TBN Registry is now ONLINE!

[VA2k2Tbrd]

RTBRD
So if I read this right, that only leaves me.
How do I figure my build number. I was one of the ones who confused the sequence number with the build number.

[5bird7]

Rtbrd,
I think it's best that we leave the sequence number as is - a 4 digit number as printed on the car tags. Adding the other numbers can add to mistakes and confuse people even more.

As it is now, we can see that the number rolls over. The cars are initially listed in vin# order. The sequence number gives us an indication of which other cars were built around it.

lol maybe i should just change the registry to state sequence number?

[VA2k2Tbrd]

I've been to Dot's site and I guess I'm still not real clear. What is the build number and what is a sequence #? What exactly do those numbers mean?

[DavidA]

VA2K2Brd: Try this thread and see if it helps you understand. The build sequence is a number on one of the stickers (most likely on the driver's front fender) that shous a number in addition to your serial number. That is the build number of your car in that particular sequence. It's complicated, but I think the above thread explains it.

[southwest la t-bird]

forgot about adding the 9960, just changed mine but it looks like the thread only accepts 4 digets. my number is 15446 but when i entered it only showed 1544

[DavidA]

Are you sure you are looking at the build sequence number?

That is on a special sticker on the fender. If yours is that high, its unique and we should have a picture of it.

The reason it only allows you to enter 4 digits is because we are looking for the sequence number, not the build number. I just need to change the text because it is misleading.

[DavidA]

Isn't build number and sequence number one and the same.

[southwest la t-bird]

number on fender-5486+9960=15446 vin 15249 sequence # is 5486, build # is 15446. should i change it back to the 4 diget #
?

[DavidA]

OK -- you're right -- the sequence # is what we want -- thanks for the clarification

[southwest la t-bird]

done,thanks for the help, rp

yes 5486 would be your sequence number which is what we are sticking with.

DavidA, reread RTBRD's post above to explain the difference between the two.

[5bird7]

I see we're having word definition problems here. Now you've had it! You'll get the lengthy explanation from me.
build #,
sequence#,
vin# -

vin#= the 17 digit number/letters assigned to your car - this is a coded number. These numbers were assigned sequentially over a month in advance of any car ever seeing the assembly line. THUS

Ford assigns a sequence # - 4 digits - just before it starts down the line because during that month long delay after the vin assignment, parts availability can delay a particular auto, etc...
This way the plant can group autos by color and interior so a group that is alike will go thru at the same time with sequence numbers that line up (helps keep the count more accurate I assume).

Now, we talk about the actual "build sequence" #. ie - where a particular car actually "stands in line" with other cars. This is our own term - not one used by Ford. This is where we add in the 9960, etc... to the next higher vin#s after the first round of sequence #s has been used up. Remember, this sequence number rolls over to 1 when it reaches the 9960. It rolled over 3 times for the 2002 T-bird during the course of production.

So the number we want from the members for the registry is the plain old 4 digit sequence number. YOur vin# then gives us an indication of whether to add any numbers to it or not and which ones if we have to if we want to know your build sequence. Still confused?

Where did we get that 9960? From a Ford employee whom we trust.

[RTBRD]

Sorry, wasn't trying to create confusion, just trying to clarify an issue, which apparently I didn't.

FYI, your actual build number (what number your TBird is) should be within +/- several of hundred of your VIN, in particular the last 5 digits of the VIN.

Mine for example is: VIN 102532 and was the 2167th built.

5Bird7's VIN 119005, sequence #8588 and was the 18548th TBird built in 2002 (8588 + 9960 = 18548).

VA2k2Tbrd's VIN 130492, sequence # 0494 and was the 30374th TBird built in 2002 (0494 +9960 +9960 +9960 = 30374).

Hope this helps.

DavidA, for you and me the build # and the sequence # are the same because we have cars from the first batch of sequence numbers.

One other note for our Canadian owners. The Canadian Birds were handled somewhat differently so there may be a bigger difference between the last 5 digits of the VIN and the build number.