Free 1986 Ford F-350 VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1986 Ford F-350 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1986 Ford F-350 VIN

WMIs, or World Manufacturer Identifiers, are unique three-letter codes assigned to every vehicle manufacturer globally, offering critical information about the vehicle’s make and place of origin. For the 1986 Ford F-350, the WMI “1FT” signifies it was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company, highlighting its American craftsmanship. This particular truck, falling under the model years the WMI covers ranging from 1981 to 1997 and resuming from 1999 to 2024, was produced in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. The inclusion of the WMI in a vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) not only verifies its manufacturer but also provides a glimpse into its history and origin, underlining its identity as a tough and reliable truck built by one of America’s most storied automotive brands. This identification method plays a crucial role in vehicle tracking, recall associations, and history reporting, ensuring each vehicle carries a distinguishable mark of its lineage and production specifics.

List of WMI Codes for a 1986 Ford F-350

WMI: 2FT

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1983, 1985-1996
• Example VIN: 2FTJW3616GC143622
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd.
• Vehicle Type: Truck
• City: Oakville
• State or Province: Ontario
• Country: Canada WMI: 1FT
• Model Years Covered: 1981-1997, 1999-2024
• Example VIN: 1FTHF36L2GPA50176
• 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 1986 Ford F-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 1986 Ford F-350:

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 F-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 1986 Ford F-350 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1986 Ford F-350 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1986 Ford F-350 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1986 Ford F-350

The final 6 characters in a 1986 Ford F-350’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1986 Ford F-350 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting that it is likely a 1986 model, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Specifications: The VIN details indicate that the vehicle is a Ford F-350, which can offer specific model details including engine type and potential fuel efficiency.
• Engine Specifics: The vehicle is equipped with a V-Shaped engine configuration and an impressive 7.5L displacement (460 CI), which may illustrate its powerful capabilities.
• Drive Type and Fuel: The vehicle is designed with a 4x2 drive type and runs on gasoline, hinting at its intended use and potential fuel efficiency considerations.
• Body Class and Weight: The VIN classifies the vehicle as a Pickup with a Crew Cab type, falling within the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of Class 2H: 9,001 - 10,000 lb, providing insight into its capacity and size.
• Manufacturing Information: It appears that the vehicle was manufactured in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, by Ontario Truck, which could offer clues into its production origin and potential quality standards.
• Safety Features: The presence of a Manual seat belt type may be indicative of the safety features implemented during the vehicle’s production era.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1986 Ford F-350