How to decode a 1981 GMC Caballero VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1981 GMC Caballero VIN
World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are a unique sequence of three letters or numbers found at the beginning of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), crucial for identifying the vehicle’s manufacturer and country of origin. For instance, in the case of the 1981 GMC Caballero, the WMI “1GT” plays an essential role. It specifies that General Motors LLC, a leading automotive manufacturer, produced the vehicle in Warren, Michigan, United States. This specific WMI also categorizes the vehicle type as a truck, offering a quick insight into the vehicle’s classification. WMIs like these serve as a universal shorthand, helping to decode important vehicle specifics at a glance.
List of WMI Codes for a 1981 GMC Caballero
WMI: 1GT
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1984
- Example VIN: 1GTCW80H3BR500295
- 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 1981 GMC Caballero 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 GMC Caballero:
| Known VDS for a 1981 GMC Caballero | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| CW80H | CW80A | CW80K | CW80J |
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 GMC Caballero 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 GMC Caballero VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| B | 1981 |
11th Character in the 1981 GMC Caballero VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1981 GMC Caballero Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | Doraville | Georgia | United States | Doraville Assembly (C-P-C) | 1GTCW80K1BD501440 |
| R | Arlington | Texas | United States | Arlington Assembly | 1GTCW80H3BR500295 |
| Z | Fremont | California | United States | 1GTCW80A6BZ500309 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1981 GMC Caballero
The final 6 characters in a 1981 GMC Caballero’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your GMC Caballero’s VIN below:
How to find a 1981 GMC Caballero’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1981 GMC Caballero is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your GMC Caballero, typically near where the dashboard meets the windshield, which can be seen from outside the vehicle.
- Examine the door frame on the driver’s side, as the VIN can often be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
- Check under the hood; the VIN might be stamped on a plate attached to the engine block or on the firewall.
- Inspect the rear wheel well; sometimes the VIN is stamped above the tire.
- Review your GMC Caballero’s insurance card or policy, as the VIN is usually listed there.
- Look at the vehicle title or registration documents, which will always include the VIN.
What info can a 1981 GMC Caballero VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 1981, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the truck.
- Engine Specifications: Insights into the truck’s performance are given by its engine details, such as being manufactured by Chevrolet, having a 5.0L (5000 cc) displacement, V-Shaped engine configuration, and relying on gasoline, which can influence fuel efficiency and power output.
- Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN indicates that the vehicle’s type is a truck, specifically classified as a Pickup, which can inform users about the vehicle’s intended use, cargo capacity, and body size.
- Drive Type and Brake System: Information regarding its drive type as 4x2 and having a hydraulic brake system offers clues to the vehicle’s handling characteristics and braking performance.
- Manufacturing Details: The Plant’s details, including its location in Arlington, Texas, United States, and named Arlington Assembly, showcase where the vehicle was manufactured, potentially affecting its assembly quality and accessibility for parts.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The classification as Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb highlights the vehicle’s weight category, which is crucial for understanding its load capacity, registration, and insurance requirements.
- Unique Vehicle Identifiers: The VIN provides specific identifiers, such as the engine model being 4BBL and a unique Vehicle Descriptor, which are essential for accurate identification, parts replacement, and historical research of the vehicle.
Don’t have your 1981 GMC Caballero’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1981 GMC Caballero
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Pickup |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Displacement (CC) | 5000.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 305.11872047366 |
| Displacement (L) | 5.0 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Chevrolet |
| Engine Model | 4BBL |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg) |
| Model | Caballero |
| Model Year | 1981 |
| Plant City | Arlington |
| Plant Company Name | Arlington assembly |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Texas |
| Series | Special Pickup and Panel Delivery from Passenger car |
| Trim | 1/2 ton |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1GTCW80H*BR |
| Vehicle Type | Truck |
| Sample_VIN | 1GTCW80H3BR500295 |
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