VIN Confusion….

[jeffncs]

VIN is U15NLD03xxx

U15 = wagon

Here’s the question….. what year is my frame? (I’m submitting for a bonded title and have zero paperwork from when I bought it years ago.)

According to the VIN decoder the year code “D” was used in in both ‘68 and late in ‘76.

The number sequence 03xxxx correlates to a ‘76. BUT the engine “N” designation was used in ‘68 for the 289. The ‘76 engine code would be G or T.

What year is my frame?

 

[jeffncs]

Note the serial number sequences and engine codes.

1968 VIN decoder




1976 VIN decoder

 

[thegreatjustino]

Post a picture of the frame VIN.

How sure are you that you're reading all of the characters correctly?

The VIN is stamped multiple places on the frame. Do they all match or does one have a discrepancy compared to the others?

 

[thegreatjustino]

The ‘76 engine code would be G or T

The Bronco only came with a 302 from 1975 on. There are a number of errors in the BroncOhio decoder.

 

[Viperwolf1]

N denotes a 289. There were no 289's made by Ford in '76. The only engine code for '76 was G. Look's like a May '68 build date to me.

 

[okie4570]

T engine code was for a 200 6cyl only offered in 73' and 74'.

Like said above no N 289 available after 68'. D03 is a March 68' build month. All 68' broncos prior to early March 68' began with a C.

Broncohio has errors throughout.

 

[thegreatjustino]

Look's like a May '68 build date to me.

He claims the sequential number is D03xxx. May of '68 wouldn't have the 0 between the D and the 3. This is why I asked about him being sure he's reading all the characters correctly and if all the VINs on the frame match.

 

[jeffncs]

I’ll look again after running my surfacing tool over the frame but there’s aren’t any other numbers stamped anywhere when I checked before.

 

[FordBronc]

 

[jeffncs]

Thanks - I just searched and there aren’t any other stamped locations on my frame.

 

[Soylent]

Didn’t the bronco come with a 302 starting 1969 or was that an option?

 

[okie4570]

Didn’t the bronco come with a 302 starting 1969 or was that an option?

170 6cy was available from 66'-72', 289 available late 66'-68', 302 from 69'-77'. 200 6cyl was available in 73'-74'. 302 was the only engine available 75'-77'.

 

[Soylent]

170 6cy was available from 66'-72', 289 available late 66'-68', 302 from 69'-77'. 200 6cyl was available in 73'-74'. 302 was the only engine available 75'-77'.

Ok. I see that I miss read what Justin meant.

 

[Viperwolf1]

He claims the sequential number is D03xxx. May of '68 wouldn't have the 0 between the D and the 3. This is why I asked about him being sure he's reading all the characters correctly and if all the VINs on the frame match.

You're right. I change my opinion to March of '68, which still makes it a '68.

 

[thegreatjustino]

You're right. I change my opinion to March of '68, which still makes it a '68.

From that chart it appears this is one of the errors/omissions on the BroncOhio decoder, which is where the OP's confusion is coming from.

 

[Oldtimer]

March 68
C98000
--------->
C99998
C99999
D00000
D00001
--------->
D11999

 

[jeffncs]

Is consensus March of ‘68?

 

[jamesroney]

VIN is U15NLD03xxx

U15 = wagon

Here’s the question….. what year is my frame? (I’m submitting for a bonded title and have zero paperwork from when I bought it years ago.)

According to the VIN decoder the year code “D” was used in in both ‘68 and late in ‘76.

The number sequence 03xxxx correlates to a ‘76. BUT the engine “N” designation was used in ‘68 for the 289. The ‘76 engine code would be G or T.

What year is my frame?

According to the NATB 1970 Motor Vehicle Identification Manual, page 67, The Ford Bronco U15 for model year 1968 begins at series number C00000 and runs up to D81999.

Therefore, VIN U15NLD03xxx is a 1968 year model.

@Viperwolf1 and @thegreatjustino have further narrowed it down to March of 1968. It is not consensus. This isn't a vote. There is not other alternatives to vote for. It is either March of 1968, or it is stamped wrong. If it is stamped wrong, then no one can divine the truth. But it isn't stamped wrong, and it isn't a mystery. It's a 1968 Bronco Station Wagon.

 

[jeffncs]

According to the NATB 1970 Motor Vehicle Identification Manual, page 67, The Ford Bronco U15 for model year 1968 begins at series number C00000 and runs up to D81999.

Therefore, VIN U15NLD03xxx is a 1968 year model.

@Viperwolf1 and @thegreatjustino have further narrowed it down to March of 1968. It is not consensus. This isn't a vote. There is not other alternatives to vote for. It is either March of 1968, or it is stamped wrong. If it is stamped wrong, then no one can divine the truth. But it isn't stamped wrong, and it isn't a mystery. It's a 1968 Bronco Station Wagon.

Thanks to you and all others solving the Broncohio error for me.

@jamesroney I’ve been looking for one of those there Bronco Station Wagons too. Let me know if you come across one!

 

[jamesroney]

Thanks to you and all others solving the Broncohio error for me.

@jamesroney I’ve been looking for one of those there Bronco Station Wagons too. Let me know if you come across one!

Hi @jeffncs ...You lost me.

All of the Broncos built from 1966-1977 with the U15 VIN are station wagons. U14's are pickup trucks, and U13's are roadsters.

Every Bronco U15 left the assembly line with an enclosed cargo roof, and a tailgate and is a station wagon. The classification of station wagons into other body types in the 80's was just a mechanism to work around regulations for passenger cars. The entire subgroup of SUV's is just to meet certain corporate fleet averages. Explorers, Expeditions, Excursions...they are all Station Wagons.

When you unbolt the hardtop from your Bronco, it's still a station wagon. Sure, a station wagon without a roof is basically a roadster with doors...but you can't change biology. Once it's born with that U15 chromosome...it's forever a wagon.