Free 1997 Ford F-250 VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Ford F-250 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Ford F-250 VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes uniquely identify the manufacturer of a vehicle and provide specific information about the vehicle type and place of manufacture. For the 1997 Ford F-250, the WMI is “3FT,” indicating that this truck was manufactured by Ford Motor Company in Mexico, specifically in the city of Rioverde, S.L.P. This code is part of a larger Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that helps in identifying specific vehicles and their manufacturing details. The use of the WMI code is a standardized practice across the automotive industry, ensuring that each vehicle can be accurately traced back to its manufacturer, model year, and origin of manufacture. In this case, the “3FT” WMI reveals that this particular 1997 Ford F-250 is one of the units produced in Mexico, marking it as a part of Ford’s global manufacturing footprint.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Ford F-250

WMI: 2FT

• Model Years Covered: 1981, 1983-1999
• Example VIN: 2FTFX28W0VCA66591
• 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: 1FTHF26F0VEB62102
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
• Vehicle Type: Truck
• City: Dearborn
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

WMI: 3FT

• Model Years Covered: 1997, 2000-2004
• Example VIN: 3FTHF25G0VMA59623
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company, Mexico
• Vehicle Type: Truck
• City: Rioverde
• State or Province: S.L.P.
• Country: Mexico

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1997 Ford F-250 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-250:

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-250 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-250 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 Ford F-250 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Ford F-250 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Ford F-250

The final 6 characters in a 1997 Ford F-250’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Ford F-250’s VIN below:

What info can a 1997 Ford F-250 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1997, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Engine Type and Power: Information about the engine, such as it possibly being a 7.3L diesel engine by Navistar with a turbocharger and possibly generating between 205 to 215 horsepower, showcases the type of power and performance one might expect.
• Body Class and Size: The VIN discloses that this vehicle is possibly a Pickup with a Regular cab type, providing insights into the vehicle’s size and capacity.
• Drive Type: It is possible to discern that the vehicle may have a 4WD (4-Wheel Drive/4x4) drive type, indicating its capability to handle different terrains and driving conditions.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is Diesel, which can affect its fuel efficiency and performance characteristics.
• Manufacturing Details: Production details such as the manufacturing location possibly being in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States, and the vehicle possibly being assembled by the Kentucky Truck company, are embedded within the VIN.
• Safety Features: Although the VIN indicates that the vehicle may come with manual seat belts, it can also give clues about other safety features and equipment standard for the model year.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Ford F-250

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