How to decode a 1987 Chevrolet Suburban VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1987 Chevrolet Suburban VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of a particular vehicle. For the 1987 Chevrolet Suburban, the WMI is “1GN”, which signifies that it is manufactured by General Motors LLC, based in Warren, Michigan, United States. This WMI indicates that the vehicle is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), highlighting its design and utility. The specific designation of “1GN” not only confirms General Motors as the parent company but also traces the vehicle’s origins to a significant hub of automotive production within the United States. This classification system allows vehicles to be tracked and identified globally, ensuring each vehicle’s unique identification and tracing.
List of WMI Codes for a 1987 Chevrolet Suburban
WMI: 1GN
- Model Years Covered: 1987-2024
- Example VIN: 1GNER16K1HF109710
- Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Warren
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States WMI: 1GC
- Model Years Covered: 1984-1985, 1987, 1989-1991
- Example VIN: 1GCGR26K3HF142179
- Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Warren
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1987 Chevrolet 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 1987 Chevrolet Suburban:
| Known VDS for a 1987 Chevrolet Suburban | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ER16K | GV26K | EV16K | GR26N | GR26K |
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 1987 Chevrolet 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 1987 Chevrolet Suburban VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| H | 1987 |
11th Character in the 1987 Chevrolet Suburban VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1987 Chevrolet Suburban Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | Flint | Michigan | United States | Na-Truck Platform | 1GNER16K1HF109710 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1987 Chevrolet Suburban
The final 6 characters in a 1987 Chevrolet Suburban’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1987 Chevrolet Suburban’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1987 Chevrolet Suburban is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1987 Chevrolet Suburban. The VIN is usually visible through the windshield on a small plate mounted there.
- Inspect the door post on the driver’s side where the door latches when it is closed, as the VIN might be found on a sticker or plate in this area of your Chevrolet Suburban.
- Examine the frame of the vehicle; sometimes the VIN is stamped on the chassis of the 1987 Chevrolet Suburban, especially in the area near the windshield washer container under the hood.
- Check for the VIN on the engine block, which can often be found stamped on a Chevrolet Suburban’s engine parts, particularly those from 1987.
- Take a look at the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or service records, where the VIN of your Chevrolet Suburban should be recorded.
What info can a 1987 Chevrolet Suburban VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating the age and market value of the vehicle, with the example given being from 1987.
- Vehicle Type and Body Class: It can typically indicate if the vehicle is designed for passenger transport, as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle with a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) body class, providing insights into its intended use and capacity.
- Engine and Performance: Details such as the engine being V-Shaped with a 5.7-liter displacement and having 8 cylinders can be deciphered, potentially hinting at the vehicle’s performance capabilities and power.
- Fuel Type and Efficiency: The primary fuel type and delivery method, Gasoline and Throttle Body Fuel Injection (TBI), as provided in the example, can provide clues about the vehicle’s fuel consumption and potential efficiency.
- Drive Type and Brake System: It is possible to specify the vehicle’s drive type, as in the 4x2 drive type mentioned in the example, which may influence its handling and suitability for different driving conditions. Additionally, the decoding might reveal the brake system type, potentially impacting the vehicle’s safety.
- Manufacturing Information: The decode can offer insights into the production origin and quality standards, such as the plant’s location and engine manufacturer, as in the example with the plant location noted as Flint, Michigan, United States, and the engine manufacturer as CPC.
- Additional Specifications: Features like the gross vehicle weight rating classification and potential for LPG conversion on the engine can provide further depth regarding its operational context and flexibility.
Don’t have your 1987 Chevrolet Suburban’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1987 Chevrolet Suburban
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Displacement (CC) | 5700.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 347.83534133997 |
| Displacement (L) | 5.7 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | CPC |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Throttle Body Fuel Injection (TBI) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 2G: 8,001 - 9,000 lb (3,629 - 4,082 kg) |
| Model | Suburban |
| Model Year | 1987 |
| Other Engine Info | LPG conversion can be accomplished on the engine. |
| Plant City | Flint |
| Plant Company Name | NA-Truck Platform |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Michigan |
| Series | Conventional Cab |
| Trim2 | 3/4 ton nominal |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1GCGR26K*HF |
| Vehicle Type | Truck |
| Sample_VIN | 1GCGR26K3HF142179 |
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