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The gears aren't in the VIN. There's an axle code on the door post sticker. Post it here, and someone will look it up for you, or you can find it in the tech articles section, or your owner's manual will have it.
I highly doubt you have a front LS. It's extremely rare, if it exists at all.
The production date - about the closest you will come without a build sheet from Ford is the month/year on the sticker (same one with the axle info).