I just picked up a 58 (or 57?) F100 and want to know more about it. It appears it might be a factory automatic truck. How common (or rare) is this? What engine came with it? I was planning for a street rod, but I have what I think is the original engine/trans if it makes more sense! Thanks for the info!

 

This truck is a 57 F100 built in the San Jose California factory. F10= F100, K= V8 272 engine, 7= 1957, R= San Jose California factory. 25852 is the number of trucks in the series built by the San Jose factory with the 272 V8 Y Block engine. 110= wheelbase length (short bed model and panel trucks came with a 110" wheel base. 118" wheelbase indicates long bed cargo box model).

5000= maximum GVWR with optional components installed such as heavier duty springs and bigger wheels.

4100= current maximum GVWR as built at the factory with passenger car 4 ply tires, "load range B" size 6.70 x 15 OEM bias ply tires. Switching to 6.70 x 15 LT tires, load range C will increase GVWR to 4500 lbs without adding other components to increase payloads.

3.70 is gear axle drivetrain ratio.

Auto indicates Fordomatic transmission. 57 has "Fordomatic" badge on the passenger side front of hood.

The original single lamp grille should have the V8 crest on it. A truck with the 223 six (engine code J in the VIN) will not have any emblem on the grille.

 

Reply "E" is the factory code where the 223 six 1959 F100 was built.

 

I inherited my 59 which my late dad bought brand new for his work truck in May 1959. He ordered it from Smith Ford in Garden Grove California in April 1959. They delivered it on May 6 1959. The VIN is F10J9R36498. It was built at the San Jose California Factory. It's Colonial White, 118 inch wheel base; 223 six, 3 speed manual transmission. No options except the dealer installed heater. Truck was fitted shortly after with an aftermarket driver side passenger car trailer towing extended arm peep mirror, clamped onto the door edge. In 1966, truck engine got retrofitted with a state approved PCV Valve retrofit kit per CARB mandate. In 1970, truck was retrofitted with Ford factory telescopic arm mirror on the passenger side door. In 1976, truck was upgraded with heavier duty load range C truck tires. In 1985 per California Seat Belt law mandate for 1986, truck was retrofitted with seat belts. In 1987, truck was retrofitted with a passenger side sun visor from a parts truck. In 1989, truck was retrofitted with aftermarket sliding rear window, replacing a cracked rear window.


Discontinued C R Laurence Sliding Rear Window for 1957-60 F100-F350 Pickups with standard size window. A competitor has come up with another ventilating rear window for the 57-60 pickups.

1953-66 Ford trucks also offered telescopic arm mirrors and other big mirrors for trucks. These mirrors are not made by Dennis Carpenter. However, Dennis Carpenter offers the mounting bar and weather seal gasket separately, and Grote makes the tubular arms for these trucks. The head was contracted out by Ford to various makers.

NAPA Auto Parts PCV Valve - Same as Standard Motor Parts V100 PCV Valve. 90° Brass block fitting required for retrofit onto intake manifold spare vacuum port.

My late dad with his then new 1959 F100 long bed pickup truck.

An old picture of my dad preparing his truck to become his work truck in 1959

Passenger side originally did not come with a sun visor. The passenger side visor got pulled from a parts truck with 1 complete visor assembly on it.

Photo from 1971, with brand new rented camper shell built by Camp Tel Campers.

 

Breezer Windows ventilating rear window for 1957-60 Ford F100, F250 & F350 with Standard Size window. Tinted window option shown. Clear window available. Window requires old gasket or new gasket from Dennis Carpenter Ford Reproductions. www.breezerwindows.com

This window is a fairly new product that came out specifically for our 57-60 pickups. The competition stopped making sliding rear windows for the 57-60 pickups, so Breezer Windows came out with a stock looking ventilating rear window. You can get it in clear or tinted glass. The one pictured here is the dark tint option. I came across this, and made an inquiry earlier in the winter of 2022 to ask about windows for the 57-60 Ford trucks. I got a quick reply from them, telling me the 57-60 was just coming onto the market. Breezer Windows will appreciate the business if you guys who need a new rear window order one. It looks like stock from a distance, as the glass is 1 piece, and can be either partially opened or removed fully to vent the cab.

 

Found a listing for a 1959 f100 rx4 for sale. Great price, close to me, etc. pics show a 1960 hood, v8 and vin. F10j0n which doesn’t correspond with the details. Is there a stamped vin on the frame?
standard issues with the truck
no title, motor locked up

unless I’m wrong. That would not be the first time today

 

There is a stamping on the top flange of the frame rail somewhere in the area of the RF wheel. It varies by truck so don't limit your search to that specific area. I have heard of them further forward and all the way back to the cab. With no title, the important thing is that the I.D. number is not stolen or in use on another vehicle, so you can get a title or registration for yourself.

Lou Manglass

 

Not sure if this is still going, but here is my info and what I've determined it means. Any corrections welcomed. It is a Custom Cab, but does anyone know where that info is on the truck (if at all)?

Also ,,, is there a place to view all of the data ?

F10J9R15504
110 F10J 12L F 02
5000 126 4000

WB 110
Color RE Two Tone Torch Red/Colonial White
Model F10J
Date 12L Dec 12 1959
Trans F Borg Warner T-98 4 Speed Manual Transmission
Axle 02 3.89 Gears
Max 5000
Max HP 126
RPM 4000

 

I have a 59 Ford F100.

 

Just brought mine home to start restoring.

 

If I understand correctly the F10C denotes 292-2V Wheel Base is 118 Color “L” is holly green F103 - 4x4 Not sure on Date - 31H Trans - A? - Manual 3Speed I think. Someone has swapped this out for a 4speed at some point. Axle - 02A - Ford 9" Rear Axle / 3.89-1 / No Limited Slip / 3,300 lbs. Rear Axle Capacity // A = Spicer/Dana 44 Front Driving Axle / 3.92-1 / No Limited Slip / 3,000 lbs. Front Driving Axle Capacity.

 

Marking its territory

Truck appears to be in its original, as delivered form to the original purchaser.

 

Does anyone know if the registry still exists somewhere? www.LOVEfords.org is no longer an active web page.


Thanks in advance!

 

Here's my added tag, actual engine is a 223 and the front axle has the junkyard crayon saying 1972 (hopefully matching ratios).

 

This is an awesome idea. I will upload my truck and info when its ready. stoked