whats this (biggish photo dial ups beware)

[MarkM]

That says the van is a 2 door cabriolet!

Where you get that from? model V? The site is Mondeo based even though that would be a stretch since I have yet to see a Cabriolet Mondeo

BODY TYPE (position 4+10)

3 = van high roof
5 = combi high roof
A = 5-door
B = 3-door
C = 2-door coupe
E = 3-door hatchback
F = 4-door Saloon
G = 5-door multi purpose vehicle
L = 2-door cabriolet
N = 5-door estate/wagon/clipper
P = single cab pick-up
T = 2-door saloon
V = 2-door van
W = 3-door van

[MrMPuk]

Here is a little bit of extra info as well

The VIN code SFALXXBDVLRS34569 breaks down as

Manufacturer Identifier: Ford Motor Company Ltd (England)
Body type: L
Line: Ford Great Britain (Own Assembly)
Assembly Plant: Southampton (UK)
Model: V
Year: 1994 (some codes are used for more than one year)
Month: March
Production Sequence: 24569

All got from here http://www.btinternet.com/~madmole/vindecoder.html

[MrMPuk]

That says the van is a 2 door cabriolet!

Where you get that from? model V? The site is Mondeo based even though that would be a stretch since I have yet to see a Cabriolet Mondeo

BODY TYPE (position 4+10)

3 = van high roof
5 = combi high roof
A = 5-door
B = 3-door
C = 2-door coupe
E = 3-door hatchback
F = 4-door Saloon
G = 5-door multi purpose vehicle
L = 2-door cabriolet
N = 5-door estate/wagon/clipper
P = single cab pick-up
T = 2-door saloon
V = 2-door van
W = 3-door van

Model V means Transit, which isn't listed on there. If you look at position 4+10 they are both L.

[MarkM]

Ok I see what you mean now...the 2nd list I gave obviously has the correct letter being V so all it is a glitch in how the guy has coded the vin plate info filler afterall he got the V part correct just the title was L

[MrMPuk]

His decoder is very basic and is only written for Mondeos and will most probably not work totally for any other vehicle. But the V in the VIN number is model not body type and means Transit not 2 door van.

[MarkM]

His decoder is very basic and is only written for Mondeos and will most probably not work totally for any other vehicle. But the V in the VIN number is model not body type and means Transit not 2 door van.

Well there you go some homework for you since you have access to some kind of vin plate info database...make a Transit one. it is an often asked question ref Axles ratio's and Paint codes

[MrMPuk]

You can get all the info from Ford here.

[bj928]

ok, whats my 5th gear ratio so i can work out my top speed if i can hit the limiter in 5th with the 24v

[MrMPuk]

ok, whats my 5th gear ratio so i can work out my top speed if i can hit the limiter in 5th with the 24v

0.82

[bj928]

thats ok then, top speed on the limiter ( if it ever gets there 6200rpm ) is 133mph, 3300 is 71 mph so not to bad

useful calculator http://www.f-body.org/gears/

[MarkM]

You can get all the info from Ford here.

All well and good but you need to pay or have dealer access, the homework I was talking about was making something based on that information for the great unwashed to be able to use.
I have a TIS disk somewhere around here that 'might' have the same information but I doubt the database information on the disk is comprehensive enough to get the information asked about from the VIN number.
The system the dealers use now with the onscreen pictures and part numbers would be great to have but are just the same (on the older models) as the microfisch (sp?) they used to use, infact someone asked about that very subject not so long ago, a dealer with those sheets (unless fords asked for them back) could get them printed off at a libary as they have the viewing machines that have the old newspapers stored like that or at least they did.

[MrMPuk]

To get the information I got using the reg or VIN number you don't need to pay a penny!

[MarkM]

To get the information I got using the reg or VIN number you don't need to pay a penny!

As I read it you have to register and agree to pay them money so have you done this?
But the information you ask for doesn't attract a cost?

If it is that simple then why have the charging rates displayed? As it doesn't say anywhere that it is FREE in certain areas.

[MrMPuk]

I gave you the link thinking you might register and have a look, give it a go!

[MarkM]

Ok registered, I see how they get their money now, basically the site is as useful as tit's on a boar as when you want real info you have to cough up. The Fordecat is nigh on useless unless you have the dvd to install it, don't see anywhere about getting that as that would be worth buying...or borrowing


Note to anyone else reading this, when I say useless I mean it for the individual rather than a garage.