This information is for a '97, most is applicable to other years though:
The label contains the name of the manufacturer, the month and year of manufacture, the certification statement, and the VIN. The label also contains gross vehicle weight ratings, wheel and tire data, and information codes for additional vehicle data.
Vehicle Type
The vehicle data appears on the certification label on the second and third lines following the identification number.
The code set (two numbers, or several letters, or a number and letter) above COLOR identifies the exterior paint color (two sets of codes designate a two-tone).
The digits under WB designate the wheelbase in inches.
The one character code under BRAKE designates the type of brake system. The letters and/or number under BODY designate the interior trim, seat, and body type.
The transmission installed in the vehicle is identified under TRANS by an alphabetical code. A letter and a number or two numbers under AXLE identify the rear axle ratio. The letters and/or numbers under TAPE designate the external body side tape stripe code.
The spring usage codes for the vehicle are identified under SPRING. A two-digit number is stamped above DSO to identify the district which ordered the vehicle. if the vehicle is built to special order (Domestic Special Order, Foreign Special Order, Limited Production Option, or other special order), the complete order number will also appear above DSO.
The vehicle codes are:
Exterior Paint Codes
BA - Light Prairie Tan
FL - Toreador Red
KN - Dark Lapis Metallic
PA - Jewel Green Metallic
SH - Medium Willow Metallic
TR - Medium Graphite
UA - Ebony
XC - Portofino Blue
YZ - Oxford White
JC - Desert Violet
FE - Evergreen Frost
HA - Ivory Pearlescent Tri-Coat
E4 - Vermillion
GP - Deep Iris
NOTE: Lower Tu-Tone Color
TR Charcoal Grey C/C Metallic
BA Light Prairie Tan C/C Metallic
Brake System Code
4 - Four Wheel Disc With Anti-Lock Brakes
Interior Trim (Fabric, Color) Codes
A - Vinyl - Bucket Montana
F - Leather - Sport Bucket
J - Cloth - Premium Bucket Cirrus
Z - Cloth - Sport Bucket Ranier
M - Cloth - Split Bench Cirrus
I - Leather - Limited Sport Bucket
Trim Color Code
V - Lapis
S - Willow
2 - Medium Graphite
X - Medium Prairie Tan
Tape Stripe Color Codes
XLT/XLT Tutone
A - Graphic - Willow
B - Amethyst - Blue
C - Raisin - Willow
D - Silver - Graphite
Eddie Bauer
E - Light Prairie Tan
Limited
0 - Light Evergreen-Light Evergreen
1 - Gold Metallic-Gold Metallic
2 - Amethyst-Graphite Sparkle
3 - Coral-Coral
Radio Code
7 - AM/FM Stereo
8 - AM/FM Premium Cassette
H - EEO Premium-European Unique
L - Luxury Cassette with Digital Sound Processing
Axle Ratio and Transmission Codes
Transmission Codes
U - 4-Speed Automatic Overdrive
D - 5-Speed Automatic Overdrive
M - 5-Speed Manual Overdrive
Rear Axle Codes
41 - Conventional - 3200 lb. Capacity - 3.27 Ratio
45 - Conventional - 3200 lb. Capacity - 3.55 Ratio
D4 - Limited Slip - 3200 lb. Capacity - 3.73 Ratio
46 - Conventional - 3200 lb. Capacity - 3.73 Ratio
D1 - Limited Slip - 3200 lb. Capacity - 3.27 Ratio
42 - Conventional - 3200 lb. Capacity - 4.10 Ratio
D2 - Limited Slip - 3200 lb. Capacity - 4.10 Ratio
Suspension Spring Codes
Torsion Bar Codes/Part Numbers
B - F57A-5B326-BC
D - F57A-5B326-DD
E - F57A-5B326-EC
F - F57A-5B326-FC
G - F57A-5B326-GC
H - F57A-5B326-HC
J - F57A-5B326-JC
L - F57A-5B326-LB
1 - F77A-5B326-AGA
2 - F77A-5B326-AHA
Rear Spring Codes/Part Numbers
F - F57A-5560-FD
H - F57A-5560-HC
L - F57A-5560-LC
Special Order and Wheelbase Codes
The DSO space will show a two-digit code number of the district which ordered the unit. This code will appear on all units - domestic or export. If unit is built on a DSO, FSO, PTO (special orders), the complete order number is under the DSO space after the district code.
NOTE: DSO = Domestic Special Order, FSO = Foreign Special Order, and PTP = Paint/Tire optional Special Order.
11 - Boston.
13 - New York.
16 - Philadelphia.
21 - Atlanta.
23 - Memphis.
24 - Orlando.
27 - Washington.
41 - Chicago.
44 - Pittsburgh.
47 - Cincinnati.
48 - Detroit.
52 - Dallas.
53 - Kansas City.
56 - Denver.
58 - Twin Cities.
71 - Los Angeles.
72 - San Francisco.
74 - Seattle.
83 - Government.
84 - Home Office Reserve (HOR) .
85 - American Red Cross.
86 - Recreation Vehicle Pool.
87 - Body Company.
89 - Transportation Services.
9A - Export.
The district codes for Ford of Canada regions are:
A1 - Central.
A2 - Eastern.
A3 - Atlantic.
A4 - Midwestern.
A6 - Western.
A7 - Pacific.
A8 - Great Lakes.
11 - Export.
