Free 1996 Ford F-150 VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1996 Ford F-150 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Ford F-150 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code that identifies the manufacturer of a specific vehicle, providing insights into its origin, vehicle type, and model year. For the 1996 Ford F-150, the WMI can be “1FT” for vehicles produced by Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, United States, or “2FT” for those manufactured by Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. These WMIs indicate that the vehicle is a truck, emphasizing the geographic diversity in Ford’s production lines while ensuring each vehicle’s traceability and authenticity. This system is a critical part of the broader 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), which uniquely identifies each vehicle globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Ford F-150

WMI: 1FT

• Model Years Covered: 1981-2024
• Example VIN: 1FTEF15H0TLB73870
• 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: 2FTEF14N1TCA32808
• 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 1996 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 1996 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 1996 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 1996 Ford F-150 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1996 Ford F-150 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1996 Ford F-150 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Ford F-150

The final 6 characters in a 1996 Ford F-150’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1996 Ford F-150 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN may indicate that the vehicle’s model year is 1996, potentially providing insights into the age and market value of the vehicle.
• Engine Information: The VIN can reveal detailed engine specifics, which in this case shows that the vehicle is equipped with a Ford-manufactured inline engine with a displacement of 4.9 L (or 300 CI, 4916.119200 CC). The power output is approximately 145 to 150 hp, and it has six cylinders. It is also fueled by gasoline and utilizes an electronic fuel injection system.
• Body Class and Drive Type: The VIN suggests that the vehicle is classified as a Pickup with a 4x2 drive type, indicating it may be designed for on-road use, rather than off-road capabilities.
• Manufacturing Details: From the VIN, it seems that the vehicle was assembled in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, by Ontario Truck, providing insight into its geographical manufacturing history.
• Vehicle Type and Specifications: The VIN categorizes the vehicle as a Truck, specifically a Ford F-150 with a regular cab type and a hydraulic brake system, emphasizing its design for heavy-duty applications and utility.
• Safety Features: It mentions a manual seat belt type, indicating potential primary safety mechanisms available in the vehicle.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: This VIN illustrates that the vehicle falls within Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg), offering information on its load-carrying capacity and potentially its licensing requirements.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 Ford F-150

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