How to decode a 1998 Toyota 4Runner VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Toyota 4Runner VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle and some key characteristics about it. The WMI for the 1998 Toyota 4Runner, for instance, begins with “JT3,” indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan, specifically within Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. This specific WMI also denotes that the vehicle is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), highlighting its versatility and functionality. These first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) provide essential information, enabling the identification of the vehicle’s manufacturing origin and the type of vehicle it is. This facilitates global recognition and uniformity in vehicle identification, necessary for regulatory compliance, vehicle tracking, and ownership verification.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Toyota 4Runner

WMI: JT3

Model Years Covered: 1985-1986, 1988-2002
Example VIN: JT3GN87R0W0058917
Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Corporation
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Toyota City
State or Province: Aichi Prefecture
Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1998 Toyota 4Runner 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 1998 Toyota 4Runner:

Known VDS for a 1998 Toyota 4Runner
GN87R	GN86R	HN87R	HM84R	HN86R	GM84R

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 1998 Toyota 4Runner 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 1998 Toyota 4Runner VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

11th Character in the 1998 Toyota 4Runner VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Toyota 4Runner Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
0	Tahara	Aichi	Japan	Toyota Motor Corporation	JT3GN87R0W0058917
9	Tahara	Aichi	Japan	Toyota Motor Corporation	JT3HN87R0W9010480

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Toyota 4Runner

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Toyota 4Runner’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Toyota 4Runner’s VIN below:

How to find a 1998 Toyota 4Runner’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1998 Toyota 4Runner is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Toyota 4Runner; the VIN can usually be seen through the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb for a sticker or plate where you might find the VIN for your 1998 Toyota 4Runner.
Check underneath the hood; the VIN may be stamped on the engine block or on the firewall of your Toyota 4Runner.
Examine the rear wheel well on the driver’s side. Sometimes the VIN is placed above the tire.
Look at the vehicle’s insurance or registration documents, which will list the VIN of your 1998 Toyota 4Runner.
If you can’t find the VIN on the vehicle, or if you need to confirm it, look in the service records where the VIN is often recorded.

What info can a 1998 Toyota 4Runner VIN reveal?

Model Year and Make: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 1998 and manufacturer as Toyota, offering insights into the vehicle’s age and origin.
Body Class and Type: It may indicate that the vehicle is a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4 doors, highlighting its design and versatility for various uses.
Engine Details: The VIN encodes key engine specifications, such as a 3.4-liter displacement, V-Shaped engine configuration, and Toyota as the engine manufacturer. The engine model 5VZ-FE and its horsepower range between 183 to 190 hp may elucidate the vehicle’s performance characteristics.
Fuel Type: The VIN data suggests the primary fuel type is Gasoline, which can provide essential information for understanding the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Drive Type and Transmission: It appears that the VIN specifies a 4x2 drive type, which might impact the vehicle’s handling and fuel efficiency.
Vehicle Manufacturing Information: The VIN contains details about the manufacturing location in Tahara, Aichi, Japan, at the Toyota Motor Corporation plant, possibly providing insights into the vehicle’s origin and production standards.
Safety and Weight Class: VIN-related data often gives insight into safety features and the gross vehicle weight rating, which might provide information about the vehicle’s size and weight category. For example, it might possibly fall within Class 1D, indicating its size and weight category.

Don’t have your 1998 Toyota 4Runner’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Toyota 4Runner

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Cooling Type	Water
Displacement (CC)	2693
Displacement (CI)	164.3
Displacement (L)	2.7
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Brake (hp) From	150
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	Toyota
Engine Model	3RZ-FE
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)
Model	4-Runner
Model Year	1998
Plant City	Tahara
Plant Company Name	Toyota Motor Corporation
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Aichi
Series	RZN180L/VZN180L/RZN185L/VZN185L
Series2	Wagon body style
Trim	Grade: SR5
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	JT3GM84R*W0
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	JT3GM84R0W0026038