A new '72-only VIN plate...on the box??

[FORDification]

I had to swing by the shop for something this afternoon, so I took some time to really look over the new '72 F-100 Custom SWB chassis and box I recently acquired. Now, in the past I've parted out quite a few trucks, but this is the first '72 I've gotton my hands on....and I found something interesting.

Stapled onto the front left-side bedside brace was an aluminum tag, which included the truck's VIN (matches the two on the frame), along with some other info. Here's a pic:



Has anyone seen one of these before? Do those of you with a '72 have a tag in the same location? Has anyone seen one on anything other than a '72? Just curious.

[fordman]

i have seen one on my 78 bed. it is located on the pass side though it is the build tag. most cars and trucks have them today. some give paint codes (gm) and other will give you month and day of build like my ford escort i used to have. there was a mid year change on that car and when i went to get parts they needed to know when it was build before or after a certain date so i could get the right part for my car.

[72hiboy4x4]

that would make it easier to scrap an old box around here. if you dont scrap the frame or cab with the box, it has to be quartered before the scrapper will take it!
I can't remember if my '72 box had one or not, but it's long gone now. sorry!

[oldhalftons]

Both my 79 F150 and 73 F250 2wds have a bed tag but my 69 f100 does not.

[FORDification]

I'll bet '72 was the first year for this tag, seeing as how I hadn't run across them before on any of the other trucks I'd had, which were all '71-older. However, I was hoping to get some input from other '72 owners on whether or not their trucks had them, to see if the bed tag was something introduced mid-year (getting ready for the new '73s) or was used for all '72s.

This truck also had another feature that I haven't seen on other trucks....and that is the new style of front brake hose bracket. This '72 uses the disc-brake-style hose bracket used on the '73-up trucks even though it was equipped with drum brakes, and I'm including a picture here so that other '72 owners can compare them to what's on their trucks. In the disc brake installation tutorial I've been telling people that they needed to get the brackets from a '73-newer truck, but it would seem that the '72s already have the correct bracket. However, I forgot to check to see if the brackets have the correct holes for the disc-brake hose ends, which ARE different from the drum brake hoses.

[oldhalftons]

whats the manufacture date on that 72? is it a late 72?

[FORDification]

March '72....month 8 of the 12-month run for '72, so it's nearing the end of the era. That's kinda why I'm thinking that these items were being phased in, in preparation for being used on the 'new' '73 models and bodystyles.

[Kraig]

I just looked on my '72 which was made in March. There is no aluminum tag on it on the bed brace.

[4x4x4crewcab]

This truck also had another feature that I haven't seen on other trucks....and that is the new style of front brake hose bracket. This '72 uses the disc-brake-style hose bracket used on the '73-up trucks even though it was equipped with drum brakes, and I'm including a picture here so that other '72 owners can compare them to what's on their trucks. In the disc brake installation tutorial I've been telling people that they needed to get the brackets from a '73-newer truck, but it would seem that the '72s already have the correct bracket. However, I forgot to check to see if the brackets have the correct holes for the disc-brake hose ends, which ARE different from the drum brake hoses.

Keith nice find you have a good eye for these details. I thought I would see what the Ford catalog showed on this. All the 1972 F100/250 (4X2), and F350 trucks use this new style bracket regardless of brake type. It is also the same part number used on 73-79 F100/250,F350 2wd trucks regardless of brake type (D2TZ.2082.A R.H. and D2TZ.2082.B L.H.)
Makes you wonder what other new style parts were introduced on this last year body.

[4x4x4crewcab]

As for the box tag maybe the 1973 trucks had a earlier than normal indroduction and the production line had both styles on hand. I know from my previous employment the vin #'s are issued before the trucks are actually assembled. They could have just been building trucks from the remaining inventory to use up the supplies on hand. Thus the plant may have tagged the inventory in the yard to make sure all parts were used up before starting the new 73 models. I can remember when the Explorers came out the first ones were 91 models built in late 89 and early 90. They had a very early release of this model If I remember you could buy one around March/90. (six months earlier than normal)

[rjewkes]

hmm yup my 72 has those brackets i haven't seen the tag though.

[FORDification]

Keith nice find you have a good eye for these details. I thought I would see what the Ford catalog showed on this. All the 1972 F100/250 (4X2), and F350 trucks use this new style bracket regardless of brake type. It is also the same part number used on 73-79 F100/250,F350 2wd trucks regardless of brake type (D2TZ.2082.A R.H. and D2TZ.2082.B L.H.)
Makes you wonder what other new style parts were introduced on this last year body.

My thinking too....It's too bad I didn't have the whole truck to check out, I'd bet I'd find a few other details like this. Oh well....

So, back to the brake hose bracket....thanks for looking that up, Mark. So would it be safe to assume then that since the '72s did get the new bracket, which was the same as the disc brake versions for the '73-up, that the front brake hose was a one-year-only item for the '72s? It would have to have the drum brake fitting on one side and the 5-sided eccentric for the disc brake bracket on the other. (I guess I'm going to have to update the disc brake tutorial to reflect this new information.)

Also, any ideas why there would be different part numbers for the left and right sides? If memory serves me correctly the two brackets are identical.

[4x4x4crewcab]

So, back to the brake hose bracket....thanks for looking that up, Mark. So would it be safe to assume then that since the '72s did get the new bracket, which was the same as the disc brake versions for the '73-up, that the front brake hose was a one-year-only item for the '72s?

You are correct the 1972 (2wd) is a one year only hose. D2TZ.2078.B R.H. and L.H. are the same number. As for the bracket either there is a slight offset on a hole or mounting tab isn't centered? or maybe there is a bit of a angle difference to it after its mounted.
Now you got me wondering whats up. very good question

[4x4x4crewcab]

It is also the same part number used on 73-79 F100/250,F350 2wd trucks regardless of brake type (D2TZ.2082.A R.H. and D2TZ.2082.B L.H.)

After a bit more research I find a 2K340 number in the 73 illustration with a description of Brake Hose Location Bracket D2TZ.2K340.A qty2 (r.h. and l.h. same)also fits 1972
The 2078 numbers I listed before are described as Front brake hose support bracket? (different r.h. and l.h numbers)You got me on this one? Is there another bracket a little farther back on the line somewhere?

[FORDification]

Is it possible the part numbers for the bracket with right/left sides is the one on the backing plate?: