Question of VIN Decoding
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
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Question of VIN Decoding
I recently purchased a 1997 Ford F150 and did not take it to a mechanic or carfax. I know I should have . The truck is a 1997 Ford F150 4x4 with a 4.6L or atleast it is suppsoe to be. I have ran the vin through a vin decoder and it comes up as a 4x2 and my insurance guy also said it was 4x2. It has all the badging and the selector switch instead the cab how can I actually tell?
Postmaster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,310
Likes: 9
From: E.Lincoln County, NC
Huh??? How can you tell if it's a 4x4????? Sure LOOKS like a 4x4.
Does it have a differential under the front with axles going to the wheels.... does it have front springs or torsion bars ..... does it have a transfer case attached to the transmission .......
Or do you just want the VIN decoded again reliably??? Post or PM me your VIN.
Does it have a differential under the front with axles going to the wheels.... does it have front springs or torsion bars ..... does it have a transfer case attached to the transmission .......
Or do you just want the VIN decoded again reliably??? Post or PM me your VIN.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,760
Likes: 1,079
From: St Louis
The fifth, sixth, and seventh VIN positions are the codes for the model or line, series, chassis and cab or body type.
The (A) cab type codes are:
F — Regular cab.
X — SuperCab.
The (B) series and box type codes are:
07 — Flareside 4x2.
08 — Flareside 4x4.
17 — Styleside 4x2.
18 — Styleside 4x4.
27 — Styleside 4x2.
28 — Styleside 4x4.
The (A) cab type codes are:
F — Regular cab.
X — SuperCab.
The (B) series and box type codes are:
07 — Flareside 4x2.
08 — Flareside 4x4.
17 — Styleside 4x2.
18 — Styleside 4x4.
27 — Styleside 4x2.
28 — Styleside 4x4.
Also, compare the VIN on the dash-plate with the VIN printed on the door tag.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
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From: Long Beach, Ms.
What do you get when you run the VIN here; https://www.ford-trucks.com/vin-decoder/index.php ?
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Senior User
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I get 4x2 when I use the sits decoder. I'll post up some pics I snaped underneath from the front end side maybe you guys can tell me. Im really getting worried I didnt get a four wheel drive or I got something someone made in to a fourwheel drive. Also I find no sticker on either door.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
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The Vin is located in several locations and if you google VIN locations I came up with this
- On the door frame/door post of the front doors (usually driver's but sometimes passenger's)
- On the dash near the windshield
- On the engine itself (machined pad on front of engine)
- On the car's firewall
- In the left-hand inner wheel arch
- On the steering wheel/steering column
- On the radiator support bracket
Compare numbers and that will tell you if its pieced together or buy a carfax online. I suspect your not figuring it right.
- On the door frame/door post of the front doors (usually driver's but sometimes passenger's)
- On the dash near the windshield
- On the engine itself (machined pad on front of engine)
- On the car's firewall
- In the left-hand inner wheel arch
- On the steering wheel/steering column
- On the radiator support bracket
Compare numbers and that will tell you if its pieced together or buy a carfax online. I suspect your not figuring it right.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 2
From: In my House
Thats definetly a 4x4.....you could see the front diff clearly in those photos...What may hay happened is, the prior owner bought it as a 4x2 and converted it into a 4x4.......Anyhow....It loks like a really nice truck.
Rich
Rich
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 2
From: In my House
Thats definetly a 4x4.....you could see the front diff clearly in those photos...What may hay happened is, the prior owner bought it as a 4x2 and converted it into a 4x4.......Anyhow....It loks like a really nice truck. After looking at your truck alittle closer....the F150 badges on the side are not original for 1997. The 1997 Badges did not say "triton v8" under them. I'm sure your truck is probably fine..
Rich
Rich
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,310
Likes: 9
From: E.Lincoln County, NC
Sent you some info. Being you're in MN, check out the recall that showed up. Cab and bed may have been transplanted onto a 4x4 chassis also. Either way it "looks" like it's supposed to as a 4x4. From the few photos it hasn't been "rigged".
You "should" have also received a "Damage Disclosure" from the seller. If a frame swap was done it "should" have been recorded with the DMV. If this really bothers you then you may have legal options available.
https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/.../?id=325F.6641
You "should" have also received a "Damage Disclosure" from the seller. If a frame swap was done it "should" have been recorded with the DMV. If this really bothers you then you may have legal options available.
https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/.../?id=325F.6641
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
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Likes: 3
There could be one of several possibilities that happened here.
1. decode the serial number to the charts and confirm what matches the truck and what does not.
2. Make sure the vin on your dash matches your title exactly.
3. Study under the hood for dated items. confirm that dates either match a 97 date or they are different. Dates are on several parts including hoses, block, heads,intake.
Is their an emissions decal under the hood? it would have a year on it.
4. Is your title branded, such as rebuilt?
5. There is a possibility either the truck was rebuilt using another truck , or also the truck might be a stolen vehicle which has had the vin number tag removed and replaced with one from a wrecked truck. That would explain the missing sticker in the door area.
6. If the truck had been retagged, and the police investigate, you lose the truck and your money and probably end up with zero.
7. Run a carfax, and also see if the ford dealer can run the vin on an oasis and see what info pops up.
8. you are running into a grey area depending on what your investigation shows.
1. decode the serial number to the charts and confirm what matches the truck and what does not.
2. Make sure the vin on your dash matches your title exactly.
3. Study under the hood for dated items. confirm that dates either match a 97 date or they are different. Dates are on several parts including hoses, block, heads,intake.
Is their an emissions decal under the hood? it would have a year on it.
4. Is your title branded, such as rebuilt?
5. There is a possibility either the truck was rebuilt using another truck , or also the truck might be a stolen vehicle which has had the vin number tag removed and replaced with one from a wrecked truck. That would explain the missing sticker in the door area.
6. If the truck had been retagged, and the police investigate, you lose the truck and your money and probably end up with zero.
7. Run a carfax, and also see if the ford dealer can run the vin on an oasis and see what info pops up.
8. you are running into a grey area depending on what your investigation shows.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,760
Likes: 1,079
From: St Louis
Have you LOOKED for the VIN in the places you were told it should be?
Are they the same or different?
There's no problem with posting a VIN online - auto sellers do it all the time.
You can save yourself (and us) a lot of time and effort by following suggestions.
Are they the same or different?
There's no problem with posting a VIN online - auto sellers do it all the time.
You can save yourself (and us) a lot of time and effort by following suggestions.
