Free 1987 Suzuki Samurai VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1987 Suzuki Samurai VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1987 Suzuki Samurai VIN

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are crucial components of a vehicle identification number (VIN), designating the manufacturer of a vehicle and providing insights into specific attributes like the vehicle type and where it was manufactured. For example, the 1987 Suzuki Samurai, an iconic lightweight off-road vehicle, bears a WMI that begins with “JS3” or “JS4”, highlighting its origins with Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. This prefix not only denotes the manufacturing company but also specifies the Samurai as a multipurpose passenger vehicle or a truck, respectively. Manufactured in Brea, California, these identifiers encapsulate essential details about the vehicle’s origin and classification. Understanding a WMI like that of the 1987 Suzuki Samurai enables identification and authentication of the vehicle for regulatory, registration, and repair purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 1987 Suzuki Samurai

WMI: JS3

• Model Years Covered: 1986-1988, 1991
• Example VIN: JS3JC51C2H4133026
• 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: JS4JC51C0H4155991
• 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 1987 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 1987 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 1987 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 1987 Suzuki Samurai VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1987 Suzuki Samurai VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1987 Suzuki Samurai Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1987 Suzuki Samurai

The final 6 characters in a 1987 Suzuki Samurai’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Suzuki Samurai’s VIN below:

What info can a 1987 Suzuki Samurai VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, such as 1987, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN might specify the vehicle type, like Truck, and its body class, such as Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), indicating the style and purpose of the vehicle.
• Engine Specifications: Details about the engine, including its model (G13A) and displacement in liters (1.324L), CC (1324), and CI (80.795), providing insights into its size and power output.
• Drive Type: The VIN may indicate the vehicle’s drive type, for example, 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, which can offer an understanding of the vehicle’s drivetrain design and off-road capability.
• Brake System Description: It can reveal details about the braking system, such as it possibly being equipped with front-disc brake and rear drum brake, offering a glimpse into the vehicle’s safety and performance features.
• Manufacturing Information: Including the plant city (Iwata), country (Japan), and state (Shizuoka) may offer clues to the vehicle’s origin and manufacturing heritage.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN may specify the class, like Class 1A: 3,000 lb or less (1,360 kg or less), offering information about its designated weight range and potentially its use case scenarios.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1987 Suzuki Samurai