2000 Explorer/Mountaineer Workshop Manual
SECTION 100-01: Identification Codes
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
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2000 Explorer/Mountaineer Workshop Manual
Identification Codes
The vehicle identification number (VIN) is a 17-digit combination of letters and numbers. The VIN is stamped
on a metal tab riveted on the instrument panel, top upper left of the dash. The VIN number is also found on
the vehicle certification (VC) label.
Item
Description
1
World manufacturer identifier
2
Brake type and gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)
3
Vehicle line, series, body type
4
Engine type
5
Check digit
6
Model year
7
Assembly plant
8
Production sequence number
Vehicle Identification Number
World Manufacturer Identifier
The first three vehicle identification number (VIN) positions are the world manufacturer identifier.
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1FM — Ford Motor Company, USA, multi-purpose vehicle
1FC — Ford Motor Company, USA, stripped chassis
4M2 — Mercury, USA, multi-purpose vehicle
GVWR Code
The fourth VIN position is the vehicle brake type and GVWR code (all vehicles use hydraulic brakes).
Y — 4,001-5,000 pounds GVWR, Explorer/Mountaineer (less side impact air bags)
Z — 5001-6000 pounds GVWR, Explorer/Mountaineer (less side impact air bags)
M — 5,001-6,000 pounds GVWR, US Postal stripped chassis (less air bags)
C — 4,001-5,000 pounds GVWR, Explorer/Mountaineer (with side impact air bags)
D — 5,001-6,000 pounds GVWR, Explorer/Mountaineer (with side impact air bags)
Line, Series and Body Type Code
Positions 5 through 7 indicate vehicle line, series and body type.
U60 — Explorer, 4x2, two-door, Sport
U70 — Explorer, 4x4, two-door, Sport
U61 — Explorer, 4x2, four-door, XL
U71 — Explorer, 4x4, four-door, XL
U62 — Explorer, 4x2, four-door, XLS
U72 — Explorer, 4x4, four-door, XLS
U63 — Explorer, 4x2, four-door, XLT
U73 — Explorer, 4x4, four-door, XLT
U83 — Explorer, AWD, four-door, XLT
U64 — Explorer, 4x2, four-door, Eddie Bauer
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U74 — Explorer, 4x4, four-door, Eddie Bauer
U84 — Explorer, AWD, four-door, Eddie Bauer
U65 — Explorer, 4x2, four-door, Limited
U75 — Explorer, 4x4, four-door, Limited
U85 — Explorer, AWD, four-door, Limited
U66 — Mountaineer, 4x2, four-door
U76 — Mountaineer, 4x4, four-door
U86 — Mountaineer, AWD, four-door
U69 — US Postal stripped chassis, RHD
Engine Code
The eighth VIN position is the engine displacement and number of cylinders.
X — 4.0L, EFI, OHV, six cylinder
E — 4.0L, EFI, SOHC, six cylinder
P — 5.0L, EFI, eight cylinder
K — 4.0L, EFI, SOHC, six cylinder, flex fuel
Check Digit
The ninth VIN position is a check digit.
Model Year Code
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The tenth VIN position is the model year code.
Y — 2000
Assembly Plant Code
The eleventh VIN position is the assembly plant code.
U — Louisville (Louisville, Kentucky)
Z — St. Louis (Hazlewood, Missouri)
Build Sequence
The last six VIN positions are an alphanumeric code for the vehicle build sequence. This is also the vehicle
serial and warranty number.
A00001-E99999 — Ford Division
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J00001-L99999 — Mercury Division
Vehicle Certification (VC) Label
Item
Description
1
Exterior paint code
2
Region code
3
Domestic special order code
4
Wheel base code
5
Brake code
6
Interior trim code
7
Tape/paint pinstripe code
8
Radio code
9
Axle code
10
Transmission code
11
Spring code
12
Powertrain calibration information
The vehicle certification (VC) label contains the manufacturer name, the month and year of manufacture, the
certification statement, and the VIN. It also includes gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR).
Vehicle Certification (VC) Label — Incomplete Vehicle (Typical)
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Paint Codes
NOTE: The first set of codes list the primary body color, the second set of codes list the lower body two-tone
paint code (if applicable).
The following lists the exterior paint codes:
Primary body color codes
B2 — Harvest Gold
B4 — Autumn Brown
FL — Medium Toreador Red
FS — Spruce Green
LD — Medium Wedgewood Blue
LL — Deep Wedgewood Blue
SU — Amazon Green
UA — Ebony
WF — White Pearl, tri-coat (St. Louis build only)
YZ — Oxford White
Lower two-tone exterior paint codes:
RC — Medium Platinum
BA — Medium Prairie Tan (Mountaineer Appearance Package)
JL — Dark Toreador Red
LD — Medium Wedgewood Blue
ST — Estate Green
Radio Codes
Y — Delete radio system
R — Delete radio chassis, all other components installed
9 — M100C AM/FM stereo with cassette and clock
8 — P100LL AM/FM premium stereo with cassette
Z — AM/FM stereo with compact disc player
K — Luxury AM/FM stereo with cassette, compact disc player and digital sound processing (DSP)
Axle Codes
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The following lists the gear ratios on axles.
41 — 3.27 non-limited slip
45 — 3.55 non-limited slip
46 — 3.73 non-limited slip
42 — 4.10 non-limited slip
D1 — 3.27 limited slip
D5 — 3.55 limited slip
D4 — 3.73 limited slip
D2 — 4.10 limited slip
Transmission Codes
D — Five-speed automatic overdrive, A5LDE
M — Five-speed manual, Mazda
U — Four-speed automatic overdrive, 4R70W
Spring Codes
The following lists available spring codes.
Front Springs
B — 5B326 (RH), 5B327 (LH) torsion bar
D — 5B326 (RH), 5B327 (LH) torsion bar
E — 5B326 (RH), 5B327 (LH) torsion bar
F — 5B326 (RH), 5B327 (LH) torsion bar
G — 5B326 (RH), 5B327 (LH) torsion bar
H — 5B326 (RH), 5B327 (LH) torsion bar
J — 5B326 (RH), 5B327 (LH) torsion bar
L — 5B326 (RH), 5B327 (LH) torsion bar
1 — 5B326 (RH), 5B327 (LH) torsion bar
2 — 5B326 (RH), 5B327 (LH) torsion bar
Rear Springs
F — 5560 spring
H — 5560 spring
L — 5560 spring
Interior Trim Codes
The following lists the interior trim and interior color codes.
Interior Trim
A — Vinyl bucket seats
J — Premium Tweed cloth bucket seats
Y — Premium Amay cloth bucket seats
Z — Cloth bucket seats with power
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G — Cloth sport bucket seats
F— Leather sport bucket seats
M — Cloth split bench seat
1 — Leather sport bucket seats (Limited)
Blank — No seat installed (US Postal stripped chassis, RHD)
Interior Color Codes
X — Medium Prairie Tan
2 — Medium Graphite
T — Dark Graphite
Tape Stripe Codes
L — Light Prairie Tan (Limited)
Powertrain Calibration Information
NOTE: Powertrain calibration information is limited to a maximum of five characters per line on the vehicle
certification label. Because of this, calibration identification consisting of more than five characters will wrap
to the second line on the VC label.
Powertrain calibration information is printed in the lower right corner of the vehicle certification label. Only
the base calibration information is printed. Revision levels will not appear, however, they can be found in On
Line Automotive Service Information System (OASIS). For the current model year, Ford Motor Company is
using three different protocols which describe powertrain base calibration. These protocols are designed to
provide worldwide standardization for vehicle calibration. If the electronic calibration strategy has been used
since 1998 and carried into the current model year, Protocol 1 will be used. Refer to Protocol 1 below. If the
electronic calibration strategy has been used since 1999 and is carried into the current model year, Protocol
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2 will be used. Refer to Protocol 2 below. For new electronic calibration strategies for the current model
year, use Protocol 3. Refer to Protocol 3 below.
Protocol 1
Item
Description
1
Model year (model year in which calibration strategy was first introduced)
2
Engine code
3
Engine revision level
Protocol 2
Item
Description
1
Model year (model year in which calibration strategy was first introduced)
2
Engine code
3
Transmission code
4
Emission standard (designates the specific country emission standard)
5
Design level (design level assigned to the engine)
Protocol 3
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Item
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Description
1
Model year (model year in which calibration strategy was first introduced)
2
Vehicle code
3
Transmission code
4
Unique calibration (designates different hardware to similar vehicles). Example: tires, drive ratios,
etc.
5
Fleet code (describes fleet to which the vehicle belongs). Example: 6 – evaporative emissions
6
Certification region (lead region where multiple regions are included in one calibration). Example: A –
U.S. federal
7
Revision level (will advance as revisions occur). Not printed on label
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