Pick-up Truck Search Finally Over

I've posted that information several times

'1' Made in the US of at least 75% American parts.
'4' Assembled in the US of up to 70%, but not less than 40%, American
parts.
'5' Assembled in the US of less than 40% American parts.

It has been a long time since I needed to know, so I don't remember for sure
which digit it is, but the forth or fifth designates the restraint type.
A different letter for manual bets, automatic belts, driver only bag, driver
and passenger bag, side air bag, curtain air bags, whatever.

One can search the Congressional Record of the NHTSA VIN numbers required
for vehicles offered for sale in the US
..
mike hunt



<clare at snyder.on.ca> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> Tips to understanding your vehicles serial (VIN) number
>
> They are as follows:
>
> 1st character- Identifies the country in which the vehicle was
> manufactured.
> For example: U.S.A.(1or4), Canada(2), Mexico(3), Japan(J), Korea(K),
> England(S), Germany(W), Italy(Z)
>
> 2nd character- Identifies the manufacturer. For example; Audi(A),
> BMW(B), Buick(4), Cadillac(6), Chevrolet(1), Chrysler(C), Dodge(B),
> Ford(F), GM Canada(7), General Motors(G), Honda(H), Jaquar(A),
> Lincoln(L), Mercedes Benz(D), Mercury(M), Nissan(N), Oldsmobile(3),
> Pontiac(2or5), Plymouth(P), Saturn(8), Toyota(T), VW(V), Volvo(V).
>
> 3rd character- Identifies vehicle type or manufacturing division.
>
> 4th to 8th characters- Identifies vehicle features such as body style,
> engine type, model, series, etc.
>
> 9th character- Identifies VIN accuracy as check digit.
>
> 10th character- Identifies the model year. For example: 1988(J),
> 1989(K), 1990(L), 1991(M), 1992(N), 1993(P), 1994(R), 1995(S),
> 1996(T),
> 1997(V), 1998(W), 1999(X), 2000(Y)------2001(1), 2002(2), 2003(3)
>
> 11th character- Identifies the assembly plant for the vehicle.
>
> 12th to 17th characters- Identifies the sequence of the vehicle for
> production
> as it rolled of the manufacturers assembly line.
> On Fri, 24 Feb 2006 11:49:32 -0700, "Mark A" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>>"Built_Well" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>news:[email protected]...
>>> Thanks for that great link, Steve. I really enjoyed reading
>>> the detailed information. Unfortunately, we still don't have an
>>> answer as to why three separate numbers in the first VIN position
>>> can refer to the United States: 1, 4, and 5.
>>>
>>> We know that 2 refers to Canada, and 3 means Mexico, but why
>>> should the U.S.A. have 3 numbers devoted to it?
>>> Mike says the 3 different numbers make distinctions as to the percentage
>>> of North American auto parts found in a vehicle--with 1 being the
>>> highest percentage and 5 the lowest. The only problem with that is
>>> we've seen Camry VINs starting with a 4 that have Origin Stickers
>>> showing 80 percent North American parts, and we've seen Sienna
>>> VINs beginning with a 5 that show 90 percent American parts.
>>>
>>> Mike, you still might be right, but you're not providing us with
>>> any sources to back up your claim, and sources to explain the Sienna
>>> and Camry examples.
>>>
>>> I've now spent 21 dollars at LexisNexis.com, downloading 7 different
>>> documents, and I still haven't found a definitive answer as to the
>>> Mystical Meanings of "1," "4," and "5"...
>>>
>>> Can you believe it: each of the documents I've read says that 1, 4,
>>> and 5 mean United States, but none describes the differences between
>>> 1, 4, and 5! [chuckle] How exasperating.
>>>
>>> Whoever comes up with this answer deserves a free vacation to
>>> Las Vegas, paid for by the regulars of this Toyota newsgroup!
>>
>>I believe that it refers to the percent of domestic parts content in car,
>>even though all are assembled in US or Canada.
>>
>
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I don't even care, personally. I can't afford to buy anything other than
what I think is going to have the best chance of being a reliable vehicle
that runs forever. For me, the Japanese rule that roost, period. If or
when the US automakers make a comparable product, they MIGHT get me back.
Maybe. I simply can't afford to buy something that turns out to be poorly
engineered 5 years later. I mean... how hard is it to spray white paint,
and yet there's all those Chev's and Dodge rigs out there with peeling
paint. And those company's did nothing to make it right. Or those
notorious Chrysler auto trannies.

-jeff


in article [email protected], Mike Hunter at
[email protected] wrote on 2/19/06 1:00 PM:

> 30,500 workers that are paid lower wages, offered fewer benefits and less
> desirable medical coverage and pensions, who only assembly the vehicles in
> the US of mostly imported parts that sell for 20% to 30% more than
> comparable sized and equipped domestics. Get real. Do a bit of research
> the only manufacture that actually builds the majority of their vehicles in
> the US of mostly American parts are the domestics and Honda. All of the
> others only assemble vehicle in the US of foreign parts.
>
>
> mike hunt
>
>
> "Dan J.S." <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "Mike Hunter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> The majority of the Toyota light trucks sold in the US are imported not
>>> made in the US. GM and Ford build more light trucks in the US in two
>>> weeks, that are made of at least 70% American parts, than Toyota sells
>>> trucks in a year. With the exception of the Toyotas made in the
>>> GM/Toyota plant, those so called made in America Toyota cars and trucks
>>> are only assembled in the US of mostly imported parts. Check the first
>>> number of the VIN you will find a '5' not a '1'
>>>
>>>
>>> mike hunt
>>>
>> Toyota Motor Corp. produced more than 1 million vehicles at its North
>> American assembly plants last year, and the Japanese automaker isn't
>> slowing down.
>>
>> Fujio Cho, TMC president, said Tuesday during a brief stop at
>> Toyota's North American manufacturing headquarters in Erlanger that his
>> company, now this country's fourth-largest automaker, will continue to
>> produce as many vehicles in the United States it can sell.
>>
>>
>>
>> Toyota now operates four North American assembly plants employing more
>> than 30,500.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>

"Jeff Olsen" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:C026C0D2.1AA79%[email protected]...
>I don't even care, personally. I can't afford to buy anything other than
> what I think is going to have the best chance of being a reliable vehicle
> that runs forever. For me, the Japanese rule that roost, period. If or
> when the US automakers make a comparable product, they MIGHT get me back.
> Maybe. I simply can't afford to buy something that turns out to be poorly
> engineered 5 years later. I mean... how hard is it to spray white paint,
> and yet there's all those Chev's and Dodge rigs out there with peeling
> paint. And those company's did nothing to make it right. Or those
> notorious Chrysler auto trannies.
>
> -jeff
>
>
> in article [email protected], Mike Hunter at
> [email protected] wrote on 2/19/06 1:00 PM:
>
>> 30,500 workers that are paid lower wages, offered fewer benefits and
>> less
>> desirable medical coverage and pensions, who only assembly the vehicles
>> in
>> the US of mostly imported parts that sell for 20% to 30% more than
>> comparable sized and equipped domestics. Get real. Do a bit of
>> research
>> the only manufacture that actually builds the majority of their vehicles
>> in
>> the US of mostly American parts are the domestics and Honda. All of the
>> others only assemble vehicle in the US of foreign parts.
>>
>>
>> mike hunt
>>
>>
>> "Dan J.S." <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>> "Mike Hunter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:[email protected]...
>>>> The majority of the Toyota light trucks sold in the US are imported not
>>>> made in the US. GM and Ford build more light trucks in the US in two
>>>> weeks, that are made of at least 70% American parts, than Toyota sells
>>>> trucks in a year. With the exception of the Toyotas made in the
>>>> GM/Toyota plant, those so called made in America Toyota cars and trucks
>>>> are only assembled in the US of mostly imported parts. Check the first
>>>> number of the VIN you will find a '5' not a '1'
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> mike hunt
>>>>
>>> Toyota Motor Corp. produced more than 1 million vehicles at its North
>>> American assembly plants last year, and the Japanese automaker isn't
>>> slowing down.
>>>
>>> Fujio Cho, TMC president, said Tuesday during a brief stop at
>>> Toyota's North American manufacturing headquarters in Erlanger that his
>>> company, now this country's fourth-largest automaker, will continue to
>>> produce as many vehicles in the United States it can sell.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Toyota now operates four North American assembly plants employing more
>>> than 30,500.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
I hear you. I sold my 2001 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 extra cab for 3000.00 less
then I paid for it. And this was 4 yrs after I bought It.
The only reason I sold It was that it getting only 14 MPG and gas prices
were 3.05 for 87 OC here In Calif. I bought a Chev Colorado and I know It's
not going to be any where near what I sold the Toyota for. The price of gas
Is the only reason I sold It. When I bought it new in 2001 the price was
under 1.00 a gallon.

Insurance went down a little for the Colorado. About 150.00 a yr. I
bought the 7yr Insurance repair plan from the dealer. Never once did I have
to take the Toyota in for repairs other then the every 3000 mile oil change.
With the new Colorado it's been in the shop 3 times in the past 10 months.

This was the 1st and last time I will buy another Chev. I love the
truck, But spending time at the dealership sucks.
I like It when they tell me that I'll have to leave It for the day. You need
It all day to do a 30-45 min fix ? I have a appointment.
Me and the service mgr. went around and around with that more then once.

The best part Is when the company sends me the rate the truck and
dealership forms. I rate them both so low, that they don't send them to me
anymore. Waste of time anyway. They never contact me asking me how can we
help you with the problems.

When I took the Toyota in for oil changes, I would get a rate us card
from the dealership and another one from Toyota. I filled it out and sent it
back. A few times I would get a free oil change for spending a few min's to
fill it out and return it. The Dealership told me when I fill out the one
for the company they will send me a free thing of touchup paint. ( I never
got it ) Not that I care.

When I bought my Colorado the dealership said, You will be getting your
1st oil change free. We will send you a free coupon in the mail. I never got
it, I never asked for it. Why ? I don't let them touch it unless it's under
the factory 7 yr. plan. They charge 34.50 for a oil change. I can go to a
tire store that has a ASE guy that will change it for under 22.00

I took it to the dealership for a front end alignment. After the 2nd
time it was still off. The time spent going to the dealer and waiting cost
me more then It would have to take it to the tire store. After the 2nd time,
I did take it to the tire place. It was fixed the 1st time and half the
wait. I sent the dealership the bill and a copy to chev. I gave them two
weeks to pay. They did not. I went to small claims court. They never showed
up for court. The judge ruled in my favor and added on the court cost and a
extra 100.00 for my time. Gave them 15 days to pay the court. I got the
check from the court in 13 days.

Yeah, I can't wait to buy another. NOT!

<clare at snyder.on.ca> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Decoding Your Toyota VIN
> **Model Years 1982-1995**
>
> *1989: newer VIN Plate on passenger cars is located on the inside of
> drivers door*
>
> *Prior to 1989: VIN Plate is located on firewall within engine
> compartment*
>
> Digit Position Position
> ---------------- -----------
>
> #1------------------------Country-J=Japan
>
> #2------------------------Manufacturer-T=Toyota
>
> #3------------------------Type-2=Passenger Car
>
>
> #4-#8--------------------Line,Series,BodyType,Engine,Restraint
> **********************(not necessarily in this order) ****************
>
> #9------------------------Check Digit
>
> #10-----------------------Year- B=1981 C=1982
> D=1983 E=1984
> F=1985 G=1986
> H=1987 J=1988
> K=1989 L=1990
> M=1991 N=1992
> P=1993 R=1994
> S=1995
>
>
> #11-------------------------Assembly Plant-
> C= Ontario, Canada
> O= Supra plants
> U=Gergetown, Kentucky
> Z=Fremont, California
>
> #12 - #18------------------Sequential Production Number



Here are some Ford VINs. The curious thing that I have noticed about all
Ford Motor Company VINs is that the last 6 digits always begin with a
letter, rather than a number. I have never seen the last 6 digits of a VIN
for any other manufacturer that wasn't all numbers.

1FTYR10U93TA14791 - Ranger PU
1FTYR10D74PA26948 - Ranger PU
1FTYR10D34PA26963 - Ranger PU
1FTYR10D34PA27000 - Ranger PU
1FTYR10VX3PA43449 - Ranger PU
1FTYR10D14PA59590 - Ranger PU
1FTYR10D54PA59592 - Ranger PU
1FTYR10D64PA59603 - Ranger PU
1FTYR10D23PA73013 - Ranger PU
1FTYR10UX3PB66894 - Ranger PU
1FTNE24LOYHB56267 - Ford Econoline Van