Here's my VIN: 1FTZR45E04PA73150

I got bored and decided to decode it, but the online decoders don't seem to like it. The FTE decoder tells me it's not a valid number. I think they're getting hung up on the "Z".

The Ford decoder says "Unknown" for "Z" but decoded the rest as a 2004 Ford Ranger Super Cab with a 4.0L, 6-cyl, gasoline engine and was built in Twin Cities, Minnesota.What it doesn't tell me is that it's a 5-speed and 4x4.

The "Z" should be brake type and GVWR class. Brakes aren't special - disc up front and drum in the rear. Can't imaging there would be anything special with the GVWR.

I checked the inspection sticker - it's definitely a "Z". Anybody know what this means?

Thanks.

 

4th position is "restraint system type" on cars and 4th position on truck is for "brake type"
Mine is "Y" which is standard brakes so I assume you have front and rear ABS

 

 

Interesting... Thanks for the info

 

Here's what the '04 WSM says:

The fourth VIN position is the vehicle brake type and gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) code (all vehicles use hydraulic brakes).

Y — 4,001 - 5,000 pounds GVWR, active safety belts (all positions) with driver and front passenger air bags
Z — 5,001 - 6,000 pounds GVWR, active safety belts (all positions) with driver and front passenger air bags

 

After mulling this over in my head, I'm not making any sense out of this... It's not really an issue or anything, I'm just curious about something.

My inspection sticker says the GVWR is 5320 lbs which, by the info greenpus and projectSHO89 posted, puts my Ranger in a "Class D" GVWR of between 5,000-6,000 lbs.

But...

All the info I'm digging up on the GVWR of the Ranger, in various years, places the GVWR at between 4,000-5,000 lbs. I have not seen any other data, other than what was posted here, that suggests the Ranger could have a GVWR heavier than 5,000 lbs - even later models are being listed at 4620 lbs. Is there much of a difference between the 2WD and 4WD models?

Questions:

1) This truck was a service truck for an alarm/security company yet, it is not a fleet vehicle. Could these trucks be ordered with a heavier GVWR depending on application?

2) Why the extra 300 lbs to put the truck in a different GVWR class? Doesn't make much sense to me. It only has a 4.0-liter so, it's not like it can haul or pull as much as my big green machine can...

3) The Ford Motor Corporations says my VIN is invalid because of the 4th digit "Z". They built this thing to haul a bit more weight and they stuck that "Z" code all over the truck yet, the VIN is invalid? Do they not keep track of these things?

Sorry, pointless questions - I know. But I can't seem to get these silly questions out of my head.

 

"D" and "Z" mean the same thing according to my reference source.

 

I am now much more knowledgeable about my truck after reviewing the information at this link (many thanks to Copedawg for posting the link to this decoder in another thread): Comprehensive Chevrolet, Saturn, GMC, Hummer, Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Geo, Dodge, Plymouth, Jeep, Chrysler, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Mazda Truck, Mercedes VIN Decoder

Here's what it came up with: Questions and comments I've got are in red...

Report for VIN: 1FTZR45E04PA73150

2004 RANGER SUPER CAB 4X4
Built: January 8, 2004 < This should have the updated timing chain parts for the 4.0L SOHC engine, yes?
Paint Code: FL
Trim Code: RF
Gross Weight: 5,320lbs < The reason for the "Z" code in the VIN.

Original options on this vehicle


37,276 vehicles matching your year and description in our database.
Code Description
E7BAC 10" REAR BRAKE DRUM
AA5F6 126" WHEELBASE
D2XEB 16" 6-SPOKE BRIGHT MACHINED-ALUMINUM WHEELS
TAJME 1L54 5560 ED LEFT/REAR LEAF
TAKME 1L54 5560 ED RIGHT/REAR LEAF
EJABN 2750 LB(1247 KG) REAR AXLE ASSY
FEAAB 4 WHL ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
AAZDP 5320 LB. GVW < "Z" Code in VIN
CPGAB AIR BAG RESTRAINT-DRIVER
CPHAB AIR BAG RESTRAINT-PASS
IBAAZ AM/FM SINGLE CD PLAYER
HTEAC BATTERY WARMER < missing.
HCJAC BLACK FACE/BLACK RINGS - CLUSTER
BPLAD BOX SIDE STEPS
FMLAQ ELECTRIC TRANS CASE AND FIXED HUBS
YZMAF EN-NE 4.0L V6/GBVAF UNLEAD FUE
ABCAB ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (COLD WEATHER OPTION) < haven't found it yet...
HNDAF ENGINE IMMOBILIZER'SECURILOCK'
CAAAB EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE-BLACK
TALBX F67A 5B326 FA TORSION BAR RH
TAMBX F67A 5B327 FA TORSION BAR LH
BBKAH FLR CVR-CARPET INS-COMPLETE
MD0F0 FORD DIVISION DERIVATIVE < What does this mean?
EGLAB FORD/VISTEON AXLE VENDOR < I'm used to Dana axles, how good are Visteon axles?
CLFAE FRONT BUMPER-STEEL-CHROMED
BBHAK FRONT FLOOR MATS - MONOTONE C/K
JBKAB FRONT FOG LAMPS < Halogen driving lamps, actually...
C1UAB FRONT TOWING HOOKS
CLVAB FRT LICENSE PLATE BRKT/HOLDER
D1DAC H/D DUAL FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS
D1GAC HEAVY DUTY REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS
YC1AL IBAAZ/IDAAB
DEBAF IMMERSION HEATER-ENGINE < Still haven't found it...
YDAAB LEATHER WRAPPED TILT STEERING W/SPEED CONTROL < Took a bit to clean the leather - it was pretty nasty when I got it lol...
YKEAA LESS-TONNEAU COVER W/BEDLINER < Bed liner, yes - cover, no...
CACAB LIFT/BOOTLID HANDLE EXTERIOR-BLACK
EGJAC LIMITED SLIP REAR AXLE < Axle code R7. The Ranger Station lists this as an 8.8", 4.10LS, 2750lb axle.
AD6BB MID YEAR CHANGE PROGRAM CONTROL < What is this?
HDHAB MPH/KPH SPEEDOMETER
IBMAB NAAO RADIO FREQUENCY < Where??
YKYZZ NO POS SEL FROM THIS FAMILY
GBTAB NON LOCKING FUEL CAP
SBRVA NOT DEFINED
AEDAB OWNER HAND BOOK PACK
A9JAC P/BOX TIE DOWN HOOKS-INSIDE
D3JVM P245/75R-16 OWL A-T
AA3BD PAYLOAD PACKAGE 2 < Is this the heavy duty hauling package? That would explain the heavier springs...
IDAAB PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM
B2GAE PRIVACY GLASS
CLMAE REAR BUMPER-STEEL STEP-CHROMED
BYBAF REAR JUMP SEATS
YZKAA RETAIL/STOCK
HIAAB SINGLE NOTE ELECTRIC HORN
B3HAD SLIDING REAR WINDOW
D3MC5 SPARE TIRE-P235/70R16SL BSW
GTDAB SPEED CONTROL
YCMAE SPLIT BENCH/CLOTH
YZTAB STANDARD MKTG TRIM
DWABB STD DUTY TORSION BAR SUSPENSION
GTAAE STEERING WHEEL-LEATHER WRAPPED
A9CAB STYLESIDE BOX - STL INNER/OUTER
BCAAB SUNVISOR LESS MIRROR - DRIVERS
BCBAC SUNVISOR,SINGLE-PASS MR INSERT
HGAAB TACHOMETER
GRAAC TILT STEERING WHEEL
YZCBX TPO/ORDER CODE 493A
TBAXM TR3 RANGER 4X4 SILVER < ??? What?
AAGAX TWIN CITIES PLANT BUILT < US Made!!
AAHAB U.S. SALES
GBVAF UNLEADED FUEL CAPABILITY
A3FAD VALENCE PANEL - MOULDED IN COLOUR
EGPAE WITH 8.8 AXLE
BCWAB WITH A PILLAR ASSIST HANDLE
TASAB WITH B & A CONTROL CODES (9270)
BLDCA WITH CHROME GRILLE/ARGENT MESH
BBAAD WITH COMPLETE REAR HARDBOARD TRIM
JBDAE WITH COMPLEX REFLECTOR HEADLAMPS
A7AAB WITH CONVENTIONAL TAILGATE
D17AS WITH E-COATED STEEL SPARE WHEEL
B53AB WITH FLOOR CONSOLETTE < missing.
BLQAB WITH GRILLE OPENING COVER
BHIAB WITH INSULATOR
BCMAC WITH LEVEL 2 DOOR TRIM PANEL
CBAAC WITH MANUAL DOOR LOCKING
B2CAB WITH MANUAL FRONT WINDOWS
A1KAB WITH REAR MUDFLAPS
FS00K WITH SPLIT BENCH FRONT SEAT
A3IAC WITH STEEL HOOD
A2AAB WITH STONE CUFFS - FRONT WHEEL WELL
C1NAB WITH TRAILER TOWING HITCH < LOL, I thought this was added on later. It doesn't look like a factory install...
AB2AA WITHOUT APPEARANCE GROUP
TAQAA WITHOUT B&A CONTROL CODES (9270)
TAPAA WITHOUT B&A CONTROL CODES ISSUE 030388
AFAAA WITHOUT CANADIAN PROVINCES/TERRIT
J4NAA WITHOUT CHROME PACKAGE
YPZAA WITHOUT COMPONENT PACKAGE
B5AAA WITHOUT CONSOLE ASHTRAY
JBCAA WITHOUT DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS
HTHAA WITHOUT ELECTRIC BATTERY
F5BAA WITHOUT EXHAUST PIPE EXTENSION
ABFAA WITHOUT EXT APPEARANCE PACK
AAXAA WITHOUT EXTERIOR DRESS UP PACKAGE
BMCAA WITHOUT EXTERIOR WHEELLIP MOLDING
AAFAA WITHOUT FLEET RELATED ITEMS
B5WAA WITHOUT FLOOR MOUNTED CONSOLES
A3EAA WITHOUT FRONT MUDFLAPS
A1MAA WITHOUT FRONT SUSPN SKID PLATES
B5NAA WITHOUT I/P ASHTRAY
JCBAA WITHOUT INTERIOR LIGHT GROUP
CBGAA WITHOUT KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM
A9SAA WITHOUT LOAD BOX BEDLINER
A9KAA WITHOUT LOAD BOX EDGE PROTECTORS
ABDAA WITHOUT MILITARY RQMTS
A9MAA WITHOUT OUTSIDE TIE DOWN HOOKS
A9PAA WITHOUT PICKUP BOX EXTENDER
ABKAA WITHOUT POWER EQUIPMENT GROUP
IBCAA WITHOUT RADIO PRE-EQUIPMENT PACK
DZLAA WITHOUT REAR STABLIZER BAR
C1VAA WITHOUT REAR TOWING HOOKS
BPDAA WITHOUT RR WINDOW PROTECTOR
J3CAA WITHOUT SMOKERS PACKAGE
JSPAA WITHOUT SP PROTOTYPE BUILD
D1ZAA WITHOUT SPARE TYRE LOCK
AALAA WITHOUT SPECIAL EQUIPMENT PACKAGE
AEAAA WITHOUT SPECIAL LANGUAGE LABELS
ABEAA WITHOUT SPECIAL VALUE PACKAGES
A2BAA WITHOUT STONE CUFFS-RR WHEELWELL
CHBAA WITHOUT TONNEAU COVER
FKAAA WITHOUT TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER
AACAA WITHOUT VERSION PACKAGES
YZSAJ XLT
AAAAD XLT VERSION

So, if I read this correctly (and thanks to The Ranger Station for the axle codes) I have a heavy-duty hauling & towing package with a 4.10LS rear axle. I half suspected it to be limited slip due to the way it reacts to sharp cornering, but this confirms it... With all this, the GVWR of the truck was booted up to the next level - "Z".

 

"Z" = GVWR weight range of 5,000 to 8,000 lbs. This is the maximum rated weight of vehicle, additional equipment, people and payload that the vehicle can safely carry.