Mystery Warranty Number/Serial '69 F250

[spitfireal]

Hi All,

I originally posted this at FTE but this forum looks like the better place to be for this particular model.

I'm trying to help someone figure out a descrepancy between the serial number on his title vs. what is on his truck. It is a 1969 F250.

On the title is a full correct 1969 serial number - F25YRE18XXX.

On the door mounted Warranty plate is the following (see picture below): F2564318XXX.

Though I've X'd out the last three digits, they do match. Not my truck so I don't want to post the full serial without permission.

The serial number on the title decodes properly as an October of 1968 San Jose built 360 equipped F250. The DSO on the warranty tag is for LA.

The "643" on the warranty plate in place of the YRE makes no sense to me, but that appears to be what is there.

I thought at first that perhaps it was another year besides '69, but it appears that they should all have letters there.

Has anyone seen anything like this before??? I've searched the web with no luck.

Heaven't checked the frame stamping yet. Will be next if we can't figure out the warranty plate number.

The 3 as a tranny code is also a bit of a mystery.

Thanks,
Allan

[Ranchero50]

That's really odd. I wonder if it isn't a case of the punch card not being inserted in the stamping machine correctly? I wonder how the truck was ever titled correctly?

Jamie

[GSequoia]

I'd probably check the frame first to see which numbers that lines up to. It's always possible the door was replaced and the tag wasn't swapped, sorta like my '66 Mustang, I don't have the original warrantee plate for that

[spitfireal]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Regarding the possibilty of the door change, I don't think it has, but even if it was the "643" in the door tag serial number is not decodable by any of the resources I have checked.

I'm beginning to think this is some sort of factory mis-stamp (but three digits though???)

Allan

[papabug71]

Very interesting. Ford did mess up on some VIN tags, but not often from what I gather.

The frame stamp should be the tell-all.

[fordman]

the first thing i would do is to verify the frame numbers. then i would also take this into account. most aussie and some candian trucks had different ways of decodign than the american versions. but still none of this makes much since to me. from the picture you posted. this is something soemone with a book will have to do some checking on. there is also the fact that this warranty tag does show a dso number. and that can add to differences in what we normally could see in the numbers of such things as paint codes missing or other such items. one thing that has my curiosity is what transmission does the truck have now? what is the original color under the current paint? is this truck a 2wd? or 4wd frame? what siaze engine does it have in it? also look behind and under the seat springs for the plant order sheet. it may or may not have one still.

[Ranchero50]

See, that's the oddball. If the truck was ever sold and had to be inspected the title had to match the door and frame as part of the inspection process, but most folks don't know about the frame stamp.


BTW, FTE sucks.

[spitfireal]

Thanks agian for the replies,

It is a head scratcher. The truck has been through the ringer since new. I'm sure that sheet is long gone. At least three differnt colours but the original does look to be the Wimbledon White as per the tag. Original engine and tranny are long gone too, now a '87 5.0 litre with a five speed! It is a 2WD. I believe a 4WD would be F26 as the first three digits?

Our main concern is sorting this out to avoid any insurance or road side type inspection issues. As suggested, looks like confirming the frame number is the next move. Hopefully it isn't buried under the cab.

Allan

[390Nut]

Yep, it is buried under the cab, not exactly sure how far back but it should be somewhere in the middle, between the firewall and the front of the bed, on the passenger side framerail. A dental type mirror (an adjustable one is best) would do the trick, or steal your wife's/mother's mirror out of her purse.

[fordman]

i would look at both the front frame rail and under the cab. but i have never seen them under the cab. at least not yet anyway. but i have heard the numbers can be there instead.

[mk]

I've always been able to find it about six inches ahead of the engine crossmember on the RH rail. Got a couple of the '67 firewall buck tags that are mistakenly stamped differently than the corresponding door tags. Not real common but it happens; whoever stamped yours must have been having real problems...


mike

[rjewkes]

I wonder if they damaged the door at the assembly plant and replaced but had to make thier own tag because they forgot to get then one off the original door? I have been told that most states are concerned only with the title vin and the frame vin. and the only part on your warranty plate that doesn't match the title is the 643.