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1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

Numbers help

Old Jul 6, 2010 | 07:31 PM
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Numbers help

Newbie here. Looking at a 48 F-6 I think I will bring home this month. I wanted to know what can be told from the v.i.n. etc if anything. These numbers were on the glove box and firewall. nothing around the doors was found. Here is what I have from the owner.

Tag on glove box door engine no. 120992 Series F 6 and tag on firewall under hood Vehicle no. 88rth 120992 Branch HP ------------ Vin no on title is 88RT120992 Couldn't find anything else.

I collect fire trucks. My first one is my name. This truck was at one time a fire truck but now has a bed on it. It will become a "Hose Wagon" "Chief's car" if I get it. Hose wagon if I drive it, Chief's car if wife drives it, but I won't go any farther down that path.

If it was newer I know you can tell the rear end, tranny, color and all but I don't know if you can tell anything from what I have. Any information would be helpful. Thanks
 
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Old Jul 6, 2010 | 07:38 PM
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Welcome to the forum! There's not a lot of info in those old serial numbers. The 88 shows it's a 1948 model year, R is the 239 flathead V-8, T I believe is the series identification, and the rest is your consecutive unit number.
 
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Old Jul 6, 2010 | 07:49 PM
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Thanks, I figured it didn't show much. The motor is now a 57 292 y block they think. I think the tranny is changed as I don't think he double clutched it when I saw him drive it. I'll drive it next week and then I'll know. It has a disconnected two speed I'll need to hook up again and wheels that need changed. Plus a list a mile long of what if's and wants. It is in good shape for the most part. I want to make it a daily crusier.
 
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Old Jul 6, 2010 | 08:17 PM
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Welcome to FTE! TH is the identifier for F6/two ton, and as Wayne said for the rest. HP is the assembly plant: Highland Park, Michigan. I have a couple F6's myself. You'd be right in changing the wheels out for something safer than the widowmakers that came stock on these trucks.
 
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Old Jul 6, 2010 | 08:54 PM
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Here's some stuff

8 - 1948
8R - 239 ci V8
T - trucks 1 ton and larger

Havi got the TH and HP for you. You won't find anything on the doors on these early F series trucks.

Check the firewall/cowl area for an assembly code stamped into the body metal. Something like "7 HP 20J 359" - find this and I can tell you more.

I know from collecting serial numbers with Carl, the truck came from Missouri at one point.

If it has a 1 spd rearend you had ratios of 7.2, 6.2 and 6.8
If it has a 2 spd rear you had ratios of 5.83/8.11 OR 6.33/8.81

Transmissions were either the 4 spd crash box or the optional 4 spd synchro for the F6's.
 
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Old Jul 7, 2010 | 08:33 AM
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Thanks for the info. It started out as a fire truck. I think it was made by Boyer based on the serial number. If so, it originally went to the Indiana State Farm. No idea where after that. It now is a hose wagon. Its 250 miles from me. I will check for the stamp on the cowling. My wife and I are going down to see it weekend after next. We plan on deciding then if it will follow us home or not. I can always say I didn't know it was on the trailer when I left.
 
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