Whether you're a current or prospective Ford truck owner, you've likely heard of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) before. Besides acting as a unique identifier, VINs also contain a wealth of information about a vehicle.
A VIN can reveal where and when a truck was built, what engine and cab it has, and other data. This info can be useful when purchasing parts specific to a vehicle, researching a truck's history, checking for recalls, or verifying details when buying or selling used.
Thankfully, this Ford VIN number decoder guide explores everything you need to know. We'll further detail what a VIN can tell you, how to find it on a truck, and how to read it.
What a VIN Can Tell You About Your Ford Truck
At first glance, a VIN might seem like a random assortment of letters and numbers, like this Ford F-150 example:1FTEW1CBXJFC29727. However, every character in this sequence conveys specific information that can be useful to Ford truck owners and shoppers alike.
First, a VIN reveals a truck's origin country and even its specific assembly plant. Also hidden in these characters are powertrain specifics, like whether a truck has 5.0L Coyote V8 engine, a Power Stroke turbo diesel, or is two- or four-wheel drive.
VINs also provide details about a truck's cab and bed configurations, such as if it's a super cab or a super crew or has a short or long bed. You can also learn a truck's model year and trim via its VIN, which is key in determining its exact build and potential market value.
The type of restraint systems a truck has (seat belts, airbags, etc.), its weight class, brake type, and wheel size, are also stated in its VIN.
Where You Can Find Your Ford Trucks VIN?
If you need help finding your Ford truck's VIN, fear not; they're usually displayed in several easy-to-access locations.
First, there's the Safety Compliance Certification Label, usually stuck to the driver's side door jamb or on the B pillar between the front and rear doors. Aside from your truck's weight and other details like recommended tire PSI, you'll also find the VIN.
Another VIN location is at the front of the driver's side dashboard near the windshield; there's a small slot where you can see the code from outside looking in. This spot is particularly convenient for quick checks, like when you're verifying details during a sale or at a checkpoint.
While less convenient, VINs are also sometimes engraved or stamped on an engine's block or firewall.
Lastly, VINs are usually documented on official papers tied to your truck, like its registration and insurance cards, title, and owner's manual. Always ensure the consistency of the VIN across all these sources to avoid potential discrepancies.
What Are the Parts of a Ford Truck VIN Number?
In this section, we'll teach you how to use a VIN decoder Ford truck information is extracted from by exploring each of the 17 characters. Thankfully, each falls into one of three categories, which may make it easier to remember.
Just note that the below format only refers to Ford trucks, as each character's meaning can differ from one automaker to the next. What’s more, only vehicles built from 1981 have 17-character VINs; earlier models typically had less and so don’t relate.
Characters 1-3: World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)
- Character 1 (Country of Manufacturer): Denotes the country the truck was built in. For example, a VIN starting with "1" indicates the truck was made in the US, while "2" represents Canada and “3” Mexico.
- Character 2 (Manufacturer): Signifies the manufacturing company. For Ford trucks, you'll typically find an "F" here.
- Character 3 (Vehicle Type): Refers to the type of vehicle, such as a truck, SUV, sedan, etc. With Ford trucks, the VIN should have a "T" here.
Characters 4-11: Vehicle Description Section (VDS)
- Character 4 (Restraint System Type/GVWR Class): Reveals the type of safety restraint system installed, such as airbags and seat belts, and also provides details on the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
- Characters 5-7 (Model, Series, Body Code): These characters provide specifics about the vehicle, like which Ford truck it is: a Ranger, F-150, or Super Duty. They also show tire size, if it's a regular or super cab, or an XLT or Titanium.
- Character 8 (Engine Type): The eighth character offers insights into the type of engine the truck is equipped with (V6, V8, diesel, etc.).
- Character 9 (VIN Check): The ninth character will be based on a specific formula designed by Ford to validate a VIN's authenticity, helping ensure it hasn't been tampered with or falsely constructed.
- Character 10 (Model Year): Denotes the truck's model year. Each year has a corresponding character; for instance, "Y" might represent 2000, and "1" could stand for 2001.
- Character 11 (Assembly Plant): The last VDS character indicates the specific plant where the truck was manufactured. Modern F-150s, for instance, usually come from the Dearborn or Kansas City plants.
Characters 12-17: Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)
Instead of detailing specific vehicle attributes, the last six characters of a Ford Truck's VIN act as the pickup's unique identifier code.
These characters help distinguish the truck between the Ford and Lincoln brands, as well as between passenger cars and other vehicle types. They also specify if the vehicle in question is a truck, bus, or even an incomplete variant.
Ford Trucks VIN Decoder Example
Let’s now decode a sample VIN so you can see just how much useful information there is.
For our example, we’ll use 1FTEW1CBXJFC29727:
- 1: Built in the U.S.A.
- F: Ford is the manufacturer
- T: Vehicle type is “Truck”
- E: GVWR Class E (6,001-7,000 lbs.), manual belts, and front/side airbags in both rows
- W1C: 2WD F-150 with a crew cab and a long bed
- B: Engine is a 3.3L Ti-VCT V6
- X: For verification, must match either 0-9 or X
- J: 2018 model year
- F: Dearborn, Michigan plant
- C29727: A00001-F99999 indicates a Ford Division Vehicle
Note that we used a Ford VIN decoder reference sheet for the above example. You can typically find these by searching online or contacting your local Ford dealer.
JEGS: For All Your Automotive Needs
And there you have it, our comprehensive guide to Ford truck VINs. You should now be able to easily locate this code on your vehicle and decipher its meaning. For all your automotive needs, consider JEGS, a leading supplier of performance auto parts.
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