How to decode a 1998 Jeep Cherokee VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Jeep Cherokee VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer around the globe to identify the vehicle’s place of origin, manufacturer, and vehicle type. For the 1998 Jeep Cherokee, the WMI “1J4” signifies a multipurpose passenger vehicle manufactured by FCA US LLC, formerly known as Chrysler Group LLC, located in Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States. This particular WMI applies to vehicles produced between 1989-2001 and also in the years 2010-2011. It categorizes the vehicle as a multipurpose passenger vehicle, indicating its versatility and utility. This identifier is crucial in the automotive industry for tracking, registration, and recall purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Jeep Cherokee

WMI: 1J4

Model Years Covered: 1989-2001, 2010-2011
Example VIN: 1J4FJ28S0WL132167
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 1998 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 1998 Jeep Cherokee:

Known VDS for a 1998 Jeep Cherokee
FJ28S	FT68S	FJ27S	FT28P	FT78S	FT28S	FT27P	FJ67S	FN28S	FT27S
FJ27P	FJ78S	FT67S	FJ68S

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 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 1998 Jeep Cherokee VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

11th Character in the 1998 Jeep Cherokee VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Jeep Cherokee Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
L	Toledo	Ohio	United States	Toledo Assembly # 1	1J4FJ28S0WL132167

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Jeep Cherokee

The final 6 characters in a 1998 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 1998 Jeep Cherokee’s VIN?

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

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1998 Jeep Cherokee. Typically, the VIN can be seen through the bottom corner of the windshield.
Look at the door frame on the driver’s side door jamb of your Jeep Cherokee. There should be a sticker or plate with the VIN where the door latches when closed.
Review any documents associated with the vehicle, such as the title, registration, or insurance papers, as they will list the VIN of your 1998 Jeep Cherokee.
Inspect under the hood of your Jeep Cherokee; the VIN may be engraved on a plate attached to parts of the engine bay, such as the firewall.
Peek underneath the vehicle. The 1998 Jeep Cherokee may have the VIN stamped on the chassis in the area near the front end of the car, which may be visible from beneath.

What info can a 1998 Jeep Cherokee VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating it could possibly be from the year 1998. This provides some insights into the potential age and market value of the vehicle.
Model Name: The VIN can also disclose the specific model name, suggesting it may be called the Cherokee, offering some insights into the particular variant of the vehicle.
Engine Specifications: It may indicate that the vehicle is equipped with a 6-cylinder, 4.0L (4000 CC or 244.0949763789 CI) in-line engine, possibly highlighting its powertrain configuration and displacement.
Body Class and Drive Type: The data may reveal that the vehicle is classified as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with a 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 drive type, possibly providing insights into its intended use and capabilities.
Safety Features: The presence of the front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the first row is indicated, possibly emphasizing the vehicle’s safety attributes.
Fuel Type and Efficiency System: It is indicated that the primary fuel type is gasoline, with a multipoint fuel injection (MPFI) system for fuel delivery, outlining the vehicle’s potential fuel usage and efficiency mechanisms.
Manufacturing Details: Detailed information such as the plant city (Toledo), the plant company name (Toledo Assembly #1), and the plant country (United States) is possibly provided, offering a glimpse into the potential production location of the vehicle.
Vehicle Type and Specifications: The VIN decodes to possibly specify that the vehicle is a multipurpose passenger vehicle, with additional features like a hydraulic brake system, manual seat belt type, and left-hand drive steering location, collectively offering a glimpse into the potential design and safety features of the vehicle.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Jeep Cherokee

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Displacement (CC)	4000
Displacement (CI)	244.0949763789
Displacement (L)	4
Doors	2
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
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	1998
Plant City	Toledo
Plant Company Name	Toledo assembly # 1
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Ohio
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Trim	SE
Vehicle Descriptor	1J4FJ27S*WL
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	1J4FJ27S6WL100129