Free 1997 Ford F-150 VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Ford F-150 VIN

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

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial three-character sequence of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), uniquely identifying the manufacturer, vehicle type, and country of assembly. For the 1997 Ford F-150, the WMI “1FT” specifies that Ford Motor Company in the United States manufactured this truck. This specific WMI sequence reveals that the vehicle was produced by Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, providing valuable information about the vehicle’s origin and manufacturing details. WMIs are crucial for tracking, registration, and recall purposes, offering a standardized method to recognize vehicular attributes globally. Through the WMI, a simple glance at the VIN can unveil significant details about any vehicle, including this 1997 Ford F-150.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Ford F-150

WMI: 2FT

• Model Years Covered: 1981-2003
• Example VIN: 2FTEX17L1VCA48050
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd.
• Vehicle Type: Truck
• City: Oakville
• State or Province: Ontario
• Country: Canada

WMI: 1FT

• Model Years Covered: 1981-2024
• Example VIN: 1FTDF18W1VND38631
• 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 1997 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 1997 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 1997 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 1997 Ford F-150 VIN — Year Code

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

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

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

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

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

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating that it is a 1997 Ford F-150, offering insights into the age and market value of the vehicle.
• Engine Type: The VIN provides details about the engine, including a 4.6-liter (280.70922283576 cubic inches) V-8 engine with an output of 210 horsepower. The engine is equipped with Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) and is manufactured by Ford at the Romeo Engine Plant.
• Fuel Type: It may suggest that the primary fuel type for the vehicle is gasoline, impacting its consumption and potential environmental footprint.
• Body Class and Drive Type: The VIN details the F-150 as having a Pickup body class with a 4x2 drive type, offering insights into its utility and performance characteristics.
• Safety and Convenience Features: The VIN may provide information about safety features such as a hydraulic brake system and manual seatbelt type, highlighting the vehicle’s safety mechanisms and user convenience aspects.
• Manufacturing Information: Specifics such as the plant location in Kansas City, Missouri, United States, hint at the geographic origin of the vehicle’s assembly, potentially impacting build quality and parts availability.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: Classification in Gross Vehicle Weight Rating from Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg) signifies the vehicle’s load-carrying capacity, essential for understanding its utility and performance capabilities.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Ford F-150

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