Frame VIN not enough digits
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Frame VIN not enough digits
I have an 85 body from a 4X2 that was put on a 4X4 frame. The front axle was made in 1981, the rear axle was made in 1982, transfer case made in 82 and it has the TTB so it must be the frame and running gear from a 1982 model. I am trying to confirm this but where the VIN should be stamped on the frame it reads: F14CLA45931
I found this on the right side of the frame below the firewall. It says the frame is from a 1976 F150 4X4 but the engine code position is all wrong. Also, the frame is 37.5 inches wide like the 80-86 models. Has anyone ever seen the wrong #'s stamped into the frame? Are there any other locations on the frame that may have the VIN stamped into it?
There is also no fabrication work done to the frame.
I found this on the right side of the frame below the firewall. It says the frame is from a 1976 F150 4X4 but the engine code position is all wrong. Also, the frame is 37.5 inches wide like the 80-86 models. Has anyone ever seen the wrong #'s stamped into the frame? Are there any other locations on the frame that may have the VIN stamped into it?
There is also no fabrication work done to the frame.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Northern California
F14CLA45931
Been following this in the 1973-1979 forum.
Could that be a 1980 Vin number, and some of the lettering has been rubbed off, not stamped on it proper? 1980 vin numbers were also 11 digit. 1981 was the first year of the 17 digit.
Are there a lot of holes along the frame rails? I mean a bunch of them? Supposedly strength holes. Affectionately called the "Swiss Cheese Frame" by fellow Ford nuts.
That would place the frame as a 1980.
Been following this in the 1973-1979 forum.
Could that be a 1980 Vin number, and some of the lettering has been rubbed off, not stamped on it proper? 1980 vin numbers were also 11 digit. 1981 was the first year of the 17 digit.
Are there a lot of holes along the frame rails? I mean a bunch of them? Supposedly strength holes. Affectionately called the "Swiss Cheese Frame" by fellow Ford nuts.
That would place the frame as a 1980.
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I've never seen the swiss cheese frame but from what I have read there are a massive amount of pretty large holes. That isn't the case on this frame. Did Ford stamp the VIN on any other part besides the body?
Post Fiend
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From: Northern California
Yes, but I only know of three.
There should be a tag on the cowl or firewall, just below the hood weatherstrip.
The obvious one in the cab.
And the one on the frame.
The big holes are about half way along the frame in the "center" so to speak. You would notice them if you saw them.
How is the front bumper held on? It should be bolted right to the frame rails. If it isn't or held on with brackets that suggests a earlier frame.
There should be a tag on the cowl or firewall, just below the hood weatherstrip.
The obvious one in the cab.
And the one on the frame.
The big holes are about half way along the frame in the "center" so to speak. You would notice them if you saw them.
How is the front bumper held on? It should be bolted right to the frame rails. If it isn't or held on with brackets that suggests a earlier frame.
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Whoa....Yes, There is a second frame stamping under cab same side.
Usually the cab has to be removed to see it.
I'm trying to find the 1980 Vin #'s right now.
Even if the frame is an 1980 that still doesn't explain suspension parts from 2 /3 years later
Usually the cab has to be removed to see it.
I'm trying to find the 1980 Vin #'s right now.
Even if the frame is an 1980 that still doesn't explain suspension parts from 2 /3 years later
Post Fiend
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From: San Francisco, Ca.
cr506, F14CLA45931?
I see by your VIN it's a 1980 F150 4x4, assembled in Michigan, but I can't find an engine code of "c".
All I see in my book is the following engine codes:
E: 4.9L (300-6cyl)
F: 5.0L (302 v/8)
W: 5.8L (351M v/8)
Z: 6.6L (400 v/8)
Maybe my book is missing some codes.
I see by your VIN it's a 1980 F150 4x4, assembled in Michigan, but I can't find an engine code of "c".
All I see in my book is the following engine codes:
E: 4.9L (300-6cyl)
F: 5.0L (302 v/8)
W: 5.8L (351M v/8)
Z: 6.6L (400 v/8)
Maybe my book is missing some codes.
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I see by your VIN it's a 1980 F150 4x4, assembled in Michigan, but I can't find an engine code of "c".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Where do you see that in the VIN# ?
F14CLA45931
I see it as a september built 1976 model.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Where do you see that in the VIN# ?
F14CLA45931
I see it as a september built 1976 model.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: San Francisco, Ca.
Mil1ion, Could be that my buddy gave me the wrong info.
I'll have to rap him in the side of the head.
Some parts guy is/was.
Too bad there isn't a chart for Ford truck VIN's, all years.
I'll have to rap him in the side of the head.
Some parts guy is/was.
Too bad there isn't a chart for Ford truck VIN's, all years.
Last edited by sierraben; Jul 10, 2006 at 09:45 PM.
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Post Fiend
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From: Dryden, ON, Canada
The number on the framerail on an 80-86 truck is usually not a complete VIN, and, on a one of mine is a Ford part #, not even related in any way to the VIN.
Yours looks like it's parts of a 17 character VIN to me.
F14= F150 reg cab 4x4
C = 1982 model year
L = Michigan Truck plant
A4539 = Sequence number
Makes sense to me that the framerail wouldn't get stamped with the engine, because it's the same no matter which engine is installed on a F150.
I'll check the frame VIN on my 81 F100 chassis, I'll bet it's a similar looking deal.
Yours looks like it's parts of a 17 character VIN to me.
F14= F150 reg cab 4x4
C = 1982 model year
L = Michigan Truck plant
A4539 = Sequence number
Makes sense to me that the framerail wouldn't get stamped with the engine, because it's the same no matter which engine is installed on a F150.
I'll check the frame VIN on my 81 F100 chassis, I'll bet it's a similar looking deal.
Last edited by 82F100SWB; Jul 10, 2006 at 10:24 PM.
Post Fiend
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From: Northern California
I'll check out the easy to see Vin numbers on my frame as well, and check back in.
The Year code letter on my 1981 is a "B" so what you are saying does make some sence. Although I've never heard of partial VIN's on frames before.
Interesting.
The Year code letter on my 1981 is a "B" so what you are saying does make some sence. Although I've never heard of partial VIN's on frames before.
Interesting.
Last edited by 81-F-150-Explorer; Jul 10, 2006 at 11:06 PM.
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From: Michigan
I had the same problem in my 1980 ranger f-150...the VIN read that i had a 302.....but i actually have a 351M.....UNLESS perhaps the VIN decoder i was using was wrong. i never got a chance to ask the previous owner about it but im pretty sure they had the motor swapped out at one time.
VIN : F14GCGJ2924
i'd like see what that shows up as
UPDATE:
I checked mine out at http://www.medicine.wisc.edu/~mrm/bronco/ftvin.cgi and this is what i got
Model Year: 80
Series: F150 - 4x4 Pickup
Engine: 8 Cyl, 351ci (5.8L), 2bbl, Unleaded Fuel
Assembly Plant: Ontario Truck
obviously i didnt spend much time trying to find out if that VIN was right or wrong
VIN : F14GCGJ2924
i'd like see what that shows up as
UPDATE:
I checked mine out at http://www.medicine.wisc.edu/~mrm/bronco/ftvin.cgi and this is what i got
Model Year: 80
Series: F150 - 4x4 Pickup
Engine: 8 Cyl, 351ci (5.8L), 2bbl, Unleaded Fuel
Assembly Plant: Ontario Truck
obviously i didnt spend much time trying to find out if that VIN was right or wrong
Last edited by AMB_F-150; Jul 10, 2006 at 11:56 PM.
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Quote:
The number on the framerail on an 80-86 truck is usually not a complete VIN, and, on a one of mine is a Ford part #, not even related in any way to the VIN.
Yours looks like it's parts of a 17 character VIN to me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sorry but the 17 digit codes don't look anything like this except for the very last part
I tried every way possible to figure out of that it may be a partial.
Without any success.
The coding for the 81 & newer had segments of the Vin that meant something.
Here's what I mean
By Law:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VIN#Parts_of_the_VIN
If you count 11 didgits backwards it doesn't make any sense.
We need someone here with a "1980" Truck to verify the Vin#
I punched up this number F14CLGA5931 in a VIN# decoder and it came up a 1980 ...but I don't trust the source .
remember folks that the last of 79's consecutive built numbers ended with FK????
The number on the framerail on an 80-86 truck is usually not a complete VIN, and, on a one of mine is a Ford part #, not even related in any way to the VIN.
Yours looks like it's parts of a 17 character VIN to me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sorry but the 17 digit codes don't look anything like this except for the very last part
I tried every way possible to figure out of that it may be a partial.
Without any success.
The coding for the 81 & newer had segments of the Vin that meant something.
Here's what I mean
By Law:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VIN#Parts_of_the_VIN
If you count 11 didgits backwards it doesn't make any sense.
We need someone here with a "1980" Truck to verify the Vin#
I punched up this number F14CLGA5931 in a VIN# decoder and it came up a 1980 ...but I don't trust the source .
remember folks that the last of 79's consecutive built numbers ended with FK????
Last edited by Mil1ion; Jul 10, 2006 at 11:48 PM.
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I wish he would show up again and let me know about that 4 in the build number to verify that is is in FACT a 4.
If that 4 is actually a letter,like the letter H that makes the frame a 78.
If that 4 is actually a letter,like the letter H that makes the frame a 78.
Last edited by Mil1ion; Jul 10, 2006 at 11:58 PM.