How to decode a 1989 Chevrolet Suburban VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1989 Chevrolet Suburban VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle and provides key details related to the make, model, and country of origin. For the 1989 Chevrolet Suburban, the WMI is “1GN”, which signifies that the vehicle was made by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This WMI indicates that the vehicle is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), highlighting its design and utility. For vehicles produced within the model years 1987-2024, including the 1989 Chevrolet Suburban, this code is critical for understanding the vehicle’s origins, type, and the specific location of its manufacturer. Understanding the WMI is essential for vehicle registration, identification, and in tracking the vehicle’s history.
List of WMI Codes for a 1989 Chevrolet Suburban
WMI: 1GN
- Model Years Covered: 1987-2024
- Example VIN: 1GNGR26K5KF190734
- 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: 1GCER16K0KF112887
- 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 1989 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 1989 Chevrolet Suburban:
| Known VDS for a 1989 Chevrolet Suburban | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GR26K | EV16K | ER16C | GV26K | ER16K | GR26N |
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 1989 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 1989 Chevrolet Suburban VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| K | 1989 |
11th Character in the 1989 Chevrolet Suburban VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1989 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 | 1GNGR26K5KF190734 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1989 Chevrolet Suburban
The final 6 characters in a 1989 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 1989 Chevrolet Suburban’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1989 Chevrolet Suburban is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1989 Chevrolet Suburban. The VIN can typically be seen from outside the vehicle, right at the lower corner where the windshield meets the dash.
- Open the driver’s side door and examine the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). For the 1989 Chevrolet Suburban, the VIN may be located on a sticker or plate on the door jamb.
- Check the frame of the vehicle. The VIN of a 1989 Chevrolet Suburban may also be stamped on the chassis in the engine compartment, or on the frame beneath the vehicle. Look around the area where the engine block meets the firewall or in the vicinity of the front frame rail.
- Inspect your vehicle’s title, registration, or insurance papers, where the VIN for your Chevrolet Suburban will be recorded.
- Review your vehicle’s maintenance records or contact your Chevrolet dealership; service departments will have records of the VIN based on past services performed on your 1989 Suburban.
What info can a 1989 Chevrolet Suburban VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1989, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Engine Specifications: The VIN details include an engine displacement of 5.7 liters (or 5700 CC/347.835 CI), with a V-shaped configuration and 8 cylinders, manufactured by CPC, indicating substantial power and size typical for larger or performance-oriented vehicles.
- Fuel Type and Efficiency: The VIN specifies the primary fuel type as gasoline and mentions the availability of a Throttle Body Fuel Injection (TBI) system, which could influence fuel efficiency and performance. Additionally, it notes that an LPG conversion is possible, offering flexibility in fuel use.
- Drive Type and Capability: The VIN describes the vehicle as having a 4WD (4-Wheel Drive) system, suggesting enhanced off-road or adverse condition driving capabilities compared to two-wheel drive vehicles.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN identifies the body class as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4 doors, indicating its design is aimed at providing a mix of utility, passenger, and cargo space, suitable for a wide range of activities.
- Manufacturing Details: Production specifics such as the manufacturing plant located in Flint, Michigan, United States, underpin the vehicle’s assembly location, possibly affecting aspects like availability and parts sourcing.
- Safety and Class Rating: The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating falls within Class 2E (6,001 - 7,000 lb / 2,722 - 3,175 kg), which might give insights into aspects like handling, safety features, and possible commercial usage or regulations that apply to this vehicle class.
Don’t have your 1989 Chevrolet Suburban’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1989 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 | 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 | 1989 |
| 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 | 1GNGV26K*KF |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Sample_VIN | 1GNGV26K1KF175921 |
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