How to Decode a Truck VIN: F-150, Silverado, RAM, and Tundra

Long Pattern Editorial

Pickup truck VINs encode cab configuration, bed length, and engine type in the VDS. Here is how to decode the most popular trucks on the road.

Pickup trucks are the most popular vehicles in the United States — the Ford F-150 has been the best-selling vehicle in America for over 40 consecutive years. Truck VINs follow the same 17-character structure as passenger cars, but the Vehicle Descriptor Section (positions 4–8) encodes truck-specific details like cab configuration, bed length, and GVWR rating.

Ford F-150 VIN Structure

Ford's truck WMI codes begin with 1FT for US-assembled trucks. In the VDS:

  • Position 4: Restraint systems
  • Position 5: Series (F-150, F-250, F-350) and cab type (Regular, SuperCab, SuperCrew)
  • Position 6: Body type and bed length
  • Position 7: Check digit position (position 9)
  • Position 8: Engine type (3.5L EcoBoost, 5.0L V8, 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid, etc.)

Plant codes for the F-150 include F (Dearborn, MI) and K (Kansas City, MO). Browse Ford truck data on the Ford manufacturer page.

Chevrolet Silverado VIN Structure

GM's truck WMI codes include 1GC for Chevrolet trucks. Position 5 in a Silverado VIN typically distinguishes the 1500, 2500, and 3500 series. Position 6 indicates cab type (Regular Cab, Double Cab, Crew Cab). The primary Silverado plant uses code Z (Fort Wayne, IN) at position 11.

RAM 1500 VIN Structure

RAM trucks (formerly Dodge Ram before the brand split) use Stellantis WMI codes including 1C6. The VDS encodes the 1500/2500/3500 rating, cab type (Regular, Quad, Crew), bed length, and engine (3.6L Pentastar V6, 5.7L HEMI V8, 3.0L EcoDiesel, etc.). RAM trucks are primarily assembled in Sterling Heights, MI and Warren, MI.

Toyota Tundra VIN Structure

Toyota Tundra VINs use WMI codes including 5TF for US-assembled trucks from the San Antonio, TX plant. Position 8 in the Tundra VDS encodes the engine — the 3.5L twin-turbo hybrid V6 (introduced 2022) versus the previous 5.7L V8. Model year position 10 should show R for 2024.

Decoding Trim and Engine

Use our VIN decoder with any truck VIN to get the full NHTSA vPIC decode, which explicitly returns the cab configuration, bed type, engine displacement, fuel type, and drive type — everything you need to verify the truck matches what's advertised.