How to decode a 1998 GMC Safari VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1998 GMC Safari VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit sequence at the start of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that identifies the vehicle’s manufacturer, the type of vehicle it is, and the country of manufacturing. For the 1998 GMC Safari, the WMI “1GK” denotes it was manufactured by General Motors LLC, categorized as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), indicating its versatile use. This vehicle was specifically assembled in Warren, Michigan, United States. The WMI is crucial for vehicle registration, identification, and in tracking recalls or warranties. It provides essential information about the vehicle’s origins and type at a glance.
List of WMI Codes for a 1998 GMC Safari
WMI: 1GT
- Model Years Covered: 1987, 1992, 1994-1995, 1997-2005
- Example VIN: 1GTDM19W0WB508856
- Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Warren
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States WMI: 1GK
- Model Years Covered: 1987-1988, 1992-2005
- Example VIN: 1GKEL19W0WB523286
- 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 1998 GMC Safari 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 1998 GMC Safari:
| Known VDS for a 1998 GMC Safari | ||
|---|---|---|
| DM19W | DL19W | EL19W |
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 1998 GMC Safari 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 1998 GMC Safari VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| W | 1998 |
11th Character in the 1998 GMC Safari VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1998 GMC Safari Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | Baltimore/Lansing (Craft Center) | Maryland | United States | Gm Truck Group/ Na-Gm Corp | 1GTDM19W0WB508856 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 GMC Safari
The final 6 characters in a 1998 GMC Safari’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a 1998 GMC Safari’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1998 GMC Safari is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your GMC Safari; the VIN is typically visible through the windshield on a small plate near where the dashboard meets the glass.
- Examine the door jamb on the driver’s side of your GMC Safari. The VIN may be located on a sticker or plate where the door latches when it is closed.
- Check the engine block for the VIN on your 1998 GMC Safari, as it is often stamped on the engine itself.
- Examine the frame of the vehicle, as the VIN can sometimes be found stamped on the chassis of the GMC Safari, usually visible from underneath the vehicle.
- Review your GMC Safari’s insurance or registration documents, as the VIN is typically listed on any official document that pertains to the vehicle.
What info can a 1998 GMC Safari VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Engine Details: The VIN may include substantial details about the engine, such as a 4.3L V-shaped engine configuration, manufactured by WRN, with six cylinders.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN indicates that this vehicle’s body class is a Cargo Van, specifically noted as a Small and Extended Van, pointing towards its size and utility purpose.
- Drive Type and Brake System: Information such as the vehicle being a 4x2 drive type with a hydraulic brake system is possibly encoded within the VIN.
- Plant Location: The manufacturing details, such as the plant city Baltimore/Lansing (Craft Center) in Maryland, United States, by GM Truck Group/ NA-GM Corp, may be specified in the VIN.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: It is possibly classified under Class 1D, indicating a weight rating from 5,001 to 6,000 lb (2,268 to 2,722 kg), which might help in understanding the vehicle’s capacity.
- Vehicle Type and Specifics: The VIN decodes to possibly show that the vehicle type is considered a Truck, with specific model details indicating it as a Safari model, providing insights into both purpose and design.
Don’t have your 1998 GMC Safari’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 GMC Safari
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Van |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Displacement (CC) | 4300.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 262.40209960734 |
| Displacement (L) | 4.3 |
| Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | WRN |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) |
| Model | Safari |
| Model Year | 1998 |
| Other Engine Info | CPI, 90 Degrees |
| Plant City | Baltimore/Lansing (Craft Center) |
| Plant Company Name | GM Truck Group/ NA-GM Corp |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Maryland |
| Series | Small Van |
| Series2 | Extended Van |
| Trim2 | 1/2 ton nominal |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1GKEL19W*WB |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Sample_VIN | 1GKEL19W0WB523286 |
Ready, Set, Bumper...
Try Bumper today and learn more about a vehicle you plan to buy or already own.
TRY Bumper Today