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1968 Ford F-series Pickup Data

Decoding the 1968 VIN data plate
 

Sample VIN data plate
The information contained on the data plate includes the vehicle identification number (VIN), wheelbase, exterior color, model type, body type, transmission type, rear axle, maximum gross vehicle weight in lbs., certified net horsepower, RPM and D.S.O. numbers.
   
The first three digits
identify the series:
Series Code
F-100 2WD F10
F-100 4WD F11
F-250 2WD F25
F-250 4WD F26
F-350 2WD F35
The fourth digit identifies
the engine:
Engine Code
240 cid, 6-cyl. A
300 cid, 6-cyl. (LD) B
390 cid, 8-cyl. H
360 cid, 8-cyl. Y

See Engine Specifications chart below

   
The fifth digit identifies the assembly plant:
Assembly Plant Code
Ontario, CAN C
Dallas, TX D
Mawah, NJ E
Lorain, OH H
Kansas City K
Michigan Truck L
Norfolk, VA N
Twin Cities, MN P
San Jose, CA R
Allen Park, MI (Pilot plant) S
Louisville, KY U
The remaining six digits are the consecutive unit numbers:
Aug. 1967 -  C00,000 thru C13,999
Sep. 1967 -  C14,000 thru C27,999
Oct. 1967 -  C28,000 thru C41,999
Nov. 1967 -  C42,000 thru C55,999
Dec. 1967 -  C56,000 thru C69,999
Jan. 1968 -  C70,000 thru C83,999
Feb. 1968 -  C84,000 thru C97,999
Mar. 1968 -  C98,000 thru D11,999
Apr. 1968 -  D12,000 thru D25,999
May 1968 -  D26,000 thru D39,999
Jun. 1968 -  D40,000 thru D53,999
Jul. 1968 -  D54,000 thru D67,999
Aug. 1968 -  D68,000 thru D81,999

NOTE 1: The consecutive numbers for trucks were assigned just like Ford cars in the period, IE each assembly plant started with the same sequential number. Thus, the first truck in Kansas City production in 1968 would be assigned C00,000, as the first truck assigned to San Jose would also be C00,000. The unique serial number identifier would be the plant code.

NOTE 2: While researching these VIN pages, there have been many conflicting sets of numbers discovered. The numbers listed above are those listed in the 'Catalog of Ford Truck ID Numbers 1946-1972' and supported by the Oct. 1972 issue of Ford's technical bulletin 'Shop Tips' which also lists the same consecutive numbers. The 1975 Ford Master Parts Catalog shows the 1968 figures as C00,001 thru D82,000 (starting one unit earlier and ending one unit later). However, reportedly the figures in the shop manuals are off some because they were printed at the beginning of the production year run, and I've also heard from several truck owners who report higher unit numbers than those listed here...so the research will continue. Stay tuned!
 
The W.B. (Wheelbase) code indicates the wheelbase in inches:
115" is a short wheelbase truck, while a long wheelbase truck is 131".		 The Exterior color code indicates the paint color:
Color Code
Raven Black A
Pure White C
Sky View Blue E
Chrome Yellow G
Rangoon Red J
Holly Green L
Wimbledon White M
Lunar Green U
Meadowlark Yellow W
Pebble Beige 6
Harbor Blue 7
Prime 9

   
The Model code indicates the model type and the gross vehicle weight in lbs.
Model GVW
F-100 5,000
F101 4,200
F-102 (1) 5,000
F-103 4,500
F-104 4,800
F-110 (4x4) 5,600
F-111 (4x4) 5,000
F-112  (4x4)(1) 5,600
F-113 (4x4) 4,600
F-250 7,500
F-252 (1) 7,500
F-253 6,100
F-254 6,900
Model GVW
F-255 (1) 6,100
F-256 (1) 6,900
F-260 (4x4) 6,800
F-262 (4x4) 7,700
F-263 (4x4) 6,300
F-264 (4x4)(1) 7,700
F-350 10,000
F-351 8,000
F-352 (1) 8,000
F-353 6,600
F-354 8,300
F-355 9,000
(1) - Reference Pennsylvania registration data
 
The Body code indicates the key to the interior trim color and material used in the vehicle.
INTERIOR TRIM CODES

Color

 Vinyl Woven
Plastics		 Leather Code
Gray     1
Med. Blue     2
Med. Blue   23, B
Dk. Blue     24, B4, K4
Med. Beige     3
Med. Beige   33, C
Black     44, D4, M4
Black     4, M
Black   43, D
Red     54, E4, N4
Red     5
Red   53, E
Parchment     14, A4, J4
Parchment     J
Gray/Multicolor   A, 13
Med./Dk. Blue     K
Red/Dk. Red     N

BODY STYLE

  CODE
Conventional Cab 81
Cowl and chassis 84
Cowl and windshield 85


 
The Transmission code indicates the transmission installed in the vehicle

TYPE CODE
4-Speed (NP-435) A
3-speed overdrive B
3-speed Ford Light Duty C
3-speed Warner Medium Duty D
3-speed Warner Heavy Duty E
4-speed Syn. Warner F
Automatic G
4-speed Warner P
 
The Rear Axle code indicates the ratio of the rear axle installed in the vehicle
Ratio Code
4.11 - Ford 05
3.50 - Ford 08
3.70 - Ford 09
3.25 - Ford 17
4.88 - Dana 70 22
5.13 - Dana 70 23
4.10 - Dana 60 24
4.56 - Dana 60 25
4.88 - Dana 60 26
4.10 - Dana 70 27
4.56 - Dana 70 28
5.29 - Rockwell C-100 30
6.20 - Rockwell C-100 32
6.80 - Rockwell C-100 34
3.73 - Dana 70 36
3.54 - Dana 60 37
3.73 - Dana 60 38
5.83 - Rockwell D-100W 41
6.20 - Rockwell D-100N 42
Ratio Code
6.80 - Rockwell D-100N 44
3.73 - Dana 60 38
3.54 - Dana 44 *A8
4.10 - Dana 60 *B4
4.56 - Dana 60 *B5
3.31 - Dana 44-3 *C1
3.73 - Dana 44-3 *C2
4.09 - Dana 44-3 *C4
4.10 - Dana 60-2 *C5
3.54 - Dana 60 *C7
3.73 - Dana 60 *C8
4.88 - Dana 70 *D2
3.73 - Dana 70 *D6
4.10 - Dana 70 *D7
4.56 - Dana 70 *D8
4.10 - Dana 60-3 *E5
3.54 - Dana 60-3 *E9
.

* Locking

 
Front Axle Code

Capacity

 Code
5,500  B
6,000  C
7,000  D
9,000  E
12,000  F
12,000  G
15,000  H
18,000  I
3,500  K
6,000 *L
*Heavy Duty Front Brakes

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 specified rpm.

 

The D.S.O. code:
Identifies the district which ordered the vehicle. If the vehicle is 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. (CLICK HERE to see an example of a 1969 Ford truck order form, with the invoice number which would have been included.)

  
District Code
Boston 11
New York 13
Newark 15
Philadelphia 16
Washington 17
Atlanta 21
Charlotte 22
Jacksonville 24
Richmond 25
Cincinnati 27
Louisville 28
Cleveland 32
Detroit 33
Indianapolis