Frame VIN Decoding??

callmemarsh · Feb 1, 2018

So I located both VIN stamps, but I need help decoding it!

I'm using BroncOhio's VIN decoder and so far I have...

U15GLS:
U-100 Wagon
302
Michigan

S47140:
The 1973 tab goes up to S20000-39999
The 1974 tab starts with S60000-79999

What the heck? Am I missing something? Help!

callmemarsh · Feb 1, 2018

Also found this stamp on the bottom of the engine bay crossmember. Any idea what this is?

I think it says JCTA (or X) 5019

bronkenn · Feb 1, 2018

The stampings on the cross members and body mounts are part numbers for the individual parts that make up the frame. Even the frame rails have a part number on the front of rails.Ken

callmemarsh · Feb 1, 2018

bronkenn said:
The stampings on the cross members and body mounts are part numbers for the individual parts that make up the frame. Even the frame rails have a part number on the front of rails.Ken

That's kind of what I figured.

I'm confused about this VIN though. Is the VIN decoder just incomplete? Looks like it had to be built between July-August of 73, but I can't be sure!

Crush · Feb 1, 2018

looks like there is an extra "4" in your serial number.

your number is U15GLS471401
a typical # is U15GLS71401, which would be an august 73 build for the 74 model year. I would bet this is the number it is supposed to be. it is possible they added the "1" on the end but there is no decode for the U15GLS47140 number. there were alot of factory mistakes on these frame numbers attributed to friday or monday builds(LOL) but if the paperwork matches then leave it alone.

That being said, it would be a factory mistake and if the paperwork "title" you have matches the U15GLS471401 number then leave it alone and save yourself a bunch of hassles. Call it a 1974 built in AUG of 73 and drive on

Chuck

callmemarsh · Feb 1, 2018

Yeah, my buddy (the owner) is out at sea and I'm not sure where he put the title so I can't verify it matches yet.

I don't think the last number is a 1. Looks like a mark from a stamp based on the extra space. The rear frame stamp doesn't have a 1 at the end.

Either way, I think you're right, probably a M/F mistake. I'm pretty sure the title says 73 because that's the description he gave me when he bought it.

I wonder what the actual mistake is. Gonna run over to the storage unit and look at the VIN plate in the dash. I hope it's there!

Crawdad · Feb 1, 2018

Nice VINs!!!! Yes do chk the glovebox door. I don’t think that is a “1” on the end either. I will admit that DMVs have made mistakes about inputting numbers and letters in their system. They did that to me with my old 76. I didn’t find out till I lost out on selling it bc the stamped vin didn’t match the title. I had to physically show them the stamped vin and they had to do research on it which only took a few minutes. They made a clerical mistake back in 1991 and fixed the issue for me albeit too late. But once I got all the records in order it didn’t take long to sell it. I made sure potential buyers were buying a 76 whose frame matched its title.

Crush · Feb 1, 2018

yep just a mark. wonder what the 4 is then

bronkenn · Feb 2, 2018

The person doing the stamping probably put in wrong number. Back in late 70's My job was stamping front axles on GM trucks. Had a box of stamps and a 2 pound hammer and had to take one stamp out at a time and stamp numbers. A few mistakes were made until you got used to the job. Ken

1strodeo · Feb 2, 2018

bronkenn said:
The person doing the stamping probably put in wrong number. Back in late 70's My job was stamping front axles on GM trucks. Had a box of stamps and a 2 pound hammer and had to take one stamp out at a time and stamp numbers. A few mistakes were made until you got used to the job. Ken

I think that's one reason why Crawdad said Nice VINs, knowing they are hand stamped it's unusual to see such a neat job like that...I thought the VINs all had asterisks at each end?

callmemarsh · Feb 2, 2018

So there's not like a jig/cartridge they load the letters into and then stamp twice?

The reason I ask is because the "mistake" was made on both stamps. Also, it looks like the "mark" is faintly visible on the rear as well, which is what makes me think it was loaded into a cartridge and that is a remnant

Actually, could that remnant on the end be from the star/asteriks that's supposed to go there? ?:?

callmemarsh · Feb 2, 2018

More confusion. I snapped a pic of the VIN plate in the glove box. Turns out that just created more questions. The good news is the VIN matches. However, some of these codes don't match yet again!

The paint code Y isn't an option in 73 or 74. In earlier models it was an Aqua and in 72 it was green. Based on all of the body panels, there's no way this thing was green! You can even see the orange behind the VIN plate. If the color was changed, somebody find me that painter.

It's a U153 which after some research was HD I guess? GVW is 4450

Not sure what the 94 Body trim stands for?

The only place I can find the 18J axle code is on a 72 which denotes a 3.50 2780# and a Dana 30 LS.

The only thing that makes sense is the 47. It was shipped here with Ohio tags haha.

okie4570 · Feb 3, 2018

94 in my notes is orange random stripe buckets with rear seat. Is that accurate? I've not laid eyes on that interior ever, but have seen 94 listed as that on someone's Marti Report.

callmemarsh · Feb 3, 2018

okie4570 said:
94 in my notes is orange random stripe buckets with rear seat. Is that accurate? I've not laid eyes on that interior ever, but have seen 94 listed as that on someone's Marti Report.

Definitely has a rear seat.

The orange is consistent, but the rest of the old "covered" body parts were orange too. Inner fenders, core support, cowl, etc.

Viperwolf1 · Feb 3, 2018

callmemarsh said:
More confusion. I snapped a pic of the VIN plate in the glove box. Turns out that just created more questions. The good news is the VIN matches. However, some of these codes don't match yet again!

The paint code Y isn't an option in 73 or 74. In earlier models it was an Aqua and in 72 it was green. Based on all of the body panels, there's no way this thing was green! You can even see the orange behind the VIN plate. If the color was changed, somebody find me that painter.

It's a U153 which after some research was HD I guess? GVW is 4450

Not sure what the 94 Body trim stands for?

The only place I can find the 18J axle code is on a 72 which denotes a 3.50 2780# and a Dana 30 LS.

The only thing that makes sense is the 47. It was shipped here with Ohio tags haha.

S47140 is a '73 built in Aug '73. You can tell it is a '73 because it will have the hazard switch on the dash.

Y is the paint code for orange in '73. It must be an explorer model. 94 is the trim code for orange explorer buckets and rear seat.

U153 was a medium duty GVWR. It required a rear seat and did not include the heavy duty rear axle.

18 is the rear axle code. 3.50, open diff with small bearing and small brakes.

J is the front axle code for power steering.

callmemarsh · Feb 3, 2018

Viperwolf1,
Orange Explorer with buckets/rear seat, built in August '73 is what I'm going with then!

Thanks!

okie4570 · Feb 4, 2018

Viper, what was 94 pre Explorer, on a 71' half cab?

Crawdad · Feb 4, 2018

When Viper speaks we all listen!

callmemarsh · Feb 6, 2018

So thanks to a link from Steve83 I found that the second stamp I have is a "rare" location. Can anybody chime in on what that means?

Crawdad · Feb 6, 2018

Where shouts did you find this second stamp? My second one was near the rear crossmember, passenger side.

Frame VIN Decoding??

Full Member

Full Member

Bronco Guy

Full Member

Bronco Guru

Full Member

Bronco Guru

Bronco Guru

Bronco Guy

Squirrel Watcher

Full Member

Full Member

Bronco Guru

Full Member

electron whisperer

Full Member

Bronco Guru

Bronco Guru

Full Member

Bronco Guru

Similar threads