Jeep VIN Decoder 1962-1980: Classic Serial Numbers

Where's my serial number?

Late 1960s and later: usually on a small plate on the dashboard, visible through the windshield on the driver's side.
Earlier cars: it varies by make and year. Common places are the driver's door pillar or hinge post, the steering column, the firewall, or near the glove box. Each make's page lists what our sources say.
Paperwork: your title and registration also show it.

Example: 8354014100123 (an example Jeep serial).

Years we cover

1962-1980.

What a Jeep serial looks like, by year

Each example below is split into numbered groups of characters, with what each group means. Example numbers show the layout; they are not a specific car.

1962-1970

Looks like 8354014100123 (13 characters)

1 Model	83: Universal CJ-5 [JEEPFAN55]
2 Chassis code	54: Open body (Universal CJ-5) [JEEPFAN55]
3 Body style	0: Universal (disregard) or Roadster open body (Jeepster) [JEEPFAN55]
4 Steering / emissions	1: Left-hand drive [JEEPFAN55]
5 Engine (page heading says 'drive code')	4: F4-134, no emission equipment [JEEPFAN55]
6 Sequence number	100123 [JEEPFAN55]

Where sources disagree

JeepFan labels positions 8-13 both 'engine code' and 'SSN'; we treat them as the sequence number. Its table gives no year breakdown, so the year span is the page's stated range, not a per-code finding.
This format is digits only, and many makers used plain numeric serials in these years. A match here does not by itself show the car is this make; check the make on the car and its paperwork.

Page states Jeeps before 1962 used a plain serial number and 1962 and later a VIN; the tag is a tin plate on the driver-side firewall and/or dash.

Example is constructed from the code tables, not a real vehicle.

The year is not encoded in this layout. The page applies the table to 1962 to 1971, but its own 1971 to 1974 section uses a J-prefix layout, so we stop this format at 1970.

All model codes (7)

57	Universal [JEEPFAN55]
81	Universal CJ-3B [JEEPFAN55]
83	Universal CJ-5 [JEEPFAN55]
84	Universal CJ-6 [JEEPFAN55]
85	Universal DJ-6 [JEEPFAN55]
86	Universal DJ-6 [JEEPFAN55]
87	Jeepster C101 [JEEPFAN55]

All chassis code codes (12)

10	Open body (Universal diesel) [JEEPFAN55]
22	Tuxedo Park Mark IV [JEEPFAN55]
23	Fire truck (Universal) [JEEPFAN55]
34	Open body (Universal CJ-3B) [JEEPFAN55]
54	Open body (Universal CJ-5) [JEEPFAN55]
55	Open body (Universal CJ-5 diesel) [JEEPFAN55]
74	Open body (Universal CJ-6) [JEEPFAN55]
75	Open body (Universal CJ-6 diesel) [JEEPFAN55]
01	Convertible (Jeepster) [JEEPFAN55]
02	Commando convertible (Jeepster) [JEEPFAN55]
04	Fire engine [JEEPFAN55]
05	Open body [JEEPFAN55]

All body style codes (7)

0	Universal (disregard) or Roadster open body (Jeepster) The source lists 0 twice with these two meanings. [JEEPFAN55]
8	Universal [JEEPFAN55]
A	V6-225 [JEEPFAN55]
C	Canadian built [JEEPFAN55]
F	Station wagon (Jeepster) [JEEPFAN55]
H	Pickup (Jeepster) [JEEPFAN55]
S	Smog (Universal) [JEEPFAN55]

All steering / emissions codes (3)

1	Left-hand drive [JEEPFAN55]
2	Right-hand drive [JEEPFAN55]
3	California, left-hand drive, fuel evaporation control [JEEPFAN55]

All engine (page heading says 'drive code') codes (4)

4	F4-134, no emission equipment [JEEPFAN55]
5	F4-134, with emission equipment [JEEPFAN55]
6	V6-225, no emission equipment [JEEPFAN55]
7	V6-225, with emission equipment [JEEPFAN55]

Sources: [JEEPFAN55]

1968-1970

Looks like 1414C18100123 (13 characters)

1 Chassis	14: J-100 4WD Wagoneer [IFSJA6870]
2 Body style	14: 4-door station wagon [IFSJA6870]
3 Special model	C: Custom Wagoneer [IFSJA6870]
4 Drive	1: Left-hand drive [IFSJA6870]
5 Engine	8: V8-327 [IFSJA6870]
6 Sequence number	100123 [IFSJA6870]

13 characters on a plate on the front door pillar of the left side door.

Serial ranges by engine: 6-232 200,001-299,999; V8-327 50,001-199,999; V8-350 300,001-399,999.

Chassis 24 (J-2000) was a 120 in. wheelbase truck before August 1969 and 126 in. after; chassis 34 (J-3000) was 126 in. before August 1969 and became the J-4000 on a 132 in. wheelbase after.

The J-4000 4WD chassis is listed on the page with no code, so it is not in the table. Example is constructed from the tables.

All chassis codes (6)

13	J-100 2WD Wagoneer [IFSJA6870]
14	J-100 4WD Wagoneer [IFSJA6870]
23	J-2000 2WD Gladiator [IFSJA6870]
24	J-2000 4WD Gladiator [IFSJA6870]
33	J-3000 2WD Gladiator [IFSJA6870]
34	J-3000 4WD Gladiator [IFSJA6870]

All body style codes (6)

12	2-door station wagon [IFSJA6870]
13	Panel delivery [IFSJA6870]
14	4-door station wagon [IFSJA6870]
06	Cab and chassis truck [IFSJA6870]
07	Camper special [IFSJA6870]
08	Cab and chassis [IFSJA6870]

All special model codes (7)

C	Custom Wagoneer [IFSJA6870]
D	Super Wagoneer (metal-type feature panels) [IFSJA6870]
O	Disregard [IFSJA6870]
W	5000 GVW [IFSJA6870]
X	6000 GVW (also console-shift Wagoneer 1414X with woodgrain panels) [IFSJA6870]
Y	7000 GVW [IFSJA6870]
Z	8000 GVW (also 8600 GVW with dual rear wheels) [IFSJA6870]

All drive codes (4)

1	Left-hand drive [IFSJA6870]
2	Right-hand drive [IFSJA6870]
3	Left-hand drive [IFSJA6870]
4	Right-hand drive [IFSJA6870]

All engine codes (4)

6	6-232 [IFSJA6870]
7	6-232 smog [IFSJA6870]
8	V8-327 [IFSJA6870]
9	V8-327 or V8-350 smog [IFSJA6870]

Sources: [IFSJA6870]

1971

Looks like 1414X19500001 (13 characters)

1 Chassis	14: J-100 4WD Wagoneer [IFSJA71]
2 Body style	14: J-100 4-door station wagon [IFSJA71]
3 Special model	X: 6000 GVW (J-4600), and console-shift Wagoneer 1414X with woodgrain panels [IFSJA71]
4 Drive	1: Left-hand drive [IFSJA71]
5 Engine	9: V8-304, V8-350 or V8-360 smog [IFSJA71]
6 Sequence number	500001 [IFSJA71]

Where sources disagree

The page lists drive codes 1 and 3 as both left-hand drive and 2 and 4 as both right-hand drive without explaining the difference.

Serial ranges by engine: 6-258 400,001-499,999; V8-304 500,001-599,999; V8-350 300,001-399,999; V8-360 600,001-699,999.

Example is constructed from the tables, not a real vehicle.

The IFSJA page is titled 1971 but cites parts manuals from 1967, 1972, 1980 and 1987 and gives no year-by-year breakdown.

All chassis codes (3)

14	J-100 4WD Wagoneer [IFSJA71]
24	J-2000 4WD Gladiator [IFSJA71]
34	J-4000 4WD Gladiator [IFSJA71]

All body style codes (4)

14	J-100 4-door station wagon [IFSJA71]
06	Cab and chassis J-2500 [IFSJA71]
07	Camper special J-4800 [IFSJA71]
08	Cab and chassis J-4500, J-4600, J-4700 [IFSJA71]

All special model codes (7)

C	Custom [IFSJA71]
O	Disregard [IFSJA71]
W	5000 GVW (J-2500, J-4500) [IFSJA71]
X	6000 GVW (J-4600), and console-shift Wagoneer 1414X with woodgrain panels [IFSJA71]
Y	7000 GVW (J-4700) [IFSJA71]
Z	8000 GVW (J-4000 camper) [IFSJA71]
D	Super Wagoneer (1968-70 code) unconfirmed Code D is listed for 1968-1970 on IFSJA but not on the 1971 page. [IFSJA6870]

All drive codes (4)

1	Left-hand drive [IFSJA71]
2	Right-hand drive [IFSJA71]
3	Left-hand drive [IFSJA71]
4	Right-hand drive [IFSJA71]

All engine codes (3)

6	6-258 [IFSJA71]
7	6-258 smog [IFSJA71]
9	V8-304, V8-350 or V8-360 smog [IFSJA71]

Sources: [IFSJA71]

1971-1973

Looks like J2F835TE00001 (13 characters)

1 Plant / transmission	F: Toledo, 3-speed, left-hand drive [JEEPFAN71]
2 Model	83: CJ-5 [JEEPFAN71]
3 Body type	5: Open body [JEEPFAN71]
4 GVW	T: 3,750 lb [JEEPFAN71]
5 Engine	E: 232 standard [JEEPFAN71]
6 Sequence number	00001 [JEEPFAN71]

Where sources disagree

Single source for 1971 to 1973 CJ; the AMC guide's printed pages start at 1974.

JeepFan's table covers 1971 to 1974 together (year codes 1 to 4); 1974 is handled in the 1974 formats from the AMC guide and IFSJA, which also include CJ series 83 and 84.

Tin plate near the driver-side firewall brake master cylinder area. Example is constructed from the table.

All plant / transmission codes (3)

A	Toledo, automatic, left-hand drive [JEEPFAN71]
F	Toledo, 3-speed, left-hand drive [JEEPFAN71]
M	Toledo, 4-speed, left-hand drive [JEEPFAN71]

All model codes (2)

83	CJ-5 [JEEPFAN71]
84	CJ-6 [JEEPFAN71]

All gvw codes (3)

R	4,750 lb [JEEPFAN71]
S	4,500 lb [JEEPFAN71]
T	3,750 lb [JEEPFAN71]

All engine codes (5)

A	258 standard [JEEPFAN71]
B	258 low compression [JEEPFAN71]
E	232 standard [JEEPFAN71]
F	232 low compression [JEEPFAN71]
H	304 standard [JEEPFAN71]

Sources: [JEEPFAN71]

1972

Looks like J2A242WH00001 (13 characters)

1 Plant / transmission / drive	A: Toledo, automatic, left-hand drive [IFSJA72]
2 Series	24: Truck, 120 in. wheelbase [IFSJA72]
3 Body style	2: Townside truck [IFSJA72]
4 Type / GVW	W: Truck, 5000 [IFSJA72]
5 Engine	H: V8-304 regular [IFSJA72]
6 Sequence number	00001 [IFSJA72]

13 characters, plate on the front door pillar of the left side door. CKD means complete knock down.

Example is constructed from the tables, not a real vehicle.

All plant / transmission / drive codes (10)

A	Toledo, automatic, left-hand drive [IFSJA72]
B	CKD, automatic, left-hand drive [IFSJA72]
F	Toledo, 3-speed, left-hand drive [IFSJA72]
G	Toledo, 3-speed, right-hand drive [IFSJA72]
J	CKD, 3-speed, left-hand drive [IFSJA72]
K	CKD, 3-speed, right-hand drive [IFSJA72]
M	Toledo, 4-speed, left-hand drive [IFSJA72]
N	Toledo, 4-speed, right-hand drive [IFSJA72]
O	CKD, 4-speed, left-hand drive [IFSJA72]
P	CKD, 4-speed, right-hand drive [IFSJA72]

All series codes (6)

14	Wagoneer, 110 in. wheelbase [IFSJA72]
24	Truck, 120 in. wheelbase [IFSJA72]
34	Truck, 132 in. wheelbase [IFSJA72]
71	MD, government [IFSJA72]
72	MDA, government [IFSJA72]
78	M-606A [IFSJA72]

All body style codes (5)

1	Thriftside truck [IFSJA72]
2	Townside truck [IFSJA72]
3	Platform stake truck [IFSJA72]
4	4-door wagon [IFSJA72]
6	Cab and chassis truck [IFSJA72]

All type / gvw codes (6)

C	Custom wagon, 5400 [IFSJA72]
O	Standard wagon, 5400 [IFSJA72]
W	Truck, 5000 [IFSJA72]
X	Truck, 6000 [IFSJA72]
Y	Truck, 7000 [IFSJA72]
Z	Truck, 8000 [IFSJA72]

All engine codes (6)

A	6-258 regular [IFSJA72]
B	6-258 low compression [IFSJA72]
E	6-232 regular [IFSJA72]
F	6-232 low compression [IFSJA72]
H	V8-304 regular [IFSJA72]
N	V8-360 regular [IFSJA72]

Sources: [IFSJA72]

1974

Looks like J4A144N100000 (13 characters)

1 Plant / transmission / drive	A: Toledo, automatic, left-hand drive [IFSJA74]
2 Series	14: Wagoneer [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
3 Body style	4: 4-door wagon [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
4 Engine	N: V8-360 2-bbl [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
5 Sequence number	100000 [IFSJA74] [AMCG]

Where sources disagree

IFSJA's page labels the serial both '8th-13th' and '9th-13th'; we follow its explanatory text (six digits from 100,000, five digits before).

From serial 100,000 on, the GVW letter was dropped and the engine moved to position 7, with a six-digit sequence in positions 8 to 13.

IFSJA lists only engine codes A, N, P, Z for this layout; the AMC guide's engine table also lists E and H.

All plant / transmission / drive codes (10)

A	Toledo, automatic, left-hand drive [IFSJA74]
B	CKD, automatic, left-hand drive [IFSJA74]
F	Toledo, 3-speed, left-hand drive [IFSJA74]
G	Toledo, 3-speed, right-hand drive [IFSJA74]
J	CKD, 3-speed, left-hand drive [IFSJA74]
K	CKD, 3-speed, right-hand drive [IFSJA74]
M	Toledo, 4-speed, left-hand drive [IFSJA74]
N	Toledo, 4-speed, right-hand drive [IFSJA74]
O	CKD, 4-speed, left-hand drive [IFSJA74]
P	CKD, 4-speed, right-hand drive [IFSJA74]

All series codes (10)

14	Wagoneer [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
15	Wagoneer Custom [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
16	Cherokee [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
17	Cherokee S [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
25	Truck J-10, 119 in. wheelbase [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
26	Truck J-10 (export only), 119 in. wheelbase [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
45	Truck J-10, 131 in. wheelbase [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
46	Truck J-20, 131 in. wheelbase [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
83	CJ-5 [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
84	CJ-6 [IFSJA74] [AMCG]

All body style codes (9)

1	Thriftside pickup [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
2	Townside pickup [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
4	4-door wagon [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
5	Open body [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
6	Cab and chassis [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
7	2-door wagon [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
8	Stripped chassis [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
F	Full cab [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
H	Half cab [IFSJA74] [AMCG]

All engine codes (6)

A	6-258 1-bbl [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
E	6-232 1-bbl [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
H	V8-304 2-bbl [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
N	V8-360 2-bbl [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
P	V8-360 4-bbl [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
Z	V8-401 4-bbl [IFSJA74] [AMCG]

Sources: [IFSJA74] [AMCG]

1974

Looks like J4A144CN00001 (13 characters)

1 Plant / transmission / drive	A: Toledo, automatic, left-hand drive [IFSJA74]
2 Series	14: Wagoneer [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
3 Body style	4: 4-door wagon [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
4 GVW (lb)	C: 5,600 (series 14-17, 25, 45) [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
5 Engine	N: V8-360 2-bbl [AMCG] [IFSJA74]
6 Sequence number	00001 [IFSJA74] [AMCG]

Where sources disagree

The AMC guide lists plant/transmission codes A, F, G, M, N only; IFSJA also lists the CKD codes B, J, K, O, P. We use IFSJA's full list.

Layout used before the serial reached 100,000: a five-digit sequence in positions 9 to 13 and a GVW letter in position 7.

IFSJA says the plate is on the left corner of the firewall under the hood. Example constructed from the tables.

CJ GVW codes (P, R, S, T, V) and CJ series (83, 84) come from the AMC guide only.

All plant / transmission / drive codes (10)

A	Toledo, automatic, left-hand drive [IFSJA74]
B	CKD, automatic, left-hand drive [IFSJA74]
F	Toledo, 3-speed, left-hand drive [IFSJA74]
G	Toledo, 3-speed, right-hand drive [IFSJA74]
J	CKD, 3-speed, left-hand drive [IFSJA74]
K	CKD, 3-speed, right-hand drive [IFSJA74]
M	Toledo, 4-speed, left-hand drive [IFSJA74]
N	Toledo, 4-speed, right-hand drive [IFSJA74]
O	CKD, 4-speed, left-hand drive [IFSJA74]
P	CKD, 4-speed, right-hand drive [IFSJA74]

All series codes (10)

14	Wagoneer [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
15	Wagoneer Custom [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
16	Cherokee [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
17	Cherokee S [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
25	Truck J-10, 119 in. wheelbase [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
26	Truck J-10 (export only), 119 in. wheelbase [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
45	Truck J-10, 131 in. wheelbase [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
46	Truck J-20, 131 in. wheelbase [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
83	CJ-5 [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
84	CJ-6 [IFSJA74] [AMCG]

All body style codes (9)

1	Thriftside pickup [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
2	Townside pickup [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
4	4-door wagon [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
5	Open body [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
6	Cab and chassis [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
7	2-door wagon [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
8	Stripped chassis [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
F	Full cab [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
H	Half cab [IFSJA74] [AMCG]

All gvw (lb) codes (12)

C	5,600 (series 14-17, 25, 45) [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
E	6,000 (series 14-17) [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
K	7,200 (series 46) [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
M	6,500 (series 46) [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
W	5,200 (series 25, 45) [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
X	6,000 (series 26, export only) [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
Z	8,000 (series 46) [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
P	4,200 (CJ-6) [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
R	4,750 (CJ-6) [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
S	4,500 (CJ-5) [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
T	3,750 (CJ-5) [IFSJA74] [AMCG]
V	3,900 (CJ-6) [IFSJA74] [AMCG]

All engine codes (6)

A	6-258 1-bbl [AMCG] [IFSJA74]
E	6-232 1-bbl [AMCG] [IFSJA74]
H	V8-304 2-bbl [AMCG] [IFSJA74]
N	V8-360 2-bbl [AMCG] [IFSJA74]
P	V8-360 4-bbl [AMCG] [IFSJA74]
Z	V8-401 4-bbl [AMCG] [IFSJA74]

Sources: [IFSJA74] [AMCG]

1975

Looks like J5A14MA000001 (13 characters)

1 Plant / transmission / drive	A: Toledo, Hydramatic/automatic, left-hand drive [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
2 Series	14: Wagoneer [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
3 GVW (lb)	M: 6,025 (series 14-17, 25, 26) [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
4 Engine	A: 6-258, 110 hp [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
5 Sequence number	000001 [IFSJA75] [AMCG]

Where sources disagree

The AMC guide prints plant code F as 'Toledo - Auto - LHD' in 1975 (A is the same), whereas IFSJA gives F as Toledo 3-speed left-hand drive. Likely a typo in the guide; we follow IFSJA and the guide's own 1976 page (F = 3-speed).

13 characters; plate on the left corner of the firewall under the hood.

Example is constructed from the tables, not a real vehicle.

IFSJA and the AMC guide give the same body, series and GVW tables; CJ series and GVW codes A-D come from the guide only; engine codes E and H come from the guide only.

All plant / transmission / drive codes (10)

A	Toledo, Hydramatic/automatic, left-hand drive [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
B	CKD, Hydramatic, left-hand drive [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
F	Toledo, 3-speed, left-hand drive [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
G	Toledo, 3-speed, right-hand drive [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
J	CKD, 3-speed, left-hand drive [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
K	CKD, 3-speed, right-hand drive [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
M	Toledo, 4-speed, left-hand drive [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
N	Toledo, 4-speed, right-hand drive [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
O	CKD, 4-speed, left-hand drive [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
P	CKD, 4-speed, right-hand drive [IFSJA75] [AMCG]

All series codes (10)

14	Wagoneer [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
15	Wagoneer Custom [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
16	Cherokee [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
17	Cherokee S [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
25	Truck J-10, 119 in. wheelbase [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
26	Truck J-10 (export only), 119 in. wheelbase [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
45	Truck J-10, 131 in. wheelbase [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
46	Truck J-20, 131 in. wheelbase [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
83	CJ-5 [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
84	CJ-6 [IFSJA75] [AMCG]

All gvw (lb) codes (8)

M	6,025 (series 14-17, 25, 26) [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
N	6,500 (series 26, 46) [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
R	7,200 (series 46) [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
X	8,000 (series 46) [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
A	3,750 (CJ-5) [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
B	4,000 (CJ-6) [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
C	4,500 (CJ-5) [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
D	4,750 (CJ-6) [IFSJA75] [AMCG]

All engine codes (6)

A	6-258, 110 hp [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
E	6-232 [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
H	V8-304 [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
N	V8-360 2-bbl, 175 hp [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
P	V8-360 4-bbl, 195 hp [IFSJA75] [AMCG]
Z	V8-401 4-bbl [IFSJA75] [AMCG]

Sources: [IFSJA75] [AMCG]

1976

Looks like J6A14MA000001 (13 characters)

1 Plant / transmission / drive	A: Toledo, automatic, left-hand drive [AMCG]
2 Series	14: Wagoneer [AMCG]
3 GVW (lb)	M: 6,025 (wagon, J-10 truck) [AMCG]
4 Engine	A: 6-258 1-bbl [AMCG]
5 Sequence number	000001 [AMCG]

13 characters; plate on the left corner of the firewall under the hood.

Example is constructed from the tables, not a real vehicle.

The GVW list in the guide's 1976 column is cut across a page break and may be incomplete beyond M and N (J-20 heavier ratings appear in the 1975 and 1977 tables).

All plant / transmission / drive codes (5)

A	Toledo, automatic, left-hand drive [AMCG]
F	Toledo, 3-speed, left-hand drive [AMCG]
G	Toledo, 3-speed, right-hand drive [AMCG]
M	Toledo, 4-speed, left-hand drive [AMCG]
N	Toledo, 4-speed, right-hand drive [AMCG]

All series codes (10)

14	Wagoneer [AMCG]
15	Custom Wagoneer [AMCG]
16	Cherokee [AMCG]
17	Custom S Cherokee [AMCG]
25	Truck J-10, 119 in. wheelbase [AMCG]
45	Truck J-10, 131 in. wheelbase [AMCG]
46	Truck J-20, 131 in. wheelbase [AMCG]
83	CJ-5 [AMCG]
84	CJ-6 [AMCG]
93	CJ-7 [AMCG]

All gvw (lb) codes (4)

A	3,750 (CJ-5, CJ-6, CJ-7) [AMCG]
E	4,150 (CJ-5, CJ-6, CJ-7) [AMCG]
M	6,025 (wagon, J-10 truck) [AMCG]
N	6,500 (J-20 truck) [AMCG]

All engine codes (6)

A	6-258 1-bbl [AMCG]
E	6-232 1-bbl [AMCG]
H	V8-304 2-bbl [AMCG]
N	V8-360 2-bbl [AMCG]
P	V8-360 4-bbl [AMCG]
Z	V8-401 4-bbl [AMCG]

Sources: [AMCG]

1977

Looks like J7A15MA000001 (13 characters)

1 Plant / transmission / drive	A: Toledo, automatic, left-hand drive [AMCG]
2 Series	15: Custom Wagoneer [AMCG]
3 GVW (lb)	M: 6,025 (wagon, J-10 truck) [AMCG]
4 Engine	A: 6-258 1-bbl [AMCG]
5 Sequence number	000001 [AMCG]

13 characters; plate on the left corner of the firewall under the hood.

Example is constructed from the tables, not a real vehicle.

The guide prints 1977 and 1978 as one combined table (1977-78).

All plant / transmission / drive codes (6)

B	Toledo, automatic, right-hand drive [AMCG]
A	Toledo, automatic, left-hand drive [AMCG]
F	Toledo, 3-speed, left-hand drive [AMCG]
G	Toledo, 3-speed, right-hand drive [AMCG]
M	Toledo, 4-speed, left-hand drive [AMCG]
N	Toledo, 4-speed, right-hand drive [AMCG]

All series codes (9)

15	Custom Wagoneer [AMCG]
16	Cherokee [AMCG]
17	Cherokee Chief (2-door wide track and S Custom) [AMCG]
18	Cherokee (4-door) [AMCG]
25	Truck J-10, 119 in. wheelbase [AMCG]
45	Truck J-10, 131 in. wheelbase [AMCG]
46	Truck J-20, 131 in. wheelbase [AMCG]
83	CJ-5 [AMCG]
93	CJ-7 [AMCG]

All gvw (lb) codes (7)

A	3,750 (CJ-5, CJ-7) [AMCG]
E	4,150 (CJ-5, CJ-7) [AMCG]
M	6,025 (wagon, J-10 truck) [AMCG]
N	6,200 (wagon, J-10 truck) [AMCG]
P	6,800 (J-20 truck) [AMCG]
S	7,600 (J-20 truck) [AMCG]
Y	8,400 (J-20 truck) [AMCG]

All engine codes (7)

A	6-258 1-bbl [AMCG]
C	6-258 2-bbl [AMCG]
E	6-232 1-bbl [AMCG]
H	V8-304 2-bbl [AMCG]
N	V8-360 2-bbl [AMCG]
P	V8-360 4-bbl [AMCG]
Z	V8-401 4-bbl [AMCG]

Sources: [AMCG]

1978

Looks like J8F83AH365789 (13 characters)

1 Plant / transmission / drive	F: Toledo, 3-speed, left-hand drive [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
2 Series	83: CJ-5 [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
3 GVW (lb)	A: 3,750 (CJ-5, CJ-7) [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
4 Engine	H: V8-304 2-bbl [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
5 Sequence number	365789 [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]

13 characters; plate on the left corner of the firewall under the hood.

Example is constructed from the tables, not a real vehicle.

The first example is JeepFan's 1978 CJ-5, 3-speed, 304 V8 (J8F83AH365789); it fits the guide's 1977-78 tables.

The guide prints 1977 and 1978 as one combined table.

All plant / transmission / drive codes (6)

B	Toledo, automatic, right-hand drive [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
A	Toledo, automatic, left-hand drive [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
F	Toledo, 3-speed, left-hand drive [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
G	Toledo, 3-speed, right-hand drive [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
M	Toledo, 4-speed, left-hand drive [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
N	Toledo, 4-speed, right-hand drive [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]

All series codes (9)

15	Custom Wagoneer [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
16	Cherokee [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
17	Cherokee Chief (2-door wide track and S Custom) [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
18	Cherokee (4-door) [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
25	Truck J-10, 119 in. wheelbase [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
45	Truck J-10, 131 in. wheelbase [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
46	Truck J-20, 131 in. wheelbase [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
83	CJ-5 [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
93	CJ-7 [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]

All gvw (lb) codes (7)

A	3,750 (CJ-5, CJ-7) [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
E	4,150 (CJ-5, CJ-7) [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
M	6,025 (wagon, J-10 truck) [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
N	6,200 (wagon, J-10 truck) [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
P	6,800 (J-20 truck) [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
S	7,600 (J-20 truck) [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
Y	8,400 (J-20 truck) [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]

All engine codes (7)

A	6-258 1-bbl [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
C	6-258 2-bbl [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
E	6-232 1-bbl [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
H	V8-304 2-bbl [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
N	V8-360 2-bbl [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
P	V8-360 4-bbl [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
Z	V8-401 4-bbl [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]

Sources: [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]

1979

Looks like J9F83AH365789 (13 characters)

1 Plant / transmission / drive	F: Toledo, 3-speed, left-hand drive [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
2 Series	83: CJ-5 [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
3 GVW (lb)	A: 3,750 (CJ-5, CJ-7) [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
4 Engine	H: V8-304 2-bbl [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
5 Sequence number	365789 [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]

13 characters; plate on the left corner of the firewall under the hood.

Example is constructed from the tables, not a real vehicle.

The guide's 1979 engine table lists A, B, C, H, N only.

All plant / transmission / drive codes (6)

B	Toledo, automatic, right-hand drive [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
A	Toledo, automatic, left-hand drive [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
F	Toledo, 3-speed, left-hand drive [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
G	Toledo, 3-speed, right-hand drive [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
M	Toledo, 4-speed, left-hand drive [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
N	Toledo, 4-speed, right-hand drive [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]

All series codes (9)

15	Custom Wagoneer [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
16	Cherokee (2-door) [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
17	Cherokee Chief (2-door wide track) [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
18	Cherokee (4-door) [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
25	Truck J-10, 119 in. wheelbase [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
45	Truck J-10, 131 in. wheelbase [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
46	Truck J-20, 131 in. wheelbase [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
83	CJ-5 [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
93	CJ-7 [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]

All gvw (lb) codes (6)

A	3,750 (CJ-5, CJ-7) [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
E	4,150 (CJ-5, CJ-7) [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
N	6,200 (wagon, J-10 truck) [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
P	6,800 (J-20 truck) [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
S	7,600 (J-20 truck) [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
Y	8,400 (J-20 truck) [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]

All engine codes (5)

A	6-258 1-bbl [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
B	4-151 2-bbl [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
C	6-258 2-bbl [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
H	V8-304 2-bbl [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]
N	V8-360 2-bbl [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]

Sources: [AMCG] [JEEPFAN71]

1980

Looks like J0D15NH000001 (13 characters)

1 Transmission / transfer case	D: Automatic, part-time 4WD [AMCG]
2 Series	15: Custom Wagoneer [AMCG]
3 GVW (lb)	N: 6,200 (wagon, J-10 truck) [AMCG]
4 Engine	H: V8-304 (by analogy with the guide's 1979 table) unconfirmed [AMCG]
5 Sequence number	000001 [AMCG]

Where sources disagree

JeepFan's 1975-1980 CJ table gives position 3 as A (auto), F (3-speed), M (4-speed) and uses a J8-style example; the AMC guide's 1980 page gives D, E, M. We follow the guide for 1980 and flag the conflict. The 1979 and earlier JeepFan CJ layout matches the guide.

Sample VIN in the guide: J0D15NH000001 (the guide prints the sequence as 000001).

Position 3 changed from plant/transmission/drive to transmission/transfer case in 1980.

All transmission / transfer case codes (3)

D	Automatic, part-time 4WD [AMCG]
E	Automatic, full-time 4WD [AMCG]
M	4-speed manual, part-time 4WD [AMCG]

All series codes (9)

15	Custom Wagoneer [AMCG]
16	Cherokee (2-door) [AMCG]
17	Cherokee (2-door wide track) [AMCG]
18	Cherokee (4-door) [AMCG]
25	Truck J-10, 119 in. wheelbase [AMCG]
45	Truck J-10, 131 in. wheelbase [AMCG]
46	Truck J-20, 131 in. wheelbase [AMCG]
83	CJ-5 [AMCG]
93	CJ-7 [AMCG]

All gvw (lb) codes (6)

A	3,750 (CJ-5, CJ-7) [AMCG]
E	4,150 (CJ-5, CJ-7) [AMCG]
N	6,200 (wagon, J-10 truck) [AMCG]
P	6,800 (J-20 truck) [AMCG]
S	7,600 (J-20 truck) [AMCG]
Y	8,400 (J-20 truck) [AMCG]

Sources: [AMCG]

What a serial number cannot tell you

It identifies what the factory recorded in the number: typically the model year, assembly plant, series or body and production sequence, and in some years the engine. It cannot confirm a car is original or numbers-matching. Compare stampings, body tags and documentation.

Sources

[JEEPFAN55] JeepFan.com, Decoding Jeep CJ VIN numbers 1955-1971
[IFSJA6870] International Full Size Jeep Association (IFSJA), VIN Format: Jeep 1968-1970
[IFSJA71] IFSJA tech library, 1971 Jeep VIN format
[JEEPFAN71] JeepFan.com, Decoding Jeep CJ VIN numbers 1971-1986
[IFSJA72] IFSJA tech library, 1972 Jeep VIN format
[IFSJA74] IFSJA tech library, 1974 Jeep VIN format
[AMCG] Vehicle Identification / VIN Decoding guide (AMC/Eagle pp. G-13 to G-16; Jeep pp. G-53 to G-55), PDF
[IFSJA75] IFSJA tech library, 1975 Jeep VIN format

Jeep VIN decoder, 1962-1980

Where's my serial number?

Years we cover

What a Jeep serial looks like, by year

1962-1970

1968-1970

1971

1971-1973

1972

1974

1974

1975

1976

1977

1978

1979

1980

What a serial number cannot tell you

Sources