Free 1998 Ford Ranger VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1998 Ford Ranger VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Ford Ranger VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit code that signifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, as well as its country of origin and vehicle type. In the case of the 1998 Ford Ranger, the WMI “1FT” highlights that this vehicle was manufactured by Ford Motor Company. Specifically, it indicates that the vehicle is a truck, and it was produced in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. The WMI is the first section of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides detailed information about the vehicle, including its model year, production plant, and unique identification number. For anyone seeking specific details about their vehicle, the WMI is an essential starting point for decoding the VIN and uncovering the vehicle’s history and specifications.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Ford Ranger

WMI: 1FT

• Model Years Covered: 1983-2011, 2019-2024
• Example VIN: 1FTZR15X0WTA09992
• 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 1998 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 1998 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 1998 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 1998 Ford Ranger VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1998 Ford Ranger VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Ford Ranger Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Ford Ranger

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Ford Ranger’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Ford Ranger’s VIN below:

What info can a 1998 Ford Ranger VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, which in this case may be the year 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: It can disclose the type of vehicle, possibly indicating that the vehicle is a Truck and specifically a Pickup, offering details about its design and intended use.
• Engine Specifications: Details such as the engine manufacturer (possibly Ford), displacement (potentially 3.0L or 182CI), configuration (likely V-Shaped), and the number of cylinders (potentially 6) are typically encoded within the VIN.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for the engine, such as Gasoline, may be determined through VIN analysis, aiding in understanding the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Safety Features: Information on safety features, like the possibility of the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the first row, may be gleaned from the VIN, offering insights into the vehicle’s safety standards.
• Drive Type and Brake System: Key mechanical specifics like the possibility of the vehicle being 4x2 drive and having a hydraulic brake system can be disclosed, providing information about the vehicle’s handling and stopping capabilities.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN also offers potential insights into where the vehicle was manufactured, showcasing possible details like the plant city (potentially St. Paul), state (possibly Minnesota), and country (potentially United States), offering details about the vehicle’s origin.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Ford Ranger