How to decode a 1988 Ford E-350 VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Ford E-350 VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences that identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, including key details about where the vehicle was made and the type of vehicle it is. Specifically, for a 1988 Ford E-350, the WMI is “1FT,” which denotes the Ford Motor Company as the manufacturer. This specific sequence indicates that the vehicle is a truck crafted by Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. WMIs are an integral part of a vehicle’s identification number (VIN), offering a standardized method to recognize the vehicle’s manufacturing origin and brand. This information is crucial for registration, identification, and recall purposes.
List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Ford E-350
WMI: 1FT
- Model Years Covered: 1982, 1986, 1988, 1990-2014
- Example VIN: 1FTJE34Y8JHB73467
- 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 1988 Ford E-350 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 E-350:
| Known VDS for a 1988 Ford E-350 | |
|---|---|
| JE34Y | HS34H |
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 E-350 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 E-350 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| J | 1988 |
11th Character in the 1988 Ford E-350 VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1988 Ford E-350 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H | Lorain | Ohio | United States | 1FTJE34Y8JHB73467 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Ford E-350
The final 6 characters in a 1988 Ford E-350’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1988 Ford E-350’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1988 Ford E-350 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Ford E-350. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on a small metal or plastic plate.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb. The VIN for your Ford E-350 might be located on a label or sticker where the door latches.
- Check the frame between the carburetor and windshield washer unit under the hood; some Ford E-350 vehicles have the VIN stamped on the chassis.
- Examine your vehicle’s registration documents, insurance card, or title, as these will all have the VIN for your Ford E-350 listed.
What info can a 1988 Ford E-350 VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as the year 1988, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN indicates the vehicle is classified as a Truck with a Body Class of Cargo Van, showcasing how vehicle configuration and usage type can be decoded.
- Engine Specifications: Detailed engine information from the VIN reveals an In-Line 6-cylinder engine manufactured by Ford with a displacement range of 300 cubic inches (4.9 liters) and horsepower between 145 to 150, highlighting the depth of mechanical details available.
- Fuel Type: The VIN specifies the primary fuel type as Gasoline, indicating the vehicle’s energy source and contributing to understanding its environmental impact and fuel economy.
- Drive Type and Brake System: Insights into the vehicle’s performance characteristics can be deduced, with the VIN indicating a 4x2 drive type and a Hydraulic brake system, illustrating aspects of the vehicle’s operational and safety features.
- Manufacturing Information: Details such as the Plant City (Lorain), Plant State (Ohio), and Plant Country (United States) provide background on the vehicle’s production location, giving clues to its origin and potentially the quality control standards in place during manufacturing.
- Safety and Vehicle Size: The VIN shows the vehicle comes with Manual seat belts and falls within the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of Class 2H, illustrating safety features and the vehicle’s size category which could impact its utility and regulatory classification.
Don’t have your 1988 Ford E-350’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Ford E-350
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Cargo Van |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| 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 2H: 9,001 - 10,000 lb (4,082 - 4,536 kg) |
| Model | E-350 |
| Model Year | 1988 |
| Other Engine Info | Fuel Injection Type: Electronic Fuel Injection |
| Plant City | Lorain |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Ohio |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | Econoline |
| Trim | Regular Cargo Van |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1FTJE34Y*JH |
| Vehicle Type | Truck |
| Sample_VIN | 1FTJE34Y8JHB73467 |
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