What is the reason for this?

[1985 Ford F-150]

Out of all the bumpsides Ive seen that aint fixed up every single one has this U and then numbers behind it. Mine has U 9,000 on the cowl. The rest of em that ive seen that have the numbers are all in the same place. I cant figure out what its for.
Heres the drivers side of it.

Heres the passenger side

 

[TexasNomad]

That looks like a yard number to me.

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Like a lumber yard?

 

[TexasNomad]

Well not "Lumber" yard I mean any truck that a company or business owns has its own ID number..
I think that's all it is.

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Hmm I dont think thats what this one is cause its been a farm truck its whole life. Ya think it might be a wieght rating? The other trucks ive seen it on have all been farm trucks as well.

 

[Alvin in AZ]

Don't know what that is. :/
But does anybody remember there was a time when all the pickups were
getting GVW rating numbers painted on the sides of them. Not sure if that
was just AZ and NM doing that or what. :/

Alvin in AZ

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

I thought that might have been what it was at first but the gross is 7700 for that one. Im thinkin it has somethin to do with farm trucks. Like an exception thing for registraion or somethin like that. The trucks I have seen it on have been farm trucks so thats why I think that it has somethin to do with that.

 

[CaFordDude]

How are the numbers applied? Paint? stamped? rivoted plate?

 

[slmann]

I Im thinkin it has somethin to do with farm trucks. Like an exception thing for registraion or somethin like that. The trucks I have seen it on have been farm trucks so thats why I think that it has somethin to do with that.

I'm thinking along the same line there. Could be something only done in your state. Maybe a state agency could help answer your question.

It's a bit of history for your truck, will you keep it on there?

 

[surewhynot]

My thinking is it means Under 9000 lbs. Maybe a weight break for tag taxes or something.

 

[RocketScience]

I'm 99% positive that is a Utah GVW rating. I have seen other older trucks at car shows from Utah with this also, usually painted on. Although the truck was rated by Ford for only 7400 lbs. max GVW, it was not uncommon in 'farm country' to see them rated higher by their owners.

 

[Blue Goose]

In MO. we used to have to have our names and the licensed GVW on the side of the truck for crossing weight scales. License were in 6,000 lbs. increments with local and beyond local designations. As an example, what you would see lettered on the side was maybe LGVW 6,000 or BLGVW 6,000. I always did and still today have 12,000 lb. to cover towing a boat.

BTW, the local designation was good for driving in a 25 mile radius from the registered address of the vehicle. All of the required lettering and stuff like that has pretty much gone by the wayside for pickups today.

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Yeah its gotta be one of the two either wieght or its a farm deal. Ill ask my uncle when I go out to moms next and see if he knows anything about em. Its painted on but the paint isnt very good and the drivers side is almost all gone. It acts more like pinstriping the way its peelin off. Thanks for all the input guys I really appreciate the help. Now that I think about it I think ill either repaint the numbers mself of ill go take it to a pinstriper and get it done.

 

[Blue Goose]

Dan, if you can get him the dimensions, the Skankster might be able to do it for ya in vinyl...

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Ill have to take a picture of it close up and pm it to him or somethin and see if he could.

 

[wizzard351]

it aint a ford number! never seen anything like that here,mine dont have it either

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Yeah I didnt figure it to be from Ford so its gotta be from a PO.