- What you'll get from Chevrolet R Conventional VIN check?
- Chevrolet R Conventional Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Chevrolet R Conventional VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Chevrolet R Conventional
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Chevrolet R Conventional VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Chevrolet R Conventional VIN.
- 10th Character in the Chevrolet R Conventional VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Chevrolet R Conventional VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Chevrolet R Conventional Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Chevrolet R Conventional
- How to find a Chevrolet R Conventional's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Chevrolet R Conventional
What you’ll get from Chevrolet R Conventional VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1987, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Type and Specifications: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is a Truck, specifically a Pickup with a conventional cab series, and is equipped with a 4.3L V-Shaped engine from the manufacturer CPC.
- Cab and Body Class: It seems that the cab type is classified as Crew/Super Crew/Crew Max with the body class identified as a Pickup, offering insights into the vehicle’s size and seating capacity.
- Engine Details: The VIN infers specifics like the engine’s displacement measured in CC (4300.0), CI (262.402), and liters (4.3), alongside mentioning it operates on a throttle body fuel injection type and uses gasoline as its primary fuel.
- Drive Type and Brake System: The VIN suggests that this vehicle features a 4x2 drive type and utilizes a hydraulic brake system, providing key performance and operational characteristics.
- Manufacturing Information: The VIN points to the vehicle’s production location in Janesville, Wisconsin, United States, giving a glimpse into its manufacturing origin.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN indicates that the truck falls into the Class 2E category, with a weight rating of 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg), which can help in understanding the vehicle’s load capacity.
Chevrolet R Conventional Vehicle History Risk Factors
Chevrolet’s reliability is model-dependent — the Silverado and Suburban are among the most durable vehicles in their segments, while some car-based models have more checkered histories. A Bumper check on a used Chevrolet is particularly valuable for the following:
AFM/DoD lifter failures on 5.3L V8 engines (2007–2021 Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban). GM’s Active Fuel Management system, which deactivates cylinders at highway speeds, caused widespread lifter and camshaft failures in this engine generation. The repair cost ($2,000–$5,000) makes this one of the most expensive used-vehicle surprises in any segment. Service records showing lifter replacement or an AFM delete kit are significant items to verify before purchase.
Ignition switch recall (2005–2014 multiple models). GM’s ignition switch recall — one of the most significant safety-related recalls in automotive history — affected Malibus, Cobalts, and several other models. Affected switches could move out of the “run” position while driving, cutting power to safety systems including airbags. Verify recall compliance on any Chevrolet from this era.
Transmission shudder on 8-speed automatic (2015–2019 Silverado, Colorado). GM’s 8L90 and 8L45 eight-speed automatics generated extensive owner complaints and TSBs related to torque converter shudder, especially at low speeds. This is well-documented and frequently appears in service records.
Rust on older Silverado and Colorado frames. Like other full-size trucks, older Chevrolet pickups from rust-belt states can have significant frame deterioration. A registration and ownership history in the Bumper report is your first indicator — a truck that’s spent decades in Minnesota or Michigan is a different proposition than one from Arizona.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Chevrolet R Conventional VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Chevrolet R Conventional VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer that reveals key information about the vehicle, including its place and country of manufacture, the manufacturer itself, and the type of vehicle it is. For the Chevrolet R-Conventional, the WMI 1GC specifies that the vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC, indicating its origin in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This WMI applies to trucks produced between the model years 1987 and 1991. Such identifiers are crucial for tracking, registration, and recall purposes, ensuring that every vehicle can be accurately identified worldwide.
List of WMI Codes for a Chevrolet R Conventional
WMI: 1GC
- Model Years Covered: 1987-1991
- Example VIN: 1GCHR33J5HS177416
- 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 Chevrolet R Conventional VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Chevrolet’s Vehicle Descriptor Section encodes body style, restraint system, engine type, and series level across its Silverado, Equinox, Malibu, and Tahoe lineups. On Silverados, the VDS is particularly useful for confirming cab style (regular, double, or crew cab), bed length, and engine variant — important because a 5.3L V8 Silverado and a 4.3L V6 from the same model year can look identical from the exterior. For the Equinox and Traverse, the VDS distinguishes between engine variants that differ significantly in fuel economy, towing capacity, and long-term reliability profiles. When comparing two Chevrolets with similar prices, always cross-reference VDS characters to confirm you’re comparing equivalent specifications.
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 Chevrolet R Conventional 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 Chevrolet R Conventional VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| M | 1991 Chevrolet R Conventional |
| L | 1990 Chevrolet R Conventional |
| K | 1989 Chevrolet R Conventional |
| J | 1988 Chevrolet R Conventional |
| H | 1987 Chevrolet R Conventional |
11th Character in the Chevrolet R Conventional VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Chevrolet R Conventional 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 | 1GCFR24K2HF373010 |
| J | Janesville | Wisconsin | United States | Na-Truck Platform | 1GCER14H8HJ114609 |
| S | St. Louis | Missouri | United States | 1GCHR33J5HS177416 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Chevrolet R Conventional
The final 6 characters in a Chevrolet R Conventional’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 Chevrolet R Conventional’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Chevrolet R Conventional is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet R Conventional. The VIN can usually be seen through the windshield on a small plate.
- Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet R Conventional. A VIN label or sticker is often placed where the door latches when closed.
- Look under the hood of your Chevrolet R Conventional; the VIN might be stamped on the engine block or displayed on a label attached to the engine compartment.
- Examine the frame of your Chevrolet R Conventional. In some models, the VIN is stamped directly onto the chassis or on a tag affixed to the frame, often near the front.
Don’t have your Chevrolet R Conventional’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Chevrolet R Conventional
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Pickup |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Cab Type | Crew/Super Crew/Crew Max |
| 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 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg) |
| Model | R Conventional |
| Model Year | 1987 |
| Other Engine Info | LPG conversion can be accomplished on the engine. |
| Plant City | Janesville |
| Plant Company Name | NA-Truck Platform |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Wisconsin |
| Series | Conventional Cab |
| Trim2 | 1/2 ton nominal |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1GCDR14K*HJ |
| Vehicle Type | Truck |
| Sample VIN | 1GCDR14K3HJ154295 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Chevrolet R Conventional for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Chevrolet R Conventional?
On most Chevrolet vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a Chevrolet R Conventional's history for free?
Enter the Chevrolet R Conventional’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do Chevrolet R Conventional VIN numbers start with?
Chevrolet R Conventional VIN's start with 1GC for vehicles manufactured by General Motors LLC in United States. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Chevrolet R Conventional.
Decode a Chevrolet VIN
Look up a Chevrolet R Conventional by license plate:
Compare this vehicle to another
Ready, Set, Bumper...
Try Bumper today and learn more about a vehicle you plan to buy or already own.
TRY Bumper Today