Free 1986 Ford Ranger VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1986 Ford Ranger VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1986 Ford Ranger VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) which uniquely identifies the manufacturer, vehicle type, and country of origin. For instance, in the case of a 1986 Ford Ranger, the WMI code “1FT” signifies that it was manufactured by Ford Motor Company in the United States, specifically in Dearborn, Michigan. This code highlights that the vehicle is classified as a truck, encompassing model years from 1983 to 2011 and resuming from 2019 to 2024. WMIs are crucial in providing quick, specific information about a vehicle, facilitating global recognition and tracking.

List of WMI Codes for a 1986 Ford Ranger

WMI: 1FT

• Model Years Covered: 1983-2011, 2019-2024
• Example VIN: 1FTCR14T2GPA39767
• 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 1986 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 1986 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 1986 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 1986 Ford Ranger VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1986 Ford Ranger VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1986 Ford Ranger Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1986 Ford Ranger

The final 6 characters in a 1986 Ford Ranger’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1986 Ford Ranger VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year to be 1986, allowing for insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN provides details about the engine, indicating an In-Line configuration with a displacement of 2.3 liters (140 CI or 2294.19 CC) and an electronic fuel injection type, likely manufactured by Ford.
• Fuel Type: The VIN suggests that the primary fuel type for the vehicle is Gasoline, providing insights into the vehicle’s environmental impact and operational costs.
• Body Class and Drive Type: The VIN specifies the Ford Ranger as a Pickup with a 4WD drive type, highlighting its utility and off-road capabilities.
• Safety Features: The VIN listing manual seat belts may hint at the vehicle’s safety features, offering some insights into the safety standards at the time of manufacture.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN indicates the production location as St. Paul, Minnesota, United States, shedding light on the vehicle’s assembly line and origin.
• Vehicle Weight Class: Based on the VIN, the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating falls within Class 1C (4,001 - 5,000 lb), indicating the vehicle’s load-carrying capacity and classification in a specific weight range.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1986 Ford Ranger