Free 1983 Ford F-350 VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1983 Ford F-350 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1983 Ford F-350 VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), denoting the manufacturer, vehicle type, and the country where the vehicle was produced. For the 1983 Ford F-350, the WMI can be either “1FT” or “2FT”, indicating the vehicle was manufactured by Ford Motor Company in the United States or Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd., respectively. This segment encapsulates key information: “1FT” signifies a truck made by Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, USA, whereas “2FT” represents a truck produced in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. This coding system is essential for identifying and differentiating vehicles, especially for registration, insurance, and recall purposes. The WMI thus serves as a global standard for vehicle identification, reflective of the automotive industry’s organized structure for vehicle tracking and information retrieval.

List of WMI Codes for a 1983 Ford F-350

WMI: 1FT

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1997, 1999-2024
• Example VIN: 1FTJF3518DPB13262
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
• Vehicle Type: Truck
• City: Dearborn
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

WMI: 2FT

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1983, 1985-1996
• Example VIN: 2FTJW36G0DCA83162
• 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 1983 Ford F-350 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 1983 Ford F-350:

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 1983 Ford F-350 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 1983 Ford F-350 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1983 Ford F-350 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1983 Ford F-350 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1983 Ford F-350

The final 6 characters in a 1983 Ford F-350’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1983 Ford F-350 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 1983, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is a Truck with a Pickup body, which implies its functional design and possible uses.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN specifies an engine configuration that is V-shaped with 8 cylinders and a displacement range from 5.8 liters or 351 cubic inches, indicating the vehicle’s power capability.
• Drive Type: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is equipped with 4WD (4-Wheel Drive or 4x4), showcasing its capability for off-road or challenging driving conditions.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is Gasoline, providing details on the engine’s fuel requirements and potentially its fuel efficiency.
• Manufacturing Location: The VIN suggests that the vehicle was manufactured in Oakville, Ontario, Canada by Ontario Truck, pointing to its geographic origin of production which might influence availability and parts.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN classification places the vehicle under Class 2H, indicating it has a GVWR from 9,001 to 10,000 lb, which offers an understanding of its load-carrying capacity and may impact usage and regulatory classification.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1983 Ford F-350

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