OK, first off let me apologize for not logging out sometimes, Im still kinda new at this and get all wound up talkin' trucks and forget. Now down to business, I took the tag out of the glove-box and the D.S.O. code on it is 250136 now in the 46-72 book I have from Motorbooks International--and IF the first two numbers in the code are the plant it was made then it came from Richmond. There is also another code on the tag that has no explanation of what it is for but is as follows- DF14 129 JMS
and I can't find anything, or figure out what it might be, I have another book at home I will check out tonight. My thoughts on the D S O code were that it was made in Richmond being the first two numbers were 25 and it was the 136th truck made that year, make sence to you all ?? I also wish FORD had kept a lil better records of these trucks, but I guess hindsite is always better than foresite. 66RANGER is the D S O tag still in your glovebox ? Until tomorrow
Tommy

 

Keep diggin' guys......if their record keeping was as "sloppy" as it appears, I might just start converting mine over to a ranger and "passing it off" as "the real thing" ! !
(Were any of you guys having these devious thoughts?)

 

Unfortunately, the original glove box liner was in poor shape, all torn and VERY greasy with oil for some reason. I didn't find any tags or stickers, I would have tried to save them. The liner has since been replaced with a new one. Sorry! This truck was originally purchased in Tennessee, where it spent the first approx 20 years of it' life.

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 12-Jan-01 AT 07:43 PM (EST)[/font][p][FONT COLOR="#0000ff" SIZE="3" FACE="Veranda"]
The first two digits in the DSO code shows the District Sales Office responsible for placing the order (25=Richmond, VA). The 4 digit extension is coding to show particular "options" installed per the order. The DSO on one of my 67 trucks is "371734" which means Buffalo and a special order under "paint and tires" Unfortunately, there is no published resource to decode the special DSO's. We could speculate that the "0136" pertains to the ranger package, but without more "examples" it will be nothing more than speculation.

BTW, the DSO does not show where the truck was built. That information is coded into the fifth digit of the VIN no. I have the Assembly plant codes and DSO codes listed on my website.

66Ranger: is the door tag on your truck still? If so, you will have the DSO code there.
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Hi, I have just joined this site. I have done a frame off restoration to my 66 mercury ranger short box,I also have a 66 merc long box restored both 100% stock. My every day truck is a 65 short box. I have been into these trucks since 1968 when I bought my first one. Anyway I just wanted to say about the 4way flashers 65s only had them as an option and some of 66 the same goes for seatbelts and padded dash. In Canada as of Jan 1 1966 all trucks had to have 4ways, padded dash and seat belts even the plain janes. as for that tank cover I shore would like to see one mine is missing too. the Ranger package is a really rare option I have only seen mine and one other up here. All the Canadian Ford and Mercury trucks are made in Ontario..... Also has anybody seen a 65 or 66 with a pushbutton radio, both my mercurys have them and they are stock.

 

Would love to see that pushbutton radio. I was trying to think what other ford products would have anything remotely small that would properly fit in the dash, and the only thing I thought of was 63-65 Fairlanes. They had a radio similar to the 64 ford car type, but slightly smaller horizontally. I have been looking for a dealer optional underdash Raytel "CB" radio, but have never found one.Merc pickups are all but non existent here in the states

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 13-Jan-01 AT 09:58 PM (EST)[/font][p] the push button radio in my merc is unique to the pick up it is almost indentical to the standard radio and mounts almost the same way I have seen this radio in 61 thu 66 trucks, this was a $90 option in 66. Mercury trucks were ony made in Canada from 47 to 68 my 66 merc short box is the only one I have seen in western Canada for some reason there are very few short box fords or mercs in Canada I was in Reno a few months ago and saw so many short boxs I was just in heaven.

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 13-Jan-01 AT 10:09 PM (EST)[/font][p]Hi everyone, been away for a long time, but all this talk about Rangers, got me going again, (thanks Tommy aka jrs effie)for the call. Thought this might interest ya'll.
Here's is the vin plate breakdown off my '65 Ranger, from a 1965 shop manual-volume one:
model code (F)= conventional 2 axle - gas - f101=4,200 gvw
engine code (D)= 8 cyl 352 cid 4v
assembly plant (L)= michigan truck (no flashers, carpet on tank)
unit built in june 1965
ext paint code (A)= black
interior trim code (E)= red woven plastic,red vinyl/foam cushion
Body code (81)= conventional cab
rear axle code (07)= 3.25
transmission code (A)= 3spd ford standard duty
District code (21)= atlanta

My ranger has a 66 grill on it, and I put late model Ford truck wheels on it, after-market rear view miorrors, everything else is pretty much stock. It has a stock radio, just the spin the **** type, non-padded dash, don't have a console, but do have the bucket seats, wonder if it was ordered without it or if it got gone at some point.??? If I can figure out how to post a photo, I have 3 shots of it on my hard drive, I'll post them for all to see. One thing I noticed about the '65 ranger jowilker has on his ablum, it has a round speedometer, mine and jrs effie's '66 has the long horizontal type. I think idahocrewcab's has the horizontal one too.
If we keep going, this board will have the most acculated knowledge of the rangers too, just like with all the other old f-model trucks. Later, DW PS Sorry for the long post.

 

Glad to see lots of interest in the whole Ranger thing. Check under your floor for the mounting points to see if there was a console in it. Ranger package was available with or without the console, it was an expensive "at the time" option. I think 61-66 Ford trucks are some of the most over looked trucks. Mine is usually the only one at the local car shows.

 

Well, heres a new twist on my Ranger. I broke down the Vin. code and here's what I came up with,I own a 66 model 240 6 cyl. truck made in March in Dallas Tx. ordered in Houston, painted Caribbean Turquoise, and it has a 3 speed Ford Light Duty Tranny with a Ford 3.70 gear. Now at first I thought, Well mabey the door came from a donor truck, but when I got the truck the headliner had been covered with "stuffed animal hair" yes you read right, the same stuff that they use to put on those cuddely creatures ( no telling how many had to die to cover my headliner ) but anyway I tore it all out this weekend to have a look see, and sure enuff my truck IS Turquoise underneath. So it appears that what I have is a very well preserved Ranger interior, in a standard Custom Cab pickup. Although I'm not as reved up about having a TRUE RANGER, I'm still very happy to have a very good looking, and dependable 66, that looks like a Ranger, to ride around in, and I'll bet it's just as much fun too. Oh well, til next time
Tommy