Free 1997 Ford F-350 VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Ford F-350 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Ford F-350 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer worldwide, forming the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). For the 1997 Ford F-350, the WMI indicates not only the manufacturer, Ford Motor Company, but also specifies the vehicle’s origin, including the production country. The “1FT” WMI indicates the truck was manufactured in the United States, specifically in Dearborn, Michigan, by Ford Motor Company. Alternatively, the “3FT” WMI signifies that the vehicle was produced by Ford Motor Company in Mexico, in the city of Rioverde, S.L.P. This differentiation underlines the global footprint of manufacturers and the importance of the WMI in identifying the specific origins and makers of vehicles.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Ford F-350

WMI: 1FT

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1997, 1999-2024
• Example VIN: 1FTHF36G1VEA30772
• 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: 3FTHF36H9VMA27847
• 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-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 1997 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 1997 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 1997 Ford F-350 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 Ford F-350 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Ford F-350 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Ford F-350

The final 6 characters in a 1997 Ford F-350’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1997 Ford F-350 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting it as the year 1997, potentially providing insights into the age and market value of the vehicle.
• Engine Specifications: Through the VIN, vital engine details may be disclosed, such as the engine being a 7.3L, V-Shaped, 8-cylinder engine with power ranging from 205 to 215 horsepower, manufactured by Navistar.
• Fuel Type: The VIN may indicate that the truck uses Diesel as its primary fuel type, which might have implications for its performance and fuel efficiency.
• Drive Type and Body Class: The data extracted from the VIN might specify that the truck features a 4WD system and is categorized under the Pickup body class with a Crew/Super Crew/Crew Max cab type, potentially highlighting its design and functionality focus.
• Manufacturing Information: The VIN provides potential insights into the manufacturing origin, potentially pinpointing the plant location in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States, under the company name Kentucky Truck.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): It might classify the truck within Class 2H: 9,001 - 10,000 lb (4,082 - 4,536 kg), offering a potential clue towards its load-carrying capacity and classification.
• Safety and Other Features: Information such as the type of brake system being Hydraulic, the presence of a Turbo, and manual seat belts are potentially indicative of the vehicle’s safety and performance characteristics.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Ford F-350