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1973-1979 Ford F-series Truck VIN (Warranty) Tag Decoding

 


THE FIRST LINE
Series Code
The first three digits of the warranty or vehicle vehicle identification number indicate the truck series.

CLICK HERE to see a complete listing of Series Codes.


Engine Code
The fourth digit of the warranty or vehicle identification number indicates basic engine identification. The chart at right shows engines used in the F-series light-duty trucks (F100/150/250/350) only.
CODE YEAR CYL C.I.D. Carb Type
A '73-'74 6 240 1-bbl. Exc. California
'75-'79 8 460* 4-bbl. 7.5 Litre
B '73-'79 6 300 1-bbl. 4.9 Litre
G '73-'79 8 302 2-bbl. 5.0 Litre
H '73-'76 8 390* 2-bbl.  
'77-'79 8 351 2-bbl 5.8 Litre
J '73-'79 8 460* 4-bbl. 7.5 Litre
M '75-'76 8 390* 4-bbl.  
S '77-'79 8 400 2-bbl. 6.6 Litre
Y '73-'76 8 360 2-bbl.  
1 '73-'76 6 240 1-bbl. Low compression - D.S.O.
5 '74 8 360 2-bbl Low compression - D.S.O.

* 390 and 460 engines not available from the factory w/ 4WD trucks.

SOURCE: 1973-1979 Ford Truck Master
Parts Catalog - Oct. 1979


Assembly Plant Code
The fifth digit of the warranty or vehicle identification number indicates the plant at which the vehicle was assembled.

SOURCE: 1973-1979 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog - Oct. 1979

CODE ASSEMBLY PLANT
B Oakville
C Ontario Truck
E Manwah
H Lorain
I Highland Park
K Kansas City
L Michigan Truck
CODE ASSEMBLY PLANT
N Norfolk
P Twin Cities
(Minneapolis/St Paul)
R San Jose
S Pilot Plant (Allen Park)
U Louisville
V Kentucky Truck

Numerical Sequence of Assembly
A production serial number system is used to identify model years. The numbers shown below apply to all (except E-series).
From Serial No. To Serial Number Cataloged as
Model Year
Q00,001 S60,000 1973
S60,001 V20,000 1974
V20,001 X40,000 1975
A00,000 D25,000 1976
O00,001 O99,999 1977
X80,001 Z25,000
AE0,001 CK9,999 1978
DC0,001 FK9,000 1979
SOURCE: 1973-1979 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog - Oct. 1979

Due to varying production volumes, the exact serial number with which a change becomes effective cannot be determined. When selecting part numbers referenced to serial numbers, the catalog specifications should be used as an aid in selecting the proper part number.

Note that up through 1977, the serial number consisted of one letter and 5 numbers (e.g. X00,000). From 1978, it changed to two letters followed by four numbers (e.g. XX0,000).

 

THE SECOND LINE
Wheelbase
The actual wheelbase in inches is shown on the rating or warranty plate.

Color Code - Exterior Paint
The code under "Color" indicates the exterior paint of the vehicle.

CLICK HERE to view the U.S. and Canadian exterior paint usage codes with Ford part numbers.


Model Code
The model code under "TYPE/G.V.W." indicates truck series and the corresponding G.V.W. rating.

CLICK HERE to view the complete listing of model codes.


Body Code
The first two digits of the three-digit body code is the trim code and identifies the color and type of materials used in the interior upholstery. (If only a single-digit trim code, there will be a space between the first and last digit, as shown here.) The third digit identifies the type of back of cab equipment.
THIS SECTION WILL BE EXPANDED SHORTLY
Body Type Descriptions

80 - Platform
83 - Flareside pickup box
86 - Platform and Rack
99 - Styleside pickup box

FIRST DIGIT SECOND DIGIT THIRD
DIGIT
DESCRIPTION CAB PARTS BEHIND
CAB PARTS
B thru G

FOR

FORD

INTERNAL

CONTROL

ONLY

4 Ranger cab w/ styleside pickup box 81E (exc. Crew Cab) 99
D Ranger cab w/ styleside pickup box 81E (Crew Cab) 99
K thru O 4 Ranger XLT cab w/ styleside pickup box Ranger XLT (exc. Crew Cab) 99
2 thru 6 D Ranger XLT cab w/ styleside pickup box Ranger XLT (Crew Cab) 99
3 Custom cab w/ flareside box 81A 83
4 Custom cab w/styleside box 81A (exc. Crew Cab) 99
D Custom cab w/ styleside pickup box 81A (Crew Cab) 99
5 Custom cab w/ platform and racks 81A 86
7 Cowl (less windshield) 84 -
8 Custom cab w/o back of cab equipment 81A (exc. Crew Cab) -
G Custom cab w/o back of cab equipment 81A (Crew Cab) -
9 Custom cab w/ platform 81A 80
 

TRIM CODES
BY YEAR

| 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 |

SOURCE: 1973-1979 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog - Oct. 1979


Transmission Code
CODE YEAR SPD DESCR. TYPE
A '73-'79 4 Manual New Process 435
C '73-'79 3 Manual Ford
E '73-'79 4 Manual
(D.S.O.) *
Warner T19
F '73-'79 4 Manual Warner T18
G '73-'79 3 Automatic Ford
* Domestic Special Order
CODE YEAR SPD DESCR. TYPE
J '79 3 Automatic Ford
K '79 3 Automatic Ford
P '73-'79 4 Manual Warner T-19
X '78-'79 3 Automatic C-6
(Fleet only)
Z '77 3 Automatic C-6
(Fleet only)

SOURCE: 1973-1979 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog


Axle Code
The first two digits of the axle code identify the ratio and capacity of the rear axle.
The third digit of the axle code identifies the ratio and/or capacity of the front axle, if applicable.

CLICK HERE to see a complete listing of rear axle codes
CLICK HERE to see a complete listing of front axle codes


 

THE THIRD LINE
Gross Vehicle Weight
The gross vehicle weight rating for the vehicle (based on minimum equipment required).

District Code
The code shown identifies the district which ordered the unit.

If the vehicle is built on a D.S.O (Domestic Special Order), F.S.O. (Foreign Special Order) or L.S.O. (Limited Production Option), the complete order (invoice) number will also be shown after the District Code Number.

Code District
11 Boston
12 Buffalo
13 New York
14 Pittsburgh
15 Newark
16 Philadelphia
17 Washington
21 Atlanta
22 Charlotte
23 Memphis
24 Jacksonville
25 Richmond
26 New Orleans
28 Louisville
41 Chicago
42 Cleveland
43 Milwaukee
45 Lansing
46 Indianapolis
47 Cincinnati
48 Detroit
Code District
52 Dallas
53 Kansas City
54 Omaha
55 St. Louis
56 Davenport
57 Hudson
58 Twin Cities
71 Los Angeles
72 San Jose
73 Salt Lake City
74 Seattle
75 Phoenix
76 Denver
83 Government
84 Home Office Reserve
85 American Red Cross
86 Recreation
87 Body Company
89 Transportation Service
   
90-99 Export
Ford of Canada
Code District
A1 Central (Lincoln/Mercury)
A2 Eastern (Lincoln/Mercury)
A3 Atlantic (Lincoln/Mercury)
A4 Midwestern (Lincoln/Mercury)
A6 Western (Lincoln/Mercury)
A7 Pacific (Lincoln/Mercury)
A8 Great Lakes (Lincoln/Mercury)
B1 Central (Ford)
B2 Eastern (Ford)
B3 Atlantic (Ford)
B4 Midwestern (Ford)
B6 Western (Ford)
B7 Pacific (Ford)
B8 Great Lakes (Ford
   
I2 Export

SOURCE: 1973-1979 Ford Truck
Master Parts Catalog - Oct. 1979

 
 

 
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