How to decode a 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-alphabet code allocated to every vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). This code, which forms the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), reveals vital information about the vehicle, including its manufacturer, vehicle type, and country of production. For instance, the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe, a popular Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), is identified by the WMI codes “1GN” and “3GN.” These specific WMIs indicate that the vehicles are produced by General Motors LLC, classified as MPVs, and manufactured in Warren, Michigan, United States. These identifiers are crucial for vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe

WMI: 1GN

Model Years Covered: 1995-2024
Example VIN: 1GNEC13R1WJ332181
Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Warren
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States WMI: 3GN
Model Years Covered: 1995-1999
Example VIN: 3GNEK18R0WG103200
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 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe 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 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe:

Known VDS for a 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
EC13R	EK13R	EK18R	EK18S	EC18R

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 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe 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 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

11th Character in the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
G	Silao	Guanajuato	Mexico		3GNEK18R0WG103200
J	Janesville	Wisconsin	United States	Gm Truck Group	1GNEC13R1WJ332181
R	Arlington	Texas	United States	Gm Truck Group	1GNEK13R2WR114111

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Tahoe, visible through the windshield on a small metal plate.
Examine the driver’s side door jamb on your 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe; the VIN can frequently be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
Check under the hood of your Chevrolet Tahoe for a VIN plate located on the engine block.
Inspect the rear wheel well on the driver’s side; sometimes, the VIN is placed above the tire.
If you look at the frame of the vehicle under the vehicle, the VIN may also be found stamped directly on the frame, especially in older models like the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe.

What info can a 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating the year 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Size: The VIN can specify the body class, indicating a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with a mention of the number of doors, such as 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and size.
Engine Specifications: Details about the engine, including its configuration (V-Shaped), displacement in liters (5.7 L), and number of cylinders (8), can be discerned, providing insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
Drive Type: The type of drive system, such as 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, is typically encoded within the VIN, which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
Fuel System: Information about the fuel system, like the Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) type, gives insights into the efficiency and performance of the engine, potentially affecting fuel economy and maintenance needs.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN reveals manufacturing specifics, such as the plant city (Janesville), plant country (United States), and the company name (GM Truck Group), offering insights into the vehicle’s production and origin.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: It can indicate the vehicle’s weight class, for example, Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb, which affects usage, registration, and regulatory compliance, providing information about the vehicle’s load-carrying capacity.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Displacement (CC)	6500.0
Displacement (CI)	396.65433661575
Displacement (L)	6.5
Doors	2
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	ROM
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
Fuel Type - Primary	Diesel
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Model	Tahoe
Model Year	1998
Plant City	Silao
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Mexico
Plant State	Guanajuato
Series	Conventional Cab
Trim2	1/2 ton nominal
Turbo	Yes
Vehicle Descriptor	3GNEK18S*WG
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	3GNEK18S7WG149626