Free 1988 Ford E-150 VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1988 Ford E-150 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Ford E-150 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer that details crucial information about the vehicle, including its place of manufacture, the brand, and the type of vehicle it is. Specifically, for a 1988 Ford E-150, the WMI “1FT” indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by Ford Motor Company in the United States, highlighting its origins in Dearborn, Michigan. The designation suggests that the vehicle falls within the category of trucks, according to the manufacturing codes. The WMI serves as an essential identifier in the automotive industry, providing a standardized way to decode and understand the background and specifications of vehicles. This information is particularly useful for tracking, registration, and identification purposes, ensuring that each vehicle can be globally recognized by its unique set of characters.

List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Ford E-150

WMI: 1FT

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1984, 1988-2014
• Example VIN: 1FTDE14Y3JHA59989
• 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-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 E-150:

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-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 E-150 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1988 Ford E-150 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1988 Ford E-150 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Ford E-150

The final 6 characters in a 1988 Ford E-150’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Ford E-150’s VIN below:

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What info can a 1988 Ford E-150 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating the year 1988, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Type: It can specify the body class, suggesting it is a “Cargo Van” and classified as a “Truck” type, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s primary use and style.
• Engine Specifications: Details about the engine, such as it being an inline configuration with a 4.9L (300 CI) displacement and produced by Ford, can possibly highlight the power and manufacturer specifics.
• Fuel Type: A VIN can specify the type of fuel the vehicle uses, possibly indicating gasoline in this case, which is fundamental for understanding the vehicle’s performance and environmental impact.
• Drive Type and Brake System: It may show the vehicle’s drive type as 4x2 and the brake system as hydraulic, hinting at its handling characteristics and safety features.
• Vehicle Manufacturing Information: The VIN gives insights into where the vehicle was made, possibly pointing to Lorain, Ohio, United States, which can be useful for tracking assembly quality and origin.
• Safety and Equipment Details: The VIN may include safety equipment specifics, such as the seat belt type being manual, providing a glimpse into the safety standards and features installed.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Ford E-150

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