Free Ford L8501 VIN Decoder

How to decode a Ford L8501 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Ford L8501 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, providing key information about where and by whom a vehicle was made. The first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) make up the WMI, serving as a globally recognized standard for coding. Specifically, in the case of the Ford L8501, the WMI indicates that this vehicle was manufactured by Ford Motor Company, highlighting its specific brand and origin. This identifier is crucial for vehicle registration, title, and insurance purposes, ensuring that the vehicle’s make, model, and manufacturing details are accurately documented and accessible. The WMI, thus, plays a fundamental role in the automotive industry’s inventory, regulation, and safety standards worldwide.

List of WMI Codes for a Ford L8501

WMI: 1FT

• Model Years Covered: 1998
• Example VIN: 1FTXN80F7WVA09728
• 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 Ford L8501 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 Ford L8501:

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 Ford L8501 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 Ford L8501 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the Ford L8501 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Ford L8501 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Ford L8501

The final 6 characters in a Ford L8501’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a Ford L8501 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating the specific year the vehicle was manufactured, potentially offering insights into the age and historical value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN may provide insights into the type and class of the vehicle, potentially specifying it as a Truck, which can offer detailed information about the vehicle’s intended use and design.
• Engine Specifications: Details about the engine, including the manufacturer (Caterpillar), model (3126), configuration (In-Line), and displacement in liters (7.2 L), cubic centimeters (7193.921096 CC), and cubic inches (439 CI) could be decoded from a VIN, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s power and performance characteristics.
• Fuel Type: The VIN can reveal the primary fuel type the vehicle uses, such as Diesel, providing important information about the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Safety Features: Information regarding safety equipment, including the locations of airbags (1st Row (Driver and Passenger)) and type of seat belts (Manual), can typically be found, offering insights into the vehicle’s safety measures.
• Axle and Cab Configuration: A VIN may detail the vehicle’s axle configuration (Set-Back Axle) and the cab type (MDHD: Conventional), providing further specificity on its build and design, potentially influencing its performance and functionality.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The VIN can provide the vehicle’s weight classification, indicating its range from Class 7: 26,001 - 33,000 lb (11,794 - 14,969 kg), offering insights into its load capacity and potential uses.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Ford L8501