Free 1986 GMC Suburban VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1986 GMC Suburban VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1986 GMC Suburban VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which designates the vehicle manufacturer. For the 1986 GMC Suburban, the WMI is “1G5,” indicating the vehicle was produced by General Motors LLC. This specific code is associated with vehicles made in the United States, particularly in Warren, Michigan. The WMI not only reveals the manufacturer but also highlights that this model falls under the Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) category. It serves as an essential identifier in the automotive industry, providing crucial information about the vehicle’s origin, manufacturer, and vehicle type.

List of WMI Codes for a 1986 GMC Suburban

WMI: 1G5

• Model Years Covered: 1983-1986
• Example VIN: 1G5GK26J5GF513117
• Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Warren
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1986 GMC Suburban VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

• Engine type
• Transmission
• Model or trim
• Body style
• Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 1986 GMC Suburban:

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 1986 GMC Suburban VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the 1986 GMC Suburban VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1986 GMC Suburban VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1986 GMC Suburban Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1986 GMC Suburban

The final 6 characters in a 1986 GMC Suburban’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1986 GMC Suburban VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, likely being the year 1986, offering insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN may indicate the vehicle type, possibly a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle, specifying its body class as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), providing detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN can detail the engine type, such as a Chevrolet 4BBL, V-shaped engine configuration with 8 cylinders, and a displacement of 5.7 liters or 347.835 cubic inches, offering insights into the vehicle’s power and size.
• Fuel Type: The VIN decoding might specify the primary fuel type the vehicle uses, which in this case is gasoline, providing potential buyers or owners with crucial information on fuel consumption and environmental impact.
• Drive Type: Details regarding the vehicle’s drive type can be extracted, such as 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, which indicates its capabilities and suitability for different terrains or driving conditions.
• Manufacturing Details: VIN decodes might also reveal where the vehicle was manufactured, including the plant city, name, country, and state, for example, Flint Truck Assembly in Flint, Michigan, United States.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The classification may be provided, like Class 2G: 8,001 - 9,000 lb (3,629 - 4,082 kg), which can inform on the vehicle’s size, weight, and possibly its intended use or capability.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1986 GMC Suburban