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1970 Ford F-series Pickup Data

Decoding the 1970 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

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
Kentucky Truck V
The remaining six digits are the consecutive unit numbers:
Aug. 1969 -   G30,000 thru G49,999
Sep. 1969 -  G50,000 thru G69,99
Oct. 1969 -  G70,000 thru G89,999
Nov. 1969 -  G90,000 thru H09,999
Dec. 1969 -  H10,000 thru H29,999
Jan. 1970 -  H30,000 thru H49,999
Feb. 1970 -  H50,000 thru H69,999
Mar. 1970 -  H70,000 thru H89,999
Apr. 1970 -  H90,000 thru J09,999
May 1970 -  J10,000 thru J29,999
Jun. 1970 -  J30,000 thru J49,999
Jul. 1970 -  J50,000 thru J69,999
Aug. 1970 -  J70,000 thru J89,999

CLICK HERE to view actual production figures.

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 1970 would be assigned G30,000, as the first truck assigned to San Jose would also be G30,000. 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. However, the 1975 Ford Master Parts Catalog shows G30,001 thru J70,000. 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 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
Royal Maroon B
Pure White C
Pinto Yellow D
Sky View Blue E
Mohave Tan F
Chrome Yellow G
Cactus Green H
Lime Metallic I
Red J
Wimbledon White M
Norway Green N
Boxwood Green P
Brittany Blue Metallic Q
Yucatan Gold R
Champagne Gold Metallic S
Candyapple Red T
Tampico Yellow W
Reef Aqua Y
Baja Beige Z
New Lime 2
Crystal Green 4
Diamond Blue 5
Acapulco Blue Metallic 6
Harbor Blue 7
Morning Gold 8

 
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 are the interior trim code (listed below). The third digit is the body style (listed in table at right). If only two characters are needed for the trim code, there will be a space between the first and third digits. In the example pictured here (click to enlarge), you can see the three-digit body code, where the second digit is blank. "D-4" would indicate a Sport Custom cab with styleside box.

BODY STYLE

  CODE
Parcel 0
Flareside Pickup 3
Styleside Pickup 4
Platform Stake 5
Windshield 6
Cowl 7
Chassis Cab 8
Platform 9
 INTERIOR TRIM CODES

Color

 Vinyl

Cloth

Code
Lt./Med. Blue . 2, 1B, 23
Lt./Med. Blue . B, K, GB, BB
Lt./Med. Blue . 7B, AB
Med. Blue S
Parchment . 3, 1U, AA
Parchment . C, L, GU
Parchment . BU, 7U, AU
Parchment T
Parchment . C4, L4, T4
Parchment . SU, EU, 9U
Black . 4, 1A, 4B
Black . 4C, DB, 4A
Black . 43, D, M
Black . GA, BA, 7A
Black U
Black . FA
Red/Dk. Red . 5, 1D, 53
 INTERIOR TRIM CODES
Color Vinyl Cloth Code
Red/Dk. Red .

E, N, GD
Red/Dk. Red . BD, 7D, AD
Dk. Red . V
Lt./Med. Ivy Green . 6, 1G, 63
Lt./Med. Ivy Green . F, O, GG
Lt./Med. Ivy Green . BG, 7G, AG
Lt./Med. Ivy Green . AU
Med. Ivy Green W
Black/Blue . 2B, 2C, BB
Black/Blue . 4A
Black/Parchment . 3B, 3C, CB
Black/Parchment . 4A
Black/Red . 5B, 5C, EB
Black/Red . 4A
Black/Ivy . 6B, 6C, FB
Black/Ivy . 4A
. . . .
 
The Transmission code indicates the transmission installed on the vehicle:

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
4-speed Warner T-19 P
 
The Rear Axle code: The first two digits represent the rear axle and the third represents the front axle, if applicable.
Front Axle Code

Capacity

 Code
2,500 (limited slip) J
3,500 K
REAR AXLE CODES
Ratio Lbs Code
4.11 - Ford 3,300 05
4.57 - Ford 3,330 06
3.50 - Ford 3,330 08
3.70 - Ford 3,330 09
3.25 - Ford 3,050 10
4.88 - Dana 70 7,400 22
4.10 - Dana 60 5,200 24
4.56 - Dana 60 5,200 25
4.10 - Dana 70 7,400 27
4.56 - Dana 70 7,400 28
3.73 - Dana 60 5,200 38
3.25 - Ford 3,330 *A1
3.70 - Ford 3,330 *A2
4.11 - Ford 2,780 *A3
REAR AXLE CODES
Ratio Lbs Code
4.11 - Ford 3,300 *A5
4.10 - Dana 60 5,200 *<