How to decode a 1981 Chevrolet Suburban VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1981 Chevrolet Suburban VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or three-number code when combined with the rest of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), helps in identifying the manufacturer, the vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. For the 1981 Chevrolet Suburban, the WMI is “1G8,” which designates General Motors LLC as the manufacturer. The vehicle, categorized under the passenger car type, was produced in Warren, Michigan, United States. This specific code is crucial for vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes, providing detailed insights into the vehicle’s origin and production traits. Understanding the WMI is essential for both regulatory bodies and consumers to ensure the authenticity and history of the vehicle.
List of WMI Codes for a 1981 Chevrolet Suburban
WMI: 1G8
- Model Years Covered: 1981, 1983-1986
- Example VIN: 1G8GK26MXBF118310
- Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Warren
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1981 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 1981 Chevrolet Suburban:
| Known VDS for a 1981 Chevrolet Suburban | |
|---|---|
| GK26M | GC26W |
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 1981 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 1981 Chevrolet Suburban VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| B | 1981 |
11th Character in the 1981 Chevrolet Suburban VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1981 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 | Flint Truck Assembly | 1G8GK26MXBF118310 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1981 Chevrolet Suburban
The final 6 characters in a 1981 Chevrolet Suburban’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Chevrolet Suburban’s VIN below:
How to find a 1981 Chevrolet Suburban’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1981 Chevrolet Suburban is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Suburban. Typically, the VIN can be seen through the windshield on a plate.
- Open the driver’s door of your Chevrolet Suburban and check the door post (where the door latches when it is closed), as the VIN might be located on a sticker or a plate in this area.
- Look at the frame of the vehicle. For older models like the 1981 Chevrolet Suburban, the VIN might be stamped on the frame or chassis.
- Examine the vehicle’s engine block, as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
- Check official documents related to the Suburban such as the title, registration, or insurance paper, which should list the vehicle’s VIN.
- Inspect the area around the radiator. Some vehicles may have the VIN attached near the radiator support.
What info can a 1981 Chevrolet Suburban VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1981, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Specifications: For the 1981 Chevrolet Suburban, it is known for its 7.4L V-Shaped engine, showcasing substantial power output and performance capabilities.
- Engine Details: The vehicle houses an impressive engine size of 7400 CC (7.4 liters) with an Engine Model of 4BBL, suggesting a high-performance capability especially with its 8 cylinders.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is Gasoline, highlighting its traditional combustion engine nature.
- Drive Type: The Chevrolet Suburban employs a 4x2 drive type, indicating its handling characteristics and drive configuration.
- Brake System: The vehicle utilizes a Hydraulic brake system type, enhancing its safety mechanisms and stopping power.
- Manufacturing Information: Manufactured in Flint, United States, by Flint Truck Assembly, this detail underscores the vehicle’s American production heritage.
- Body Class and Doors: The body class designated as Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4 doors and a trim level of 3/4 ton, indicating its versatile utility and substantial carriage capacity.
Don’t have your 1981 Chevrolet Suburban’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1981 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 | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Chevrolet |
| Engine Model | 4BBL |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| 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 | 1981 |
| Plant City | Flint |
| Plant Company Name | Flint Truck assembly |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Michigan |
| Series | Conventional Cab |
| Trim | 3/4 ton |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1G8GK26M*BF |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1G8GK26MXBF118310 |
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