How to decode a 1999 Ford Ranger VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1999 Ford Ranger VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, providing detailed information about where and by whom a vehicle was made. The WMI code for a 1999 Ford Ranger, “1FT,” signifies that it was produced by Ford Motor Company in the United States, specifically in Dearborn, Michigan. This identifier tells us the vehicle type as well, which, in this case, is a truck. The use of WMIs is crucial for tracking, registration, and recall purposes, giving each vehicle a unique identity directly linked to its manufacturer. This system helps ensure that vehicles can be accurately identified globally, regardless of where they are registered or sold.

List of WMI Codes for a 1999 Ford Ranger

WMI: 1FT

Model Years Covered: 1983-2011, 2019-2024
Example VIN: 1FTYR14X0XTA14057
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 1999 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 1999 Ford Ranger:

Known VDS for a 1999 Ford Ranger
YR14X	YR10X	ZR15X	ZR15V	YR10V	ZR11X	YR10C	YR11V	YR11X	YR14C
ZR081	YR14V	YR14U	ZR11V

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 1999 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 1999 Ford Ranger VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
X	1999

11th Character in the 1999 Ford Ranger VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1999 Ford Ranger Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Example VIN
P	St. Paul	Minnesota	United States	1FTZR11X9XPB03675
T	Edison	New Jersey	United States	1FTYR14X0XTA14057
U	Louisville	Kentucky	United States	1FTYR10V1XUB09824

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1999 Ford Ranger

The final 6 characters in a 1999 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 1999 Ford Ranger’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1999 Ford Ranger is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Locate the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1999 Ford Ranger. You can typically see the VIN by looking through the windshield at the area where the dash meets the glass.
Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side door. The 1999 Ford Ranger often has a sticker or plate here with the VIN when you open the door.
Inspect the frame of the vehicle. Sometimes on older trucks like the Ford Ranger, the VIN can be stamped directly on the chassis underneath the vehicle, often near the front.
Check under the hood; the 1999 Ford Ranger may have the VIN on a plate or sticker located on the firewall or on other components within the engine compartment.
Review your vehicle’s paperwork. The VIN for your Ford Ranger should be on the vehicle’s title, registration, and insurance documents.

What info can a 1999 Ford Ranger VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN may suggest that the vehicle’s model year is 1999, potentially indicating its age and market value.
Body Class and Cab Type: The VIN decoding suggests that the vehicle could be a Pickup with a Regular cab, giving possible insights into its body structure and design.
Engine Details: Details from the VIN decode point to the engine being a 5.9L Cummins ISB with an In-Line configuration and 6 cylinders, potentially indicating specific performance capabilities.
Drive Type and Fuel Type: The VIN indicates that it might be a 4x2 drive type vehicle that runs on Diesel fuel, offering possible insights into its drivetrain and energy source.
Safety Features: The VIN decode possibly reveals the presence of 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) airbags and manual seat belts, potentially shedding light on safety measures.
Electrification Level: The vehicle may be identified as a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), hinting at a possible environmental footprint and propulsion method.
Manufacturing Details: Clues from the VIN decode, such as being assembled in Edison, New Jersey, United States, may offer possible background into its origin.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1999 Ford Ranger

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Pickup
Cab Type	Regular
Displacement (CC)	5900.0
Displacement (CI)	360.04009015892
Displacement (L)	5.9
Drive Type	4x2
Electrification Level	BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)
Engine Brake (hp) From	175
Engine Brake (hp) To	300
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	Cummins
Engine Model	ISB
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Engine Stroke Cycles	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Diesel
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)
Model	Ranger
Model Year	1999
Other Engine Info	SEFI, Torque: 420lb-ft
Other Restraint System Info	2nd gen front airbag
Plant City	Edison
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	New Jersey
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	1FTZR081*XT
Vehicle Type	Truck
Sample_VIN	1FTZR0812XTB16903