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‘.