How to decode a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes uniquely identify the manufacturer of a vehicle and provide details about it. For the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban, the WMI codes are “1GN” and “3GN,” indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC in Warren, Michigan, United States. These codes are integral to the vehicle identification number (VIN), offering insights into the vehicle’s type, specifically classifying it as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV). Through these identifiers, one can trace important aspects of the vehicle’s origin, including the manufacturer’s name, the plant city and state, and the designated country of manufacture. WMIs are vital for registration, identification, and regulatory compliance of vehicles globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban

WMI: 1GN

Model Years Covered: 1987-2024
Example VIN: 1GNFK16R0X1449397
Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Warren
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States WMI: 3GN
Model Years Covered: 1995-2009
Example VIN: 3GNGK26R0XG145806
Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Warren
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban 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 1999 Chevrolet Suburban:

Known VDS for a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
FK16R	GK26R	GC26R	GK26J	GK26F	EC16R	GC26J	GC26F

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 1999 Chevrolet Suburban 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 1999 Chevrolet Suburban VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
X	1999

11th Character in the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1999 Chevrolet Suburban Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
1	Wentzville	Missouri	United States	Gm Truck Corp	1GNFK16R0X1449397
G	Silao	Guanajuato	Mexico		3GNGK26R0XG145806
J	Janesville	Wisconsin	United States	Gm Truck Group	1GNGC26R5XJ411249

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban

The final 6 characters in a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Chevrolet Suburban’s VIN below:

How to find a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1999 Chevrolet Suburban is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Suburban. The VIN is usually visible through the windshield on a small plate just where the dashboard meets the glass.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb. Your Chevrolet Suburban’s VIN can be found on a label or sticker in this area where the door latches when it is closed.
Examine the frame of the car. The VIN on a Chevrolet Suburban might also be stamped on the chassis near the engine bay or on the frame rails.
Check under the hood. The VIN might be located on a plaque or sticker on the firewall inside the engine compartment of your Suburban.
Look at the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or title, as the VIN of your Chevrolet Suburban will be printed on all official vehicle documents.

What info can a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting it is from the year 1999, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Type and Body Class: It indicates that the vehicle is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle, specifically a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), offering details about its intended use and design.
Engine Specifications: The engine is described in detail, featuring a V-Shaped configuration, a displacement of 7.4 liters or 7400.0 CC, and runs on an eight-cylinder engine manufactured by WRN. The vehicle uses Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) for fuel delivery, providing detailed insights into its power and fuel delivery system.
Drive Type and Brake System: Information on the vehicle’s drive type is 4x2, coupled with a hydraulic brake system, shedding light on its operational and safety characteristics.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN details the vehicle’s weight classification as Class 2G, which ranges from 8,001 to 9,000 lb (3,629 - 4,082 kg), indicating its capacity and size.
Production Details: Manufacturing insights are discernible, specifying that the vehicle was assembled in Janesville, Wisconsin, United States, by the GM Truck Group, providing valuable information about its origin.
Trim and Series Information: The vehicle’s trim level is identified as 2500 (3/4 ton), and it belongs to the Conventional Cab series, offering clues about its design and intended use.

Don’t have your 1999 Chevrolet Suburban’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Displacement (CC)	6500.0
Displacement (CI)	396.65433661575
Displacement (L)	6.5
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	ROM
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
Fuel Type - Primary	Diesel
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2G: 8,001 - 9,000 lb (3,629 - 4,082 kg)
Model	Suburban
Model Year	1999
Other Engine Info	HO
Plant City	Silao
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Mexico
Plant State	Guanajuato
Series	Conventional Cab
Trim	2500 (3/4 ton)
Turbo	Yes
Vehicle Descriptor	3GNGK26F*XG
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	3GNGK26F0XG184868