How to decode a 1987 Mitsubishi Montero VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1987 Mitsubishi Montero VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter sequences assigned to automakers, integral in defining a vehicle’s manufacturer and country of origin in its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). For the 1987 Mitsubishi Montero, the WMI is “JA4” for multipurpose passenger vehicles, and “JA7” for trucks, indicating that these vehicles were produced by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. These WMIs specifically categorize the Mitsubishi Montero based on its vehicle type and the location of manufacture, serving as a crucial identification tool in the automotive industry. Through these identifiers, one can trace back the Montero’s heritage, reflecting its Japanese origins and the broad classification of its utility.
List of WMI Codes for a 1987 Mitsubishi Montero
WMI: JA4
- Model Years Covered: 1985, 1987, 1990, 1994-2006
- Example VIN: JA4FJ43E1HJ003897
- Manufacturer Name: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC)
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Minato-Ku
- State or Province: Tokyo
- Country: Japan WMI: JA7
- Model Years Covered: 1987-1989
- Example VIN: JA7FJ23E3HJ004430
- Manufacturer Name: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC)
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Minato-Ku
- State or Province: Tokyo
- Country: Japan
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1987 Mitsubishi Montero 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 1987 Mitsubishi Montero:
| Known VDS for a 1987 Mitsubishi Montero | |
|---|---|
| FJ43E | FJ23E |
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 1987 Mitsubishi Montero 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 1987 Mitsubishi Montero VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| H | 1987 |
11th Character in the 1987 Mitsubishi Montero VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1987 Mitsubishi Montero Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | Nagoya | Japan | Nagoya-3 | JA4FJ43E1HJ003897 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1987 Mitsubishi Montero
The final 6 characters in a 1987 Mitsubishi Montero’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Mitsubishi Montero’s VIN below:
How to find a 1987 Mitsubishi Montero’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1987 Mitsubishi Montero is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Mitsubishi Montero, near where the dashboard meets the windshield. The VIN is typically visible through the lower corner of the windshield.
- Check the door frame or door post of the driver’s side door on your 1987 Mitsubishi Montero, as VINs are often placed on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
- Examine the engine block, which is a common place where the VIN might also be stamped on your Mitsubishi Montero.
- Inspect the firewall of the vehicle within the engine compartment; the VIN can sometimes be found on a plate or sticker there in the 1987 Montero.
- Look at the vehicle’s registration documents or insurance card, as the VIN for your Mitsubishi Montero will be printed there.
- If you still cannot locate the VIN, check the rear wheel well directly above the tire or under the spare tire in the trunk area as some vehicles have the VIN in these locations.
What info can a 1987 Mitsubishi Montero VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting that it was manufactured in 1987, providing insights into the age and potential vintage status of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle, specifically a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), possibly offering insights into its design and intended use.
- Fuel Efficiency and Engine Details: The VIN provides details about the engine’s displacement, indicating it as 2600.0 CC (or 2.6 Liters) running on Gasoline, which might offer clues about the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and performance capabilities.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN points to the vehicle being assembled in Nagoya, Japan, by NAGOYA-3, possibly sharing the origin and quality standards pertaining to its production.
- Model Specifications: Certain specifications, such as the Montero model with the “High” series and “Sport” trim, are decoded, possibly illustrating the vehicle’s level of luxury, performance, and additional features.
- Safety and Design Features: Information like the Hydraulic brake system type and the vehicle having 2 doors can be deduced, potentially offering insights into its safety features and design aesthetics.
- Weight Class: The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating falls within Class 1C (4,001 - 5,000 lb or 1,814 - 2,268 kg), indicating its size and potential payload capacity, which could be crucial for understanding its utility and performance.
Don’t have your 1987 Mitsubishi Montero’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1987 Mitsubishi Montero
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Displacement (CC) | 2600.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 158.66173464630 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.6 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg) |
| Model | Montero |
| Model Year | 1987 |
| Plant City | Nagoya |
| Plant Company Name | NAGOYA-3 |
| Plant Country | Japan |
| Series | High |
| Trim | Sport |
| Vehicle Descriptor | JA4FJ43E*HJ |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Sample_VIN | JA4FJ43E1HJ003897 |
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