VIN Fraud or a Cab swap would be the most likely, because the vin doesn't match what you have. Nightmare and a half. There are numbers stamped on the frame as well, under the cab on the passenger side. I would look there for some clues.

 

Thats what I wanted to read, will get out and have a look now.

It's only a parts ordering inconvenience being as I am over here.

Only thing I am remotely upset about is the engine I could have had

 

I had a look under the cab on the passenger side, couldn't find anything there and was getting dark so will get out there tmw with something to clean the copious amounts of some sort of home made underbody protection that the whole underside is caked in (removed some and first impressions are that its VERY clean underneath, one positive point for the day).

Also found some numbers on the autobox casings and the rear axle tag so off to post them (in the appropriate section hopefully) in the hope that someone will be able to decipher them.

 

Forgot to say, rear suspension has four leaves. I read somewhere that an F150 would have seven?

 

1965/81.

New compact Ranger pickup introduced March 1982 as a 1983 model.

Jimmy: You could have posted the axle, trans numbers (codes) here.

EDIT: I found where you posted them....and decoded them.

 

Damn, I thought I was putting them in the appropriate section too.

STILL can't find anything stamped on the frame, are they tucked away in a particular place or on top the frame (gulp) under the cab?

 

That's exactly where it is. On top of the frame rail, under the cab, on the passenger side. (Right side).

Not easy to get to to take a look, but not easy to tamper with either.

 

Dammit I had a feeling you'd say that. Time for a cigarette, cup o'tea (hey I'm British) and see if the rain passes. Then I may have to get under there.

 

Tis a fact, the British drink more coffee than tea.

And no matter when one goes to the UK, it rains.

First trip we took was 3 weeks in March 1999, it rained every other day.

Second trip was 2 weeks (London only) in May 2002, it rained almost every day.

Thankfully, it didn't rain on the day the Queen's 50th anniversary was celebrated.

 

That's also stated as such in the 1981 Ford "Light Truck Shop Manual - Engine" page 21-22-1:

"The 5.8L (351 CID) M V-8 is available on some F-100 Canadian models, F-150-F350 and Bronco 49 states and Canadian models, ... " - for whatever that's worth.

I hope I didn't barge my way into the thread but I needed my first post somewhere!

I'm almost embarrassed to register here. You guys all have some nice vehicles/projects and I only have a recently purchased '81 F100 (302 w/ AOD) that was used, abused and misused and will probably continue to be so. First thing I bought for it was a seemingly complete set of '81 Ford shop manuals on EBay for 60 bucks as much of this truck has been a bit butchered up.

But I have enjoyed browsing thru this great forum!

 

LOL!!! Man, I was in the same situation as you! I bought a POS 1981 F350 almost 3
years ago, one of the first things I got was those shop manuals (though I sometimes wish
I had also gotten the Emissions one) and I have to say those things are marvelous! I was
also hesitant to post here (especially pics) but I eventually got over it (and I have a few
pics in my gallery if you wanna compare your POS to mine). I spend a lot of time in the
junkyards looking at trucks that are already taken apart, I can get an idea of what I'll be
getting myself into if I decide to tackle one or another component....

-chris
colorado, usa

 

Get some pics up on the show us yours thread.

 

Let's see... a tailgate that wouldn't unlatch, driver window held up by a wired in (hanger) axe handle, an occasional trace of driver door weatherstripping here & there, an AOD so out of adjustment it only ran 2 gears - neither forcible, rear brakes installed backwards w/ leaky w/cylinders and seized adjusters on the wrong sides, enough front end slop that it reminded me of going down a snow hill in a trashcan cover, and on and on. But all that's been addressed and I now can haul a yard or two of dirt w/out fear.

None of that hints at the destroyed interior, *******ized carb or front hub bearing nuts secured with finishing nails...

Emissions? That was 'removed' long, long ago from the looks of things.

But I will say this - it's a tough truck that now starts right up and has brought home a LOT of dirt for me! It's actually starting to grow on me, even if it is only a 2WD with a short bed. I wanted bigger but there this was when I needed one.

Sorry for the light hijack...

 

Well, sir, you are in fact wrong. Might I politely correct you in a sec...

J1MMY what is your VIN? Check the passenger door frame (ie, the yanks drives side), rear vertical edge.

It's important to know where your truck is from as not all trucks were US built and therefore conform to US specs. For example, my truck is an F100, American chassis, panels, etc but Australian assembled.

Ask a North American, guys like NumberDummy here, and they'll say no F100 ever came out with a factory 351 but I have such a vehicle. In fact, it's not just any 351, it's an Australian 351 Cleveland because we were punching them out long after the Americans decided the M blocks and wheezers were a better bit of kit. Some '83s even copped the NASCAR spec blocks we produced but that's a long story for another thread...

I too have the 5x5.5" stud pattern, and F150 frame, suspension etc because that's how the F100 were assembled here - we didn't even have an F150 until the F100 was made obsolete. Being RHD drive, the local cars used Falcon parts like the steering column and some other bits for local compliance.

I can't think of anywhere else these trucks were assembled except perhaps Brazil? Is it possible someone sent an Aussie F100 to the UK?

 

Oh, found your VIN thread, so perhaps not an imported Aussie truck but sure sounds like you have a mongrel!