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HOW TO DECODE YOUR 1961-1962 VIN / WARRANTY TAG

The following tutorial pertains only to US-built 1961-1962 Ford F100, F250 and F350 trucks. 

From the factory, the warranty tag was located on the back side of the glove box door. The information on the rating plate includes the VIN number, the wheelbase in inches, color, model type, transmission type, axle type, maximum gross vehicle weight in pounds, certified net horsepower and domestic special order (DSO) numbers (if applicable).

NOTE: In most cases, the V.I.N. can be found stamped in two places on the right-side frame rail. Scroll to the bottom of this page for more info. Be sure to check to make sure the V.I.N. stamped on the warranty tag matches the one on the frame.

1961 and 1962 warranty tags do not include a BODY code, so there is no way to determine if the truck is a Integral Bed (Uni-bed) or not, nor if it's a Standard or Custom Cab.




1961-1962 Warranty tag / Rating plate

FIRST LINE - SERIAL NUMBER
   


 		 SERIES CODES
The first three digits of the serial number indicate the truck series.
SERIES
CODE		 DESCRIPTION G.V.W.
RATING		 CATALOGED
AS -
F10 2 wheel drive (1) F100 - 4x2
F11 4 wheel drive (1) F100 - 4x4
F25 2 wheel drive (1) F250 - 4x2
F26 4 wheel drive (1) F250 - 4x4
F35 2 wheel drive (1) F350

(1) See Model Codes for more information
  SOURCE: 1957-1963 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog
   
   

ENGINE CODES
The fourth digit of the serial number indicated basic engine identification.
 
CODE YEAR CYL. C.I.D. CARB. TYPE NET
H.P.		 @
R.P.M.
A (1) 61 6 223 1V Economy 93 3200
62 6 223 1V Economy 93 3400
B 61 6 262 1V   132 3600
62 6 262 1V Heavy Duty 132 3600
C 61/62 8 292 2V Medium Duty 135 3800
D 61/62 8 292 4V Heavy Duty 153 3800
J 61/62 6 223 1V   114 3600
  SOURCE: 1957-1963 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog
(1) Export only - 1961, 1962 Ford Truck Shop Manual
   
   

ASSEMBLY PLANT CODE
The fifth digit of the serial number indicates the plant at which the vehicle was assembled.
 
CODE PLANT
A Atlanta
G Chicago
D Dallas
K Kansas City
H Lorain
U Louisville
CODE PLANT
E Mahwah
N Norfolk
S Pilot Plant
R San Jose
P Twin City (St. Paul)
  SOURCE: 1957-1963 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog
   
   

The remaining six digits are the consecutive unit numbers:


NOTE: These are NOT definitive production dates, but blocks of serial numbers assigned
to each month.

 CONSECUTIVE UNIT NUMBERS
1961 MODEL
(100,001 thru 205,000)
PRODUCTION
Month & Year		 SERIAL NUMBER
October 1960 1000001 thru 109,999
November 1960 110000 thru 119,999
December 1960 120000 thru 129,999
January 1961 130000 thru 139,999
February 1961 140000 thru 149,999
March 1961 150000 thru 159,999
April 1961 160000 thru 169,999
May 1961 170000 thru 179,999
June 1961 180000 thru 189,999
July 1961 190000 thru 199,999
August 1961 200000 thru 205,000

SOURCE: 1957-1963 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog
 
1962 MODEL
(205,001 thru 325,000)
PRODUCTION
Month & Year		 SERIAL NUMBER
August 1961 205001 thru 209999
September 1961 210000 thru 219999
October 1961 220000 thru 229999
November 1961 230000 thru 239999
December 1961 240000 thru 249999
January 1962 250000 thru 259999
February 1962 260000 thru 269999
March 1962 270000 thru 279999
April 1962 280000 thru 289999
May 1962 290000 thru 299999
June 1962 300000 thru 309999
July 1962 310000 thru 325000
August 1962 320000 thru 325000
   

The 1962 Shop Manual Supplement shows the following figures for the last few months of the1962 model year:
July 1962 310000 thru 319999
August 1962 320000 thru 329999
September 1962 330000 thru 339000

 

SECOND LINE
   

WHEELBASE (IN INCHES)

 
   
   
COLOR CODES (EXTERIOR PAINT)
The code under "COLOR" indicated the exterior paint color of the vehicle.
CODE YEAR NAME
A 60/64 Raven Black
B (1) 60/64 Caribbean Turquoise
C 63 Pure White
CODE YEAR NAME
J 62 Rangoon Red
L 62 Dark Green
M 61/62 Corinthian White
SOURCE: 1957-1963 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog

The following colors are shown in the 1962 Shop Manual but NOT shown in the  '57-'63 MPC:
CODE YEAR NAME
F 62 Baffin Blue
G 62 Chrome Yellow
T 62 Sandshell Beige
CODE YEAR NAME
S (2)

 61

 Light Green
Mint Green
V 62 Academy Blue
X 62 Goldenrod Yellow
(1) Code B is shown in the MPC as being used in '60-'64 trucks, but is not included in the 1962 Shop Manual
(2) Shown in the 1961 Ford Truck Shop Manual, but not included in the '57-'63 MPC.
   
   
MODEL CODES
The model code indicates the truck series and the corresponding G.V.W. rating.
MODEL
CODE		 YEAR DESCRIPTION G.V.W.
RATING		 CATALOGED
AS		 NOMINAL
(ton) (1)
F100 57/63 2 Wheel Drive 5000 F100 - 4x2 1/2
F101 60/63 2 Wheel Drive 4000 F100 - 4x2 1/2
F102 60/63 2 Wheel Drive 5000 F100 - 4x2 1/2
F110 63 4 Wheel Drive 5600 F100 - 4x4 1/2
F111 63 4 Wheel Drive 4000 F100 - 4x4 1/2
F112 63 4 Wheel Drive 5600 F100 - 4x4 1/2
F113 61/62 4 Wheel Drive 5600 F100 - 4x4 1/2
F114 61/62 4 Wheel Drive 4000 F100 - 4x4 1/2
F115 61/62 4 Wheel Drive 5600 F100 - 4x4 1/2
F250 57/63 2 Wheel Drive 7400 F250 - 4x2 3/4
F251 61/63 2 Wheel Drive 4900 F250 - 4x2 1/2
F260 63 2 Wheel Drive 6600 F250 - 4x4 3/4
F261 63 4 Wheel Drive 4900 F250 - 4x4 1/2
F262 61/62 4 Wheel Drive 6600 F250 - 4x4 3/4
63 4 Wheel Drive 7400 F250 - 4x4 3/4
F263 61/62 4 Wheel Drive 4900 F250 - 4x4 1/2
F264 61/62 4 Wheel Drive 7400 F250 - 4x4 3/4
F350 61/63 - 9800 F350 1
F351 61 - 7600 F350 3/4
62/63 - 7600 F350 3/4

SOURCES: 1957-1963 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog; 1961 Shop Manual; 1961 Shop Manual Supplement, 1962 Shop Manual Supplement,

(1) 1961 Ford Truck Shop Manual
   
 

 

TRANSMISSION CODES
On some larger trucks, this will be a two-digit code. The first digit indicates the type of auxiliary transmission, but is not applicable for F100 thru F350 trucks. The second (or only) digit is the main transmission code and indicates the type of main transmission.

CODE YEAR SPEED DESCRIPTION MANUFACTURER
NAME MODEL
A 61/62 3 Manual Light Duty Ford  
B 61/62 3 Overdrive Warner T85, T86
C 61 3 Automatic Ford Ford-o-matic
D 61/62 3 Manual Medium Duty Warner T89C, E, F
E '62 3 Manual Heavy Duty Warner T87E
F 61/62 4 Synchronized Warner T98A
G 61/62 3 Automatic Ford MX
SOURCE: 1957-1963 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog
   
   
REAR AXLE GEAR RATIO CODES
The first two digits of the axle code identifies the ratio and/or capacity of the rear axle.
CODE YEAR TYPE RATIO &
CAPACITY		 VENDOR
MODEL		 APPLICATIONS
11 61/62   3.70 (3.3M) Ford (WBG) F100 2WD & 4WD
12 61/62   3.89 (3.3M) Ford (WBG) F100 2WD & 4WD
13 61/62   4.11 (3.3M) Ford (WBG) F100 2WD & 4WD
22 61/62   4.88 (7.2M) Dana/Spicer 70 F350
23 61/62   5.13 (7.2M) Dana/Spicer 70 F350
24 61/62   4.56 (5M) Dana/Spicer 60 F250
26 61/62   4.88 (5M) Dana/Spicer 60 F250
A1 61/62 Locking 3.73 (3.3M) Dana/Spicer 44.1 F100 2WD & 4WD
A2 61/62 Locking 3.92 (3.3M) Dana/Spicer 44.1 F100 2WD & 4WD
A5 61/62 Locking 4.10 Dana/Spicer 44.1 F100 2WD & 4WD
B4 61/62 Locking 4.56 (5M) Dana/Spicer 60 F250
B6 61/62 Locking 4.88 (5M) Dana/Spicer 60 F250
SOURCES: 1957-1963 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog; 1961 Ford Truck Shop Manual
   
   

FRONT AXLE CODES
The third digit of the axle code identifies the ratio and/or capacity of the optional front axle.

CODE TYPE RATIO &
CAPACITY		 VENDOR MODEL
A 4/W/D (frt.)
4/W/D Free running (frt.)		 3.92 (3M) Dana/Spicer 446F
B 4/W/D (frt.)
4/W/D Free running (frt.)		 4.55 (3M) Dana/Spicer 446F
D 4/W/D (frt.)
4/W/D Free running (frt.)		 4.55 (3.5M) Dana/Spicer 446F
SOURCE: 1957-1963 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog
   

 

THIRD LINE



 The MAX. G.V.W. LBS. code indicates the maximum gross vehicle weight in pounds.
 The CERT. NET. H.P. code indicates the certified net horsepower at the specified rpm.

     

DISTRICT CODES

Identifies the district which ordered the vehicle. If the vehicle is specifically built on a D.S.O (Domestic Special Order), F.S.O. (Foreign Special Order) or L.S.O. (Limited Production Option), the complete order (invoice) number will also be reflected under the DSO space including the District Code Number. If the truck is a regular production unit, only the District Code will appear.

NOTE: Up through 1961, Ford only included the 4-digit special order number in the D.S.O. section of the plate. In 1962, the D.S.O. section began to also include the District Code Number in some cases. So, in the case of special orders, early '62 vehicles might only have the 4-digit Order Number or might have the full 6-digit code (2-digit District Code Number and the 4-digit Order Number).  Halfway through the '62 production year all special-order vehicles should have the full 6-digit code.
CODE DISTRICT
11 Boston
12 Buffalo
13 New York
14 Pittsburgh
15 Newark
16 Philadelphia
17 Washington
21 Atlanta
22 Charlotte
23 Philadelphia
24 Jacksonville
25 Richmond
26 Washington
27 Cincinnati
28 Louisville
31 Cincinnati
32 Cleveland
33 Detroit
CODE DISTRICT
34 Indianapolis
35 Lansing
36 Louisville
37 Buffalo
38 Pittsburgh
41 Chicago
42 Fargo
43 Milwaukee
44 Twin Cities
45 Davenport
46 Indianapolis
47 Cincinnati
51 Denver
52 Des Moines
53 Kansas City
54 Omaha
55 St. Louis
56 Davenport
CODE DISTRICT
61 Dallas
62 Houston
63 Memphis
64 New Orleans
65 Oklahoma City
71 Los Angeles
72 San Jose
73 Salt Lake City
74 Seattle
75 Phoenix
81 Ford of Canada
83 Government
84 Home Office Reserve
85 American Red Cross
86 Diplomatic Service Comm.
89 Transportation Service
90's Export
SOURCE: 1957-1963 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog

LOCATING YOUR V.I.N. STAMPINGS ON THE FRAME
In addition to the V.I.N. on the driver's door data plate, the number is also usually stamped on the frame in two different places, both on the topside of the right frame rail. The first one is in the engine compartment, just below the alternator on two-wheel-drive pickups or just behind the front axle on four-wheel-drive pickups.

The second number is stamped just under where the seat would be located. You'll likely need a flashlight and small mirror to read this one.

These frame stamps are usually hard to read, so be sure to grab a wire brush and some rags to clean the grime off. (NOTE: the picture at right is a '67 frame, but the stampings should be located in the same locations. There have also be isolated reports of a VIN found stamped in non-typical locations, such as on the left-side frame rail under the seat area.)


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