How to decode a 1981 Ford F-100 VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1981 Ford F-100 VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of every vehicle globally. They form the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provide essential details about the vehicle, including its production location and type. For the 1981 Ford F-100, the WMIs of “2FT” and “1FT” denote trucks manufactured by Ford, with “2FT” indicating those produced by Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, and “1FT” signifying those made by Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. These codes are crucial for accurately identifying and tracking vehicles for registration, insurance, and recall purposes.
List of WMI Codes for a 1981 Ford F-100
WMI: 2FT
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1983
- Example VIN: 2FTCF10DXBCA35807
- Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd.
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Oakville
- State or Province: Ontario
- Country: Canada WMI: 1FT
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1983
- Example VIN: 1FTCF10E5BPA45054
- 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 1981 Ford F-100 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 1981 Ford F-100:
| Known VDS for a 1981 Ford F-100 | ||
|---|---|---|
| CF10D | CF10E | CF10F |
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 1981 Ford F-100 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 1981 Ford F-100 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| B | 1981 |
11th Character in the 1981 Ford F-100 VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1981 Ford F-100 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Oakville | Ontario | Canada | Ontario Truck | 2FTCF10DXBCA35807 |
| N | Norfolk | Virginia | United States | 1FTCF10F8BNA71037 | |
| P | St. Paul | Minnesota | United States | 1FTCF10E5BPA45054 | |
| R | San Jose | California | United States | 1FTCF10E3BRA04751 | |
| U | Louisville | Kentucky | United States | 1FTCF10E2BUA68440 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1981 Ford F-100
The final 6 characters in a 1981 Ford F-100’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Ford F-100’s VIN below:
How to find a 1981 Ford F-100’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1981 Ford F-100 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Ford F-100, directly where the corner meets the windshield. The VIN is typically displayed on a metal plate and can be seen from outside the vehicle.
- Open the driver’s side door and check the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). Often on older trucks like the 1981 Ford F-100, there will be a VIN plate or sticker.
- Examine the frame of the Ford F-100. The VIN can sometimes be found stamped on the truck’s chassis, but this may require looking underneath the vehicle.
- Under the hood, check the front of the engine block. For many vehicles, including the 1981 Ford F-100, the VIN may be stamped on the engine.
- Have a look at the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or title/ownership documents. The VIN of your Ford F-100 will certainly be listed there.
What info can a 1981 Ford F-100 VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating that it is a 1981 model, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN can specify the body class of the vehicle. For the 1981 Ford F-100, this may indicate that it is a pickup with a regular cab type, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure, possibly with 2 doors.
- Engine Type: The VIN can provide information about the engine configuration. For this vehicle, it features a V-shaped engine with a displacement of 302 CI (5 L) and a horsepower range from 143 hp to 150 hp, highlighting the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
- Fuel Type: The VIN can also reveal the fuel type of the vehicle. In this case, the 1981 Ford F-100 runs on gasoline, providing insights into its fuel consumption and efficiency.
- Drive Type: The VIN can identify the drive type of the vehicle. In the case of the 1981 Ford F-100, it is a 4x2, which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
- Brake System: Additionally, the VIN may specify the brake system. The 1981 Ford F-100 features a hydraulic brake system, contributing to its specific braking performance.
- Safety Features: Although detailed safety features aren’t directly mentioned, the presence of a manual seat belt system can offer insights into the safety standards of this make and model, possibly indicating a certain level of safety consideration.
- Manufacturing Information: The VIN can provide insights into the manufacturing location. In this case, the 1981 Ford F-100 was manufactured in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, offering a glimpse into its origin and production background.
Don’t have your 1981 Ford F-100’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1981 Ford F-100
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Pickup |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Cab Type | Regular |
| Displacement (CC) | 4948.893328 |
| Displacement (CI) | 302 |
| Displacement (L) | 5 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 143 |
| Engine Brake (hp) To | 150 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg) |
| Model | F-100 |
| Model Year | 1981 |
| Plant City | Norfolk |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Virginia |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1FTCF10F*BN |
| Vehicle Type | Truck |
| Sample_VIN | 1FTCF10F8BNA71037 |
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