Hey wondering it anyone can give me a decode on the tag I pulled out of the engine bay of my truck. There are a few things im not sure about- just to preface the tag. It supposedly is a 1974 (and titled accordingly), but a label on the doorjamb claims it was made in october 1973. It could just be a 1974 model year truck produced in late '73 like a lot of vehicles right? That's what I thought initially. while doing body work I got down to the factory paint and did some paint research for ford trucks of this time. It was painted colors that were only available according to ford for the 1973 model being the combination tu-tone 6E bright yellow/5H medium brown metallic. The other discrepiency however important is on the vin number from the doorjamb to the vin on the tag pictured. On the doorjamb it says F10YRT23378, while on the pictured tab it says F10YPT23378. Im not sure that that means. The tag also has what looks like a "4" punched out of it.


(engine bay tag) https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...147825&width=0


The engine bay tag reads:
-----------------------------
F10YPT23378 29-433
YX 133 BDY 4 WDE RHSM
R8 COMB RPO RNG RKR
XE AFT
-----------------------------

The metal (door) doorjamb tag reads:
-------------------------------------
F10YRT23378

wb color model body trans axel
133 R8 F105 C 4 G H2J

05100 73
max g.v.w. irs d.s.o.
--------------------------------------

A printed paper tag under the (cab) door jamb reads:
--------------------------------------------
date: 10/73 F10YRT23378
(bunch of safety stuff about the load ratings)
GVRW 5100
front 2680 rear 2900
--------------------------------------------

 

I would think the engine bay tag is a typo. That can happen. The other two that match your title is probably the right one. Check your chassis VIN because that would be the "true" VIN.

 

Production of the 1974 model started in August of 1973.

The P on the buck tag is merely a mis-stamping.

I don't recall an Assembly Plant with code P back then until late 70's when the Twin Cities plant started

 

I pulled the chassis tab earlier today, the P was a typo. Looks like R is san jose, but im still not sure whats up with the 73 color combo. I looked further into the ford colors and there is a R8 combo similar to my truck, but my coworker's 73 with the bright yellow/metallic brown is a dead match to mine. The 74 R8 paint code is similar, but the colors are off and dont look like the combo my truck is. I even peeled off undercoating to determine if it was just age, but it isnt. If you guys can help me out with anythign else on the tags please let me know!

 

Twin Cities (St Paul)** Assembly Plant has been operation since at least 1948 (oldest ref I have). The original code for the Twin Cities was SP. That was changed to P in 1953.

**Source: 1948/56 Ford Truck Parts Catalog~District Codes~Page XI

 

You have listed 73 at the bottom of your VIN posting, after the 5100 GVW listing. 73 is the DSO number for: Salt Lake City

Vehicles built in the San Jose Assembly Plant (R) are sent to five District Codes: 71 = Los Angeles; 72 = San Francisco; 73 = Salt Lake City; 74 = Seattle; 75 = Phoenix.

 

R = 1973/76 = Medium Ginger / 8 = 1974 = Dark Yellow

Pay little attention to color names, look at an actual paint chip chart in natural light instead. Ford uses different names for the exact same colors. A Lincoln might be Medium Sage Mist, while a Ford Truck might be Medium Ginger.

 

Have a look here.

http://www.tcpglobal.com/autocolorli...fordtruck.html