Free 1998 Ford E-150 VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1998 Ford E-150 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Ford E-150 VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of vehicles worldwide. For example, the 1998 Ford E-150, a multipurpose passenger vehicle produced by Ford Motor Company, has a WMI of “1FM.” This indicates it was manufactured in the United States, specifically in Dearborn, Michigan. The “1FM” code is part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides detailed information about the vehicle, including its type and production details. WMIs like “1FM” are crucial for vehicle registration, identification, and tracking purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Ford E-150

WMI: 1FM

• Model Years Covered: 1982-1983, 1986, 1989-2014
• Example VIN: 1FMRE1160WHC09214
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Dearborn
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

WMI: 1FT

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1984, 1988-2014
• Example VIN: 1FTRE1420WHA81425
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
• Vehicle Type: Truck
• City: Dearborn
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1998 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 1998 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 1998 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 1998 Ford E-150 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1998 Ford E-150 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Ford E-150 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Ford E-150

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Ford E-150’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1998 Ford E-150 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being a 1998 model, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Engine Details: The VIN unveils comprehensive engine specifications, including a 5.4L V-Shaped 8-cylinder engine, made by Ford, demonstrating the depth of mechanical insights available, ranging from engine configuration to manufacturer and even specific details like displacement and horsepower ratings (230 to 235 hp).
• Fuel Type: It is indicated that the vehicle uses Gasoline as its primary fuel type, reflecting on fuel preferences or requirements that impact fuel economy and environmental considerations.
• Safety Features: The VIN specifies the vehicle comes with safety measures, specifically front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the first row, highlighting passive safety features designed to protect occupants.
• Body Class and Drive Type: The VIN details that the vehicle is a Van with a 4x2 drive type, offering insights into the vehicle’s design purposes, such as passenger or cargo transportation, and driving capabilities.
• Vehicle Manufacturing: Information about the vehicle’s manufacturing location, such as being assembled in Lorain, Ohio, United States, gives clues about production origins which can be pivotal for collectors or those tracking specific models’ history.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN discloses the vehicle’s weight class, identified as Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg), which can be crucial for determining towing capabilities, registration requirements, and usage classification.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Ford E-150