How to decode a 1988 Ford F-150 VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Ford F-150 VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer, which forms the first portion of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). In the case of the 1988 Ford F-150, the WMI indicates the vehicle’s origin, manufacturer, and type. For trucks manufactured by Ford Motor Company in the United States, the WMI is “1FT,” denoting that it was produced by Ford in Dearborn, Michigan. Conversely, Canadian-manufactured models of the same truck for the given time frame carry the WMI “2FT,” signifying Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd., based in Oakville, Ontario. This system allows for easy identification and tracing of vehicles back to their manufacturer and respective countries.
List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Ford F-150
WMI: 1FT
- Model Years Covered: 1981-2024
- Example VIN: 1FTDF15N0JNA49648
- Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Dearborn
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States WMI: 2FT
- Model Years Covered: 1981-2003
- Example VIN: 2FTDF15Y3JCB43796
- 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 1988 Ford F-150 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 1988 Ford F-150:
| Known VDS for a 1988 Ford F-150 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DF15N | EX14H | EF15H | EF15N | DF15Y | DF15H | EF14H | EF14N | EX14N | EF14Y |
| EX15N | EF15Y | EX15H | |||||||
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 1988 Ford F-150 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 1988 Ford F-150 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| J | 1988 |
11th Character in the 1988 Ford F-150 VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1988 Ford F-150 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Oakville | Ontario | Canada | Ontario Truck | 2FTDF15Y3JCB43796 |
| K | Kansas City | Missouri | United States | 1FTEX14H1JKA77666 | |
| L | Wayne | Michigan | United States | Michigan Truck | 1FTEF14N2JLA63987 |
| N | Norfolk | Virginia | United States | 1FTDF15N0JNA49648 | |
| P | St. Paul | Minnesota | United States | 1FTEF15N1JPB15388 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Ford F-150
The final 6 characters in a 1988 Ford F-150’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a 1988 Ford F-150’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1988 Ford F-150 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Ford F-150. The VIN should be visible through the windshield on a small placard.
- Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Ford F-150. There may be a VIN sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
- Inspect the frame of the vehicle. On some Ford F-150 trucks, the VIN can be found on the chassis beneath the hood.
- Review your Ford F-150’s engine block, as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
- Check your vehicle’s official and legal documentation, such as the title, registration, or insurance papers, which should list the VIN for your Ford F-150.
What info can a 1988 Ford F-150 VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, indicating the year of production.
- Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN signifies the vehicle as a Truck with a Pickup body class, offering insights into the vehicle’s general design and purpose.
- Engine Specifications: The VIN provides details about the engine, including the manufacturer, configuration, and displacement, offering specifics about its powerplant.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is Gasoline, shedding light on the energy source it utilizes for operation.
- Drive Type: The VIN designates the vehicle as having a 4x2 drive type, which helps in understanding the drivetrain layout.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN indicates where the vehicle was assembled, providing geographical production history.
- Safety Features: The VIN specifies that the vehicle is equipped with manual seat belts, hinting at the basic safety features incorporated.
Don’t have your 1988 Ford F-150’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Ford F-150
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Pickup |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Cab Type | Regular |
| Displacement (CC) | 4916.119200 |
| Displacement (CI) | 300 |
| Displacement (L) | 4.9 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 145 |
| Engine Brake (hp) To | 150 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg) |
| Model | F-150 |
| Model Year | 1988 |
| Other Engine Info | Fuel Injection Type: Electronic Fuel Injection |
| Plant City | Oakville |
| Plant Company Name | Ontario Truck |
| Plant Country | Canada |
| Plant State | Ontario |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 2FTDF15Y*JC |
| Vehicle Type | Truck |
| Sample_VIN | 2FTDF15Y3JCB43796 |
Ready, Set, Bumper...
Try Bumper today and learn more about a vehicle you plan to buy or already own.
TRY Bumper Today