Who to believe?

[Lt46]

Hi Folks,
Here's the quandry; Winnebago has listed my Ford chassis being built June 1996 yet Ford, when I run the V.I.N. lists it as a 1997 chassis.
Who do I believe? The coach builder or the chassis builder?

Thanks.

[Rick Long]

Ford and your VIN.... for the chassis.

[Ramblin]

This question comes up periodically. Many times the RV manufacturer will buy a bunch of chassis and warehouse them while they are building coaches. Winnie bought yours in 1996, and it sat in their warehouse till 1997 when they finally built the body. Often, you'll see a 1997 RV on a 1996 chassis (for instance). The DMV is interested in the chassis date, so it registers as the VIN date.

[John H...]

They probably built yours on a later chassis, where normally it would have been a '96. If the vin says '97, then so be it...

[Lt46]

Hi Folks,
Where this question on "who" to believe comes into play (for me at least) is with the in-tank fuel pump. If I'm to believe Winnebago, then I have the older type, 3 wire fuel pump. If I believe Ford, then I have the newer, turbo, 4 wire fuel pump. From what I've read, chassis's with a build date before 11/96 had the older 3 wire pump. Those built after that have the newer turbo pump. Again, Winnebago lists my chassis as being built in June of 1996 (therfore the older pump was used.) BUT, when I run my V.I.N. through Ford it indicates a 1997 chassis. Sooooo, there in lies the confusion and who to believe. Thanks.

[tderonne]

You're a bit hung on something that's a bit apples and oranges...

Build dates and model years are only loosely related. If Winnebago says your coach was built in June of 1996, it was. If the VIN says your chassis is a 1997 model year, it is. That is, they are both right. You chassis was built some time before June (you don't know when) but that is certainly before November such that you have the older pump.

[edgray]

Originally Posted by Lt46

Hi Folks,
Here's the quandry; Winnebago has listed my Ford chassis being built June 1996 yet Ford, when I run the V.I.N. lists it as a 1997 chassis.
Who do I believe? The coach builder or the chassis builder?

Thanks.

The tenth digit of the chassis vin # is normally used to indicate the builder's model year, which may have begun before WBGO changed their model year. That would explain how the chassis can be "newer" than the coach.

The "incomplete vehicle" sticker SHOULD include the actual chassis build date, along with the GVWR & GCVWR info. Additionally, look for the label which lists all the SPID codes, you may find the answer to your fuel pump quandry there. Good luck. Ed

[wa8yxm]

Originally Posted by Lt46

Hi Folks,
Here's the quandry; Winnebago has listed my Ford chassis being built June 1996 yet Ford, when I run the V.I.N. lists it as a 1997 chassis.
Who do I believe? The coach builder or the chassis builder?

Thanks.

In this case both.. June of 1996 would be the start of the 1997 model year.

[Lt46]

Thankyou EdGray! That explanation made the most sense to me. It was the 10th digit that was throwing me off, but as you explain "the builder's model year" clearly means my chassis was built when Winnie says it was and used for the 1997 model year.
Do you know which SPID code identifies the fuel pump?

Thanks all for helping me understand this.

[edgray]

Originally Posted by Lt46

.......Do you know which SPID code identifies the fuel pump?.......

Sorry, but no I don't. I'm surprised a Ford truck service center can't find out by entering the vin # in the Ford parts system.

I suggest you post down below in the Ford forum here on iRV2.com, or do a "google search" for F53 chassis Service Parts IDentification codes.
Good luck.
Ed

[sam-tip]

Mine is a Model 2008 built on a 2007 chassis in August 2006. If I crawl under it I can find "Proto" written behind most of the pannels. The outside says 400 horse while the engine is a ISL 425 built in June 2006. From the ESN tag.

The satellite dish mounted on the roof was made in 2004.

Who knows how old most of the equipment is.