Free 1985 Chevrolet Suburban VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1985 Chevrolet Suburban VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1985 Chevrolet Suburban VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, signifying key information such as the manufacturing country, plant, and vehicle type. For the 1985 Chevrolet Suburban, the WMI code begins with “1GC,” indicating it was produced by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. The “1” at the start signifies the country as the United States, “G” represents General Motors as the manufacturer, and “C” categorizes the vehicle as a truck, aligning with the Suburban’s classification. This code is essential in decoding the vehicle identification number (VIN) to reveal the vehicle’s origins and type, providing valuable information for identification, registration, and historical research. The WMI is crucial for ensuring the vehicle’s compliance with international standards and regulations.

List of WMI Codes for a 1985 Chevrolet Suburban

WMI: 1G8

• Model Years Covered: 1981, 1983-1986
• Example VIN: 1G8EC16L0FF158925
• Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Warren
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

WMI: 1GC

• Model Years Covered: 1984-1985, 1987, 1989-1991
• Example VIN: 1GCEK16L8FF124627
• Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
• Vehicle Type: Truck
• City: Warren
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1985 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 1985 Chevrolet Suburban:

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 1985 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 1985 Chevrolet Suburban VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1985 Chevrolet Suburban VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1985 Chevrolet Suburban Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1985 Chevrolet Suburban

The final 6 characters in a 1985 Chevrolet Suburban’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1985 Chevrolet Suburban VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting it is from the 1985 model year, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN indicates the vehicle is classified as a Passenger Car, specifically a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and purpose.
• Engine Specifications: Detailed information from the VIN includes a Chevrolet 4BBL engine with a V-Shaped configuration, 8 cylinders, and a displacement of 7.4 liters or 451.57570630101 cubic inches, indicating a possibly powerful and large engine capacity.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is gasoline, which may be typical for models of its time and engine size.
• Drive Type and Brake System: The VIN suggests the vehicle features a 4x2 drive type accompanied by a hydraulic brake system, possibly offering insights into its drivetrain and safety features.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN indicates the plant location as Kansas City, Michigan, United States, under the Flint Truck Assembly plant company name, providing a chance for a glimpse into the vehicle’s production origin.
• Vehicle’s Size and Weight Class: It falls within Class 2G, indicating a gross vehicle weight rating ranging from 8,001 to 9,000 lb (3,629 - 4,082 kg), categorizing it among possibly heavier and larger vehicles, suitable for its SUV/MPV body class.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1985 Chevrolet Suburban

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