The first (3) digits of the VIN are the ‘Truck Series’ Looking at the chart below, ‘F26’ would be 1973-1979 F-250 4×4 pick-up.

Code Year Description
F10 1973-1979 2-wheel drive pickup (F100)
F11 1973-1976 4-wheel drive pickup (F100)
F13 1976 2-wheel drive pickup (F150) with 3/4-ton suspension and 8-lug wheels
F14 1977-1979 4-wheel drive pickup (F150) [NOTE 1]
F15 1975-1979 2-wheel drive pickup (F150)
F16 1977-1979 4-wheel drive Chassis and cab (F150)
F17 1973-1979 2-wheel drive Chassis and cab (F100)
F18 1973-1976 4-wheel drive Chassis and cab (F100)
F19 1975-1979 2-wheel drive Chassis and cab (F150)
F25 1973-1979 2-wheel drive pickup (F250)
F26 1973-1979 4-wheel drive pickup (F250)
F27 1973-1979 2-wheel drive Chassis and cab (F250)
F28 1973-1979 4-wheel drive Chassis and cab (F250)
F35 1973-1979 2-wheel drive Pickup (F350)
F36 1979 4-wheel drive pickup (F350)
F37 1973-1979 2-wheel drive Chassis and cab (F350)
F38 1979 4-wheel drive Chassis and cab (F350)
X10 1977-1979 2-wheel drive pickup (F100 Super Cab)
X14 1978-1979 4-wheel drive pickup (F100 Super Cab)
X15 1977-1979 2-wheel drive pickup (F150 Super Cab)
X16 1978-1979 4-wheel drive pickup (F150 Super Cab)
X17 1977-1979 2-wheel drive Chassis and cab (F100 Super Cab)
X19 1977-1979 2-wheel drive Chassis and cab (F250 Super Cab)
X25 1977-1979 2-wheel drive pickup (F250 Super Cab)
X26 1978-1979 4-wheel drive pickup (F250 Super Cab)
X27 1977-1979 2-wheel drive Chassis and cab (F250 Super Cab)
X28 1978-1979 4-wheel drive Chassis and cab (F250 Super Cab)
X35 1977-1979 2-wheel drive pickup (F350 Super Cab)
X36 1979 4-wheel drive pickup (F350 Super Cab)
X37 1977-1979 2-wheel drive Chassis and cab (F350 Super Cab)
X38 1979 4-wheel drive Chassis and cab (F350 Super Cab)

[NOTE 1] For some reason, Ford neglected to include the ’76 F150 4×4 from this listing in the MPC. However, the first three digits of a 1976 F150 4WD are ‘F14’, just like the ’77-’79 F150 4x4s.

 

The fourth digit of the VIN is the engine code. Looking at the chart below ‘S’ would be a 1977-1979 400 CID V8 with a 2-bbl carb.

Code Year Cylinders Cubic Inches Carb
A 1973-1974 6 240 1-bbl.
1975-1979 8 460* 4-bbl.
B 1973-1979 6 300 1-bbl.
G 1973-1979 8 302 2-bbl.
H 1973-1976 8 390* 2-bbl.
1977-1979 8 351 2-bbl
J 1973-1979 8 460* 4-bbl.
M 1975-1976 8 390* 4-bbl.
S 1977-1979 8 400 2-bbl.
Y 1973-1976 8 360 2-bbl.
1 1973-1976 6 240 1-bbl.
5 1974 8 360 2-bbl

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

 

The VIN tag also displays the transmission code. Looking at the chart below ‘G’ would be a 3-speed automatic.

Code Year SPD Description Type
A 1973-1979 4 Manual New Process 435
C 1973-1979 3 Manual Ford
E 1973-1979 4 Manual (D.S.O.) * Warner T19
F 1973-1979 4 Manual Warner T18
G 1973-1979 3 Automatic Ford
J 1979 3 Automatic Ford
K 1979 3 Automatic Ford
P 1973-1979 4 Manual Warner T-19
X 1978-1979 3 Automatic C-6 (Fleet only)
Z 1977 3 Automatic C-6 (Fleet only)

 

The fifth digit in the VIN designates the assembly plant. Looking at the chart below, ‘R’ represents the San Jose assembly plant.

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

 

The last six digits of the VIN are the numerical sequence. 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.

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

 

The VIN tag also displays the wheelbase, paint code, and front and rear axle code.

To view a list of axle codes, check out ‘Identify Your Ford Truck Axle From The Door Sticker‘.