I'm in the market for a new truck and want to get an '02 or '03 F-250. I am looking for specific options plus I'm used to all the ameneties I have in my '97 F-150. I'm trying to find somewhere that has a listing of all the codes for the F-250 VIN number so that I can identify what options are on the truck when I look at them on the lot (surprisingly the salespeople are not so sure about towing packages, gear ratios, brake systems, etc.). I have the shop manual for my F-150 which lists every possible code option but that doesn't help me with the 250's. If anyone can point me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it.

 

but it won't tell you all the options a truck has. You'll also need to check the door sticker (Info posted separately), between the two, most everything is covered! Good luck in your search

VIN NUMBER:

The first three vehicle identification number (VIN) positions are the world manufacturer code.
1FD — Ford Motor Company, USA, incomplete vehicle
1FM — Ford Motor Company, USA, multi-purpose vehicle
1FT — Ford Motor Company, USA, truck, completed vehicle
2FM — Ford Motor Company, Canada, multi-purpose vehicle
3FD — Ford Motor Company, Mexico, incomplete vehicle

The fourth VIN position is the vehicle brake type and GVWR code (all vehicles use hydraulic brakes).
N — 8,501-9,000 pounds GVWR with driver and front passenger air bags
S — 9,001-10,000 pounds GVWR with driver and front passenger air bags
W — 10,001-14,000 pounds GVWR with driver and front passenger air bags
X — 14,001-16,000 pounds GVWR with driver and front passenger air bags
A — 16,001-19,500 pounds GVWR with driver and front passenger air bags
H — 8,501-9,000 pounds GVWR, without air bags (Mexico)
J — 9,000-10,000 pounds GVWR, without air bags (Mexico)
K — 10,001-14,000 pounds GVWR, without air bags (Mexico)
L — 14,001-16,000 pounds GVWR, without air bags (Mexico)
M — 16,001-19,500 pounds GVWR, without air bags (Mexico)

Positions 5 through 7 indicate vehicle line, series and body type.
F20 — F-250, Regular Cab, 4x2, single rear wheels
X20 — F-250, SuperCab, 4x2, single rear wheels
W20 — F-250, Crew Cab, 4x2, single rear wheels
F21 — F-250, Regular Cab, 4x4, single rear wheels
X21 — F-250, SuperCab, 4x4, single rear wheels
W21 — F-250, Crew Cab, 4x4, single rear wheels
F30 — F-350, Regular Cab, 4x2, single rear wheels
X30 — F-350, SuperCab, 4x2, single rear wheels
W30 — F-350, Crew Cab, 4x2, single rear wheels
F31 — F-350, Regular Cab, 4x4, single rear wheels
X31 — F-350, SuperCab, 4x4, single rear wheels
W31 — F-350, Crew Cab, 4x4, single rear wheels
F32 — F-350, Regular Cab, 4x2, dual rear wheels
X32 — F-350, SuperCab, 4x2, dual rear wheels
W32 — F-350, Crew Cab, 4x2, dual rear wheels
F33 — F-350, Regular Cab, 4x4, dual rear wheels
X33 — F-350, SuperCab, 4x4, dual rear wheels
W33 — F-350, Crew Cab, 4x4, dual rear wheels
F34 — F-350, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x2, single rear wheels
X34 — F-350, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), 4x2, single rear wheels
W34 — F-350, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x2, single rear wheels
F35 — F-350, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x4, single rear wheels
X35 — F-350, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), 4x4, single rear wheels
W35 — F-350, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x4, single rear wheels
F36 — F-350, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x2, dual rear wheels
X36 — F-350, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), 4x2, dual rear wheels
W36 — F-350, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x2, dual rear wheels
F37 — F-350, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x4, dual rear wheels
X37 — F-350, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), 4x4, dual rear wheels
W37 — F-350, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x4, dual rear wheels
F46 — F-450, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x2
W46 — F-450, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x2
W42 — F-450, Crew Cab (with box), 4x2, dual rear wheels
W43 — F-450, Crew Cab (with box), 4x4, dual rear wheels
F47 — F-450, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x4
W47 — F-450, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x4
F56 — F-550, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x2
W56 — F-550, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x2
F57 — F-550, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x4
X46 — F-450, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), 4x2
X47 — F-450, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), 4x4
X56 — F-550, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), 4x2
X57 — F-550, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), 4x4
W57 — F-550, Crew Cab, (Chassis Cab), 4x4
U40 — Excursion, 4x2, XLT
U41 — Excursion, four-door, 4x4, XLT
U42 — Excursion, four-door, 4x2, Limited
U43 — Excursion, four-door, 4x4, Limited

The eighth VIN position is the engine displacement and number of cylinders.
L — 5.4L, Modular, SOHC, EFI, V8, Gas
S — 6.8L, SOHC, EFI, V10, Gas
F — 7.3L, OHV, DI Turbo, V8, Diesel
Z — 6.8L, gaseous fuel prep (F-Series)
D — 6.8L, propane only (F-Series)
B — 5.4L, propane only (F-Series)

The ninth VIN position is a government assigned, computer-generated check digit.

The tenth VIN position is the model year code.
· 2 — 2002

The eleventh VIN position is the assembly plant code.
S — Allen Park (Allen Park, Michigan)
E — Kentucky Truck (Jefferson County, Kentucky)
M — Cuautitlan (Cuautitlan, Mexico)

The last six VIN positions are an alphanumeric code for the vehicle build sequence. This is also the vehicle serial and warranty number.
· A0000-E99999 — Ford Division

 

VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL:

Exterior paint codes may be listed as a two-part code. The first set of characters listed indicate the vehicle primary body color code. The second set of characters listed (if applicable) indicated a two-tone or accent body color code.
AQ — Arizona Beige (clear coat), F-Series
CX — Dark Shadow Gray (clear coat), F-Series
F1 — Vermilion Red (clear coat), F-Series
FN — Dark Toreador Red, F-Series
L2 — True Blue (clear coat)
LR — Sapphire Blue (clear coat), F-Series
PY — Highland Green (waterborne), F-Series
UD — Ebony, F-Series
Z1 — Oxford White (clear coat), F-Series
Z3 — Silver Metallic (clear coat), F-Series

Wheelbase
137 — 137-inch wheelbase (F-Series, Excursion)
141 — 141-inch wheelbase (F-Series)
142 — 142-inch wheelbase (F-Series)
156 — 156-inch wheelbase (F-Series)
158 — 158-inch wheelbase (F-Series)
162 — 162-inch wheelbase (F-Series)
165 — 165-inch wheelbase (F-Series)
172 — 172-inch wheelbase (F-Series)
176 — 176-inch wheelbase (F-Series)
189 — 189-inch wheelbase (F-Series)
200 — 200-inch wheelbase (F-Series)
201 — 201-inch wheelbase (F-Series)

Brake Type
B — Four-wheel anti-lock brakes system (ABS)

Interior trim codes are listed as a two-part code. The first character listed identifies the trim type. The second character listed identifies the interior trim color.
Interior Trim Type
K — Knitted vinyl bench seat, F-Series
C — Cloth bench seat, F-Series
F — Cloth captains chairs, Excursion
F — Flight bench seat, Mexico sold F-Series XLT only
G — High back cloth individual seats, F-Series
H — High back knitted vinyl individual seats, F-Series
J — High back vinyl individual seats, F-Series
3 — Cloth 40/20/40 seats, F-Series/Excursion
D — Cloth 40/20/40 seats with integrated restraints, F-Series
8 — Leather 40/20/40 seats, F-Series
9 — Leather 40/20/40 seats with integrated restraints, F-Series
2 — Cloth captains chairs, F-Series
6 — Cloth captains chairs with integrated restraints, F-Series
4 — Leather captains chairs, F-Series/Excursion
7 — Leather captains chairs with integrated restraints, F-Series
5 — Leather quad captains chairs, F-Series
L — Leather captains chairs, Excursion Limited
B —Leather captains chairs with vinyl rear bench, F-Series
M—Cloth 40/20/40 seats with rear bench mono. F-Series
P—Leather captains chairs with vinyl rear bench, F-Series
Interior Trim Color
H — Medium Parchment, F-Series
E — Medium Flint, F-Series/Excursion
B—Ebony, F-Series
D—Dark Flint, F-Series

Tape/Paint Stripe (TP/PS)
D — Light Argent/Medium Platinum/Light Argent, F-Series XLT
E — Arizona Beige/Dark Sandalwood/Arizona Beige, F-Series
F — Wild Strawberry/Dark Shadow Gray/Wild Strawberry, F-Series

Radio Type
7 — AM/FM stereo with clock, F-Series
G — Delete AM/FM stereo with clock, all other components installed, F-Series
9 — AM/FM stereo with cassette and clock, F-Series/Excursion
R — Delete AM/FM stereo with cassette and clock, all other components installed, F-Series
K — AM/FM stereo with cassette and compact disc player, F-Series/Excursion
Y — Delete standard AM radio with clock, F-Series
1 — AM/FM stereo with cassette and in-dash six disc compact disc (CD) changer, F-Series/Excursion

 

I had to separate as the post exceeded the maximum size allowed.

VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL:

Axle Type
31 — 3.73 non-limited slip, F-250/Excursion
C1 — 3.73 limited slip, F-250/Excursion
32 — 4.10 non-limited slip, F-250
C2 — 4.10 limited slip, F-250/Excursion
33 — 4.30 non-limited slip, F-250
C3 — 4.30 limited slip, F-250/Excursion
36 — 4.56 non-limited slip, F-250
C6 — 4.56 limited slip, F-250
41 — 3.73 non-limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
D1 — 3.73 limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
42 — 4.10 non-limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
D2 — 4.10 limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
43 — 4.30 non-limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
D3 — 4.30 limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
46 — 4.56 non-limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
D6 — 4.56 limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
61 — 3.73 non-limited slip, F-350 (dual rear wheels)
F1 — 3.73 limited slip, F-350 (dual rear wheels)
62 — 4.10 non-limited slip, F-350 (dual rear wheels)
F2 — 4.10 limited slip, F-350 (dual rear wheels)
63 — 4.30 non-limited slip, F-350 (dual rear wheels)
66 — 4.56 non-limited slip, F-350 (dual rear wheels)
F6 — 4.56 limited slip, F-350 (dual rear wheels)
81 — 3.73 non-limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
E1 — 3.73 limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
82 — 4.10 non-limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
E2 — 4.10 limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
83 — 4.30 non-limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
E3 — 4.30 limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
86 — 4.56 non-limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
E6 — 4.56 limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
88 — 4.88 non-limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
EW — 4.88 limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
G3 — 4.30 limited slip, F-450 Chassis Cab
73 — 4.30 non-limited slip, F-450 Chassis Cab
78 — 4.88 non-limited slip, F-450 Chassis Cab
G8 — 4.88 limited slip, F-450 Chassis Cab
75 — 5.38 non-limited slip, F-450 Chassis Cab
G5 — 5.38 limited slip, F-450 Chassis Cab
GW — 4.10 limited slip, F-450 Chassis Cab
98 — 4.88 non-limited slip, F-550 Chassis Cab
K8 — 4.88 limited slip, F-550 Chassis Cab
95 — 5.38 non-limited slip, F-550 Chassis Cab
K5 — 5.38 limited slip, F-550 Chassis Cab
KW — 4.10 limited slip, F-550 Chassis Cab

Transmission Type
E — Four-speed automatic overdrive (4R100), gasoline engines, F-Series/Excursion
9 — Four-speed automatic overdrive (4R100), diesel engine, F-Series/Excursion
6 — Six-speed manual, Dana ZF (M6HD-6), F-Series
5 — Six-speed manual, F-Series (5.4L, 6.8L Gas)
2 — Five-speed manual, F-Series (5.4L, 6.8L Gas/LPG), Mexico only

Springs
Springs codes are listed as a two-part code. The first character listed is for the front springs. The second code listed is for the rear springs. Auxiliary rear springs may also be listed.

Front Springs — F-Series
Base part number — 5310 (RH/LH)
Pre-fix — F81A
B — Suffix BA
C — Suffix CA
D — Suffix DA
E — Suffix EA
F — Suffix FA
G — Suffix GA
H — Suffix HA
I — Suffix RA
J — Suffix SA
K — Suffix TA
L — Suffix UA
Pre-fix — 1C34
S — Suffix AAA
T — Suffix ABA
U — Suffix ACA
V — Suffix ADA
W — Suffix AEA
X — Suffix AFA
Front Springs — Excursion
Base part number — 5310 (RH/LH)
Pre-fix — YC35
G — Suffix G
H — Suffix H
S — Suffix S
Pre-fix — 1C34
AG
AH
AJ
Rear Springs — F-Series
L — Rear air suspension
B — 1C34-5560-CB, F-250, F-350
C — 1C35-5560-DB, F-250, F-350
D — YC35-5560-EA, F-250, F-350
M — YC35-5A975-AA, F-450, F-550
N — YC35-5A975-BA, F-450, F-550
Auxiliary Springs — F-Series
A — YC35-5588-A (wide frame)
D — F81A-5588-D (narrow frame)
Rear Springs — Excursion
Base part number — 5560 (RH/LH)
Pre-fix — YC35
A — Suffix A
Pre-fix — 1C34
B — Suffix B

You may also want to check out this site... It has a fairly active SD forum.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/

 

Thanks for the time and help BadDogPSD. I appreciate it.

 

Also, if you have narrowed it down to those two years... get a 2002 with the 7.3 diesel, not a 2003 with the 6.0 diesel... if you choose to get a diesel. I have not heard good things about 03 6.0 diesels.