Repair and Diagnosis: Application and ID
IDENTIFICATION CODESVehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Location:
The vehicle identification number (VIN) is a 17-digit combination of letters and numbers. The VIN is stamped on a metal tab riveted to the instrument panel, top upper left of the dash. The VIN is also found on the vehicle certification (VC) label. If the VIN plate requires replacement, an authorized dealer must contact their respective regional office.
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI):
The first 3 vehicle identification number (VIN) positions are the world manufacturer code.
- 1FD - Ford Motor Company, USA, incomplete vehicle
- 1FT - Ford Motor Company, USA, truck, completed vehicle
Brake Type and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):
The fourth VIN position is the vehicle brake type and GVWR code (all vehicles use hydraulic brakes).
- N - 8,501-9,000 pounds GVWR with driver and front passenger air bags
- S - 9,001-10,000 pounds GVWR with driver and front passenger air bags
- W - 10,001-14,000 pounds GVWR with driver and front passenger air bags
- X - 14,001-16,000 pounds GVWR with driver and front passenger air bags
- A - 16,001-19,500 pounds GVWR with driver and front passenger air bags
Vehicle Line, Series and Body Type:
Positions 5 through 7 indicate vehicle line, series and body type.
- F20 - F-250, Regular Cab, rear wheel drive (RWD), single rear wheels
- F21 - F-250, Regular Cab, four wheel drive (4WD), single rear wheels
- F30 - F-350, Regular Cab, RWD, single rear wheels
- F31 - F-350, Regular Cab, 4WD, single rear wheels
- F32 - F-350, Regular Cab, RWD, dual rear wheels
- F33 - F-350, Regular Cab, 4WD, dual rear wheels
- F34 - F-350, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), RWD, single rear wheels
- F35 - F-350, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4WD, single rear wheels
- F36 - F-350, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), RWD, dual rear wheels
- F37 - F-350, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4WD, dual rear wheels
- F46 - F-450, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), RWD, dual rear wheels
- F47 - F-450, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4WD, dual rear wheels
- F56 - F-550, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), RWD, dual rear wheels
- F57 - F-550, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4WD, dual rear wheels
- W20 - F-250, Crew Cab, RWD, single rear wheels
- W21 - F-250, Crew Cab, 4WD, single rear wheels
- W30 - F-350, Crew Cab, RWD, single rear wheels
- W31 - F-350, Crew Cab, 4WD, single rear wheels
- W32 - F-350, Crew Cab, RWD, dual rear wheels
- W33 - F-350, Crew Cab, 4WD, dual rear wheels
- W34 - F-350, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), RWD, single rear wheels
- W35 - F-350, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), 4WD, single rear wheels
- W36 - F-350, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), RWD, dual rear wheels
- W37 - F-350, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), 4WD, dual rear wheels
- W42 - F-450, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), RWD, dual rear wheels
- W43 - F-450, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), 4WD, dual rear wheels
- W46 - F-450, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), RWD, dual rear wheels
- W47 - F-450, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), 4WD, dual rear wheels
- W56 - F-550, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), RWD, dual rear wheels
- W57 - F-550, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), 4WD, dual rear wheels
- X20 - F-250, SuperCab, RWD, single rear wheels
- X21 - F-250, SuperCab, 4WD, single rear wheels
- X30 - F-350, SuperCab, RWD, single rear wheels
- X31 - F-350, SuperCab, 4WD, single rear wheels
- X32 - F-350, SuperCab, RWD, dual rear wheels
- X33 - F-350, SuperCab, 4WD, dual rear wheels
- X34 - F-350, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), RWD, single rear wheels
- X35 - F-350, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), 4WD, single rear wheels
- X36 - F-350, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), RWD, dual rear wheels
- X37 - F-350, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), 4WD, dual rear wheels
- X46 - F-450, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), RWD, dual rear wheels
- X47 - F-450, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), 4WD, dual rear wheels
- X56 - F-550, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), RWD, dual rear wheels
- X57 - F-550, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), 4WD, dual rear wheels
Engine Code:
The eighth VIN position is the engine displacement and number of cylinders.
- 5 - 5.4L, Modular, 3V, SOHC, EFI, V8, gas
- L - 5.4L, Modular, SOHC, EFI, V8, gas (Mexico market)
- R - 6.4L, OHV, DI Turbo-Charged, V8, diesel
- S - 6.8L, SOHC, EFI, V10, gas (Mexico market)
- Y - 6.8L, 3V, EFI, V10, gas
Check Digit Code:
The ninth VIN position is a government-assigned, computer-generated check digit.
Model Year Code:
The tenth VIN position is the model year code.
- 8 - 2008
Assembly Plant Code:
The eleventh VIN position is the assembly plant code.
- E - Kentucky Truck (Jefferson County, Kentucky - USA)
- M - Cautitlan Assembly (Cautitlan, Mexico) - Mexico market
Sequential Build Code:
The last 6 VIN positions are an alphanumeric code for the vehicle build sequence. This is also the vehicle serial and warranty number. This serial number can also be found on the engine block, transmission and vehicle frame.
- A00001-F99999 - Ford Division
Vehicle Certification (VC) Label
Vehicle Certification (VC) Label Location:
The vehicle certification (VC) label contains the manufacturer name, the month and year of manufacture, the certification statement and the VIN. It also includes gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR).
If a vehicle requires replacement of the VC label and is 4 years old or less, an authorized dealer must submit the VIN to their respective regional office. The regional office will submit a web form to the assembly plant for the replacement label. Once the label has been printed, a representative from the regional office will deliver the label to the dealer and witness installation on the vehicle. If a vehicle is more than 4 years old and requires a replacement label, the dealer must submit a request to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Paint Code:
Exterior paint codes may be listed as a 2-part code. The first set of characters listed indicate the vehicle primary body color code. The second set of characters listed (if applicable) indicate a 2-tone or accent body color code.
Primary Body Color
- CX - Dark Shadow Gray (clear coat)
- DX - Dark Blue Pearl (waterborne) clear coat
- E4 - Vermilion Red (clear coat)
- F1 - Vermilion Red (waterborne) clear coat
- FL - Medium Toreador Red (clear coat)
- G3 - Pueblo Gold (waterborne) clear coat
- GG - Forest Green (waterborne) clear coat
- HR - Vintage Copper (waterborne) clear coat
- L2 - True Blue (clear coat)
- P5 - Aspen Green (clear coat)
- T5 - Dark Copper (waterborne) clear coat
- T7 - Charcoal Beige (waterborne) clear coat
- UA - Ebony (clear coat)
- UD - Ebony (waterborne) clear coat
- YN - Silver Metallic (clear coat)
- YZ - Oxford White (clear coat)
- Z1 - Oxford White (waterborne) clear coat
- Z3 - Silver Metallic (waterborne) clear coat
2-Tone Color
- CX - Dark Shadow Gray
- G3 - Pueblo Gold
- HR - Vintage Copper
- UD - Ebony (waterborne) clear coat
- Z3 - Silver Metallic (waterborne) clear coat
Wheelbase:
- 137 - 137 inch (3,480 mm) wheelbase
- 141 - 141 inch (3,581 mm) wheelbase
- 142 - 142 inch (3,607 mm) wheelbase
- 156 - 156 inch (3,962 mm) wheelbase
- 158 - 158 inch (4,013 mm) wheelbase
- 162 - 162 inch (4,115 mm) wheelbase
- 165 - 165 inch (4,191 mm) wheelbase
- 172 - 172 inch (4,369 mm) wheelbase
- 176 - 176 inch (4,470 mm) wheelbase
- 189 - 189 inch (4,795 mm) wheelbase
- 200 - 200 inch (5,085 mm) wheelbase
- 201 - 201 inch (5,105 mm) wheelbase
Interior Trim:
Interior trim codes are listed as a 2-part code. The first character listed identifies the trim type. The second character listed identifies the interior trim color.
Interior Trim Type
- 1 - Zinc cloth split bench seat with armrest
- 2 - Marta cloth captain's chairs
- 3 - Marta cloth 40/20/40 bench seat
- 4 - Imola leather captain's chairs
- 8 - Imola leather 40/20/40 bench seat
- A - Milled Pebble vinyl bench split bench seat with armrest
- C - Zinc cloth bench seat
- D - Harley Davidson leather captain's chairs with 60/40 rear bench
- G - Zinc cloth high back bucket seats
- H - Harley Davidson leather quad captain's chairs
- J - Milled Pebble vinyl high back bucket seats
- L - Tech cloth 40/20/40 seat
- M - Tech cloth captain's chairs
- P - SOHO leather captain's chairs
- R - King Ranch leather quad captains chairs
- S - King Ranch leather captain's chairs with rear 60/40 bench
- T - Milled Pebble vinyl 40/20/40 seat
- V - Milled Pebble vinyl full bench seat
- W - Marta cloth 40/20/40 seat
- X - Marta cloth captain's chairs
- Y - Milled Pebble leather captain's chairs
Interior Trim Color
- A - Medium Stone with Charcoal Black accent
- C - Camel Tan
- S - Medium Stone
Tape/Paint Stripe:
- E - Ebony/Dark Shadow Gray/Ebony
- G - Pueblo Gold/Ebony/Pueblo Gold
- H - Ebony/Red/Vintage Copper/Antique Gold
- S - Light Argent/Medium Platinum/Light Argent
- 3 - Ebony/Red/Vintage Copper/Antique Gold with 3D Harley Davidson letters
Radio Type:
- 1 - AM/FM stereo with 6-disc compact disc (CD) changer and clock
- 5 - Premium electronic AM/FM stereo with CD player and clock
- 7 - AM/FM stereo with clock
- C - Premium electronic AM/FM stereo CD changer and clock
- F - AM/FM stereo CD changer, clock and navigation system
- Y - Radio delete
Axle Type:
The following lists the gear ratios on rear axles.
- 37 - 3.73 non-limited slip
- 3L - 3.73 limited slip
- 41 - 4.10 non-limited slip
- 43 - 4.30 non-limited slip
- 48 - 4.88 non-limited slip
- 4L - 4.30 limited slip
- 4N - 4.10 limited slip
- 4W - 4.10 limited slip (ambulance package)
- 53 - 5.38 non-limited slip
- 5L - 5.38 limited slip
- 8L - 4.88 limited slip
Transmission Type:
- 2 - 5-speed manual, TREMEC (TR4050)
- 5 - 6-speed manual, Dana (Z/F S6-650)
- 7 - 6-speed manual, Dana (Z/F M6HD-W), diesel
- B - 5-speed automatic (5R110W), Hi-Torque, diesel
- T - 5-speed automatic (5R110W)
Springs:
Springs codes are listed as a 2-part code. The first character listed is for the front springs. The second code listed is for the rear springs. Auxiliary rear springs may also be listed.
Front Springs
- AA - 5C34-5310-AAB
- BB - 5C34-5310-ABB
- CC - 5C34-5310-ACB
- DD - 5C34-5310-ADB
- EE - 7C34-5310-EC
- FF - 7C34-5310-FC
- GG - 7C34-5310-GC
- HH - 7C34-5310-HC
- II - 7C34-5310-RC
- JJ - 7C34-5310-JC
- KK - 7C34-5310-KC
- TT - 5C34-5310-AEB
- VV - 5C34-5310-AFB
- WW - 5C34-5310-AGB
- XX - 5C34-5310-AHB
- YY - 5C34-5310-VC
- ZZ - 5C34-5310-WC
- 22 - 7C34-5310-XC
- 33 - 7C34-5310-ZC
Rear Springs
- BB - 5A975, leaf
- DD - 5A975, leaf
- FF - 5560, leaf
- GG - 5A975, leaf
- HH - 5A975, leaf
- JJ - 5A975, leaf
- KK - 5A975, leaf
- LL - 5A975, leaf
Powertrain Calibration Information
Powertrain Calibration Information:
NOTE: Powertrain calibration information is limited to a maximum of 5 characters per line on the vehicle certification (VC) label. Because of this, calibration identification consisting of more than 5 characters will wrap to the second line on the VC label.
Powertrain calibration information is printed in the lower right corner of the vehicle certification label. Only the base calibration information is printed. Revision levels will not appear, however, they can be found in On Line Automotive Service Information System (OASIS).
Protocol 3
The following offers a more detailed explanation of the coding strategy used for Protocol 3.
Model Year
- 0 - 2000
- 1 - 2001
- 2 - 2002
- 3 - 2003
- 4 - 2004
- 5 - 2005
- 6 - 2006
- 7 - 2007
- 8 - 2008
Vehicle Code
- F7 - F-250 through F-550
Transmission
- 1 - Automatic transmission
- 2 - Manual transmission
Unique Calibration
The Emission/CAFE/CO2 Compliance Department is responsible for assigning these calibration numbers. Unique calibration identifications are assigned to cover similar vehicles to differentiate between tires, drive configurations, final drive ratios and other calibration-significant factors.
These 2 characters are chosen by the analyst to provide identifiable information unique to each calibration. For example, using the number 2 to denote a 2-valve engine versus using the number 4 to denote a 4-valve engine offers an easily identifiable difference.
Fleet Code
- 0 - Certification (U.S. 4K, final sale in export markets)
- 1 - HDGE/Dyno
- 2 - Fast AMA, U.S.
- 3 - ADP U.S.
- 4 - Not assigned
- 5 - Not assigned
- 6 - Evaporative emissions
- 7 - MACAA
- 8 - On-board diagnostics (OBD)
- 9 - Not assigned
Certification Region
Where multiple regions are listed in one calibration, only the lead region will be listed.
- 5 - U.S. 50 states
- A - U.S. Federal (including altitude, may include Canada and/or Mexico)
- B - U.S. California standard (includes U.S. green states)
- C - Canada
- D - China
- E - European Community (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom)
- F - Extended European Community (E plus Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland and Yugoslavia)
- G - Gulf Cooperative Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE)
- H - Hong Kong
- J - Japan
- K - Korea
- L - Malaysia
- M - Mexico
- N - New Zealand
- P - Australia
- Q - South America (Brazil)
- S - Singapore
- T - Taiwan
- U - South America (unleaded fuel regions)
- V - Vietnam
- X - ROW (rest of world)
- Y - Military
- Z - Israel
Revision Level (not printed on label)
- 91-99 - Hardware certification levels
- 01-04 - Preliminary levels
- 00 - Job 1 production (initial calibration)
- 05-09 - Pre-job 1 revisions to calibrations
- 10-89 - Post-job 1 revisions to calibrations
- 0B - Durability test level
- BD - On-board diagnostics (OBD) intermediate level (pre-05)