Numbers Can Be Fun! (ugh..)

okay, here's what I have so far.... 9K48F103383
9= he's a 69.......K=built in Kansas City.......48=series "Ford Ranchero 500 2-door truck"......
F= engine 302-2V-V8........103383=sequential serial, his ticket number on the assembly line......

Door Plate----------(all I can see, anyway)

66B I 5A 23H 71 (either nonexistent or covered in paint)

66B=body code.....I=color code(medium lime metallic).....5A=trim code(black cloth or black vinyl).......
......23H=date code(August 23)........71=district code(Los Angeles)
(rear axle code and transmission code i got no idea)........................whew......

 

Another possible nugget of history might be under the seat. Don't know about '69, but my '70 500 has a "line sheet" tucked under the seat between the springs and cushion. Might be worth a look.

 

I'm not sure my seat is original, but I will look, thanks Jeff.

 

The broadcast sheet will have the VIN for you to verify.

 

The trans and axle codes--are they not readable? Or were you not able to find their meanings? If you can read them, post them up and I'll look them up in my Motor manual.

 

Thanks, Andy. I cannot see the last characters, it almost looks as if they are not even there. Let me see if I can show you....stand by...

 

Theres nothing after the 71. I know the photo stops there, but believe me... There is nada. Zip. Zilch. Zero.

 

I'll take more pics next time Im out there, but yeah its weird. Maybe I just can't see em. I should just get a Marti.

 

Oh, yeah, I forgot, it's a metal tag.

 

Im fairly sure its a C4 tranny,but the axle one, no clue.

 

Actually, I'm wrong. The tag shows DSO, then axle, then trans. I have a '64 1/2 to '73 Mustang decoder book from California Mustang in La Puente, and the cover shows all three door tag types. Yours is type 2.

 

right...dso is the 71 which is LA....

 

7=3.10 axle 1=manual 3 spd as born.Has that column been changed?Looks different color.

 

No, the fields are as follows: body/color/trim/date/DSO/axle/trans so the '71' there IS the DSO number.

 

Is Cochise manual or auto?

 

My oops,just looked at last 2 numbers.Pic doesnt show full ID plate.

 

He's automatic.

 

Since the engine's a 302, the trans will either be a C4 (code W) or an FMX (code X). If you put carb cleaner on a rag and carefully rub the plate, that should remove enough paint to reveal the last 2 letters.

 

okay, I will definitely be doing that when i go out there. I'm thinking I'll probably see the W. Didn't they make C4 and C6?

 

They may have put a C6 behind a Windsor on a Ranchero, but I am not aware of it.
Then, again, with Ford, never say never.