Repair and Diagnosis: Application and ID

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a seventeen-digit combination of letters and numbers. The VIN is stamped on a metal tab riveted on the instrument panel top upper left of the dash. The VIN is also found on the Vehicle Certification (VC) label.







The first three vehicle identification number positions are the world manufacturer code.
- 1FM - Ford Motor Company, USA, Multi-Purpose Vehicle.
- 5LM - Lincoln, USA, Multi-Purpose Vehicle.







The fourth YIN position is the vehicle brake type and GVWR code.
- D-5,001-6,000.
- E-6,001-7,000.
- F-7,001-8,000.
- G-8,001-8,500.







Positions 5 through 7 indicate vehicle line, series and body type.
- U17 - Expedition (4x2), 4-Dr.
- U18 - Expedition (4x4), 4-Dr.
- U27 - Navigator (4x2), 4-Dr.
- U28 - Navigator (4x4), 4-Dr.







The eighth VIN position is for the engine displacement and number of cylinders.
- 6 - 4.6L EFI-SOHC (W), V-8.
- W - 4.6L EFI-SOHC, V-8.
- L - 5.4L EFI-SOHC (W), V-8.







The ninth VIN position is a check digit.







The tenth VIN position is the code for the model year.
- W-1998.







The eleventh VIN position is the code for the assembly plant.
- L - Michigan Truck (Wayne, MI).
- S - Allen Park (Allen Park, MI).







The last six VIN positions are an alphanumeric code for the vehicle build sequence. This is also the vehicle serial and warranty number.







Vehicle Certification Label
The vehicle certification label contains the manufacturer name, the month and year of manufacture, the certification statement, and the VIN. It also includes Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR).








Vehicle Certification Label - Canada(Typical)


Paint Codes
- Refer to the paint manufacturer code book for information.


Radio Codes
- 6-Electronic AM/FM Stereo with cassette, Premium Sound (Navigator).
- 8-AM/FM stereo with cassette, Premium Sound (Expedition).

Axle Codes
The following lists the gear ratios on rear axles.
- 19-3.55, non-limited slip (Expedition/Navigator).
- 17-3.31, non-limited slip (Expedition/Navigator).
- H9-3.55, limited slip (Expedition/Navigator).
- H7-3.31, limited slip (Expedition/Navigator).
- H6-3.73, limited slip (Expedition/Navigator).

Transmission Codes
- U - Automatic AOD (Expedition/Navigator).
- E - Automatic E4OD (Expedition/Navigator).

Spring Codes
The following lists available spring codes.

Front Springs
- 1-Torsion bar (Expedition/Navigator).
- 4-Torsion bar (Expedition/Navigator).
- 2-Spring (Expedition/Navigator).
- 3-Spring (Expedition/Navigator).

Rear Springs
- 6-Spring (Expedition/Navigator).
- 5-Spring (Expedition/Navigator).
- 7-Spring (Expedition/Navigator).
- 8-Spring (Expedition/Navigator).
- 9-Spring (Expedition/Navigator).

Interior Trim Codes
The following lists the interior trim and interior color codes.

Interior Trim
- M-Manitou cloth split bench (standard on XLT).
- F-Manitou cloth captain chairs (optional on XLT).
- S-Vinyl captain chairs (optional on XLT).
- I-Leather captain chairs (standard on Eddie Bauer, optional on XLT).
- K-Leather captain chairs (standard on Navigator).

Interior Color Codes
- X-Medium prairie tan (Expedition/Navigator).
- 2-Medium graphite (Expedition/Navigator).
- S-Willow green (Expedition).