How to decode a 1988 Jeep Wrangler VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Jeep Wrangler VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to identify the make and country of origin of their vehicles. For the 1988 Jeep Wrangler, the WMI is “2BC,” which signifies that the vehicle was manufactured by American Motors Corp. located in Detroit, Michigan, United States. This code, found at the beginning of the vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), indicates that the vehicle is a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), designed for various types of terrain. The identification of the WMI is crucial for regulatory compliance, parts matching, and vehicle tracking.
List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Jeep Wrangler
WMI: 2BC
- Model Years Covered: 1987-1988
- Example VIN: 2BCCV8140JB537435
- Manufacturer Name: American Motors Corp.
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Detroit
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1988 Jeep Wrangler 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 Wrangler:
| Known VDS for a 1988 Jeep Wrangler | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CV814 | CV81M | CV812 | CZ81L | CV81J | HV81J | CV811 | HV81S | CZ812 | CV81K |
| CZ813 | CZ814 | CV813 | CZ81J | CZ81M | CZ81K | CZ811 | |||
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 Wrangler 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 Wrangler VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| J | 1988 |
11th Character in the 1988 Jeep Wrangler VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1988 Jeep Wrangler Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | Brampton | Ontario | Canada | 2BCCV8140JB537435 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Jeep Wrangler
The final 6 characters in a 1988 Jeep Wrangler’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Jeep Wrangler’s VIN below:
How to find a 1988 Jeep Wrangler’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1988 Jeep Wrangler is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side of your Jeep Wrangler to find the VIN visible from outside the vehicle.
- Look inside the door frame or door jamb of the driver’s side door for a plate or sticker where the VIN might also be located on your 1988 Jeep Wrangler.
- Check beneath the hood where the engine is located. There may be a VIN plate on the engine block of your Jeep Wrangler.
- Inspect the rear wheel well on the driver’s side. Sometimes, the Jeep Wrangler VIN can be found in this area above the tire.
- If equipped, look at the frame under the front seats. Remove the seat to check for a VIN stamped on the Jeep Wrangler’s chassis.
- Consult your Jeep Wrangler’s vehicle registration documents, insurance papers, or service records, where the VIN is recorded for administrative purposes.
What info can a 1988 Jeep Wrangler VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating the year 1988 and offering insights into the age and generation of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Specifications: The VIN indicates the vehicle as a Jeep Wrangler with a base trim, providing basic model information, including the name and level of customization.
- Engine and Performance: The VIN encodes details such as a 2.458 liter engine with 4 cylinders and a throttle body fuel injection (TBI) system, potentially pointing to the vehicle’s performance capabilities and fuel system design.
- Fuel Type: The VIN may suggest that the vehicle is designed to run on gasoline, potentially providing crucial information regarding fuel compatibility and consumption expectations.
- Drive Type: It specifies a 4WD (4-Wheel Drive) system, indicating the vehicle’s capability to handle various terrains and driving conditions.
- Body Class and Doors: The classification as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 2 doors is potentially revealed, offering an understanding of the vehicle’s size, style, and functionality.
- Transmission Details: The VIN hints at a manual/standard transmission with 5 speeds, potentially providing insights into the driving experience and control mechanism of the vehicle.
Don’t have your 1988 Jeep Wrangler’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Jeep Wrangler
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Displacement (CC) | 2458.059600 |
| Displacement (CI) | 150 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.458059600 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Throttle Body Fuel Injection (TBI) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1B: 3,001 - 4,000 lb (1,360 - 1,814 kg) |
| Model | Wrangler |
| Model Year | 1988 |
| Plant City | Brampton |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Canada |
| Plant State | Ontario |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | Open Body |
| Transmission Speeds | 5 |
| Transmission Style | Manual/Standard |
| Trim | Base |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 2BCHV81J*JB |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Sample_VIN | 2BCHV81J1JB509025 |
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