How to decode a 1988 Jeep Cherokee VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Jeep Cherokee VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the vehicle’s manufacturer, the type of vehicle, and its place of production. For example, in the case of a 1988 Jeep Cherokee, the WMI is “1JC”. This designation indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by FCA US LLC, primarily focused on producing Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles (MPVs). The production location for this specific vehicle is Auburn Hills, Michigan, in the United States. WMIs are essential for the accurate identification and registration of vehicles globally.
List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Jeep Cherokee
WMI: 1JC
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1988
- Example VIN: 1JCMT7842JT225155
- Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Auburn Hills
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1988 Jeep Cherokee 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 1988 Jeep Cherokee:
| Known VDS for a 1988 Jeep Cherokee | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MT784 | MR771 | ML772 | ML781 | MT782 | ML773 | MR784 | ML782 | MT789 | MR782 |
| MU742 | ML784 | ||||||||
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 1988 Jeep Cherokee 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 1988 Jeep Cherokee VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| J | 1988 |
11th Character in the 1988 Jeep Cherokee VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1988 Jeep Cherokee Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T | Toledo | Ohio | United States | Toledo Assembly Plant | 1JCMT7842JT225155 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Jeep Cherokee
The final 6 characters in a 1988 Jeep Cherokee’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1988 Jeep Cherokee’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1988 Jeep Cherokee is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1988 Jeep Cherokee, typically near the place where the dash meets the windshield.
- Examine the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Jeep Cherokee. The VIN should be on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
- Check under the hood on the front engine block. The VIN might be stamped directly on the engine of your 1988 Jeep Cherokee.
- Peek at the chassis near the windshield washer container, as some Jeep Cherokee models have the VIN in that area.
- Investigate the rear wheel well above the tire. Sometimes, the VIN is located in this spot in Jeep vehicles.
- Inspect the paperwork associated with your Jeep Cherokee; the VIN should be on the vehicle title, registration, or insurance documents.
What info can a 1988 Jeep Cherokee VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1988, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Type and Body Class: It can hint at the vehicle being a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle, with specific details like it possibly being a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV).
- Engine Details: Insights into the engine may reveal an In-Line configuration with 6 cylinders and a displacement provided in CC, CI, and liters, for instance, approximately 3.97 L.
- Fuel Type and Engine Technology: The VIN may specify the primary fuel type, such as Gasoline, and detail on the fuel delivery system like Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI).
- Drive Type and Transmission: It may include information on the drive system possibly being 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, and details on the transmission, such as a manual/standard style with 5 speeds.
- Vehicle Manufacturing Information: Plant-specific details can be decoded from the VIN, possibly highlighting the vehicle’s assembly in Toledo, Ohio, United States, by the Toledo Assembly Plant.
- Safety and Convenience Features: Basic safety features like the type of seat belt, for example being manual, along with vehicle convenience specifics such as the number of doors (e.g., 4), can be gleaned.
Don’t have your 1988 Jeep Cherokee’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Jeep Cherokee
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Displacement (CC) | 3965.669488 |
| Displacement (CI) | 242 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.965669488 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg) |
| Model | Cherokee |
| Model Year | 1988 |
| Plant City | Toledo |
| Plant Company Name | Toledo assembly plant |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Ohio |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series2 | Wagon body style |
| Transmission Speeds | 4 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Trim | LAREDO |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1JCMT784*JT |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Sample_VIN | 1JCMT7842JT225155 |
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