Free 1987 Suzuki Samurai VIN Decoder

Unlock the rugged charm of the 1987 Suzuki Samurai and explore its features with our free VIN decoder. Discover this adventurous classic today and ensure your next journey is well-informed. Enter your VIN in the decoder box below to get started.

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How to decode a 1987 Suzuki Samurai VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1987 Suzuki Samurai VIN

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are crucial components of a vehicle identification number (VIN), designating the manufacturer of a vehicle and providing insights into specific attributes like the vehicle type and where it was manufactured. For example, the 1987 Suzuki Samurai, an iconic lightweight off-road vehicle, bears a WMI that begins with “JS3” or “JS4”, highlighting its origins with Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. This prefix not only denotes the manufacturing company but also specifies the Samurai as a multipurpose passenger vehicle or a truck, respectively. Manufactured in Brea, California, these identifiers encapsulate essential details about the vehicle’s origin and classification. Understanding a WMI like that of the 1987 Suzuki Samurai enables identification and authentication of the vehicle for regulatory, registration, and repair purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 1987 Suzuki Samurai

WMI: JS3

  • Model Years Covered: 1986-1988, 1991
  • Example VIN: JS3JC51C2H4133026
  • Manufacturer Name: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
  • Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
  • City: Brea
  • State or Province: California
  • Country: United States WMI: JS4
  • Model Years Covered: 1986-1990, 1993-1995
  • Example VIN: JS4JC51C0H4155991
  • Manufacturer Name: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
  • Vehicle Type: Truck
  • City: Brea
  • State or Province: California
  • Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1987 Suzuki Samurai 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 Suzuki Samurai:

Known VDS for a 1987 Suzuki Samurai
JC51CJC51V

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 Suzuki Samurai 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 Suzuki Samurai VIN — Year Code

Year Code Year
H 1987

11th Character in the 1987 Suzuki Samurai VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1987 Suzuki Samurai Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code Plant City Plant State Plant Country Plant Company Name Example VIN
4 Iwata Shizuoka Japan JS3JC51C2H4133026

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1987 Suzuki Samurai

The final 6 characters in a 1987 Suzuki Samurai’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Suzuki Samurai’s VIN below:

How to find a 1987 Suzuki Samurai’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1987 Suzuki Samurai is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

  1. Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1987 Suzuki Samurai. Look for the VIN which is usually visible through the windshield on a tiny plate attached to the dashboard.
  2. Inspect the door pillar on the driver’s side when the door is open. Your Suzuki Samurai’s VIN might be found on a label or sticker in that area.
  3. Look under the hood of your Suzuki Samurai; the VIN might also be stamped on the engine block, firewall, or on a metal plate affixed to the chassis.
  4. Check the vehicle’s registration documents or insurance card; the VIN of your 1987 Suzuki Samurai should be printed there.
  5. Peer under the vehicle for the chassis frame. Some older models like the Samurai have the VIN stamped directly onto the frame.
  6. Consult the owner’s manual or service books if they are available, as the VIN is often recorded in these documents for reference.
VIN Decoder

What info can a 1987 Suzuki Samurai VIN reveal?

  • Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, such as 1987, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
  • Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN might specify the vehicle type, like Truck, and its body class, such as Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), indicating the style and purpose of the vehicle.
  • Engine Specifications: Details about the engine, including its model (G13A) and displacement in liters (1.324L), CC (1324), and CI (80.795), providing insights into its size and power output.
  • Drive Type: The VIN may indicate the vehicle’s drive type, for example, 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, which can offer an understanding of the vehicle’s drivetrain design and off-road capability.
  • Brake System Description: It can reveal details about the braking system, such as it possibly being equipped with front-disc brake and rear drum brake, offering a glimpse into the vehicle’s safety and performance features.
  • Manufacturing Information: Including the plant city (Iwata), country (Japan), and state (Shizuoka) may offer clues to the vehicle’s origin and manufacturing heritage.
  • Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN may specify the class, like Class 1A: 3,000 lb or less (1,360 kg or less), offering information about its designated weight range and potentially its use case scenarios.
VIN Decoder

Don’t have your 1987 Suzuki Samurai’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1987 Suzuki Samurai

Vehicle Spec Value
Body Class Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Description Front-disc brake, rear drum brake
Displacement (CC) 1324
Displacement (CI) 80.795437181
Displacement (L) 1.324000
Doors 2
Drive Type 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Model G13A
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From Class 1A: 3,000 lb or less (1,360 kg or less)
Model Samurai
Model Year 1987
Other Engine Info Original design
Plant City Iwata
Plant Company Name
Plant Country Japan
Plant State Shizuoka
Series Jimny
Trim Van
Vehicle Descriptor JS4JC51V*H4
Vehicle Type Truck
Sample_VIN JS4JC51V1H4127148

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