Jeep VIN Information
The Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN is important for many reasons. Most of these reasons have nothing to do with us owners. But to a hardcore Jeeper the knowledge of what the VIN stands for may bring a more comprehensive understanding of your rig and/or a sense of nostalgia.
This page will help to decipher not only the VIN codes, but the Vehicle Safety Certification (VSC) label, the Vehicle Emission Control Information (VECI) label, and the body code plate as well.
For the time being, this information only applies to most TJs and XJs. I am constantly searching for CJ, YJ, XJ, ZJ, and WJ information and I'll post it upon finding it.
Every vehicle in the United States is required to have a VIN on the dash, visible from outside the vehicle on driver's side bottom corner of the windshield. Most vehicles also have the VIN in at least one other place, preferably stamped into the frame. For the frame-challenged (uni-body) it may be stamped or tagged into a hard to find spot on the body.
The VIN has 17 characters to provide details about your Jeep. Each character represents something about your Jeep except the check digit character. This character is called a "check digit" because it is designed to protect the consumer from theft and possible fraud. The manufacturer is required to include a check digit in the ninth position by U.S. federal law. The check digit is used by the manufacturer and government agencies to verify authenticity of the vehicle and official documentation. The algorithm used to determine a check digit is not released to the public for obvious reasons, however the secret has been leaked and the check digit can be calculated.
Click on your model year below for VIN details. If you cannot click on the model and year you are interested in, info for this model year has not yet been located. If you have a Factory Service Manual (FSM) for a missing year please email me me the specifics for that year.
| TJ Model Years | XJ Model Years | YJ Model Years | CJ Model Years | WJ Model Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1987 |
|
1999 |
||
1988 |
|
2000 |
||
1999 |
1989 |
|
2001 |
|
1990 |
|
2002 |
||
1991 |
|
2003 |
||
1992 |
|
|||
1990 |
1993 |
|
|
|
2004 |
1991 |
1994 |
|
|
|
1992 |
1995 |
|
|
|
1993 |
|
|
|
|
1994 |
|
|
|
|
1995 |
|
|
|
|
1996 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2001 |
|
|
|
TJ VIN Decoding Charts
To illustrate the below decoding charts, I'll use my VIN as an example. My VIN is 1J4FA49S71P344915. Once cross-referencing the below chart with my VIN, you find that my TJ is made in the U.S., it is a Jeep, MPV (multi-purpose vehicle???), 4001-5000 lb. GVWR, 4×4 LHD, Sport Model, Open Body, 4.0L, Check digit 7, 2001 model year, made in Toledo Plant #2, it was the 344,915th TJ produced that model year.
1997 TJ Chart
| Position | Interpretation | Code=Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Country of Origin | 1 = United States |
| 2 | Make | J = Jeep |
| 3 | Vehicle Type | 4 = MPV |
| 4 | Gross Vehicle Weight Rating | E = 3001-4000 lbs. F = 4001-5000 lbs. |
| 5 | Vehicle Line | Y = Wrangler 4×4 |
| 6 | Series | 1 = Sport 2 = SE 4 = Sahara |
| 7 | Body Style | 9 = Open body |
| 8 | Engine | H = 2.5L Leaded-Gasoline P = 2.5L Unleaded-Gasoline S = 4.0L Unleaded-Gasoline V = 4.0L Leaded-Gasoline |
| 9 | Check Digit | |
| 10 | Model Year | V = 1997 |
| 11 | Assembly Plant | P = Toledo #2 |
| 12-17 | Vehicle Build Sequence | Six Digit Number |
1998 TJ Chart
| Position | Interpretation | Code=Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Country of Origin | 1 = United States |
| 2 | Make | J = Jeep |
| 3 | Vehicle Type | 4 = MPV |
| 4 | Gross Vehicle Weight Rating | E = 3001-4000 lbs. F = 4001-5000 lbs. |
| 5 | Vehicle Line | Y = Wrangler 4×4 |
| 6 | Series | 1 = Sport 2 = SE 4 = Sahara |
| 7 | Body Style | 9 = Open body |
| 8 | Engine | P = 2.5L Unleaded Gasoline S = 4.0L Unleaded Gasoline |
| 9 | Check Digit | 0 through 9, or X |
| 10 | Model Year | W = 1998 |
| 11 | Assembly Plant | P = Toledo #2 |
| 12-17 | Vehicle Build Sequence | Six Digit Number |
2000 TJ Chart
| Position | Interpretation | Code=Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Country of Origin | 1 = United States |
| 2 | Make | J = Jeep |
| 3 | Vehicle Type | 4 = MPV |
| 4 | Gross Vehicle Weight Rating | E = 3001-4000 lbs. F = 4001-5000 lbs. |
| 5 | Vehicle Line | Y = Wrangler 4×4 |
| 6 | Series | 1 = Sport 2 = SE 4 = Sahara |
| 7 | Body Style | 9 = Open body |
| 8 | Engine | P = 2.5L Unleaded Gasoline S = 4.0L Unleaded Gasoline |
| 9 | Check Digit | |
| 10 | Model Year | Y = 2000 |
| 11 | Assembly Plant | P = Toledo #2 |
| 12-17 | Vehicle Build Sequence | Six Digit Number |
2001 TJ Chart
| Position | Interpretation | Code=Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Country of Origin | 1 = United States |
| 2 | Make | J = Jeep |
| 3 | Vehicle Type | 4 = MPV |
| 4 | Gross Vehicle Weight Rating | E = 3001-4000 lbs. F = 4001-5000 lbs. |
| 5 | Vehicle Line | A = Wrangler 4×4 (LHD) |
| 6 | Series | 2 = SE 4 = Sport 5 = Sahara |
| 7 | Body Style | 9 = Open body |
| 8 | Engine | P = 2.5L Unleaded Gasoline S = 4.0L Unleaded Gasoline |
| 9 | Check Digit | 0 through 9, or X |
| 10 | Model Year | 1 = 2001 |
| 11 | Assembly Plant | P = Toledo #2 |
| 12-17 | Vehicle Build Sequence | Six Digit Number |
2002 TJ Chart
| Position | Interpretation | Code=Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Country of Origin | 1 = United States |
| 2 | Make | J = Jeep |
| 3 | Vehicle Type | 4 = MPV |
| 4 | Gross Vehicle Weight Rating | E = 3001-4000 lbs. F = 4001-5000 lbs. |
| 5 | Vehicle Line | A = Wrangler 4×4 (LHD) 4 = Wrangler 4×4 (RHD) |
| 6 | Series | 2 = SE 3 = X 4 = Sport 5 = Sahara |
| 7 | Body Style | 9 = Open body |
| 8 | Engine | P = 2.5L Unleaded Gasoline S = 4.0L Unleaded Gasoline |
| 9 | Check Digit | 0 through 9, or X |
| 10 | Model Year | 2 = 2002 |
| 11 | Assembly Plant | P = Toledo #2 |
| 12-17 | Vehicle Build Sequence | Six Digit Number |
2003 TJ Chart
| Position | Interpretation | Code=Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Country of Origin | 1 = United States |
| 2 | Make | J = Jeep |
| 3 | Vehicle Type | 4 = MPV |
| 4 | Gross Vehicle Weight Rating | E = 3001-4000 lbs. F = 4001-5000 lbs. |
| 5 | Vehicle Line | A = Wrangler 4×4 (LHD) 4 = Wrangler 4×4 (RHD) |
| 6 | Series | 2 = SE 3 = X 4 = Sport 5 = Sahara 6 = Rubicon |
| 7 | Body Style | 9 = Open body |
| 8 | Engine | P = 2.5L Gasoline S = 4.0L Gasoline |
| 9 | Check Digit | 0 through 9, or X |
| 10 | Model Year | 3 = 2003 |
| 11 | Assembly Plant | P = Toledo #2 |
| 12-17 | Vehicle Build Sequence | Six Digit Number |
*Left Hand Drive (left hand side = driver's side)
1984,85,86,87,88 XJ Chart
| Position | Interpretation | Code=Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Country of Origin | 1 = United States |
| 2 | Make | J = Jeep |
| 3 | Vehicle Type | C = MPV D = Incomplete Vehicle |
| 4 | Engine Type | B = 2.1L (128 Cu. in.) 4-Cylinder Turbo (Diesel) H = 2.5L (150 Cu. In.) 4-Cylinder TBI (Gasoline) U = 2.5L (150 Cu. In.) 4-Cylinder 1 Bbl. (Gasoline) W = 2.8L (171 Cu. In.) V6 2 Bbl. (Gasoline) M = 4.0L (242 Cu. In.) 6-Cylinder (Gasoline) |
| 5 | Transmission/ (Transfer Case) | L = 5=Speed Manual Floor Shift (Part Time 4WD) X = 4-Speed Manual Floor Shift (Part Time 4WD) B = Auto Floor Shift (Part Time 4WD) C = Auto Floor Shift (Full Time 4WD) E = Auto Column Shift (Part Time 4WD) J = Auto Column Shift (Full Time 4WD) A = Auto Column Shift (2WD) |
| 6 and 7 | Body Style | 73 = 2WD Cherokee Wagon 2-Door 74 = 2WD Cherokee Wagon 4-Door 75 = 4WD Wagoneer Wagon 4-Door 77 = 4WD Cherokee Wagon 2-Door 78 = 4WD Cherokee Wagon 4-Door |
| 8 | Trim Package | 1 = Custom 2 = Pioneer 3 = Chief 4 = Laredo 5 = Wagoneer 6 = Limited K = Cherokee Base (2WD) L = Pioneer (2WD) M = Laredo (2WD) |
| 9 | Check Digit | Manufacturer Assigned |
| 10 | Model Year | E = 1984 F = 1985 G = 1986 H = 1987 J = 1988 |
| 11 | Assembly Plant | J = Brampton, Ontario, Canada L = Toledo, Ohio Plant No. 1 P = Toledo, Ohio Plant No. 2 T = Toledo, Ohio |
| 12-17 | Sequential Serial Number | Production Sequence - Six Digit Number |
1989 XJ Chart
| Position | Interpretation | Code=Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Country of Origin | 1 = United States |
| 2 | Make | J = Jeep |
| 3 | Vehicle Type | 3 = MPV 6 = Incomplete Vehicle 7 = Truck |
| 4 | GVWR | E = 3001-4000 F = 4001-5000 G = 5001-6000 H = 6001-7000 |
| 5 | Car Line | J = Cherokee 4WD N = Wagoneer 4WD T = Cherokee 2WD |
| 6 | Series | 2 = Base (L) 3 = Pioneer (M) 5 = Laredo (P) 7 = Limited (X) |
| 7 | Body Style | 5 = 4-door wagon 7 = 2-door wagon 8 = 4-door wagon |
| 8 | Engine | E = 2.5L L = 4.0L P = 2.5L S = 4.0L |
| 9 | Check Digit | Manufacturer Assigned |
| 10 | Model Year | K = 1989 |
| 11 | Assembly Plant | J = Brampton, Ontario, Canada L = Toledo, Ohio Plant No. 1 P = Toledo, Ohio Plant No. 2 T = Toledo, Ohio |
| 12-17 | Sequential Serial Number | Production Sequence - Six Digit Number |
1997,98,99 XJ Chart
| Position | Interpretation | Code=Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Country of Origin | 1 = United States |
| 2 | Make | J = Jeep |
| 3 | Vehicle Type | 4 = MPV |
| 4 | Gross Vehicle Weight Rating | F = 4001-5000 lbs. |
| 5 | Vehicle Line | J = Cherokee 4×4 (LHD) N = Cherokee 4×4 (RHD) B = Cherokee 2WD (RHD) T = Cherokee 2WD (LHD) |
| 6 | Series | 2 = SE 6 = Sport 7 = Country |
| 7 | Body Style | 7 = 2-Door Sport Utility 8 = 4-Door Sport Utility |
| 8 | Engine | P = 2.5L 4-Cylinder MFI (EPE) S = 4.0L I-6 HO MFI (ERH) |
| 9 | Check Digit | 0 through 9, or X |
| 10 | Model Year | V = 1997 W = 1998 X = 1999 |
| 11 | Assembly Plant | L = Toledo #1 |
| 12-17 | Vehicle Build Sequence | Six Digit Number |
2000 XJ Chart
| Position | Interpretation | Code=Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Country of Origin | 1 = United States |
| 2 | Make | J = Jeep |
| 3 | Vehicle Type | 4 = MPV |
| 4 | Gross Vehicle Weight Rating | F = 4001-5000 |
| 5 | Vehicle Line | F = Cherokee 4×4 (LHD) J = Cherokee 4×4(RHD) EXPORT N = Cherokee 4×4 (RHD) B = Cherokee 4×2 (RHD) T = Cherokee 4×2 (LHD) |
| 6 | Series/Transmission | N = 5 speed manual A = 3 speed auto B = 4 speed auto 4 = Sport 6 = Cherokee Country/Limited 5 = Classic |
| 7 | Body Style | 7 = 2dr Sport Utility 8 = 4dr Sport Utility |
| 8 | Engine | M = 2.5L Diesel P = 2.5L Gasoline S = 4.0L Gasoline |
| 9 | Check Digit | Manufacturer Assigned |
| 10 | Model Year | Y = 2000 |
| 11 | Assembly Plant | L = Toledo, Ohio Plant #1 |
| 12-17 | Sequential Serial Number | Production Sequence - Six Digit Number |
2004 WJ Chart
| Position | Interpretation | Code=Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Country of Origin | 1 = Manufactured By DaimlerChrysler Corporation |
| 2 | Make | J = Jeep |
| 3 | Vehicle Type | 4 = MPV Less Side Air Bags 8 = MPV With Side Air Bags |
| 4 | Gross Vehicle Weight Rating | G = 5001-6000 lbs. |
| 5 | Vehicle Line (WJ) | X = Grand Cherokee 4×2 (LHD) W = Grand Cherokee 4×4 (LHD) |
5 | Vehicle Line (WG) | 2 = Grand Cherokee (LHD) 8 = Grand Cherokee (RHD) |
| 6 | Series | 3 = Sport 4 = Laredo 5 = Limited 6 = Overland WG Family (With Euro Group) B = 4spd Auto Transmission E = 5spd Auto Transmission |
| 7 | Body Style | 8 = 4dr Sport Utility |
| 8 | Engine | A = 2.7L 20V Turbo Diesel Direct Injection S = 4.0L Gasoline N = 4.7L Gasoline J = 4.7L Gasoline High Output |
| 9 | Check Digit | 0 through 9 or X |
| 10 | Model Year | 4 = 2004 |
| 11 | Assembly Plant | C = Jefferson North Assembly Y = Chrysler Steyer Assembly |
| 12-17 | Vehicle Build Sequence | Six Digit Number |
1LHD = Left Hand Drive (left hand side is driver's side)
2RHD = Right Hand Drive (right hand side is driver's side)
Page created on 10/4/2002
Last updated on 5/26/2005