Free 1988 Dodge W-Series VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1988 Dodge W-Series VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Dodge W-Series VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, consisting of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It reveals the manufacturer’s name, the vehicle type, and the country of origin. For the 1988 Dodge W-Series trucks, the WMI “1B7” indicates it was manufactured by FCA US LLC, based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States. This specific WMI is associated with trucks, providing a key detail for identifying and categorizing this vehicle. The use of the WMI allows for the tracing and authentication of vehicles, crucial for regulatory compliance, service, and history checks.

List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Dodge W-Series

WMI: 1B7

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1993
• Example VIN: 1B7HW14W6JS697525
• Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
• Vehicle Type: Truck
• City: Auburn Hills
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1988 Dodge W-Series 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 1988 Dodge W-Series:

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 1988 Dodge W-Series 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 1988 Dodge W-Series VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1988 Dodge W-Series VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1988 Dodge W-Series Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Dodge W-Series

The final 6 characters in a 1988 Dodge W-Series’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Dodge W-Series’s VIN below:

What info can a 1988 Dodge W-Series VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1988, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Drive Type: It typically outlines the body class as a Pickup with a 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 system, offering insights into the vehicle’s capability and design.
• Engine Specifications: Engine details like a V-Shaped configuration, 5200 cc (5.2 liters) displacement, and an eight-cylinder build manufactured by CMC, are encoded, highlighting the power source’s specifics.
• Fuel Type - Primary: The primary fuel type is Gasoline, providing critical information on what energy source the vehicle utilizes.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: It categorizes the vehicle in the Class 2E range, indicating a gross vehicle weight rating from 6,001 to 7,000 lb, which can inform about its intended use and capacity.
• Plant Information: Manufacturing details such as the plant city of Warren, plant country as the United States, and the specific assembly location, Warren Truck Assembly, detail the vehicle’s production origin.
• Safety Features: The VIN may indicate the presence of manual seat belts, shedding light on the safety features equipped in the vehicle.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Dodge W-Series

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