What did I just buy ?

TobbyT

TobbyT

Member
I believe I need some professional help. In more ways than one !! I purchased what I believed was a 1948 F-2 or F-3 truck. I have found most of the serial numbers and believe I have most of them decoded. But this Frame number is giving me fits. I've looked for 3 days and now I give up. I hope some one out there can help.

Here is what I've found so far...

Cab ID Plate Serial # 87HC*102xxx = 1948, 1/2 ton, 6Cyl

Cab Firewall # 2MP3F144 = Red, Memphis, 3 June, number 144

Engine # 7HA6015 B 7 = 6 Cyl, 90 HP

Rear End Tag # 7.34 = 4.86:1 Gear Rato

Please feel free to correct anything I'v gotten wrong.

I looked everywhere for the Frame Number. I found this number on the cross member, under the Radiator. I assume it's the Frame number. If so, can anyone tell me what it says about this truck.
7RC 5020
 
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The 48 and later F-1 series pickups had the frame # on top of the right frame rail near the front crossmember if that helps. I would think the bigger trucks would have it in the same place.
 
Thanks TJ for the reply. I went out and looked in your location and didn't find anything there. I did find a number on the Frame Brace for the Driver side Motor Mount. That number is 21C 5087B
 
If the numbers look stamped by a machine they are probably part numbers of the frame parts. The actual chassis number ought to appear hand stamped.

I'm not that well up on these trucks but shouldn't the frame number match the number on the cab ID plate?

Do these trucks even have a chassis number? I'm more familiar with the earlier stuff.

Mart.
 
Thanks Mart. I was able to decode the Cab's serial number and found out that I purchased was an F-1 Cab bolted to a heavy duty frame. I'd like to find out what year the frame was made. Both numbers are stamped very nicely. I assumed they are stamped by a machine.
 
just went out and looked at three F3/F4's and all three the numbers are stamped on the pass side frame rail on top usually around the front crossmember they are not stamped very deep so a wire brush helps to read them
 
TobbyT: You are correct-you (and I) are in dire need of professional help! Hope all is well with Ms. Chicken and that the upcoming rains don't wash you away (if they do, come on over to the 'Grove ..... Nice and dry up here on the hill!!
To answer your specific question: the serial number for my '47 PU was located on the left front frame rail, about a foot from the cowl/firewall. It was obviously hand-stamped and I never did find any other numbers on the frame. If there was a specific "frame number" I was blissfully unaware! Hope this helps!
 
Thanks Alan for the info. I'll dig a little deeper on the passenger side frame rail.

Hi Marcus !! Long time no see... Miss Chicken is doing well and yes it is very wet down here in the swamp. With more rain on the way, please keep a light on for me. Dad and I bought this new truck and it needs a lot of work. Maybe it will keep him busy for awhile. On this truck, The battery is located on the Left (Driver's side) frame rail about a foot from the firewall. That area has heavy pitting on it. The serial number is lost for ever if it was there.
 
The serial number is on the passenger side frame rail between the radiator and the engine (as alan also stated). Careful with the abrasive action - a scotch brite pad is best.
 
Thank you all for the help. I went out between thunderstorms and put a little more elbow grease on just the right spot. Out popped the Serial Number !!
 
Great! Did it match the number in the cab? Or is your theory that the cab was swapped correct??

Mart.
 
Mart, the serial numbers matched. Both were 87HC*102xxx. My understanding is that the "C" indicated a 1/2 ton truck. But its a 121 inch wheelbase with 8 lug wheels. I'm confused...
 
The F2 will have a "D" in the number prefix and the F3 will have a "Y" in the prefix where the F1 has the "C". The F2 & F3 have the longer beds to correspond with the longer frame and both have the Timken/Detroit rear axle with the 8 lug hubs. The top shift 4-speed T8 or T9 transmission was used.

It's not uncommon to have a cab change on these old trucks. They like to rust and it's a common way to fix a real rusty one since all the conventional cabs are the same between the three types.
 
rotorwrench, F2s didn't use the D code until serial number 110,000. His is 102K so it should have been Y code. He found the F3 logo on the cab since he posted this so he should be all set.
Tim
 
I'm not surprised on an early 1948 model. I always hesitate to even mention 3/4-ton and 1-ton since they really didn't use those figures yet. Ford Dearborn just used a sequential number system to designate the model. The weight range and factory code stuff was all listed in the sales literature and parts manuals. There really wasn't a lot of difference between the F2 & F3 models anyway.

Ford of Canada just used the abbreviated weight range as the model number for their Ford and Mercury production. Canada caught back up in 1951 with F1 & M1 trucks etc.
 
I have a bunch of 46 and 47's and all their frame numbers are on the driver side. I hear the pass cars had serial numbers in a couple other places also , but these tonner frames only between the firewall and the radiator. Hand stamped for sure. If it was a six cyl truck option the battery is on the driver side, hence the heavy pitting on that side of frame. But let's face it... Heavy pitting on a 70 plus year old truck frame is pretty much the norm..... with the exception of about 8 dry western states.
 
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