How to decode a 2016 Ram 3500 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2016 Ram 3500 VIN

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are unique three-digit codes assigned to every vehicle manufacturer to signify the brand, make, and location of production. For the 2016 Ram 3500, the WMI “3C6” specifically indicates that this truck model was manufactured by Chrysler in Santa Fe, located within Mexico City, Mexico, under the Chrysler de Mexico Toluca’s nameplate. This code is vital for identification, allowing for the tracking of recalls, registrations, and warranty claims. It precedes a 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides detailed information about the vehicle’s specifications, options, and production sequence. Consequently, the WMI is integral in distinguishing the 2016 Ram 3500 as a truck constructed by Chrysler in Mexico.

List of WMI Codes for a 2016 Ram 3500

WMI: 3C6

Model Years Covered: 2013-2024
Example VIN: 3C63R3CL0GG122560
Manufacturer Name: Chrysler de Mexico Toluca
Vehicle Type: Truck
City: Santa Fe
State or Province: Mexico City
Country: Mexico

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2016 Ram 3500 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 2016 Ram 3500:

Known VDS for a 2016 Ram 3500
3R3CL	3R3GT	3R3GL	3RRJJ	3R2GL	3RRLL	3R3KT	3R3ML	3R3LL	3RPLL
3RPAL	3RRGL	3R3KJ	3R3JL	3RPJL	3RRKL	3R2LL	3RRNL	3R3MJ	3R2AL
3RPML	3RRHL	3RRGJ	3R3FT	3R2HT	3R3HJ	3RRAL	3R3BL	3R2CJ	3RRJL
3R2CL	3R3BJ	3R2GJ	3R3DL	3R2MT	3RPHL	3RRLJ	3R3HT	3R3FL	3RRML
3R3AJ	3R3CJ	3R2JL	3R2EL	3R3AT	3RPAJ	3R2ML	3RRAJ	3RPLJ	3R3HL
3R2FL	3R3FJ	3R2DL	3RPKL	3R3EL	3R3EJ	3RRBL	3R3KL	3R3NJ	3R3DT
3RRHJ	3R3GJ	3R3JJ	3R2KL	3R3AL	3RRMJ	3R2AT	3R3LJ	3R3DJ	3R3CT
3RPJJ	3R2HL	3RPGL	3RPGJ	3R3ET	3R3NL	3R2GT

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 2016 Ram 3500 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 2016 Ram 3500 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
G	2016

11th Character in the 2016 Ram 3500 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2016 Ram 3500 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
G	Saltillo	Coahuila	Mexico	Saltillo Truck Assembly	3C63R3CL0GG122560

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2016 Ram 3500

The final 6 characters in a 2016 Ram 3500’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Ram 3500’s VIN below:

How to find a 2016 Ram 3500’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2016 Ram 3500 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Ram 3500 2016. It’s typically visible through the windshield.
Examine the door jamb on the driver’s side. The VIN is usually found on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
Under the hood, you can often find the VIN on a decal located on the front of the engine block.
Check the frame of the vehicle near the windshield washer fluid tank. On trucks like the 2016 Ram 3500, the VIN may be stamped on the chassis.
Look in the rear wheel well above the tire. There can be a sticker with the VIN in this location depending on the specific model and year of your Ram 3500.
If your Ram 3500 2016 has a spare tire, you may find the VIN on a sticker attached to the spare tire well or compartment.

What info can a 2016 Ram 3500 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The vehicle’s model year can be identified as 2016, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Size: This truck is categorized as a Pickup with a body type of Crew/Super Crew/Crew Max and a Long Bed Type, offering details about its size and cab capacity.
Engine Specifications: The engine displacement is specified as 6.4 liters (6400.0 CC or 390.55 CI) with an 8-cylinder engine, giving specifics about its power capacity.
Drive Type: The vehicle features a 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 system, highlighting its off-road and performance capabilities.
Fuel Type - Primary: It utilizes Gasoline as its primary fuel source, providing essential information for understanding its fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Safety Features: The inclusion of an active seatbelt system as part of its other restraint system information points to the vehicle’s safety equipment.
Manufacturing Information: Assembled in Saltillo, Mexico, by Saltillo Truck Assembly, this detail sheds light on its geographic production origin.

Don’t have your 2016 Ram 3500’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2016 Ram 3500

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Pickup
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Cab Type	Extra/Super/Quad/Double/King/Extended
Displacement (CC)	6700.0
Displacement (CI)	408.85908543470
Displacement (L)	6.7
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Fuel Type - Primary	Diesel
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 3: 10,001 - 14,000 lb (4,536 - 6,350 kg)
Model	3500
Model Year	2016
Other Engine Info	Sales Code : ETK
Other Restraint System Info	Active Seat Belt
Plant City	Saltillo
Plant Company Name	Saltillo Truck assembly
Plant Country	Mexico
Plant State	Coahuila
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	Dual Rear Wheels
Series2	Mega Cab
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Trim	Laramie
Turbo	Yes
Vehicle Descriptor	3C63RPML*GG
Vehicle Type	Truck
Sample_VIN	3C63RPML8GG241561