Your Chevy truck’s (VIN) vehicle identification number includes a variety of information, ranging from the country manufactured to engine size and major options. The specifications for your Chevy truck are detailed in the VIN number, including truck’s weight rating, chassis type, engine type plus the city and plant where it was produced.
Most commonly the Chevrolet truck’s VIN number is on a tag on the driver’s side under the windshield molding attached to the dash panel. Older models have a tag attached to the firewall or door jam. It can also be found on the vehicle’s certificate of title.
First Character
indicates where the truck was manufactured. The number 1 is for the USA, 2 for Canada, 3 for Mexico, J for Japan, K for Korea, S for England, and W for Germany.
Second Character
cites the manufacturer; The letter G is assigned to a General Motors vehicle.
Third Character
the division:
1 = Chevrolet
2 = Pontiac
3 = Oldsmobile
4 = Buick
6 = Cadillac
8 = Saturn
Fourth Character
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, or GVWR:
A is for 0-3000 pounds
B for 3001-4000
C for 4001-5000
D for 5001-6000
E for 6001-7000
F for 7001-8000
G for 8001-9000
H for 9001-10000
J for 10001-14000
K for 140001-16000
L for 16001-19500
M for 19501-26000
Fifth Character
The type of chassis:
B = incomplete vehicle
C = 4×2 full-size pickup
E = 4×2 compact pickup
H = cutaway chassis
J = 4×4 compact pickup
K = 4×4 full-size pickup
P = forward control chassis
R = 4×2 full-size pickup
S = 4×2 sport-utility
T = 4×4 sport-utility
U = 4×2 all-purpose vehicle
V = 4×4 full-size pickup
W = Chevrolet El Camino
X = 4×4 all-purpose vehicle
Sixth Character
body style:
1 = 1500
2 = 2500
3 = 3500
4 = ½ ton heavy duty
5 = 3 ton GMC
6 = ½ ton Luxury 1500
7 = ¾ ton Luxury 2500
8 = 1 ton Luxury 3500
Seventh Character
Identify the body type:
3 = four-door cab
4 = two-door cab
6 = Suburban
7 = Motor Home chassis
8 = two-door sport utility
9 = extended cab
0 = chassis only
Eighth Character
Type of engine used with the Engine combinations vary for each model and year.
Popular truck engine codes
C = 6.2 diesel
F = 5.0 gasoline engine
R = 5.7
W = 4.3
10th Character
Model year of the vehicle.
A = 1980
B = 1981
C = 1982
D = 1983
E = 1984
F = 1985
G = 1986
H = 1987
J = 1988
K = 1989
L = 1990
M = 1991
N = 1992
P = 1993
R = 1994
S = 1995
T = 1996
V = 1997
W = 1998
X = 1999
Y = 2000
1 = 2001
2 = 2002
3 = 2003
4 = 2004
5 = 2005
6 = 2006
7 = 2007
8 = 2008
9 = 2009
A = 2010
B = 2011
C = 2012
D = 2013
E = 2014
F = 2015
G = 2016
H = 2017
J = 2018
K = 2019
L = 2020
11th Character
Plant location:
B = Baltimore, Md.
E for Pontiac East, Mich.
F for Flint, Mich.
J for Janesville, Wisc.
K for Linden, N.J.
R for Arlington, Texas
V for Pontiac, Mich.
Z for Fort Wayne, Ind.
1 is for Wentzville, Mo.
2 for Moraine, Ohio
3 for St-Eustache, Québec
5 for London, Ontario
8 for Shreveport, La.
9 for Oshawa, Ontario.
There are also several international manufacturing plants that are not included here.
Remaining Six Characters
Identify the production sequence of the Chevy truck. The last six digits also designate the serial number and appear as a portion of the original engine casting number.