Identity Crisis
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Diboll, Tx.
Identity Crisis
Well it seems my '84 F150 is actually an '81 F something. When i bought the truck, i went by the date on the info tag on the core support. When i paid the truck off today and got the title, it said 1981 Ford PU. That explains the Custom badges on the fender and interior, but the engine electricals are '84. It has the TFI ignition and pre EFI "controls". The only thing hooked up to make it run is the TFI module, and it runs good. How do I tell on the chassis what year IT is? I only ask because '80-'83 had different brake rotors and front suspension parts. Any input would be helpful.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
The vin is stamped on the frame somewhere, but I cannot remember exactly it's location. On some trucks it's on top of the frame forward of the cab, on the passenger side. It's hard to see though, especially if they didn't stamp it very clearly.
I guess you have verified the title vin matches the windshield vin number?
I guess you have verified the title vin matches the windshield vin number?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
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From: Northern California
Well it seems my '84 F150 is actually an '81 F something. When i bought the truck, i went by the date on the info tag on the core support. When i paid the truck off today and got the title, it said 1981 Ford PU. That explains the Custom badges on the fender and interior, but the engine electricals are '84. It has the TFI ignition and pre EFI "controls". The only thing hooked up to make it run is the TFI module, and it runs good. How do I tell on the chassis what year IT is? I only ask because '80-'83 had different brake rotors and front suspension parts. Any input would be helpful.
What is the GVWR on the Safety certification lable? The year of the truck will also be posted on this lable. It's Located below the door striker on the B pillar, driver side.
Does it have a lot of round holes in the frame rails? 1980 and some early 1981's have swiss cheese frames. Later 1981 through 1986 had "normal" frames.
I can also decode the vin number.
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From: Diboll, Tx.
I found a tag under the hood, next to the drivers side hood hinge. What is it? I took a closer look at the vin tag at the windshield, and it looks like someone has messed with it. I went around the truck and scratched off paint in several locations. It all matched, a kinda metallic blueish gray color. Oh, also the according to the vin the truck was built in Kentucky, but it has a Canada transport sticker on the b pillar. I am thinking someone wrecked their truck, bought the '84 with no title and put the '81 vin on it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Northern California
1FTCF10E2BU
1FT= Complete Vehicle, Truck, USA.
C= 4,001 - 5,000 LBS
F10 = F-100 4x2 Regular Cab Pickup.
E = 300-I6 (4.9L) inline six engine
2 = Check digit
B = Year model 1981.
U = Plant of manufacture = Louisville
So it looks like you have a 1981 F-100.
1FT= Complete Vehicle, Truck, USA.
C= 4,001 - 5,000 LBS
F10 = F-100 4x2 Regular Cab Pickup.
E = 300-I6 (4.9L) inline six engine
2 = Check digit
B = Year model 1981.
U = Plant of manufacture = Louisville
So it looks like you have a 1981 F-100.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
I found a tag under the hood, next to the drivers side hood hinge. What is it? I took a closer look at the vin tag at the windshield, and it looks like someone has messed with it. I went around the truck and scratched off paint in several locations. It all matched, a kinda metallic blueish gray color. Oh, also the according to the vin the truck was built in Kentucky, but it has a Canada transport sticker on the b pillar. I am thinking someone wrecked their truck, bought the '84 with no title and put the '81 vin on it.
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 342
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From: Wiltshire, United Kingdom
All sounds familiar, I have bought two F trucks and both have identity crisis lol.
The first one I bought being told it was a '83 F100 with a V6 yet the cab VIN puts it as being a F150 302 4x4.
The one I have bought recently (the donor) as an '83 F150 302, it has a cab from an '81 Canadian built F350 chassis cab (unfinished vehicle) according to the VIN in the window, a retro fitted V8 onto what could well be a I6 frame, oddly F100 - like 4.5" hubs and today I removed the cab and since it was gone I looked for the frame stamp.
After a short while spent with a wire brush I found this....not a VIN but stamped numbers all the same. -
*F100RA18343. I have no idea WTF it means!
Who sent the bitsa trucks to the UK then? C'mon, own up
The first one I bought being told it was a '83 F100 with a V6 yet the cab VIN puts it as being a F150 302 4x4.
The one I have bought recently (the donor) as an '83 F150 302, it has a cab from an '81 Canadian built F350 chassis cab (unfinished vehicle) according to the VIN in the window, a retro fitted V8 onto what could well be a I6 frame, oddly F100 - like 4.5" hubs and today I removed the cab and since it was gone I looked for the frame stamp.
After a short while spent with a wire brush I found this....not a VIN but stamped numbers all the same. -
*F100RA18343. I have no idea WTF it means!
Who sent the bitsa trucks to the UK then? C'mon, own up
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 342
Likes: 5
From: Wiltshire, United Kingdom
What you would call the passenger side. Underneath where the cab would have been. I tried to see if I could see it while the cab was on using a mirror and a light but the stamping isn't very heavy, only found it after wire brushing the area.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
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From: Northern California
There is one stamped on the passenger frame rail, close to the radiator support, and another under the cab, between the mounts.
Both are stamped on top of the rail, and are not very accessable.
this is done on purpose.
Both are stamped on top of the rail, and are not very accessable.
this is done on purpose.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 342
Likes: 5
From: Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Thanks for the info!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
It's a parcial vin number or a vin from 1980.
There are charactors that are incorrect, recheck the number and post back.
the "A18343" should match the sequencial number of the actual vin in the windshield, or on the safety certifcation lable.
There are charactors that are incorrect, recheck the number and post back.
the "A18343" should match the sequencial number of the actual vin in the windshield, or on the safety certifcation lable.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 342
Likes: 5
From: Wiltshire, United Kingdom