Free 1981 Ford F-150 VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1981 Ford F-150 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1981 Ford F-150 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or number code that specifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, its country of origin, and the vehicle type. For the 1981 Ford F-150, the WMI is “1FT,” indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by Ford Motor Company in the United States, specifically in Dearborn, Michigan. This identifier is particularly useful for tracking, registration, and identification purposes. The code signifies that the vehicle is classified as a truck, highlighting its utility and design purpose. The WMI is a crucial component of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), providing essential information about the vehicle’s origins at a glance.

List of WMI Codes for a 1981 Ford F-150

WMI: 1FT

• Model Years Covered: 1981-2024
• Example VIN: 1FTDF15F3BUA22914
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
• Vehicle Type: Truck
• City: Dearborn
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

WMI: 2FT

• Model Years Covered: 1981-2003
• Example VIN: 2FTDF14F5BCA72005
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd.
• Vehicle Type: Truck
• City: Oakville
• State or Province: Ontario
• Country: Canada

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1981 Ford F-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 1981 Ford F-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 1981 Ford F-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 1981 Ford F-150 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1981 Ford F-150 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1981 Ford F-150 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1981 Ford F-150

The final 6 characters in a 1981 Ford F-150’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Ford F-150’s VIN below:

What info can a 1981 Ford F-150 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can disclose the model year of a vehicle, possibly revealing it to be a 1981, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Specification: It typically informs about the vehicle’s type and essential specifications. For example, it may show that it’s a Truck, specifically a Ford F-150 with a V-Shaped engine configuration and a 5L displacement, providing detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and engine capacity.
• Engine Characteristics: Information regarding engine specifics like the manufacturer being Ford, having 8 cylinders, and a horsepower range from 143 to 150 hp could possibly be identified, offering insights into the vehicle’s performance and power.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type, such as Gasoline, can be highlighted, signifying the vehicle’s environmental footprint and potential fuel efficiency.
• Drive Type and Body Class: The drive type, like 4x2, along with the body class indicating it’s a Pickup, may shed light on the vehicle’s performance capabilities and utility.
• Manufacturing Details: Details such as the manufacturing location, including the plant city of Oakville in Ontario, Canada, may offer insights into the vehicle’s origin and possibly its build quality.
• Safety and Equipment: The VIN may reveal safety equipment specifics, such as having a manual seat belt type, providing a glimpse into what safety features are standard or available on the vehicle.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1981 Ford F-150