How to decode a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer, detailing essential information about the vehicle, including its place of production and the type of vehicle it is. For the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban, the WMI indicates that it was manufactured by General Motors LLC in Warren, Michigan, United States. Specifically, the WMI codes for this vehicle are “3GN” and “1GN,” signifying its classification as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV). This code is part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) system, which helps in identifying vehicles distinctly. The WMI is crucial for vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban

WMI: 3GN

Model Years Covered: 1995-2009
Example VIN: 3GNGC26U15G224416
Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Warren
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States WMI: 1GN
Model Years Covered: 1987-2024
Example VIN: 1GNEC16Z05R113112
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 2005 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 2005 Chevrolet Suburban:

Known VDS for a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
GC26U	EC16Z	GK26U	FK16Z	GC26G	GK26G	FK16T

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 2005 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 2005 Chevrolet Suburban VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
5	2005

11th Character in the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2005 Chevrolet Suburban Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
G	Silao	Guanajuato	Mexico	Silao Assembly	3GNGC26U15G224416
J	Janesville	Wisconsin	United States	Gm Truck Group	1GNEC16Z05J101492
R	Arlington	Texas	United States	Gm Truck Group	1GNEC16Z05R113112

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban

The final 6 characters in a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2005 Chevrolet Suburban is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Suburban, where the VIN can usually be seen through the windshield.
Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Suburban, where there is often a label or sticker displaying the VIN when the door is open.
Examine the driver-side doorpost when the door is open; the VIN might be found on the regulatory safety label affixed there.
Open the hood of your Chevrolet Suburban and inspect the front of the engine block; the VIN might be stamped onto the metal surface.
Inspect the frame of the Chevrolet Suburban underneath the vehicle; the VIN is sometimes found stamped on the chassis or the frame near the front.

What info can a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban VIN reveal?

Model Year and Make: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2005 and the manufacturer as Suburban, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Size: The VIN may indicate the vehicle as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), offering clues about the vehicle’s size and purpose, which can be useful for understanding compatibility with lifestyle and utility needs.
Engine Specifications: Details such as a 5.3L V-Shaped engine configuration with a displacement of 5300 CC, engineered by GM, and featuring Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) system, convey critical information about the vehicle’s power, efficiency, and performance attributes.
Fuel Type: The VIN indicates the vehicle is designed as a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV), which suggests it can operate on more than one type of fuel, potentially offering flexibility and fuel efficiency options to the owner.
Drive Type and Braking System: The VIN specifies a 4x2 drive type combined with a hydraulic brake system type, providing insights into the vehicle’s driveline and safety characteristics.
Vehicle Production Details: The VIN reveals the vehicle’s manufacturing origin in the plant city of Silao, in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico, and assembled by Silao Assembly, potentially impacting the vehicle’s value and history.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN provides information on the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, classified as Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg), indicating the maximum operating weight of the vehicle.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Displacement (CC)	5300.0
Displacement (CI)	323.42584370208
Displacement (L)	5.3
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	GM
Engine Model	L59
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Fuel Type - Primary	Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2F: 7,001 - 8,000 lb (3,175 - 3,629 kg)
Model	Suburban
Model Year	2005
Other Engine Info	Iron
Plant City	Janesville
Plant Company Name	GM Truck Group
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Wisconsin
Series	1500
Series2	1/2 Ton
Vehicle Descriptor	1GNFK16Z*5J
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	1GNFK16Z05J108143