Build sheet questions
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: OH
Build sheet questions
Hello all. I sent away and got my build sheet from Ford, but I have a few question. I'll give you my vin# F14HLX84386. This comes back as being produced 02/02/1977. But according to my title, it's a 1978. I have the one-piece aluminum grille with the one-piece insert and rectangular headlights. Is this correct? The sheet also lists 68 amp dual batteries. I have 2 battery trays along with a starter solenoid on pass. side along with another solenoid on the driver's side. Is this a factory dual battery setup? I know that if I hook up a battery to driver's side, the battery doesn't stay charged. And 2 other items I don't understand that are listed. "Slide out spare tire carrier"? Where in the would that be( I have a rear gas tank). And the last item is "Convenience Group"? What in the world is that?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 379
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From: Delavan, IL
Build Sheet
I'll try to answer as much as I can and hope that somebody else can fill in the rest of the holes for you.
Title - The truck is probably a '77 based on the build date. If it was build later in the year, like October, November, etc. it would definately have been a '78.
Grill - You've got the '79 headlight buckets in the '78/'79 grill. A lot of people use this setup because of the square headlamps not sure why, maybe apperance.
Dual Batteries - Not sure about the power loss, possibly a wiring issue. As to the solenoids, I would think that you would only need one solenoid. You might try checking wiring diagrams for that info.
Slide out spare tire carrier - That should be on the passenger tire, behind a removeable panel on the front outer section of the bed. Kind of a cool feature actually.
Convenience Group - That would generally be features such as power windows, locks, possibly radio upgrades, etc.
Title - The truck is probably a '77 based on the build date. If it was build later in the year, like October, November, etc. it would definately have been a '78.
Grill - You've got the '79 headlight buckets in the '78/'79 grill. A lot of people use this setup because of the square headlamps not sure why, maybe apperance.
Dual Batteries - Not sure about the power loss, possibly a wiring issue. As to the solenoids, I would think that you would only need one solenoid. You might try checking wiring diagrams for that info.
Slide out spare tire carrier - That should be on the passenger tire, behind a removeable panel on the front outer section of the bed. Kind of a cool feature actually.
Convenience Group - That would generally be features such as power windows, locks, possibly radio upgrades, etc.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Spokane WA
the real 77 model year ran from august 1976 untill january or february 1977. One of the shortest ever.
anything after that was called a 78 or (77 1/2 if it was titled as a 77).
the square headlights started in the 78 model NOT 79. most 78s had square lights but some bottom trim models kept the round lights up into the 79 model year to use up stock on low dollar model and fleet models.
you have a factory dual battery setup. the drivers side battery is an auxillary battery used to draw power for lights/campers etc so as to not drain the main starting battery, but can be used as a starting battery.
you probably have a failing isolator.
slide out spare tire carier (or more correctly because they never slide like thay are supposed too) swing out tire carrier is not the inbed super camper special tire carrier. its under the rear tank.
anything after that was called a 78 or (77 1/2 if it was titled as a 77).
the square headlights started in the 78 model NOT 79. most 78s had square lights but some bottom trim models kept the round lights up into the 79 model year to use up stock on low dollar model and fleet models.
you have a factory dual battery setup. the drivers side battery is an auxillary battery used to draw power for lights/campers etc so as to not drain the main starting battery, but can be used as a starting battery.
you probably have a failing isolator.
slide out spare tire carier (or more correctly because they never slide like thay are supposed too) swing out tire carrier is not the inbed super camper special tire carrier. its under the rear tank.
Last edited by oldhalftons; Jan 18, 2005 at 01:37 PM.
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From: OH
Thanks for the reply. I actually have 2 Vin numbers for my truck. The one in this post and another one :
F15GCCC8735. The one in above is on the driver's door tag. The other is on the driver's side, on the cab. It's a truck that's been cobbled together. Haven't tried to find the number on the frame yet. The paint inside the cab is like a smoked grey color. Not quite black. More like a platinum color with a little bit of metal flake. Then a red dashpad that looks like brand new, along with a red glove box. The fenders and hood are blue underneath the primer. The bed is the only thing that may be original. It's a faded red with a storage box towards the front on the pass. side. Has manual windows(which I am changing to power this summer), manual locks. Tried the local Advance Auto this past Fall for new drag link and tie-rods. According to the measurements, it's looking like a 77.
p.s. I was typing when another reply came in. If this has a dual battery setup, where would the isolator be?
F15GCCC8735. The one in above is on the driver's door tag. The other is on the driver's side, on the cab. It's a truck that's been cobbled together. Haven't tried to find the number on the frame yet. The paint inside the cab is like a smoked grey color. Not quite black. More like a platinum color with a little bit of metal flake. Then a red dashpad that looks like brand new, along with a red glove box. The fenders and hood are blue underneath the primer. The bed is the only thing that may be original. It's a faded red with a storage box towards the front on the pass. side. Has manual windows(which I am changing to power this summer), manual locks. Tried the local Advance Auto this past Fall for new drag link and tie-rods. According to the measurements, it's looking like a 77.
p.s. I was typing when another reply came in. If this has a dual battery setup, where would the isolator be?
Last edited by 1977FordF-150; Jan 18, 2005 at 01:47 PM.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,439
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From: Spokane WA
F14HLX84386
1977 F150 4x4
2bbl 351M
built at the Michigan truck plant
F15GCCC8735
1978 F150 2wd
2bbl 302
built at the Ontario Canada truck plant
looks like a cab swap
is most of the truck a 4wd or a 2wd?
the storage box it the inbed tool box and pionts to the bed being a 73-77 (i think they were also a 78-79 option) also but pretty rare in the later trucks.
the isolator should be on the drivers side and ussually looks like an aluminum solinoid with cooling fins
1977 F150 4x4
2bbl 351M
built at the Michigan truck plant
F15GCCC8735
1978 F150 2wd
2bbl 302
built at the Ontario Canada truck plant
looks like a cab swap
is most of the truck a 4wd or a 2wd?
the storage box it the inbed tool box and pionts to the bed being a 73-77 (i think they were also a 78-79 option) also but pretty rare in the later trucks.
the isolator should be on the drivers side and ussually looks like an aluminum solinoid with cooling fins
Last edited by oldhalftons; Jan 18, 2005 at 02:01 PM.
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Junior User
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From: OH
It's a 4wd. The PO I got it from said he bought from a shop here in Ohio about 10-15 years before I got it. I've had it almost 4 years. After some of the things I had to fix, like 351m #1 cyl on the distributor on the pass side, doors re-skined but never even primered, etc. I can see why this shop went outta business. The frames' be cut and re-welded. Not a very good job either. Both front and back halves weren't exactly matched up straight. I'm gonna try this year to strp it down to the bare frame, and start putting it back together the right way. On a side note, anyone know where I can get complete wiring harnesses for our trucks? I tried Painless, but they only offer universal fit. ANd as far as the isloator, the only thing I got that ressembles that desription is my spark box.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 843
Likes: 1
From: USA
Look for a metal tag attached to the underside of the bed, toward the front and in the center. On that tag will be a VIN # and if it's there and if it is the origional bed as you say, you will have the origional VIN #. The VIN # on the frame is located on top of the right frame rail, under the cab. I found mine last winter when I had the cab jacked up to clean and paint the frame and underside of the cab. My truck came off the assembly line on April 26th, 1977 and it has never been shown as anything but a '77 F-150. Take a look at my gallery. Mine was built in CA so it has been around. I'm in OH also.
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