How to decode a 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-character sequences that identify the manufacturer of a specific vehicle. These codes, which are part of a vehicle’s 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), reveal key information such as the brand, vehicle type, and even the country of manufacture. For example, Toyota Land Cruisers produced between 1981 and 2000 have a WMI of JT3, indicating they were manufactured by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan. Specifically, these vehicles, categorized as Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles (MPVs), were assembled in Toyota City, located within Aichi Prefecture. This WMI is critical for distinguishing Toyota’s manufacturing details, ensuring clarity in vehicle identification and aiding in various administrative and legal processes.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser

WMI: JT3

Model Years Covered: 1981-2000
Example VIN: JT3HT05J0W0001285
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 Land Cruiser 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 Land Cruiser:

Known VDS for a 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser
HT05J

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 Land Cruiser 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 Land Cruiser VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

11th Character in the 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
0	Toyota City	Aichi	Japan	Toyota Motor Corporation-Honsha Plant	JT3HT05J0W0001285

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser

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

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How to find a 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser’s VIN?

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

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser. The VIN should be visible through the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb area. You can typically find a sticker or plate there with the VIN on your Toyota Land Cruiser.
Check under the hood of your Toyota Land Cruiser; the VIN might be on a sticker or plate located on the engine bay’s firewall.
Inspect the rear wheel well; sometimes the VIN is stamped on the frame near the tire on the Toyota Land Cruiser.
Lift the spare tire in the cargo area if your Toyota Land Cruiser has a rear-mounted spare. The VIN might be located beneath it.
Look at the vehicle’s title, registration, or insurance documents if physical checking is inconclusive. These will always list the VIN for your 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser.

What info can a 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class. For the 1998 Land Cruiser, this may indicate a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Drive Type and Engine Details: Details such as the Land Cruiser being equipped with a 4-wheel drive (4WD) system and powered by a V-Shaped Engine Model 2UZ with an engine displacement of 4.7 liters and 8 cylinders highlight the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for vehicles like the Land Cruiser can be identified from the VIN, and in this case, it is gasoline, which is a crucial piece of information for assessing fuel economy and environmental impact.
Safety Features: The presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the first row is indicated in the VIN, underscoring the vehicle’s designed safety measures.
Manufacturing Information: Information about the vehicle’s manufacturing, such as being produced in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan by the Toyota Motor Corporation - Honsha Plant, provides insights into the origin and quality standards of the vehicle.
Vehicle Specifics: The VIN decodes to specific details like the Land Cruiser being part of a series with the Wagon body style, confirming the exact model variant and features.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Displacement (CC)	4700.0
Displacement (CI)	286.81159724524
Displacement (L)	4.7
Doors	4
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Model	2UZ
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Model	Land Cruiser
Model Year	1998
Plant City	Toyota City
Plant Company Name	Toyota Motor Corporation-Honsha plant
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Aichi
Series2	Wagon body style
Vehicle Descriptor	JT3HT05J*W0
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	JT3HT05J0W0001285