Free 1986 Suzuki Samurai VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1986 Suzuki Samurai VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1986 Suzuki Samurai VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers. For the 1986 Suzuki Samurai, the WMI codes “JS3” and “JS4” are crucial in identifying the vehicle’s origin, manufacturer, and type. Specifically, “JS3” signifies Suzuki Samurai vehicles classified as Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles manufactured in Brea, California, United States, while “JS4” denotes those classified as trucks. These WMIs offer insights into the vehicle’s characteristics, including its manufacturing location and the specific model year’s range it pertains to, enabling precise identification and tracing of the vehicle for various administrative and regulatory purposes. This system of classification assists in maintaining a standardized method for recognizing vehicles internationally.

List of WMI Codes for a 1986 Suzuki Samurai

WMI: JS3

• Model Years Covered: 1986-1988, 1991
• Example VIN: JS3JC51C1G4117611
• Manufacturer Name: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Brea
• State or Province: California
• Country: United States

WMI: JS4

• Model Years Covered: 1986-1990, 1993-1995
• Example VIN: JS4JC51C0G4125193
• Manufacturer Name: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Truck
• City: Brea
• State or Province: California
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1986 Suzuki Samurai 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 1986 Suzuki Samurai:

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 1986 Suzuki Samurai 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 1986 Suzuki Samurai VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1986 Suzuki Samurai VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1986 Suzuki Samurai Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1986 Suzuki Samurai

The final 6 characters in a 1986 Suzuki Samurai’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1986 Suzuki Samurai VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle. For example, it may highlight vehicles like the 1986 Samurai.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN can also indicate the vehicle type and body class, offering a blend of information such as a Truck classified as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV).
• Engine Specifications: Specifics about the engine, such as the model G13A and displacement details (1.324L or 1324CC/80.795CI), are encoded within the VIN, providing insight into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
• Drive Type: Attributes like the 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 drive type can be discerned, offering a glimpse into the vehicle’s driving dynamics and off-road capabilities.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN holds clues to the vehicle’s manufacturing origins, including the plant city (Iwata), country (Japan), and state (Shizuoka), providing a sense of its production background.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: Information on the vehicle’s weight class, such as Class 1A (3,000 lb or less), is enclosed, hinting at its size, purpose, and possibly its payload capacity.
• Vehicle Characteristics: Through the VIN, unique characteristics like the trim (Canvas Top) and series (Jimny) offer a more detailed understanding of the model specification and variety.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1986 Suzuki Samurai

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