FORDification.com
   (powered by Google)

  HOME

  Technical Articles

  Factory Literature

  Discussion Forums

  Photo Galleries



  Service Bulletins (TSBs)

  Decoding Your VIN

  Diagrams & Schematics

  Links & Resources

  In the Movies

  Downloads
  Member Meet & Greets

  In the Media

  Site Index

 MISC / PERSONAL

  My Truck Projects

  My Heinz 57 '67

  I've Been Censored!

  Contact


Help keep
FORDification.com
banner-free!
You are here: Home Technical Articles V.I.N. Data Decoding Your V.I.N. Tag - 1971
‹ Back to Technical Index

Decoding Your V.I.N. Tag - 1971
 
THE FIRST ROW (THE VIN)
The first three digits identify
the model in the series:
Series Code
F-100 2WD F10
F-100 4WD F11
F-250 2WD F25
F-250 4WD F26
F-350 2WD F35

The fourth digit identifies
the engine:
Engine Code
240 cid, 6-cyl. A
300 cid, 6-cyl. B
302 cid, 8-cyl. G
390 cid, 8-cyl. (1) H
360 cid, 8-cyl. Y
240 cid, 6-cyl. 1
300 cid, 6-cyl. 2
360 cid, 8-cyl. 8

(1) 2WD trucks only

See Engine Specifications chart below
   
The fifth digit identifies the assembly plant:
Assembly Plant Code
Ontario, CAN C
Mawah, NJ E
Lorain, OH H
Kansas City K
Michigan Truck L
Norfolk, VA N
Twin Cities, MN P
San Jose, CA R
Allen Park, MI (Pilot plant) S
Kentucky Truck V

The remaining six digits are the consecutive unit numbers:
Jul. 1970 -   J70,000 thru J79,999
Aug. 1970 -  J80,000 thru J99,999
Sep. 1970 -  K00,000 thru K19,999
Oct. 1970 -  K20,000 thru K39,000
Nov. 1970 -  K40,000 thru K59,000
Dec. 1970 -  K60,000 thru K79,000
Jan. 1971 -  K80,000 thru K99,999
Feb. 1971 -  L00,000 thru L19,999
Mar. 1971 -  L20,000 thru L39,999
Apr. 1971 -  L40,000 thru L59,999
May. 1971 -  L60,000 thru L79,999
Jun. 1971 -  L80,000 thru L99,999
Jul. 1971 -  M00,000 thru M19,999
Aug. 1971 -   M20,000 thru M29,999

CLICK HERE to view actual production figures.

NOTE 1: The consecutive numbers for trucks were assigned just like Ford cars in the period, IE each assembly plant started with the same sequential number. Thus, the first truck in Kansas City production in 1971 would be assigned J70,000, as the first truck assigned to San Jose would also be J70,000. The unique serial number identifier would be the plant code.

NOTE 2: While researching these VIN pages, there have been many conflicting sets of numbers discovered. The numbers listed above are those listed in the 'Catalog of Ford Truck ID Numbers 1946-1972'. However, the Oct. 1972 issue of Ford's technical bulletin 'Shop Tips' lists the consecutive numbers for 1971 as J90,000 thru M39,999. The 1975 Ford Master Parts Catalog shows J70,001 thru M30,000 (starting one unit earlier and ending one unit later than those listed above). In addition, reportedly the figures in the shop manuals are off some because they were printed at the beginning of the production year run. I've also heard from several truck owners who report higher unit numbers than either set listed here...so the research will continue. Stay tuned!
   
THE SECOND ROW
The W.B. (Wheelbase) code indicates the wheelbase in inches:
115" is a short wheelbase truck, while a long wheelbase truck is 131".		 The Exterior color code indicates the paint color:
Color Code
Raven Black A
Pure White C
Sky View Blue E
Mohave Tan F
Chrome Yellow G
Boxwood Green K
Wimbledon White M
Diamond Blue N
Seafoam Green 0
Lime Gold Metallic S
Candyapple Red T
Mallard Green V
Light Ginger Metallic X
Calypso Coral 1
Prairie Yellow 2
Swiss Aqua 3
Regis Red 4
Bahama Blue 6
Prime 9


Truck Tu-Tones
Interior Trim Regular Tu-Tone Deluxe or Combination of Regular & Deluxe Tu-Tone
Blue M6, 6M, ME, EM, 6E, E6, 6N, N6, EN, NE 6M, M6, EM, ME, E6, 6E, N6, 6N, NE, EN
Parchment or Black AM, MA, MT, TM, M1, 1M, M4, 4M, AF, FA, M3, 3M, M2, 2M, MF, FM, TF, FT, 1F, F1, 4F, F4, VF, FV, 6E, E6, 6N, N6, EN, NE, VK, KV, VO, OV, KO, OK, TA, 1A, 4A, 6M, EM, 3A, VA, VM, KA, KM, OA, OM, 2A MA, AM, TM, MT, 1M, M1, 4M, M4, FA, AF, 3M, M3, 2M, M2, FM, MF, FT, TF, F1, 1F, F4, 4F, FV, VF, E6, 6E, N6, 6N, NE, EN, KV, VK, OV, VO, OK, KO, AT, A1, A4, M6, ME, A3, AV, MV, AK, MK, AO, MO, A2
Red AF, FA, M4, 4M, MF, FM, TF, FT, 4F, F4, AM, M2, TA, TM, 4A FA, AF, 4M, M4, FM, MF, FT, TF, F4, 4F, MA, 2M, AT, MT, A4
Green MV, VM, MK, KM, MO, OM, VK, KV, VO, OV, VF, FV, KO, OK, AM, AF, VA, KA, OA VM, MV, KM, MK, OM, MO, KV, VK, OV, VO, FV, VF, OK, KO, MA, FA, AV, AK, AO
A total of 54 different tu-tone combinations were available for cab-and-chassis models and 162 different combinations for Styleside models. (Flareside models were not available with tu-tone.)

  Regular: Roof only is painted the second code color
   Deluxe: Lower body side is painted the first code color
   Combination: Lower body side and roof are painted the first code color.
  Click the thumbnails at left to see scans of the '1971 Ford Light Truck Color Selections' tri-fold brochure.
(NOTE: These are large files.)

The Model code indicates the model type and the gross vehicle weight in lbs.:
Model GVW
F-100 5,000
F-101 4,200
F-102 (1) 5,000
F-103 4,500
F-104 4,800
F-110 (4x4) 5,600
F-111 (4x4) 5,000
F-112  (4x4)(1) 5,600
F-113 (4x4) 4,600
F-250 7,500
F-252 (1) 7,500
F-253 6,100
F-254 6,900
Model GVW
F-255 (1) 6,100
F-256 (1) 6,900
F-260 (4x4) 6,800
F-262 (4x4) 7,700
F-263 (4x4) 6,300
F-264 (4x4) (1) 7,700
F-350 8,000
F-351 10,000
F-352 (1) 8,000
F-353 6,600
F-354 8,300
F-355 9,000
(1) - Reference Pennsylvania registration data

  
The Body code: The first two digits are the interior trim code (listed below). The third digit is the body style (listed in table at right). If only two characters are needed for the trim code, there will be a space between the first and third digits. In the example pictured at right (click to enlarge), you can see the three-digit body code, where the second digit is blank. "D-4" would indicate a Sport Custom cab with styleside box..

BODY STYLE

  CODE
Parcel 0
Flareside Pickup 3
Styleside Pickup 4
Platform Stake 5
Windshield 6
Cowl 7
Chassis Cab 8
Platform 9

TRIM

CODES

APPLICATION
Black Vinyl 4, 4B, 4C, 4D Custom
D, DB Sport Custom
M3, MB Ranger
UB Ranger XLT
Black Cloth
and Vinyl		 M Ranger
U Ranger XLT
Lt. Blue/Med. Blue Vinyl K Ranger
S Ranger XLT
Black with
Blue Vinyl		 2B, 2C Custom
BB Sport Custom
KB Ranger
SB Ranger XLT
Red/Dark Red Vinyl 5, 53 Custom
E Sport Custom
N3 Ranger
Dark Red Cloth
and Vinyl		 N Ranger
V Ranger XLT
Black with
Red Vinyl		 5B, 5C Custom
EB Sport Custom
NB Ranger
VB Ranger XLT
Lt. Green/Med Green Vinyl 6, 63 Custom
F Sport Custom
O3 Ranger

TRIM

CODES

APPLICATION
Med. Green Cloth and Vinyl O Ranger
W Ranger XLT
Black with
Green Vinyl		 6B, 6C Custom
FB Sport Custom
OB Ranger
WB Ranger XLT
Pastel Parchment Vinyl 3, 33 Custom
C, C4 Sport Custom
L3, L4 Ranger
T4 Ranger XLT
Light and Pastel Parchment Cloth and Vinyl L Ranger
T Ranger XLT
Black with Parchment Vinyl 3B, 3C Custom
CB Sport Custom
LB Ranger
TB Ranger XLT
Explorer Blue 1 Custom
A Sport Custom
Explorer Green 7 Custom
G Sport Custom
Explorer Ginger 8 Custom
H Sport Custom

Source: 1971 Ford Truck Shop Manual

The Transmission code indicates the transmission installed on the vehicle:


TYPE CODE
4-Speed New Process 435 A
3-speed overdrive Warner T-85, T-86 B
3-speed - Ford - manual C
3-speed Warner Medium Duty T89C, E, F D
3-speed Warner T87E, G E
4-speed Syn. Warner T-18 F
Automatic G
4-speed Synchronized Warner T-19 P

The Rear Axle code: The first two digits represent the rear axle and the third represents the front axle, if applicable.
Front Axle Code

Capacity

 Code
3.5M 4.55 Dana 6CF HD K
REAR AXLE CODES
TYPE RATIO &
CAPACITY		 VENDOR
MODEL		 Code
T.S. Locking 3.25 (3.3M) Ford (WFE) A1
T.S. Locking 3.70 (3.3M) Ford (WFE) A2
T.S. Locking 4.10 (5.2M) Dana 60 B4
T.S. Locking 4.56 (5.2M) Dana 60 B5
Locking 3.54 (4.8M) Dana 60.3E C1
Locking 3.73 (4.8M) Dana 60.3E C3
Locking 4.10 (4.8M) Dana 60.3E C5
Locking 4.56 (4.8M) Dana 60.3E C6
Locking 3.54 (5.2M) Dana 60 C7
Locking 3.73 (5.2M) Dana 60 C8
Locking 3.73 (7.4M) Dana 70 D6
Locking 4.10 (7.4M) Dana 70 D7
Locking 4.56 (7.4M) Dana 70 D8
Locking 3.54 (5.05M) Dana 60.3E G1
Locking 3.73 (5.05M) Dana 60.3E G2
Locking 4.10 (5.05M) Dana 60.3E G3
T.S. Locking 3.25 (3.6M) Ford (WFF) H1
T.S. Locking 3.50 (3.6M) Ford (WFF) H2
T.S. Locking 4.09 (3.6M) Ford (WFF) H3
- 3.00 (3.3M) Ford 02
- 4.11 (3.3M) Ford 05
- 4.57 (3.3M) Ford 06
- 3.00 (3.05M) Ford 07
- 3.50 (3.3M) Ford 08
- 3.70 (3.3M) Ford 09
REAR AXLE CODES
TYPE RATIO &
CAPACITY		 VENDOR
MODEL		 Code
- 3.25 (3.05M) Ford 10
- 3.50 (3.05M) Ford 11
- 4.11 (3.05M) Ford (1970-71) 12
- 3.70 (3.05M) Ford (1972)
- 3.25 (3.3M) Ford 17
- 4.88 (7.4M) Dana 70 22
- 5.13 (7.4M) Dana 70 23
- 4.10 (5.2M) Dana 60 24
- 4.56 (5.2M) Dana 60 25
- 4.10 (7.4M) Dana 70 27
- 4.56 (7.4M) Dana 70 28
- 3.54 (4.8M) Dana 60.3E 31
- 3.73 (4.8M) Dana 60.3E 33
- 4.10 (4.8M) Dana 60.3E 35
- 4.56 (4.8M) Dana 60.3E 36
- 3.73 (7.4M) Dana 70
- 3.54 (5.2M) Dana 60 37
- 3.73 (5.2M) Dana 60 38
- 3.54 (5.05M) Dana 60.3 71
- 3.73 (5.05M) Dana 60.3 72
- 4.10 (5.05M) Dana 60.3 73
- 4.56 (5.05M) Dana 60.3 74

SOURCE: 1964-1972 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog
1975 Final Edition
 
THE THIRD ROW

The MAX. G.V.W. LBS. code indicates the maximum gross vehicle weight in pounds

The CERT. NET. H.P. code indicates the certified net horsepower at specified rpm.

The D.S.O. code:
Identifies the district which ordered the vehicle. 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 reflected under the DSO space including the District Code Number.
(CLICK HERE to see an example of a 1969 Ford truck order form, with the invoice number which would have been included.)
District Code
Boston 11
New York 13
Newark 15
Philadelphia 16
Washington 17
Atlanta 21
Charlotte 22
Memphis 23 (1)
Jacksonville 24
Richmond 25
Louisville 28
Cleveland 32
Detroit 33
Lansing 35
Buffalo 37
Pittsburgh 38
Chicago 41
Milwaukee 43
Twin Cities 44
Indianapolis 46
Cincinnati 47
Denver 51
District Code
Kansas City 53
Omaha 54
St. Louis 55
Davenport 56
Dallas 61
Houston 62
Memphis 63 (1)
New Orleans 64
Oklahoma City 65
Los Angeles 71
San Jose 72
Salt Lake City 73
Seattle 74
Phoenix 75
Government 83
Home Office Reserve 84
American Red Cross 85
Body Company 87
Transportation Services 89
Export 90's
(1) The code for Memphis changed from 63 to 23 late in the 1971 model year.

Ford of Canada
District Code
Central B1
Eastern B2
Atlantic B3
Midwestern B4
Western B6
Pacific B7
Export 12

1971 Ford Truck Engine Specifications
Engine Code No. Cyl. CID Horsepower Comp. Ratio Carb.
A 6 240 150 9.2:1 1-bbl
B 6 300 165 8.8:1 1-bbl
G 8 302 205 8.6:1 2-bbl
Y 8 360 215 8.4:1 2-bbl
H 8 390 255 8.6:1 2-bbl
 

 
You are here: Home Technical Articles V.I.N. Data Decoding Your V.I.N. Tag - 1971


Want to link to this site? Please save this banner to your hard drive to place on your webpage.
The correct link to use is http://www.fordification.com

Copyright © 1999-2020 FORDification.com unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.
All brand names and product names used on this website are trade names, service marks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.  
No portion or content of this site may be reproduced or otherwise used without explicit permission.
 To report problems or provide comments or suggestions, please click here.