding help
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 322
From: Central Florida
May we see a clearer image of the VIN on the frame? The "star" at the beginning and end are just as important as the other characters. The last four are unique to that vehicle so also key data points.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
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F26HCZ1150
Short one digit. It wouldn't start with an *, and I have not see an * in any VIN. But IF this is the correct first 10 digits, THEN:
F26 = F250 4x4 pickup
H = 351M 2V gas V8
C = Ontario Truck Plant
Z1150# = 1977 numerical series, July 1977 production IF 1150 are the correct first numbers after the "Z".
Short one digit. It wouldn't start with an *, and I have not see an * in any VIN. But IF this is the correct first 10 digits, THEN:
F26 = F250 4x4 pickup
H = 351M 2V gas V8
C = Ontario Truck Plant
Z1150# = 1977 numerical series, July 1977 production IF 1150 are the correct first numbers after the "Z".
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 322
From: Central Florida
Hmm, I see a star-like character indicating the start of the VIN but no last (11th) digit nor a star following that and indicating the end of the sequence. The title will not have the stars but the chassis usually has two, one at the start of the VIN and one at the end. In this case the prepending character is not the usual five pointed star. It looks more like an asterisk. Curious.
I would want to see the second VIN stamping, the one that is harder to get to under the cab on the passenger side.
The stamping sets available to most folks have letters and numbers but NOT a five pointed star.
I would want to see the second VIN stamping, the one that is harder to get to under the cab on the passenger side.
The stamping sets available to most folks have letters and numbers but NOT a five pointed star.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 42
Likes: 1
I found a 3 I believe on the end of the 1150. I’m still trying to clean off the frame to find the second vin location , is there something I could spray on it to help remove some of the buildup off the frame ?
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 448
Likes: 31
From: Park City, Utah
For what it's worth, Kevin Marti, of Marti Report fame, offers reproduction trim tags and the correct rivets to install on the driver's door. I believe if you give him the VIN he can look through his records and produce an accurate tag for how the truck was originally configured from the factory. Assuming the vehicles title matches the VIN stamped on the frame, you have the option to take the restoration a long way and it would all look "correct"....
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 42
Likes: 1
What happens if neither vin on the frame is readable? I have been working at the second location but it’s pitted.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,256
Likes: 1,317
From: Pryor, OK
Go buy some metal stamps and stamp your VIN on the frame. JK! That might be illegal. Wink, wink!
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,124
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
I would do some Googling and see what your state DMV web site says about it. And if you can not get a straight answer from the web, then make a call to your local DMV and ask what is the legal way to get it done. Might take no more than a bill of sale and a Highway Patrol to come look at it? Do you have at least ONE frame stamp that has some remains of the vin? And the matching vin on the paper title and the dvrs door jam and B pillar sticker are all the same? Before I would go self stamping/re-stamping, I would do some research on the subject.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,124
Likes: 5,773
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Looks like that part of the truck was assembled on either "I want to get off work early Friday" or "I am way to hung over to be working this hard Monday".
Clean it, insp it for "sturdiness". Spray a bunch of rust convertor in it and weld it shut or just seal it up.
Clean it, insp it for "sturdiness". Spray a bunch of rust convertor in it and weld it shut or just seal it up.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,256
Likes: 1,317
From: Pryor, OK
First thing I would do is figure out the VIN issue. No point in doing any work on something that can't get you to your end goal. Second is degreaser and pressure wash. Any weak looking or questionable areas would be fixed via weld or bolt on new stuff. You don't want to cut corners on the frame.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
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So you have an F250 frame at least. With an F250 VIN.