Free 1997 Ford E-150 VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Ford E-150 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Ford E-150 VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a series of three letters or numbers that uniquely identify the manufacturer of a vehicle. For example, the 1997 Ford E-150 has a WMI of “1FT,” indicating that it was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States, specifically in Dearborn, Michigan. The WMI is the initial segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides detailed information about the vehicle, including its type, year of manufacture, and production location. In the case of the 1997 Ford E-150, this WMI tells us that the vehicle is classified as a truck. These identifiers are crucial for various purposes, including vehicle registration, identification, and recall operations.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Ford E-150

WMI: 1FT

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1984, 1988-2014
• Example VIN: 1FTEE14L6VHC13755
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
• Vehicle Type: Truck
• City: Dearborn
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

WMI: 1FM

• Model Years Covered: 1982-1983, 1986, 1989-2014
• Example VIN: 1FMEE11L1VHA88485
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Dearborn
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1997 Ford E-150 VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

• Engine type
• Transmission
• Model or trim
• Body style
• Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 1997 Ford E-150:

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 1997 Ford E-150 VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the 1997 Ford E-150 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 Ford E-150 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Ford E-150 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Ford E-150

The final 6 characters in a 1997 Ford E-150’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Ford E-150’s VIN below:

What info can a 1997 Ford E-150 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as 1997 for the Ford E-150, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Specifications: The VIN provides detailed vehicle specifications, including the make (Ford), model (E-150), and engine characteristics, such as a V-shaped configuration with 8 cylinders and a displacement of 4.6 liters or 281 cubic inches, offering valuable insights into the vehicle’s design and performance.
• Fuel Type: The VIN enables the identification of the primary fuel type the vehicle was designed to use, such as gasoline for the Ford E-150, offering clarity on the vehicle’s fuel requirements.
• Drive Type and Brake System: It can reveal the drive type, particularly in the case of the Ford E-150 is 4x2, and the brake system type, which is hydraulic, providing insights into the vehicle’s handling and operational dynamics.
• Engine and Performance: Key engine details, such as the manufacturer (Ford), engine brake horsepower (beginning from 210 HP), and additional engine information like electronic fuel injection and production at the Windsor Engine Plant, can be uncovered through the VIN, offering valuable insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
• Safety Features: Basic safety features, such as the type of seat belts (manual in this case), can be inferred, which might reflect on the vehicle’s overall safety standards at the time of manufacture, offering an indication of the vehicle’s safety features.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN reveals manufacturing specifics, including the plant city (Lorain), state (Ohio), and country (United States), offering a glimpse into the vehicle’s production background, which can provide historical context for the vehicle.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Ford E-150

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