Just for Fun I cut my 17 digit vin number.

1FTDF15EXBRA16098

Down to 11 digits

F15BRA16098

"B" being the year code and "R" being the manufacture plant Code.

I got this out of a Vin Decoder,

Results for VIN#: F15BRA16098

Model Year: 76
Series: F150 - 4x2 Pickup
Engine: 6 Cyl, 300ci (4.9L) 1bbl
Assembly Plant: San Jose

I was surprised that it is remarkably accurate, except for the year model.

I don't know if this little experiment means anything, but it is quite interesting.

 

I know exactly how a 17 character VIN works, and I'm not saying what's on the frame looks anything like a complete 17 character VIN or complies to those rules, but, it easily decodes like one if you think about it a bit.
That number is definatley parts of the 17 # VIN
I looked at the one on my 81 chassis and compared it to the cab.
The complete 17 character VIN is 2FTCF10E9BCA40098
What's on the frame is F10BCA40098.
So, not only is the VIN on the frame only a partial, it's also broken up. All that's on the frame rail is the model designation, model year, plant and sequence number. The Manufacturer Identifier(first three #'s,) brake system/GVWR class(4th number,) engine code(8th character) and check digit(9th position) are missing.
So, working with his frame # and my 84 shop manuals, the VIN would have been something to the effect of 1FTDF14??CLA45931 The ? are for the engine code and check digit, as I don't know what engine it has/had, and can't hazard a guess at the check digit. See how I'm figuring that it's a partial # now?

 

EDIT: Good post 82........

But does it make sense for those characters to be missing ?

The new 17 digit code was to help prevent Problems so why won't all that pertinent info go "On the frame"

some of us know that a 76 4x4 frame is too narrow for mounting the 80's cab.

BUT.......the 78 4x4 frame is the same.

I believe that 4 is a mis-stamped H.


anybody have a bonafide undisturbed 1980 to check out ?

 

The only thing I can think of and it's just a wild guess is Ford retained the old 11 digit VIN frame stamp well beyond 1980.

I'll check my 1981 tomorrow and if it has a 11 digit "Short" vin, that would be my conclusion.

 

Here is a good read explaining VIN numbering.

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

What is it?

A car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) is the automotive equivalent of
human "DNA".

It sets the vehicle apart from the millions of other vehicles out there. In recent times it has been reflected in 17 digit characters. It displays a car’s uniqueness and heritage and provides a form of "factory to scrap yard" identification. It can be used to track recalls, registrations, warranty claims, thefts and insurance coverage. Each character or digit has a particular purpose.


History of the VIN

Detroit automobile manufacturers began stamping and casting identifying numbers on cars and their parts in the mid 1950's . The primary purpose of this vehicle identification number (VIN) was to give an accurate description of the vehicle when mass production numbers were starting to scale in very significant numbers. The early VINs came in a range of variations depending on the individual manufacturer at that time.

In the early 1980's the U.S. National highway Traffic Safety Administration (USDOT) required that all road vehicles must contain a 17 character VIN. This established the standard fixed VIN system which major vehicle manufacturers use currently. The result was a unique "DNA" style number for each individual vehicle rolled off the assembly line.



The Vehicle Identification Number was originally described in ISO Standard 3779 in February 1977 and last revised in 1983. The ISO-VIN was designed to identify motor vehicles, trailers, motorcycles and mopeds and consists of several parts described below.

How to read a VIN

1st character- Identifies the country in which the vehicle was manufactured.
For example: U.S.A.(1or 4), Canada(2), Mexico(3), Japan(J), Korea(K), England(S), Germany(W), Italy(Z)

2nd character- Identifies the manufacturer. For example; Audi(A),
BMW(B), Buick(4), Cadillac(6), Chevrolet(1), Chrysler(C), Dodge(B),
Ford(F), GM Canada(7), General Motors(G), Honda(H), Jaquar(A), Lincoln(L), Mercedes Benz(D), Mercury(M), Nissan(N), Oldsmobile(3), Pontiac(2or5), Plymouth(P), Saturn(8), Toyota(T), VW(V), Volvo(V).

3rd character- Identifies vehicle type or manufacturing division.

4th to 8th characters- VDS - Vehicle Descriptor Section. These 5 characters occupy positions 4 through 8 of the VIN and may be used by the manufacturer to identify attributes of the vehicle. Identifies vehicle features such as body style, engine type, model, series, etc.

9th Character - The check digit "character or digit 9" in the sequence of a vehicle identification number (VIN) built beginning with model year 1981 (when the 17 character digit format was established) can best be described as identifying the VIN accuracy.

A check digit shall be part of each vin (since 1981) and shall appear in position
nine (9) of the VIN on the vehicle and on any transfer documents containing
the vin prepared by the manufacturer to be given to the first owner for purposes
other than resale. Thus, the vins of any two vehicles manufactured within a 30
year period shall not be identical. The check digit means a single number or letter
"x" used to verify the accuracy of the transcription of the vehicle identification
number.

After all other characters in the VIN have been determined by the manufacturer
the check digit is calculated by carrying out a mathematical computation
specified. This is based on vin position, sample vin, assigned value code,
weight factor and multiply assigned value times weight factors. The values are added and the total is divided by 11. The remainder is the check digit number.
The correct numeric remainder - zero through nine (0-9) will appear.
However, if the remainder is 10 the letter "X" is used to designate the check
digit value/number.


10th character- Identifies the model year. For example: 1988(J), 1989(K), 1990(L), 1991(M), 1992(N), 1993(P), 1994(R), 1995(S), 1996(T),
1997(V), 1998(W), 1999(X), 2000(Y)------2001(1), 2002(2), 2003(3)

11th character- Identifies the assembly plant for the vehicle.

12th to 17th characters- VIS - Vehicle Identifier Section. The last 8 characters of the VIN are used for the identification a of specific vehicle. The last four characters shall always be numeric. Identifies the sequence of the vehicle for production as it rolled off the manufacturers assembly line.



I was looking for something that said whether companies needed to stamp the frame as well on 1981 & newer.
I could find anything other than the dash VIN Plate.

I rated this thread at 5 stars due to the topic.

 

I found this in the LMC catalog.

Too bad Ford didn't incorporate a year code in their VIN's pryor to '81.

 

Thanks SB,

So they appeared to have used a 1 as the prefix for the cinsecutive build number for the 1980 trucks


Reagrding this truck in question, I am wondering why the original poster never submitted the VIN# off the cab so we can see what those numbers are ?

Or even the build stickers ?

Plus, there are casting numbers on other parts we haven't been given.

We're still flying blind here.

 

A 78 4x4 frame was still narrower than an 80+ chassis, and, there is also TTB VS solid axle, it would take a large amount of work to adapt a TTB front end to a solid axle chassis, the engine crossmember alone is considerably different between the two.
Plus the body mounts are located a good 4" outboard on an 80+ cab than a 79 and older.
I'd put my money on that 4 being a 4 and that it is an 82 chassis. There are HUGE differences between the 2 frames.
As for the original poster not posting the VIN, it sounds like he may not have the VIN for the chassis, just the later body.

 

It does seem that the truck has been slightly modified with different parts from other models.

 

f14=4x4 C=1982 L=Michigan truck A45931 serial number. Missing the engine code and check digit, since the frame is assembled and stamped before engine assembly, but not 100% sure. With the engine code as E(300/4.9) the check digit becomes an 8. Then add it all together to get:1FTDF14E8CLA45931 or engine code F(302) check digit becomes 7 or vin:1FTDF14F8CLA45931 now if you had the original cab, we could verify which vin it is, but without knowing what engine it is we can't be sure. BTW, your cab now shows that it is a 2wd model with a 302efi. made in Kansas.

PS: I think you said it was a v8, and it was figured to be from atleast 1994. So more mixing and matching, does it ever end...lol

 

Sorry I've been gone so long. Yes, the F14CLA45931 stamped on the frame is correct. I've checked this number no less than 6 times, scraping and cleaning over and over just to make sure I could see it good.

The VIN off the cab is: 1FTDF15N1FKA59839
It is off of a 4X2 F150 from 1985 with a 302 engine
The truck currently has a 351W with a block from 1994 (F4TE)

The radius arms were built in 1981 since they start with E1 on the stamp that's in them. Am I correct on that? The only part that I have found so far on the chassis that is not made in 1981 is the rear axle (82) and the transfer case (82), although I realize that they could also have been swapped out at some time.

I think my next step is to get a flashlight and a mirror and try to see if there is a VIN stamped under the cab somewhere.

Here again is all the numbers I've found so far:

Frame: F14CLA45931
Firing order: 13726548
Body VIN: 1FTDF15N1FKA59839
Front axle: 3.00 E1TAFG
6101858
Transfer Case: NP208F ( on the right side of the tag it is stamped 82)
Block: F4TE 6015-AA-17
Transmission is a C6
Rear Axle: WDM DA 2C31
3.00 9 S 316B

Not much else that I know. It does have the emissions sticker for a 1982 model 302 under the hood but who knows if it's the original front body??????

Also, it isn't the swiss cheese frame.

This weekend I'll try to get some pics up here. Any certain part that you think would be helpful for you to take a look at?

 

By the VIN your cab was a 1985 F150 with a 8.2L diesel. 5001-6000lb gvwr.
assembled in Kansas City: Claycomo, Mo.

 

1985 the engine code changed from diesel to 302efi. I have it in my vin, and mine's a 302efi. cr506, I think I had the evidence from the frame vin, and driveline, indicates the frame to be a 4x4 1982.(my previous post)

 

Fleet.Ford.com does say it to have the diesel.
Carfax says it to have the 5.0L
same VIN entered in both decoders

i would probably have to think the 5.0 is the original motor. I can't see something as heavy and big as the 8.2 diesel in a 2 wheel drive half ton.

you would think ford would have the right info though.......

 

I see that in my LMC catalog.

Funny that the VIN decoder did not pick that up.

Why couldn't Ford ''accidently" drop in a 427 cammer in my truck.