How to decode a 1988 Ford Ranger VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Ford Ranger VIN
Vehicle Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle and provide specific characteristics about it. For the 1988 Ford Ranger, the WMI “1FT” indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by Ford Motor Company, highlighting its origin in the United States, specifically in Dearborn, Michigan. This WMI suggests the vehicle is categorized as a truck, falling under the range of model years from 1983 to 2011, and seeing a resurgence from 2019 to 2024. Through the WMI, one can deduce the vehicle’s type, its manufacturing location, and the specific company responsible for its production, enabling easier identification and tracking of vehicles globally.
List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Ford Ranger
WMI: 1FT
- Model Years Covered: 1983-2011, 2019-2024
- Example VIN: 1FTCR14A1JPB59324
- 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 Ranger 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 Ranger:
| Known VDS for a 1988 Ford Ranger | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CR14A | CR11A | CR11T | CR14T | CR15T | CR10A | BR10A | BR10C | CR10T | BR10T |
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 Ranger 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 Ranger VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| J | 1988 |
11th Character in the 1988 Ford Ranger VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1988 Ford Ranger Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | St. Paul | Minnesota | United States | 1FTCR14A1JPB59324 | |
| U | Louisville | Kentucky | United States | 1FTCR11AXJUB86057 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Ford Ranger
The final 6 characters in a 1988 Ford Ranger’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1988 Ford Ranger’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1988 Ford Ranger is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Review the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1988 Ford Ranger. It’s common to find the VIN through the windshield on a small metal or plastic plate.
- Examine the door frame on the driver’s side of your Ford Ranger. The VIN can often be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
- Look at the engine block in your 1988 Ford Ranger. The VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
- Investigate the frame of your Ford Ranger, often near the windshield washer container under the hood, for a VIN plate.
- Check your Ford Ranger’s vehicle registration documents, insurance papers, or the title (also known as pink slip) where the VIN will be recorded.
What info can a 1988 Ford Ranger VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1988, providing insights into the age and potential technological features of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Specifications: The VIN can encapsulate basic Ford Ranger model information along with specific engine details, like a 2.3 L In-Line engine with 140 horsepower.
- Body Type and Size: The VIN outlines the vehicle as a Pickup with a Cab Type that can range from Extra to Extended, indicating the diversity in size and utility.
- Engine and Performance: Details such as the engine’s displacement in liters (2.3 L), cylinders (4), and the fuel type (Gasoline) are specified, illustrating engine size, power output, and fuel efficiency aspects.
- Drive Type and Braking System: The VIN reveals the drive type as 4x2 and the brake system type as Hydraulic, pointing towards the vehicle’s handling characteristics and potential safety features.
- Manufacturing Location: Information about the manufacturing location, including the Plant City (St. Paul), Plant State (Minnesota), and Plant Country (United States), provides insight into the origin of the vehicle.
- Safety Features: Although specific features aren’t detailed, the mention of a Manual seat belt type suggests basic safety mechanisms were likely in place at the time of manufacture.
Don’t have your 1988 Ford Ranger’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Ford Ranger
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Pickup |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Cab Type | Extra/Super/Quad/Double/King/Extended |
| Displacement (CC) | 2294.188960 |
| Displacement (CI) | 140 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.3 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 100 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg) |
| Model | Ranger |
| Model Year | 1988 |
| Other Engine Info | Fuel Injection Type: Electronic Fuel Injection |
| Plant City | St. Paul |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Minnesota |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1FTCR14A*JP |
| Vehicle Type | Truck |
| Sample_VIN | 1FTCR14A1JPB59324 |
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