VIN Decoding

[kboehm73]

Ok so I think I found the next bronco I want to buy, but I want to check on some vin identification stuff. here's what i've got:

U15GLE19088
092 U150 9U98 C A3J
517750

I figured that it is '69 with a 302 and that it was produced in october at a michigan plant. Seems to me that it also has a 3-speed transmission. The second and third line are what i'm having troubles with. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[kyle]

The different years are on the tabs across the bottom:

http://broncohio.com/tech/ebvins.html

 

[kyle]

C= 3 speed
A3= 4.11 LS
J= Red Color Code

 

[wpaeb]

092 wheel base inches
U150 model long roof
9U98 color body
9-
U- med green
98- bronco

C trans 3 Speed Manual
A3J axle 4.11 LS 2780

517750 ?

http://www.broncowiki.com/index.php?title=VIN_Decoder

 

[broncnaz]

Ok so I think I found the next bronco I want to buy, but I want to check on some vin identification stuff. here's what i've got:

U15GLE19088
092 U150 9U98 C A3J
517750

I figured that it is '69 with a 302 and that it was produced in october at a michigan plant. Seems to me that it also has a 3-speed transmission. The second and third line are what i'm having troubles with. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

092 is wheel base
Should be a code between these that is the paint code.
U150 is model ie wagon
9U trim code parchment/ vinyl
98 also stands wagon for long roof
C 3 speed tranny
A3 as was said 4.11 locking
J is for limited slip front axle.
Not sure on the bottom line might be a specail order code.

 

[kboehm73]

no other codes for the paint. that kind of fooled me too. has anyone heard of a rocky mountain sportsman package? I think that may be the bottom number.

 

[Airmapper]

517750

That is probably the DSO code, especially if you found it on the far right of the VIN plate. It may have had some features special ordered, which accounts for the last 4 digits, but if I remember correctly the first 2 digits are always it's original destination, in this case, for a '69, 51= Denver

 

[kboehm73]

huh. that would make sense if this was a rocky mountain sportsman.

 

[akafrankcastle]

I recall seeing one of these "Rocky Mountain Sportsman" models up for sale a month or so ago here in Colorado. I shot the guy an email to find out what made it an "RMS" and never got a response back.

 

[kboehm73]

yeah I saw that one for sale the other day, think it's on ebay now. I'm still trying to figure out what the specialness is about this package. From what i've heard they have lockers front and rear, additional chrome, and usually a little lift. Most came with oversized tires and cut wheelwells. Also heard the later years had rod holders or gun racks. I'm currently trying to get as much info on this thing as possible so I can restore it to original.

 

[broncnaz]

Personnally I've never heard of the sportman edition but then again since its a dealer type promotion and not actually a factory option it would stand to reason. Lots of dealers around the country offered there own packages to many vehicles.
You might want to check around with dealers in denver see if they have any info. OLd Sales brochures would be your best bet. I'd also get a VIN report from ford or marti auto that might help give you clues but you really need to find out in writing what the options included. Many times these dealer options were not really all the different from a factory bronco they just ordered them with certain factory options that any bronco could have and might have added a few aftermarket things.
There was very little availible as far as lifts went back in those days(pretty much nothing) (maybe front snow plow springs but little else) more than likely it was the cut fenders and larger tires that made it appear they were lifted

 

[kboehm73]

broncaz- thanks for the info. I will have to check into that. I've been trying to research these past couple days and it appears that Phil Long Ford (a colorado dealership) was selling these. I'll have to see if they have any info. Maybe i'll get lucky