Here's the build sequence number on this one: Number "62".
The full build sequence number would be much longer, like six digits, but the last two or three digits would be written in a form of shorthand. I would expect any other component built up remotely (front end sheet metal, rear axle, seats) to have a "62" scribbled on it somewhere.
This was intended to keep everything in sequence. It goes pretty easy as long as nothing gets disrupted, but get out of sequence and all hell breaks loose. You start seeing wrong color fenders (or bodies that don't match the frame) and you have to assess what went wrong and what has to be done to fix it, typically while the line continues to move.
At Flint, we had 1/2 ton 2wd (5 lug axles), 1/2 4wd (6 lug axles) and 3/4 and 1 ton axles (8 lugs). We used to keep a library of "wrong" tire/wheel assemblies at the tire install job so that if you had a wrong axle come down you could install the corresponding "wrong" tire/wheel assembly in order to keep the line moving. The vehicle would complete the process and then head out back to heavy repair to have the correct axle (and tire/wheels) installed.
Back to the sequence number - my red truck was apparently "number 87".
K
