serial number code cipher
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serial number code cipher
bhs-bob I am trying to determin what my 1942 ford truck is rated for. I thought it was a 1 ton but not sure. Research indicates it may be a 1 1/2- 3 ton. It has 158" wheel base, has duel rear wheels and 20" tires. Any idea's?
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For sure you have a 1 1/2 or 3 ton truck as these are the ones with 158" wb...1 tons had 122". Email me the max gross weight rating on your glove box door plate (if it's still there) and I'll try to find my 1946(same as '42)Heavy Duty truck owner's manual and give you the exact ton rating for your truck. Hope this proves somewhat helpful
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bhs-bob Thank you for your reply to my request. There is no plate on the glove box door. The only plate I can find is the patent number plate on the fire wall under the voltage regulator. This plate, however is badly corroded and have not been able to read it.
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The patent plate under the voltage regulator is pretty much useless in getting any info for your truck. That plate was applied to every truck Ford made that year...it's just patent numbers...no vin or tonnage rating. Post the first half of your vin number...you can find it stamped on the clutch bellhousing, also check the top of the driver's side frame rail in the engine compartment...there should be a stamped vin there. The vin's first 5 symbols will be a prefix for engine and ton rating. If you can find it post it and I'll be able to let you know what you got.
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bhs-bob Finally found the number under several layers of gunk on the top of the frame rail. It is 99T-505I47. Hope you can find it in your books and come up with ton rating and anything else that will be helpful. Thanks, Bob.
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Bob, I've been hoping someone with better info would jump in here. I have a 48 pickup and have gathered up some info along the way on the larger trucks. I did own a '46 1 1/2T for a short time, so here's the little I know.
From your vin the first 9 indicates 39-42 production.
The second 9 indicates it came with a V8 if my info is correct.
The T indicates regular Truck and the string of digits is the production serial nos.
Ford didn't use vin numbers like today. They are just for basic info only and don't help much. Trucks didn't change between series as much as cars and pickups however.
In 48 the 158" frame was used only on the 1.5 and 2 ton trucks, but I don't know how that might compare with your's. What might be more helpful is if you could tell me the size (width) of those 20" dualies. Ford used 7.00, 7.50, 8.25, 9.00 and 10.00" X 20 dual wheels on the 1.5 to 3 ton rigs. Let me know and I might be able to narrow it down a bit. Tim
From your vin the first 9 indicates 39-42 production.
The second 9 indicates it came with a V8 if my info is correct.
The T indicates regular Truck and the string of digits is the production serial nos.
Ford didn't use vin numbers like today. They are just for basic info only and don't help much. Trucks didn't change between series as much as cars and pickups however.
In 48 the 158" frame was used only on the 1.5 and 2 ton trucks, but I don't know how that might compare with your's. What might be more helpful is if you could tell me the size (width) of those 20" dualies. Ford used 7.00, 7.50, 8.25, 9.00 and 10.00" X 20 dual wheels on the 1.5 to 3 ton rigs. Let me know and I might be able to narrow it down a bit. Tim
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bhs-bob Tim, Thanks for your responce. The steering axle has 7.50x20 tires while the rear duelies are 8.25x20. Any info you can supply will be greatly appreciated. Thanks again. Bob.
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That's an interesting difference you have there 46. The 48 op manual only shows that tire combination for 1 1/2 and 2 ton trucks. Bob, I guess if you want to narrow this down some more, look at the cab of smaller trucks. If you have the same cab the pickups have, yours is 1 1/2 or 2 Ton. If it is different than pickups, you've got a 2 1/2 or 3 ton.
This may have changed from 46 to 48, so I might be all wet! Good luck with your hunt. You might want to find some manuals or parts books - originals or reprints.
This may have changed from 46 to 48, so I might be all wet! Good luck with your hunt. You might want to find some manuals or parts books - originals or reprints.
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According to the Ford Body Parts catalog, the cabs are the same for 1/2 ton up to the heavy duty trucks. Floors, cabs, and doors all interchange. By having the 8.50 dual tires in the back you got one of the heaviest Ford trucks available for the time, at least according to an original owner's manual that I have here. Nobody's all wet, it's just that Ford didn't always make it real easy to easily i.d. the heavy duty trucks since they didn't use F-series numbers 'til '48.
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bhs-bob Thanks for that info. I am getting closer. Every little bit of data leads to more data. Seems like Ford would have this info stored away some where. I tried to contact them but was told they don't keep that info. Hard to believe. Thanks again. Bob.
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bhs-bob I am not sure if the 8.25's are original size or weather the original owner replaced what ever came with the truck with the 8.25's.
Could it be that the truck came with 7.50's all the way around? I am only sure of the 20" wheel size. If the 8.25's are what the truck came with originally, and your maunal says it is the heaviest truck available during that time period, what was the ton rating for the heaviest truck back then? Did Ford make anything over a 3 ton in 42? Thanks for your help. Any info is greatly appreciated.
Could it be that the truck came with 7.50's all the way around? I am only sure of the 20" wheel size. If the 8.25's are what the truck came with originally, and your maunal says it is the heaviest truck available during that time period, what was the ton rating for the heaviest truck back then? Did Ford make anything over a 3 ton in 42? Thanks for your help. Any info is greatly appreciated.
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I'm thinking you probably have a 2 ton, not a three ton. I looked through a bunch of original '42-47 Ford adI have and one caught myeye. It says..."Conventional and C.O.E. units...14,500 and 15,000 pounds GVW rating, respectivly 8.25 x 20 10-ply dual rear tires." This ad is for the 2-ton Ford trucks. So I'm thinking you have a 2 ton, not a 3 ton. By the way do you have a 2 speed rear axle on your truck? Ford doesn't ha any records on anything older than 1967. Prior records were destroyed...what a shame. It's entirely possible that a previous owner outfitted the truck with bigger tires...with 60 years of use anything could be possible. I think that 3 tons weren't seen very often, mainly 2 tons. These old Ford trucks can very cinfusing...as I'm sure you can tell. I keep looking and see if I can find more info.