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I have a trailer built from a Ford pickup. I believe it is at least from the 80s. Is there an easy way to ID the year, etc? I have posted a picture but I was wondering if there's any numbers, a plate, etc that I might find to help ID it? I'm going to be turning it into a more useful trailer and if I need any parts, etc. I think it would be helpful to know this info.
If the axle tag is still on the front under a nut, that might shed some light. There may also be a VERY light stamping in the top of the frame rail forward of the rear axle with the SN.
But the more pics you post, the more likely someone can help.
Ok, I took a few more pics and I couldn't find the tag under the nut you referenced. Also, I did a cursory search for the sn, but didn't see it. I will look further. Here's some other pics that might be helpful.
It never ceases to amaze me how you guys can look at a detail like that and call the era. I suppose that serial number will go a long way to dialing that year in.?.
It never ceases to amaze me how you guys can look at a detail like that and call the era. I suppose that serial number will go a long way to dialing that year in.?.
if its stamped on the frame then yes, seeing how its a ladder frame im gonna say its from the mid-late 60s
The 9" was used until 1986 on 1/2-ton trucks. But the overload springs on that make me wonder. Post pics of the lug nuts, and the front of the diff. The tag is the same size & shape as the white one at the top of this rear cover:
"Cursory" isn't gonna get you anywhere on a frame that dirty & rusty. Even on one that still looks smooth, it takes some time with an angle grinder & knotted cup brush to even find the SN - much less, read it.
The SN has the potential to be helpful, but it's not a Rosetta Stone. ID numbers were not standardized before 1981 into the VIN we use today, and even one from the 80s takes some effort to look up & understand. This shows the locations on an early Bronco frame:
Steve, Thanks for the tips. I will go get those pics shortly. Due to you comments about non-standardization, would you advise looking in a precise area for this serial number? If so, can you describe where?
Ok, that was a fruitful errand. As I was taking the picture of the front of the diff, I spied the wadded up tag under the nut. It was very rusty, but I removed it, flattened it out and wire-wheeled it back to shiny. The number and letters are as follow:
Top line: WDM CJ 9GB
Bottom Line: 2 75 9? 356A
Where I placed the ? on the bottom line, it looks like there's a letter there, but I can't be sure. It may be a an A or a 4 or just a distortion in the metal. Here's the pictures.
Frame identification
