How to decode a 1981 Dodge W-Series VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1981 Dodge W-Series VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, the attributes of the vehicle, and the country of origin. In the context of the 1981 Dodge W-Series, the WMI code begins with “1B7”, indicating that it was manufactured by FCA US LLC, formerly known as Chrysler Group LLC, in the United States. Specifically, this indicates that the vehicle is classified as a truck, highlighting its purpose and design focus. The production took place in Auburn Hills, Michigan, further pinpointing the geographical origin of this vehicle model. WMIs are crucial for accurately identifying vehicles and provide a standardized method to do so globally.
List of WMI Codes for a 1981 Dodge W-Series
WMI: 1B7
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1993
- Example VIN: 1B7HW15P6BS128375
- Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Auburn Hills
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1981 Dodge W-Series 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 Dodge W-Series:
| Known VDS for a 1981 Dodge W-Series | ||
|---|---|---|
| HW15P | HW14E | KW26T |
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 Dodge W-Series 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 Dodge W-Series VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| B | 1981 |
11th Character in the 1981 Dodge W-Series VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1981 Dodge W-Series Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | Warren | Michigan | United States | Warren # 1 | 1B7HW15P6BS128375 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1981 Dodge W-Series
The final 6 characters in a 1981 Dodge W-Series’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Dodge W-Series’s VIN below:
How to find a 1981 Dodge W-Series’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1981 Dodge W-Series is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Inspect the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1981 Dodge W-Series. The VIN may be visible through the windshield on a small metal or plastic plate.
- Look on the door frame or door post of the driver’s side door, as there is usually a label or sticker on older vehicles like the Dodge W-Series where the VIN can be found when you open the door.
- Check the engine bay, as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine or firewall within the 1981 Dodge W-Series engine compartment.
- Examine the frame or chassis of the truck; the VIN for the Dodge W-Series might be stamped on the chassis itself, possibly on the cross member under the front hood.
- If the vehicle has maintenance records or insurance documents, the VIN of the Dodge W-Series should be recorded there, which can be an alternative source if it’s not easily located on the vehicle itself.
What info can a 1981 Dodge W-Series VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating that it might be from the 1981 model year, potentially offering insights into the age and market value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN provides information that the vehicle is categorized as a Truck with a Pickup body class, suggesting it may be suitable for those possibly seeking a rugged and practical vehicle option.
- Engine Specifications: According to the VIN details, the vehicle is equipped with an 8-cylinder engine with a displacement of 5.9 liters or about 360.04 cubic inches, labeled as a 4BBL H.D. engine model, catering to those possibly needing power and performance details.
- Drive Type: It is specified that the vehicle has a 4WD drive type, appealing to users possibly looking for vehicles capable of handling challenging terrains.
- Fuel Type: The VIN indicates that the vehicle runs on Gasoline, providing essential information for fuel economy considerations.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN data suggests that the truck falls within Class 2G: 8,001 - 9,000 lb (3,629 - 4,082 kg), indicating its capability in terms of payload and towing capacity, which might be critical for users needing a vehicle for heavy-duty tasks.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN uncovers that the truck was possibly manufactured in Warren, Michigan, United States, by the Warren # 1 company, offering insights into its production origin for those concerned about manufacturing standards and quality.
Don’t have your 1981 Dodge W-Series’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1981 Dodge W-Series
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Pickup |
| Cab Type | Crew/Super Crew/Crew Max |
| Displacement (CC) | 5900.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 360.04009015892 |
| Displacement (L) | 5.9 |
| Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Engine Model | 4BBL H.D. |
| 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 | W-Series |
| Model Year | 1981 |
| Plant City | Warren |
| Plant Company Name | Warren # 1 |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Michigan |
| Series | Power RAM |
| Trim | W250 |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1B7KW26T*BS |
| Vehicle Type | Truck |
| Sample_VIN | 1B7KW26T9BS180395 |
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