Sorry I know this gets asked a lot but I've tried to look thru the forums and decode it myself, but didn't have much luck. Can you someone decode it for me? Thanks.

 

 

Tomorrow......

 

F61 = F600 gas, 4x2

D = 330 2V HD FT gas V8

V = Kentucky Truck Plant

L00285 = 1971 numerical series, February 1971 production.

174 = 174 inch wheelbase

6 = Bright Medium Blue

F617 = F600 gas, 4x2, 20,200 lbs GVWR (Differs from 20,000 lbs GVWR shown on plate. Typo? We'll never know.)

4 8
4 = Black vinyl
8 = Standard cab without back of cab equipment. (sold as cab and chassis--the dump body added by dealer or owner)

A = New Process model 435 four speed transmission

F3G
F3 = Eaton model 15201 two speed rear axle, 15,000 lbs capacity, 6.33 / 8.81 ratios
G = Shows as a live axle for '71, but clearly you don't have a 4x4 there. Probably Ford-Rockwell (Timken) 7,000 lb capacity front axle without power steering.

20000 = 20,000 lbs GVWR

164 3800 = 164 certified net HP @ 3800 RPM

22 = Charlotte District Sales Office

No special order.

You have Dayton type wheels, which makes wheel upgrades easier, if desired. It also makes brake drums available--per another post here, the air brake drums work but just need to be cut down to the narrower shoe width.

 

Thank you! I love the history of these old trucks. If they could talk!

I’m only about 25 miles north of Charlotte, pretty cool to think that it’s probably been fairly local it’s whole life. I recently bought it from a friend of my Uncle’s to use here around the farm. The guy he bought it from ran a landscaping business and owned it for 15 plus years, so I can account for 20 plus years of the trucks life.

As far as the VIN I’m wondering if they put a cab on the truck at some point and didn’t change the VIN plates. Or the truck has been shortened at some point. Wheelbase now is at 156”. And your right the front axle is 2wd and it does have power steering. The dayton wheels were a selling point as well!

Thanks again. Would love to know the trucks original application but as you said, we’ll never know.

 

A door swap or cab swap with door and tag is very possible.

What is the VIN on the title?

Or, check the top of the frame rails as per this:

https://www.fordification.com/tech/vin_find.htm

Since you know a little history, poke around and see if old registrations (heck, look under the seats, and look in the springs under the seats for the build tag), service records or other paperwork can be found with the correct VIN.

You don't want to have the wrong VIN registered--you may never have trouble, but if you do, it will be Extra Strength Trouble.

 

I’ll definitely check tomorrow and see what I can find out. That could definitely turn into a nightmare with DMV.

 

The build sheet under the seat isn't too easy to access unless you remove the seat from the truck, IMO. My '73's: