Free 1988 Ford E-250 VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1988 Ford E-250 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Ford E-250 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), designated to identify the vehicle manufacturer, type, and the country of manufacture. In the case of a 1988 Ford E-250, the WMI is “1FT,” which signifies that the vehicle was manufactured by Ford Motor Company in the United States. Specifically, it indicates that the vehicle is a truck produced in Dearborn, Michigan. This coding system is crucial for vehicle registration, identification, and tracking purposes globally. The WMI not only helps in distinguishing the vehicle’s manufacturer but also provides specific insights into the vehicle’s origin and type.

List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Ford E-250

WMI: 1FT

• Model Years Covered: 1988, 1990-2014
• Example VIN: 1FTGS24H4JHB96175
• 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-250 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-250:

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-250 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-250 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1988 Ford E-250 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1988 Ford E-250 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Ford E-250

The final 6 characters in a 1988 Ford E-250’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1988 Ford E-250 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN may reveal that the vehicle could have been manufactured around the year 1988, offering insights into its age and potential market value.
• Engine Details: This vehicle could possibly be equipped with a V-Shaped, 8-cylinder engine manufactured by Ford, indicating its specific engine configuration, displacement (possibly 5.8L/351CI), and horsepower (around 210 hp), potentially reflecting its performance capabilities.
• Fuel Type: The vehicle might run on gasoline, implying its primary fuel type and potential efficiency factors, potentially further detailed by the inclusion of electronic fuel injection as part of its engine specifications.
• Body Class and Size: It seems that the vehicle could be classified as a Cargo Van, with the specific model and trim (E-250 Super Cargo Van) possibly suggesting its intended use and capacity, which may be vital for understanding vehicle utility and space.
• Safety and Equipment: The VIN possibly illustrates basic safety features with manual seat belts. Additionally, the brake system (hydraulic) might hint at the vehicle’s overall safety and handling characteristics.
• Manufacturing Details: The assembly location in Lorain, Ohio, United States, as detailed, could provide insight into the origin of manufacture, potentially useful for market value, recall information, or regional specifications.
• Drive Type and Weight Class: The VIN may indicate that the vehicle is a 4x2 drive type with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating in Class 2G, potentially providing important information on the vehicle’s drivetrain and weight classification, impacting its functionality and regulatory compliance.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Ford E-250