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1969 Ford F-series Pickup Data

Decoding the 1969 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
302 cid, 8-cyl.  G*
390 cid, 8-cyl. H
360 cid, 8-cyl. Y

*The 302 was a mid-year addition in 1969.
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:
Sep. 1968 -  D96,000 thru E09,999
Oct. 1968 -  E10,000 thru E23,999
Nov. 1968 -  E24,000 thru E37,999
Dec. 1968 -  E38,000 thru E51,999
Jan. 1969 -  E52,000 thru E65,999
Feb. 1969 -  E66,000 thru E79,999
Mar. 1969 -  E80,000 thru E93,999
Apr. 1969 -  E94,000 thru F07,999
May 1969 -  F08,000 thru F21,999
Jun. 1969 -  F22,000 thru F35,999
Jul. 1969 -  F36,000 thru F49,999
Aug. 1969 -  F50,000 thru F63,999

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 1969 would be assigned D96,000, as the first truck assigned to San Jose would also be D96,000. 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 1969 Ford factory repair manual. However, the Oct. 1972 issue of Ford's technical bulletin 'Shop Tips' lists the consecutive numbers for 1969 as D82,000 thru G29,999 and the 1975 Ford Master Parts Catalog shows D82,001 thru G30,000. In addition, reportedly the figures in the shop manuals are off some because they were printed at the beginning of the production year run. I've also heard from several truck owners who report higher unit numbers than either set listed here. For example, I've received several e-mails from '69 truck owners with larger consecutive unit numbers, one with 'F91709' and another one with 'F94511', 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
Royal Maroon B
Pure White C
Sky View Blue E
Arcadian Blue F
Chrome Yellow G
Cordova H
Empire K
Holly Green L
Wimbledon White M
Norway Green N
Boxwood Green Metallic P
Brittany Blue Q
Diamond Green R
Candyapple Red T
Lunar Green U
Marlin Blue X
Reef Aqua Y
Light Ivy Yellow 2
Pebble Beige 6
Harbor Blue 7
Prime 9

Click the thumbnail to view a full-size Martin Senour paint chip sample sheet.
 
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 8,000
F-351 10,000
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: The first two digits represents the interior trim scheme. The ending two digits are the body type:
INTERIOR TRIM CODES

Color

 Vinyl Woven
Plastics		 Code
Lt. Blue . B4
Lt. Blue 2, 23, B
Dk. Blue . K, K4
Parchment . C4
Lt. Parchment . L, L4
Lt. Parchment 33, C
Lt. Parchment w/ black 3
Black . D4, M4, M
Black 4, 43, E
Red 5, 53, E
Dk. Red . N

BODY STYLE

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

 
The Transmission code indicates the transmission installed on the vehicle:


1969 F-Series Chassis & Cab
TYPE CODE
4-Speed new process 435 A
3-speed overdrive T-85 B
3-speed Ford Light Duty C
3-speed Warner Medium Duty T89F D
3-speed Warner Heavy Duty T87G E
4-speed Syn. Warner T-18 F
Automatic G
 
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
4.10 - Dana 60 24
4.56 - Dana 60 25
4.10 - Dana 70 27
4.56 - Dana 70 28
3.73 - Dana 70 36
3.54 - Dana 60 37
3.73 - Dana 60 38
3.25 - Ford *A1
Ratio Code
3.70 - Ford *A2
4.11 - Ford *A5
4.10 - Dana 60 *B4
4.56 - Dana 60 *B5
3.50 - Ford *B9
3.54 - Dana 60 *C7
3.73 - Dana 60 *C8
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
2,500 (limited slip) J
3,500 K

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 34
Lansing 35
Buffalo 37
Pittsburgh 38
Chicago 41
Milwaukee 43
Twin Cities 44
District Code
Davenport 45
Denver 51
Kansas City 53
Omaha 54
St. Louis 55
Dallas 61
Houston 62
Memphis 63
New Orleans 64
Oklahoma City 65
Los Angeles 71
San Jose 72
Salt Lake City 73