Serial Numbers

[Paul Heise]

Hello all, I found a census number on the side of my doors ( 42 F15a ).* I also don't have a serial number on the frame or on the gear box (must be a rebuilt?).* Can anyone tell me the relationship between the census number and the serial number, if any, and if they could be the same.* The number that I found was 55-XXX, only a five diget number.With all that in mind, does anyone know where I can get a set (x3) data plates, new or used? or someone that makes them for a Ford.

[Jim Price]

Can somebody give me some information on this number found on the front cross member of my F 8, O1T (first line) 5020 (second line)? See picture.

Thanks!
Jim

[rob love]

The 01T5020 is a Ford part number for a cross member. The first part of the number, 01, is a code which will tell you the year the part is introduced. The T will be for truck. The second part of the number (5020) is the Ford group number for a #1 crossmember. My manuals give a newer number than this, so possibly there was a production change.

Ford part numbers system did not change since the mid 30s, and was still using this basic system when I was dealing with commercial Fords in the late 90s. One must note that on most newer Ford parts, the number, while looking very much like these part numbers, may only be an engineering number,and require that the proper part number be looked up in the catalogs.


Paul: There is no correlation between the serial number, the earlier DND number (ie: 42-1-101), and the later style numbering system (55-123). The change occurred somewhere late in 42/early 43, and trucks numbered under the old system were re-numbered into the new system.

By what little research I did at the Shilo museum years back, it would seem the earlier numbers were applied to whatever vehicles were in an area. I found records of many trucks and staff cars which were within a few digits of my DND number, and they were of entirely different vehicle types.

For the cab 13 F15cwts, the serial number was usually on the rear left frame near the spring hanger. But there seems to be a period in late 42 where they weren't doing this yet, I have only seen 1943 trucks done this way.

[Mike K]

Jim

The part numbers are civilian Ford standard codes relating to the Ford model code for each chassis ... e.g. 1 ton or 3 ton or whatever.

I know that the 01Y prefix = 1940 1 ton chassis 122" w.b.

I think 01T = the 3 ton model .

They may have used the front crossmember from the civilian 3 ton model on the F8.. maybe you can find a 1940 or 41 3 ton truck and compare the crossmembers .
Mike

[Jim Price]

Thanks, Rob and Mike!
Am I to assume that my F 8 is more than likely a 1940 "model"?

Regards,
Jim

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Jim Price

Thanks, Rob and Mike!
Am I to assume that my F8 is more than likely a 1940 "model"?

Regards,
Jim

Well, they may have used 1940 civilian parts in it here and there. I am not that sure on F8's, having never seen one. We got the superior version out here ! Even then , they were tainted with Ford parts in the cab area.