How to decode a 1985 Dodge W-Series VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1985 Dodge W-Series VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used globally to identify the maker of a vehicle, consisting of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It specifies the vehicle’s manufacturer, the type of vehicle, and the country of manufacture. For the 1985 Dodge W-Series trucks, the WMI “1B7” designates these vehicles as being produced by FCA US LLC, known for manufacturing strong and rugged trucks, in the United States, specifically in Auburn Hills, Michigan. This identification is essential for various legal, registration, and repair services to accurately recognize the vehicle’s origin, type, and manufacturer. The WMI is the first step in decoding the unique DNA of a vehicle, providing key information about its background and specifications.
List of WMI Codes for a 1985 Dodge W-Series
WMI: 1B7
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1993
- Example VIN: 1B7JW24W3FS549752
- 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 1985 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 1985 Dodge W-Series:
| Known VDS for a 1985 Dodge W-Series | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JW24W | KW36W | HW14T | KW34W | KW341 | HW24T | JW24T | HW24W | HW14W |
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 1985 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 1985 Dodge W-Series VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| F | 1985 |
11th Character in the 1985 Dodge W-Series VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1985 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 Truck Assembly | 1B7JW24W3FS549752 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1985 Dodge W-Series
The final 6 characters in a 1985 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 1985 Dodge W-Series’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1985 Dodge W-Series is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1985 Dodge W-Series truck; the VIN should be visible through the windshield on a small metal or plastic plate.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb area; the VIN can usually be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
- Examine the engine block of your Dodge W-Series; VIN numbers were commonly stamped onto a part of the engine for identification.
- Check the frame of the vehicle; often the VIN is stamped onto the chassis of the truck, possibly under the front hood or within the wheel well.
- Review your vehicle’s registration documents or insurance papers, as the VIN for your 1985 Dodge W-Series would be recorded there for official use and reference.
What info can a 1985 Dodge W-Series VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1985, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN specifies the body class as a Pickup, with a larger cabin space suitable for multiple passengers in the Crew/Super Crew/Crew Max configuration.
- Engine Details: The VIN indicates a 5.9L engine managed by CMC, known as the 4 BBL Federal model, with an 8-cylinder configuration, suggesting a powerful performance capability.
- Drive Type and Fuel Type: The vehicle’s drive type is listed as 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, suggesting competence in various terrains and operating on Gasoline as the primary fuel type.
- Safety and Manufacturing Details: The vehicle comes equipped with manual seat belts, a standard safety feature for the time, and was assembled in Warren, Michigan, by the Warren Truck Assembly plant, indicating its origin within the United States.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The vehicle falls under Class 2G, with a weight rating range from 8,001 to 9,000 lb (3,629 - 4,082 kg), pointing towards its capability to handle significant load capacities.
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): The VIN is a vital identifier that can be decoded to reveal extensive information about the vehicle’s specifications and history.
Don’t have your 1985 Dodge W-Series’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1985 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 Manufacturer | CMC |
| Engine Model | 4 BBL Federal |
| 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 | 1985 |
| Plant City | Warren |
| Plant Company Name | Warren Truck assembly |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Michigan |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | Power |
| Trim | 350 JOB RATED |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1B7KW36W*FS |
| Vehicle Type | Truck |
| Sample_VIN | 1B7KW36W4FS642321 |
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