Hi all. I recently purchased a 1953 (?) Mercury M105 grain truck that has yet to be delivered. I scoured the internet and can not find anywhere the VIN decoder to help me identify the truck, in particular the gvwr.
The serial number is: QH81H4834779.

If anyone can help it would be great. Id like ro restore this beauty to its original condition as it is very unique in that it has a hand crank gear driven hoist.

 

Welcome to FTE. Nice Mercury truck. It appears to be a 1948 - 1950 truck. The 105 refers to the gvw. 10500. There should be a plate on the inside of the glovebox door stating the gvw. There should be a plate attached to the fire wall centre near the top with the vin number. Once you get the truck you can post some pictures. Also your truck probably has the dreaded widow maker rims that you will have to replace as no one will service them anymore. There are a few options for replacing them, I'm sure someone will be along shortly to offer more information. Many helpful people here to answer any of your questions. , Doug.

 

Thank you Doug for your reply. I just posted the balance of the VIN. I am surprised if it is that old, the owner says he thinks its a 52 or 53. The VIN tells the truth though! The fellow I bought it from is in his 80's so he could be mistaken or forgets. The rims could be an issue for sure. Thats why I am here to learn as much as I can about the old girl.

 

 

The 48 in the vin would indicate the year. I don't know what the rest of the vin refers to. The grill is in good condition. Doesn't appear to have any dents. Also it's good you have all the Mercury badging and stainless trim. That's the hardest stuff to find as there are no reproductions. That hoist set up looks interesting, I've never seen anything like that before. Not too many people work on the bigger trucks. Im working on a 1951 M5 ,similar in size as your truck. I just put new tires on it last weekend. Go into your settings and add your location so people know where you are from. It will appear in the top right corner of your posts.
Here is a picture of mine.

 

1948? Wow the previous owner and I aren't even close. It is good to see you are working on an M5. I will likely not tear things down to the frame like you have. I have to get it running first. I like you, like the bigger trucks as I grew up on a farm in Manitoba. Ye the previous owner said the hand crank hoist is rare and he knows of only one other in the US. I will take more photos of this and post here. Thanks again.

 

 

I just got thus truck on the road in the spring. 1948 F68.

 

she's a beauty nice patina.

 

Nice truck! I believe that would be the equivalent of an F4 in the US. The hand crank hoist is interesting. They were common in the teens and 20s, it may be from an older truck.
Mark

 

Thanks Mark in Arkansas!

 

This old thread will clear up your VIN questions.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...fo-thread.html

Your wheels are no doubt widow makers, assuming they are 18". Below is a cross section of the Firestone RH-5°. Stu

 

Thanks Stu I will be looking for this on the rims right away. The VIN decoder link is excellent however I am not sure if I am reading it right:

VIN: QH81H4834779
Q - Mercury
H - Assembly Branch Windsor
81 - Chassis and Cab
H - Wheelbase 134"
48 - Year 1948
3 - ???
4779 - Number off Assembly Line

How am I doing?

 

I'm not the one to say, but wouldn't the unique truck number be 34779? Stu