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HOW TO DECODE YOUR 1965-1966 VIN / WARRANTY TAG
The following tutorial pertains all US-built 1965-1966 Ford F100, F250 and F350 trucks. 
 


 

From the factory, the warranty tag was located on the outer face of the driver's door. The information on the warranty tag includes the V.I.N. number, the wheelbase in inches, color, model type, body type, transmission type, rear axle, maximum gross vehicle weight in pounds, certified net horsepower and domestic special order (DSO) numbers (if applicable).

NOTE: The V.I.N. can also 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 ensure the V.I.N. stamped on the warranty tag matches the numbers on the frame

 

1965-1966 Warranty tag / Rating plate

FIRST ROW - THE V.I.N. (SERIAL NUMBER)

The first 3 digits of the V.I.N. (serial number) indicate the truck series:


TRUCK SERIES CODES
SERIES
CODE
YEAR DESCRIPTION G.V.W. CATALOGED
AS
F10 61/66 2 Wheel Drive see
Model
codes

for G.V.W.
F-100 - 4x2
F11 61/66 4 Wheel Drive F-100 - 4x4
F25 61/66 2 Wheel Drive F-250 - 4x2
F26 61/66 4 Wheel Drive F-250 - 4x4
F35 61/66   F350

SOURCE: 1964-1972 Ford Trucks Master Parts Catalog 1975 Final Edition



 

The fourth digit identifies the engine installed at the factory:


ENGINE CODES
CODE YEAR CYL. C.I.D. CARB. NET
H.P.
@
RPM
A 66 6 240 1V 150 4400
B 65/66 6 300 1V 150 3600
D 65 8 352 2V 208 4400
J 65 6 240 1V 150 4000
Y 66 8 352 2V 208 4400

SOURCE: 1964-1972 Ford Trucks Master Parts Catalog 1975 Final Edition



 

The fifth digit of the serial number indicates the plant at which the vehicle was assembled.


ASSEMBLY PLANT CODES
A Atlanta L Michigan Truck
C Ontario N Norfolk
D Dallas P St. Paul (Twin Cities)
E Mahwah R San Jose
G Chicago S Pilot Plant (Allan Plant)
H Lorain U Louisville
K Kansas City V Kentucky Truck

SOURCE: 1964-1972 Ford Trucks Master Parts Catalog 1975 Final Edition



 

The remaining six digits are the consecutive unit numbers:



Note: These are NOT production figures,
but blocks of serial numbers assigned
to each month.

1965
(580,001 THRU 732,000)
Aug 1964 580001 THRU 587999
Sep 1964 588000 THRU 599999
Oct 1964 600000 THRU 611999
Nov 1964 612000 THRU 623999
Dec 1964 624000 THRU 635999
Jan 1965 636000 THRU 647999
Feb 1965 648000 THRU 659999
Mar 1965 660000 THRU 671999
Apr 1965 672000 THRU 683999
May 1965 684000 THRU 695999
Jun 1965 696000 THRU 707999
Jul 1965 708000 THRU 719999
Aug 1965 720000 THRU 732000
1966
(732,001 THRU 914,000)
Aug 1965 732001 THRU 745999
Sep 1965 746000 THRU 759999
Oct 1965 760000 THRU 773999
Nov 1965 774000 THRU 787999
Dec 1965 788000 THRU 801999
Jan 1966 802000 THRU 815999
Feb 1966 816000 THRU 829999
Mar 1966 830000 THRU 843999
Apr 1966 844000 THRU 857999
May 1966 858000 THRU 871999
Jun 1966 872000 THRU 885999
Jul 1966 886000 THRU 899999
Aug 1966 900000 THRU 914,000
NOTE : 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 1967 would be assigned 580,001, as the first truck assigned to San Jose would also be 580,001. The unique serial number identifier would be the plant code (the letter preceding the six-digit consecutive unit number).

 

SECOND ROW


The W.B. (wheelbase) code indicates the wheelbase in inches:
- 115" is a short wheelbase (SWB) truck - F100
- 129" is a long wheelbase (LWB) truck - F100/F250
- 132" and 152" is an F350
- 147" is an F250 crewcab (1966)



 


 

 

SOURCES:
1965 Ford Truck Shop Manual
1966 Ford Truck Shop Manual
'64-'72 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog

The COLOR code indicates the exterior paint color:
CODE COLOR NAME
A Black (Raven Black)
B Turquoise (Caribbean Turquoise)
C White (Pure White)
F Light Blue (Arcadian Blue)
G Chrome Yellow
H Light Beige (Sahara Beige)
J Rangoon Red
K (1) Tan (1965)
L Dark Green (Holly Green)
M Wimbledon White
O Light Peacock (1965)
CODE COLOR NAME
P Palomino Metallic (Antique Bronze) (1965)
T (2) Sandshell Beige (1965)
V (1) Yellow (1965)
W Medium Blue (Marlin Blue)
Y (3) Medium Blue Metallic (Silver Blue) (1966)
3  (3) Light Blue
8 (3) Yellow
9 Primer
(1) Shown in the 1965 Ford Truck Shop Manual, but not included in the Master Parts Catalog.
(2) Shown in the Master Parts Catalog but not shown in the '65 or '66 Shop Manuals.
(3) Shown in the 1966 Ford Truck Shop Manual, but not included in the Master Parts Catalog.



 

The MODEL code indicates
the truck series and
the corresponding
G.V.W. rating


SOURCE: 1964-1972 Ford Trucks Master Parts Catalog 1975 Final Edition

MODEL CODES
CODE YEAR DESCRIPTION G.V.W. DESIGNATION
F100 61-66 2 Wheel Drive 5000 F-100 4x2
F101 64-66 2 Wheel Drive 4200 F-100 4x2
F102 64-66 2 Wheel Drive
(State of Pennsylvania)
5000 F-100 4x2
F110 63-66 4 Wheel Drive 5600 F-100 4x2
F111 64-65 4 Wheel Drive 4900 F-100 4x4
F112 63-66 4 Wheel Drive
(State of Pennsylvania)
5600 F-100 4x4
F250 64-66 2 Wheel Drive 7500 F250 4x2
F251 64-66 2 Wheel Drive 4800 F250 4x2
F260 64-66 4 Wheel Drive 6800 F250 4x4
F261 64-66 4 Wheel Drive 4900 F250 4x4
F262 64-66 4 Wheel Drive 7700 F250 4x4
F350 64-66 [Dual rear wheel] 10,000 F350
F351 64-66 [Single rear wheel] 8000 F350



 

The BODY code - The first one or two digits identifies the interior trim and the last two digits indicates the type of cab. Use the body type code in conjunction with the model code to determine the exact body type of the unit.


SOURCE: 1964-1972 Ford Trucks Master Parts Catalog 1975 Final Edition

NOTE:  '81' is a conventional cab. The 'A' and 'B' suffix shown below only appears in the MPC for parts ordering purposes, but the suffix does not actually appear on the warranty tag.  
"Conventional cab" refers to the F-series in general, as opposed to the C-series (tilt cab series), T-series (tandom axle series), B-series (school bus series) or P-series (parcel delivery series.>
 
BODY TYPE CODES
CODE YEAR DESCRIPTION
81A 61-66 standard cab
81B 61-66 Custom Cab
83 61-66 flareside pickup
84 61-66 cowl and chassis
85 61-66 cowl and windshield
99 64-66 styleside pickup
1965 INTERIOR TRIM CODES
CODE SERIES AND BODY TYPE DESCRIPTION
2, 02 F100-350 (81A) Medium blue crush vinyl and medium blue wicker pattern vinyl
3, 03 F100-350 (81A) Medium green crush vinyl and medium green wicker pattern vinyl
4, 04 F100-350 (81A) Light beige crush vinyl and light beige stitch pattern vinyl
5, 05 F100-350 (81A) Red crush vinyl and red wicker pattern vinyl
6, 06 F100-350 (81A) Black all vinyl
12 F100-350 (81B) Medium blue crush vinyl and medium blue latter pattern woven plastic
13 F100-350 (81B) Medium green crush vinyl and medium green ladder pattern woven plastic
14 F100-350 (81B) Light beige crush vinyl and medium beige ladder pattern woven plastic
15 F100-350 (81B) Red crush vinyl and red ladder pattern woven plastic
AB#1 F100-350 (81B) Medium blue crush vinyl and medium blue check stripe woven plastic
AB#2 F100-350 (81B) Medium blue crush vinyl and medium blue cody pattern woven plastic
AC#1 F100-350 (81B) Medium green crush vinyl and  medium green check stripe woven plastic
AD#1 F100-350 (81B) Light beige crush vinyl and light beige check stripe woven plastic
AD#2 F100-350 (81B) Light beige crush vinyl and medium beige cody pattern woven plastic
AE F100-350 (81B) Red crush vinyl and red cody pattern woven plastic
AK F100-350 (81A) Medium blue crush vinyl and medium blue cody pattern woven plastic
AL F100-350 (81A) Medium green crush vinyl and medium green cody pattern woven plastic
AM F100-350 (81A) Light beige crush vinyl and medium beige cody pattern woven plastic
AN F100-350 (81A) Red crush vinyl and red cody pattern woven plastic
A2 F100-350 (81B) Medium blue crush vinyl and medium blue rib vinyl
A4 F100-350 (81A) Light beige crush vinyl and light beige rib vinyl
B F100-350 (81B) Medium blue crush vinyl and medium blue ladder pattern woven plastic
C F100-350 (81B) Medium green  crush vinyl and medium green ladder pattern woven plastic
D F100-350 (81B) Light beige crush vinyl and medium beige ladder pattern woven plastic
D4 F100-350 (81A) Silver gray crush vinyl and light gray rib vinyl
E F100-350 (81B) Red crush vinyl and red ladder pattern woven plastic
F F100/350 81A, 81B Black all vinyl
F F100/250 (81B) w/bucket seats Red crinkle all vinyl
G F100/250 (81B) w/bucket seats Black crinkle all vinyl
H F100/250 (81B) w/bucket seats Palomino crinkle all vinyl
K F100/350 (81A) Medium blue crush vinyl and medium blue ladder pattern woven plastic
L F100/350 (81A) Medium green crush vinyl and medium green ladder pattern woven plastic
M F100/350 (81A) Light beige crush vinyl and medium beige ladder pattern woven plastic
N F100/350 (81A) Red crush vinyl and red ladder pattern woven plastic
   
1966 INTERIOR TRIM CODES
CODE SERIES AND BODY TYPE DESCRIPTION
B F100/350 (81B) Medium blue crush vinyl and medium blue cody pattern woven plastic
C F100/350 (81B) Medium green  crush vinyl and medium green cody pattern woven plastic
D F100/350 (81B) Medium beige crush vinyl and medium beige cody pattern woven plastic
E F100/350 (81B) Red crush vinyl and red cody pattern woven plastic
F F100/350 (81B) Black all vinyl
K F100/350 (81A) Medium blue crush vinyl and medium blue cody pattern woven plastic
L F100/350 (81A) Medium green crush vinyl and medium green cody pattern woven plastic
M F100/350 (81A) Medium beige crush vinyl and medium beige cody pattern woven plastic
N F100/350 (81A) Red crush vinyl and red cody pattern woven plastic
T F100/250 (81B) w/bucket seats Black crinkle vinyl and black rosette pattern vinyl
U F100/250 (81B) w/bucket seats Parchment crinkle vinyl and black rosette pattern vinyl
V F100/250 (81B) w/bucket seats Red crinkle vinyl and red rosette pattern vinyl
1T F100/250 (81B) w/bucket seats Black crinkle all vinyl
2 F100/350 (81A) Medium blue crush vinyl and medium blue wicker pattern vinyl
3 F100/350 (81A) Medium green crush vinyl and medium green wicker pattern vinyl
4 F100/350 (81A) Medium beige crush vinyl and medium beige wicker pattern vinyl
5 F100/350 (81A) Red crush vinyl and red wicker pattern vinyl
6 F100/350 (81A) Black all vinyl


The TRANS code indicates the transmission installed in the vehicle.
CODE YEAR SPEED DESCRIPTION MANUFACTURER
NAME MODEL
A (1) 61-65 3 Manual Light Duty Ford  
66 4 Synchronized Manual New Process 435
B 61-65 3 Overdrive Warner T85, T86
C 66 3 Manual Light Duty Ford  
D 61-66 3 Manual Medium Duty Warner T89C, E, F
F 61-66 4 Manual Warner T89A
G 62-66 3 Automatic Ford Cruise-o-matic
N 64-65 4 Synchronized Manual New Process 435

(1) SEE TRANS NOTE 1 at the bottom of the page!
SOURCE: 1964-1972 Ford Trucks Master Parts Catalog 1975 Final Edition

The AXLE codes listed here include rear axles (2WD) and front axles (4WD).


(1) Code K includes both F100 and F250 units with 3M or 3.5M front axles and regular or free-running hubs. Determine type of unit, size axle and type hubs before ordering parts.

1965 REAR AXLE CODES
CODE TYPE RATIO AND
CAPACITY
VENDOR
MODEL
A 4/W/D 3.92 (3M) Dana/Spicer 44.6F
B 4/W/D 4.56 (3M) Dana/Spicer 44.6F
D 4/W/D 4.56 (3.5M) Dana/Spicer 44-6HDF
A1 Locking 3.00 (2.7M) Ford (WDF-D, H)
A4 Locking 3.50 (2.7M) Ford (WDF-C, G)
A5 Locking 4.11 (2.7M) Ford (WDF-A, E)
A6 Locking 4.57 (2.7M) Ford (WDF-B, F)
A8 Locking 3.54 (3.3M) Dana/Spicer 44
B4 Locking 4.10 (5.2M) Dana/Spicer 60
B5 Locking 4.56 (5.2M) Dana/Spicer 60
B6 Locking 4.88 (5.2M) Dana/Spicer 60
C1 Locking 3.31 (3.3M) Dana/Spicer 44
C2 Locking 4.10 (3.3M) Dana/Spicer 44
C4 Locking 4.09 (3.3M) Dana/Spicer 44
C5 Locking 4.10 (3.3M) Dana/Spicer 44
01   3.00 (2.3M) Ford (WCR-F, L)
02   3.20 (2.3M) Ford (WCC-K, L)
03   3.50 (2.3M) Ford (WCR-K)
04   3.50 (2.7M) Ford (WCR-K)
05   4.11 (2.7M) Ford (WCR-A, H)
06   4.57 (2.7M) Ford (WCR-B, J)
07   3.25 (3.3M) Ford (WDM-A)
08   3.50 (3.3M) Ford (WDM-B)
09   3.70 (3.3M) Ford (WDM-C)
10   4.11 (3.3M) Ford (WDM-A)
22   4.88 (7.4M) Dana/Spicer 70
23   5.13 (7.4M) Dana/Spicer 70
24   4.10 (5.2M) Dana/Spicer 60
29   5.87 (7.4M) Dana/Spicer 70
1966 REAR AXLE CODES
CODE TYPE RATIO AND
CAPACITY
VENDOR
MODEL
K (1) 4/W/D - F100 3.73 (3M)
3.54 (3M)
4.09 (3M)
Dana/Spicer 44.7F
K (1) 4/W/D - F100
Free running
3.73 (3M)
3.54 (3M)
4.09 (3M)
Dana/Spicer 44.7F
K (1) 4/W/D - F250 4.55 (3.5M) Dana/Spicer 44.6HDF
K (1) 4/W/D - F250 4.55 (3M) Dana/Spicer 44F
K (1) 4/W/D - F250
Free running
4.55 (3.5M) Dana/Spicer 44.6HDF
K (1) 4/W/D - F250
Free running
4.55 (3M) Dana/Spicer 44F
A1 Locking 3.25 (3.3M) Ford (WFE)
A2 Locking 3.70 (3.3M) Ford (WFE)
A7 Locking 3.00 (3.05M) Ford (WDF-M)
A8 Locking 3.54 (3.3M) Dana/Spicer 44, 44.3
A9 Locking 3.54 (3.3M) Dana/Spicer 60.2, 60.3
B1 Locking 3.50 (3.05M) Ford (WDF-L)
B2 Locking 4.11 (3.05M) Ford (WDF-J)
B3 Locking 4.57 (3.05M) Ford (WDF-K)
B4 Locking 4.10 (5.2M) Dana/Spicer 60
B5 Locking 4.56 (5.2M) Dana/Spicer 60
B6 Locking 4.88 (5.2M) Dana/Spicer 60
B9 Traction Lock (3.3M) Ford (WFE)
C1 Locking 3.31 (3.3M) Dana/Spicer 44, Dana 44.3
C2 Locking 3.73 (3.3M) Dana/Spicer 44, Dana 44.3
C4 Locking 4.09 (3.3M) Dana/Spicer 44, Dana 44.3
C5 Locking 4.10 (3.3M) Dana/Spicer 60.2, 60.3
C7 Locking 3.54 (5.2M) Dana/Spicer 60
C8 Locking 3.73 (5.2M) Dana/Spicer 60
D2 Locking 4.88 (7.4M) Dana/Spicer 70
D6 Locking 3.73 (7.4M) Dana/Spicer 70
D7 Locking 4.10 (7.4M) Dana/Spicer 70
D8 Locking 4.56 (7.4M) Dana/Spicer 70
E5 Locking 4.10 (3.6M) Dana/Spicer 60.3
E Locking 3.54 (3.6M) Dana/Spicer 60.3
01 - 3.50 (2.3M) Ford (WCC-M)
02 - 4.00 (2.3M) Ford (WCC-N)
05 - 4.11 (3.3M) Ford (WDM-L -V -Z -AB)
06 - 4.57 (3.3M) Ford (WEW-B)
07 - 3.00 (3.05M) Ford
08 - 3.50 (3.3M) Ford (WDM-J -W -T)
09 - 3.70 (3.3M) Ford (WDM-K -U)
10 - 3.25 (3.05M) Ford
11 - 3.50 (3.05M) Ford
12 - 4.11 (3.05) Ford (WCR-M)
13 - 4.57 (3.05M) Ford (WCR-N)
17 - 3.25 (3.3M) Ford (WDM-H -S)
22 - 4.88 (7.4M) Dana/Spicer 70
23 - 5.13 (7.4M) Dana/Spicer 70
24 - 4.10 (5.2M) Dana/Spicer 60
25 - 4.56 (5.2M) Dana/Spicer 60
26 - 4.83 (5.2M) Dana/Spicer 60
27 - 4.10 (7.4M) Dana/Spicer 70
28 - 4.56 (7.4M) Dana/Spicer 70
29 - 5.87 (7.4M) Dana/Spicer 70
36 - 3.73 (7.4M) Dana/Spicer 70
37 - 3.54 (5.2M) Dana/Spicer 60
38 - 3.73 (5.2M) Dana/Spicer 60

 

THIRD ROW
 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.

The D.S.O. code:

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.

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
District Code
Buffalo 37
Pittsburgh 38
Chicago 41
Fargo 42
Milwaukee 43
Twin Cities 44
Davenport 45
Denver 51
Des Moines 52
Kansas City 53
Omaha 54
St. Louis 55
Dallas 61
Houston 62
District Code
Memphis 63
New Orleans 64
Oklahoma City 65
Los Angeles 71
San Jose 72
Salt Lake City 73
Seattle 74
Phoenix 75
Ford of Canada 81
Government 83
Home Office Reserve * 84
American Red Cross 85
Transportation 89
Export 90's

* Typically cars purchased or leased by Ford employees

TRANS NOTE 1:

To everyone who uses the factory's '65-'72 Master Parts Catalog (MPC) Final Edition 1975 as a source for decoding warranty/data plates: there is a very misleading typographical error in the 'tutorial' at the beginning of the MPC (General Information - page 75) where it lists the transmission codes for light-duty trucks.

Code A has decoded to a L/D or M/D Ford 3spd from '61 thru '65. Then in '66, the code for the L/D and M/D 3spd changed to Code C and the NP435 became Code A. This is shown in other areas of the '65-'72 MPC....everywhere EXCEPT the 'tutorial' at the beginning of the MPC (General Information - page 75) where it gives you the transmission codes.  A simple typo there creates the impression that Code A is correct for BOTH the 3-spd AND the NP435...which obviously is impossible.

In Fig. 01 at right, this is from the 'tutorial' at the beginning of the MPC, you can see the blue arrow pointing to Code A for the 3-spd. Right below that in the green arrow, you can see the listing for NP435, where it states 64/ (which means 1964 and newer). The red arrow for Code C shows the REAL 3-spd listing.

Where the green arrow is pointing to the date for Code A, that SHOULD read 66/, NOT '64/! Then you would actually read this as Code A being for the 3spd up through '65 and then Code A became the NP435 in '66.

See in the description here it tells the viewer to go to Section 70 for more info? (Section 70 is the section for manual transmissions, A70 is for automatics.) When you go to Section 70 and scroll down to the listings for manual 3spds for 1966 (Section 70, page 19, shown in Fig. 02), you can see that they DO have things correct here. This image shows the Code C 3spds.


Now, when you proceed to the section for '66 4-spd applications (FIG. 03), you can see that Code A is indeed for the NP435.

So it's the quick tutorial at the front of the MPC's General Information section that is incorrect in the dates used for Code A. The other listings in the MPC show Code A correctly. The dates (FIG 04 circled in red) SHOULD read '66/ instead of '64/.


FIG. 01


Fig 02


FIG. 03


FIG. 04

 

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 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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