Free 1996 Ford Ranger VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1996 Ford Ranger VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Ford Ranger VIN

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are critical components of a vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), serving to pinpoint the manufacturing origin of any given car or truck. Specifically, the WMI reveals the manufacturer’s name, vehicle type, and production location. For instance, a 1996 Ford Ranger has a WMI starting with “1FT”, indicating that it is a truck produced by the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. This unique identifier not only helps in determining the vehicle’s initial build specifications but also assists in vehicle recall and registration processes. Thus, the WMI is a vital tool for both manufacturers and vehicle owners, embodying detailed information about the vehicle’s origin within just the first three characters of the VIN.

List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Ford Ranger

WMI: 1FT

• Model Years Covered: 1983-2011, 2019-2024
• Example VIN: 1FTCR14A0TPA31109
• 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 1996 Ford Ranger 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 1996 Ford Ranger:

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 1996 Ford Ranger 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 1996 Ford Ranger VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1996 Ford Ranger VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1996 Ford Ranger Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Ford Ranger

The final 6 characters in a 1996 Ford Ranger’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1996 Ford Ranger VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1996, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Manufacturing Location: The VIN also provides information on the manufacturing location, indicating that the Ford Ranger was manufactured in the city of Edison, New Jersey, United States, giving insights into its origin.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class and size, revealing that the 1996 Ford Ranger is a Pickup with a specific cab type and has 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Details: The VIN can provide insights into the vehicle’s engine characteristics, such as a V-Shaped engine configuration with a displacement of 3.0 L (182 CI) that is manufactured by Ford, featuring 6 cylinders and producing between 140 to 150 hp.
• Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN, with the 1996 Ford Ranger having a 4x2 drive type, which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
• Brake System: The VIN discloses that the vehicle is equipped with a hydraulic brake system, highlighting its performance capabilities and safety features.
• Safety Features and Fuel Type: It provides information about safety features such as front air bags located at the 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) and the primary fuel type being Gasoline, showing the vehicle’s focus on occupant protection and its fuel preferences.
• Vehicle Weight Classification: Information about the gross vehicle weight rating is encoded, placing this Ford Ranger in Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg), which helps to understand the vehicle’s size and potential usage scenarios.
• Additional Engine Information: Detailed engine information like the type of fuel injection, which is Electronic Fuel Injection for this model, provides further insight into the vehicle’s technical specifics and performance efficiencies.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 Ford Ranger