How to decode a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), uniquely identifying the manufacturer of the vehicle. They reveal important information, such as the vehicle’s manufacturer, type, and the country of manufacture. For the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the WMI “1J4” signifies that the vehicle was produced by FCA US LLC, located in Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States. This particular code is assigned to multipurpose passenger vehicles, categorizing the Grand Cherokee as such. WMIs are critical in vehicle identification, providing a standardized method to recognize the origin and type of vehicle globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee

WMI: 1J4

Model Years Covered: 1993-2006, 2010-2011
Example VIN: 1J4GW68N0XC532433
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 1999 Jeep Grand 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 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee:

Known VDS for a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
GW68N	GW58S	GW58N	GW68S	G268S	G258S

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 1999 Jeep Grand 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 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
X	1999

11th Character in the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
C	Detroit	Michigan	United States	Jefferson North Assembly	1J4GW68N0XC532433

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The final 6 characters in a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Jeep Grand Cherokee’s VIN below:

How to find a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Jeep Grand Cherokee, close to where it meets the windshield, as the VIN is typically visible from outside the vehicle.
Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Jeep Grand Cherokee. You might find the VIN on a label or sticker near the area where the door latches.
Look underneath the hood of your Jeep Grand Cherokee; there should be a VIN plate located on the engine block, which may have the VIN inscribed.
Check the rear wheel well directly above the tire; in some Jeep Grand Cherokees, the VIN might be found in this less common but manufacturer-designated place.
Inspect the chassis of the Jeep Grand Cherokee; sometimes the VIN might be stamped on the frame or on a specific crossmember under the vehicle.
Review your Jeep Grand Cherokee’s insurance or vehicle registration documents, as they will always list the VIN among other important vehicle details.

What info can a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating it could be the year 1999, offering insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN may indicate that the vehicle is a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and capacity.
Engine Type and Specifications: The vehicle is equipped with a V-Shaped, 8-cylinder engine with a displacement of 4.7 liters, possibly underlining its power and design.
Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN, possibly being a 4WD (4-Wheel Drive/4x4), signifying its capability for off-road or adverse weather conditions.
Fuel Efficiency and Type: The primary fuel type is gasoline, combined with a Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) system for fuel delivery, which might influence the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and performance.
Safety Features: The VIN includes details of standard safety features, such as front airbags for the 1st row (Driver and Passenger), suggesting protective measures in place.
Manufacturing Information: The VIN contains specifics about the vehicle’s manufacturing, possibly including being assembled in Detroit, Michigan, United States at the Jefferson North Assembly plant, providing a glimpse into its origin.

Don’t have your 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Displacement (CC)	4700.0
Displacement (CI)	286.81159724524
Displacement (L)	4.7
Doors	4
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
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 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)
Model	Grand Cherokee
Model Year	1999
Plant City	Detroit
Plant Company Name	Jefferson North assembly
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Michigan
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Trim	Limited
Vehicle Descriptor	1J4GW68N*XC
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	1J4GW68N0XC532433