old Step Van
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old Step Van
Mechanically restoring project van, former Frito-Lay, a P-400 with 300 six and 3-speed Warner. Got it out of a junkyard, w/no title. Body built by Universal Body of Delaware, Ohio. Wonder if anyone knows how to date this thing from motor # or trans #. or the coachbuilder #. which I don't have on me now... Anyhow, thanks.
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Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Connecticut
If it's got a 240-300 series engine, it a 65 or later. Any numbers on the engine only identifies engine family. The 240-300's started with C5AE 6010-XX on the block. If there's a tag on the tranny, post it. Post the coachbuilders number for the heck of it. Post whatever is on the builders tag, someone might have the right info.
Barry
Barry
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Brian, There was a shop in Durham that worked on those trucks, and I got to get to know a little about them.
They are sold by Ford & Chevy as a engine/chassis. The body providers put their heavy aluminum bodies on and they go out the door for 30 years of service.
Companies like F/L have rebuild shops. When the truck reaches a desiginated milage they are shipped back to rebuild and the drive train is pulled and replaced, the body is gone through and is put back into service as a renewed truck. The engines and trannys are replaced several times, so what you find in the truck now wouldn't have anything to do with original.
I recall them all coming back with Cummins 4 cylinders for a while. They had engines that could be replaced before rebuild date. Should a truck come up for rebuild with a fairly new engine in it, it would be pulled and a bad one placed in to go back.
Have you stopped in the NC forum and introduced yourself?
John
They are sold by Ford & Chevy as a engine/chassis. The body providers put their heavy aluminum bodies on and they go out the door for 30 years of service.
Companies like F/L have rebuild shops. When the truck reaches a desiginated milage they are shipped back to rebuild and the drive train is pulled and replaced, the body is gone through and is put back into service as a renewed truck. The engines and trannys are replaced several times, so what you find in the truck now wouldn't have anything to do with original.
I recall them all coming back with Cummins 4 cylinders for a while. They had engines that could be replaced before rebuild date. Should a truck come up for rebuild with a fairly new engine in it, it would be pulled and a bad one placed in to go back.
Have you stopped in the NC forum and introduced yourself?
John
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big Ford #'s
This truck was being driven in NC up to '85. Has cool original Frito stickers inside: driver dropping box of Lay's potato chips while looking at girl "Don't Drop It"!
Vanette Body (Steel), model P400 137
Body no. 52562
Serial no. AL-A74277
Trans no. T87G-1
Vanette Body (Steel), model P400 137
Body no. 52562
Serial no. AL-A74277
Trans no. T87G-1
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From: seattle
Brian....according to my 65 shop manual, the VIN on P series is located "on right side framerail approxamately 4 inchesto the rear of the front crossmember"
The book tells where it is on my F series and its right on the money...if stamped as heavy as mine and others Ive seen, will be easy to see...has stars at either end of the number with vin inside....
As to the date, the numbering system used to ID roughly the month/yr built as applies to F series is same for all series according to my master parts book ...If ya need more number help, drop me a note....P series is a nice switch from F series....Its nice that there are folks out the who are appreciating the odd rigs too....
Hope this helps...cs65
The book tells where it is on my F series and its right on the money...if stamped as heavy as mine and others Ive seen, will be easy to see...has stars at either end of the number with vin inside....
As to the date, the numbering system used to ID roughly the month/yr built as applies to F series is same for all series according to my master parts book ...If ya need more number help, drop me a note....P series is a nice switch from F series....Its nice that there are folks out the who are appreciating the odd rigs too....
Hope this helps...cs65
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OK, I just looked one up in my ford trucks since 1905 book. Iv seen them running around as bread trucks and converted motorhomes but dont remember any frito lay ones! THere is a N series box truck near my house siting in a lot, I wish I had more space and money! That would be a cool truck! Could build it up like those new internationals with the ford bed!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Maybe you are like me and are so poor that you have trouble paying attention.
If there are Frito corn chips and Lays tater chips in your neighborhood grocery or quick stop they were brought there in one of those trucks.
John
If there are Frito corn chips and Lays tater chips in your neighborhood grocery or quick stop they were brought there in one of those trucks.
John
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Brianschiptruck,
I am a new member and I have a 1966 Vanette (in Austin, Texas).
I found a parts vehicle in Southern Calif., a 1968 Vanette.
I am in the process of figuring out if I want buy parts or the whole van.
Do you need any body parts for yours? The 68 will be scrapped if not parted out.
Vanette
I am a new member and I have a 1966 Vanette (in Austin, Texas).
I found a parts vehicle in Southern Calif., a 1968 Vanette.
I am in the process of figuring out if I want buy parts or the whole van.
Do you need any body parts for yours? The 68 will be scrapped if not parted out.
Vanette
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universal vanette
On the big Ford, other than the fuel tank being crushed, mostly the body/chassis is sound. Was going to use a 5-gallon gas can temporarily. Front windscreen area has structural rust. Have lost clutch fork retaining spring, am about to fabricate one. The 300 Six intake and exhaust manifolds are cracked.
Back here in North Carolina on the back burner, the holidays... I currently have three ancient vehicles under slow resto. Soon I'll get a digital shot of the rig.
Back here in North Carolina on the back burner, the holidays... I currently have three ancient vehicles under slow resto. Soon I'll get a digital shot of the rig.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
I was wondering what the van was that I have been considering buying, now I know, a P400. I thought it was a bread truck or something. Anyway, it has dual rear wheels and it is a 1964 Ford and that is about all I know. Are there any links for more information for things such as body parts or interchange information. I am thinking about restoring it and putting 4x4 into it (not for off-road - just so I do not get stuck in muddy GA clay driveways.