How to decode a 1986 Ford Aerostar VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1986 Ford Aerostar VIN
World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are unique sequences of characters assigned to vehicle manufacturers, forming the initial portion of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that distinguish where, by whom, and the type of vehicle produced. The WMI for the 1986 Ford Aerostar, “1FM,” signifies that the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, United States, manufactured this vehicle. This identification indicates that the vehicle falls under the category of Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), a versatile classification promising adaptability for varying passenger and cargo needs. Specifically, models of the Ford Aerostar produced from 1986 to 1989, and then from 1991 to 1997, carried this WMI, signifying their production under the Ford brand for the North American market. This coding system aids in vehicle tracking, identification, and regulation compliance across the automotive industry.
List of WMI Codes for a 1986 Ford Aerostar
WMI: 1FM
- Model Years Covered: 1986-1989, 1991-1997
- Example VIN: 1FMCA11U9GZB56900
- Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Dearborn
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1986 Ford Aerostar 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 Aerostar:
| Known VDS for a 1986 Ford Aerostar |
|---|
| CA11U |
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 Aerostar 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 Aerostar VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| G | 1986 |
11th Character in the 1986 Ford Aerostar VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1986 Ford Aerostar Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z | Hazelwood (St. Louis) | Missouri | United States | 1FMCA11U9GZB56900 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1986 Ford Aerostar
The final 6 characters in a 1986 Ford Aerostar’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1986 Ford Aerostar’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1986 Ford Aerostar is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Ford Aerostar. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield.
- Open the driver’s side door and check for a sticker on the door jamb. Your Ford Aerostar’s VIN should be displayed here.
- Examine the frame of the vehicle. The VIN might be stamped onto the frame itself, often beneath the hood or within the engine compartment.
- Look in the rear wheel well. Sometimes the Ford Aerostar’s VIN can be found above the tire.
- Check your vehicle registration documents, insurance cards, or title, where the VIN of your Ford Aerostar will be listed.
What info can a 1986 Ford Aerostar VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating that it was manufactured in 1986 and potentially belonging to a specific generation of the model.
- Vehicle Specifications: The VIN decode shows that the vehicle is a Ford Aerostar, classified as a minivan and equipped with a V-Shaped 3.0-liter engine, providing insights into its layout and size.
- Engine Details: The Aerostar is noted for its 182 cubic inches displacement or 3.0 liters, indicative of the engine’s volume and manufactured by Ford. Additionally, it can generate upwards of 145 horsepower, suggesting performance capabilities.
- Fuel Type: The VIN specifies that the vehicle runs on gasoline, providing an indication of its fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Safety Features: Manual seat belts are indicated, offering information on the basic safety features present in the vehicle.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN details that the Aerostar was assembled in Hazelwood (St. Louis), Missouri, United States, offering a glimpse into its production origin.
- Drive Type and Weight Class: It is described as having a 4x2 drive type and falls into the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of Class 1C, which ranges between 4,001 - 5,000 lb, providing insight into its handling and classification.
Don’t have your 1986 Ford Aerostar’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1986 Ford Aerostar
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Minivan |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Displacement (CC) | 2982.445648 |
| Displacement (CI) | 182 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.0 |
| Doors | 3 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 145 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg) |
| Model | Aerostar |
| Model Year | 1986 |
| Other Engine Info | Fuel Injection Type: Electronic Fuel Injection |
| Plant City | Hazelwood (St. Louis) |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Missouri |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series2 | Window Wagon |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1FMCA11U*GZ |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Sample_VIN | 1FMCA11U9GZB56900 |
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