How to decode a 1986 Chevrolet Suburban VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1986 Chevrolet Suburban VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit code assigned to vehicle manufacturers around the globe to identify the maker and country of origin of their vehicles. This identifier forms the initial portion of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which gives detailed information about the vehicle’s model, specifications, and manufacturing history. For instance, Chevrolet Suburbans made in 1986 have a WMI of “1G8”, denoting that these vehicles were manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This particular identification is crucial for various purposes, ranging from registration and identification to repairs and recalls, providing a standardized method to recognize a vehicle’s make, type, and the region of manufacture efficiently.
List of WMI Codes for a 1986 Chevrolet Suburban
WMI: 1G8
- Model Years Covered: 1981, 1983-1986
- Example VIN: 1G8GK26M0GF156491
- 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 1986 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 1986 Chevrolet Suburban:
| Known VDS for a 1986 Chevrolet Suburban | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK26M | GC26M | EC16L | GC26W | EK16L |
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 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 1986 Chevrolet Suburban VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| G | 1986 |
11th Character in the 1986 Chevrolet Suburban VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1986 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 | 1G8GK26M0GF156491 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1986 Chevrolet Suburban
The final 6 characters in a 1986 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 1986 Chevrolet Suburban’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1986 Chevrolet Suburban is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the lower corner of the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Suburban. The VIN should be visible through the windshield.
- Look at the driver’s side door frame on your 1986 Chevrolet Suburban. The VIN can often be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
- Inspect the frame of the vehicle; the VIN may sometimes be stamped on the chassis of the Chevrolet Suburban, visible from underneath the vehicle.
- Check any paperwork or manuals that came with your Chevrolet Suburban, as the VIN is typically listed on vehicle titles, registration cards, and insurance documents.
- If your Chevrolet Suburban still has its original engine, the VIN may also be stamped on the engine block.
- Under the hood, look for the VIN on the firewall of the Chevrolet Suburban, which is the divider between the engine compartment and the cabin.
What info can a 1986 Chevrolet Suburban VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle, in this case, it possibly being a 1986 model.
- Manufacturing Details: According to the VIN, the vehicle was possibly assembled in Flint, Michigan, USA, by Flint Truck Assembly, highlighting both the era and the precise location of manufacture.
- Vehicle Specifications: The VIN can indicate basic specifications, providing detailed information about the make, engine specifics, and model users can expect, potentially showcasing a Suburban model with a V-shaped engine configuration, engineered by CPC.
- Body Type and Size: It may be categorized as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4 doors, offering insights into the vehicle’s structure and potential usage as a family or utility vehicle.
- Drive Type and Engine Details: The VIN may reveal a 4x2 drive type and an 8-cylinder engine with a 7.4-liter displacement, indicating significant power and size, potentially informing potential usage, fuel consumption, and performance expectations.
- Fuel Type: The vehicle may primarily use gasoline, which is essential for understanding fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Weight Classification: The VIN may provide insight into the vehicle’s weight classification, potentially indicating that it falls within the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of Class 2G: 8,001 - 9,000 lb (3,629 - 4,082 kg), classifying it among heavier vehicles, which could affect registration, insurance, and operational costs.
- Safety and Brake System: The VIN might mention a hydraulic brake system, providing users with critical safety information and potentially indicating the vehicle’s braking performance and maintenance needs.
Don’t have your 1986 Chevrolet Suburban’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1986 Chevrolet Suburban
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Displacement (CC) | 7400.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 451.57570630101 |
| Displacement (L) | 7.4 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | CPC |
| 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 | 1986 |
| Plant City | Flint |
| Plant Company Name | Flint Truck assembly |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Michigan |
| Series | Conventional Cab |
| Trim2 | 3/4 ton nominal |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1G8GC26W*GF |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1G8GC26W2GF120560 |
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