History of the Vehicle Identification Number "VIN"

VIN History

In the mid 1950's American automobile manufacturers began stamping and casting identifying numbers on cars and their parts. The vehicle identification number has become referred to as the "VIN". The obvious purpose was to give an accurate description of the vehicle when mass production numbers were starting  to climb in very significant numbers. Research has shown that early Vin's came in all sorts of variations which depended on the individual manufacturer at that time.

In the early 1980's the National highway Traffic Safety Administration (U.S. Dept. of Transport) required that all road vehicles must contain a 17 character VIN. This established the fixed VIN system for major vehicle manufacturers as it is known today. Thus, establishing a unique "DNA" style number for each unique vehicle which rolled off the assembly line.

The VIN has 17 characters to provide details about your Jeep. Each character represents something about your Jeep except the check digit character. This character is called a "check digit" because it is designed to protect the consumer from theft and possible fraud. The manufacturer is required to include a check digit in the ninth position by U.S. federal law. The check digit is used by the manufacturer and government agencies to verify authenticity of the vehicle and official documentation. The algorithm used to determine a check digit is not released to the public for obvious reasons, however the secret has been leaked and the check digit can be calculated.

Location of the VINThe most common place to find your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is on a small metal plate attached to the driver side top of the dashboard. The tag is designed to be visible through the windshield for easy access. Every car is required to have one of these and all of them are located in this one place. It is illegal to remove or change this plate. If the tag is missing, chances are the vehicle has been repaired, or was most likely, stolen.Other places where you might find your vehicles' VIN number:Vehicle Identification Label in your Owner's ManualStamped on the frame under the front hoodOn a sticker on the driver's side door pillarOn state vehicle registration certificateOn the vehicle title of ownershipNew cars have the VIN on the price stickerA label in the luggage/spare tire area

Parts of the VIN

There are two different standards for the Vehicle Identification Number. The ISO standard, 3779, is copied by the European Union. In North America, a more stringent (but compatible) system is used.The VIN is composed of the following sections:Standard1234567891011121314151617ISO 3779WMIVDSVISISO 3779Manufacturer IdentifierVehicle AttributesCheck DigitModel YearPlant CodeSequential Number Standard:1 ISO 3779: WMI ISO 3779: Manufacturer Identifier Standard: 2 ISO 3779: WMI ISO 3779: Manufacturer Identifier Standard: 3 ISO 3779: WMI ISO 3779: Manufacturer Identifier Standard: 4 ISO 3779: VDS ISO 3779: Vehicle Attributes Standard: 5 ISO 3779: VDS ISO 3779: Vehicle Attributes Standard: 6 ISO 3779: VDS ISO 3779: Vehicle Attributes Standard: 7 ISO 3779: VDS ISO 3779: Vehicle Attributes Standard: 8 ISO 3779: VDS ISO 3779: Vehicle Attributes Standard: 9 ISO 3779: VDS ISO 3779: Check Digit Standard: 10 ISO 3779: VIS ISO 3779: Model Year Standard: 11 ISO 3779: VIS ISO 3779: Plant Code Standard: 12 ISO 3779: VIS ISO 3779: Sequential Number Standard: 13 ISO 3779: VIS ISO 3779: Sequential Number Standard: 14 ISO 3779: VIS ISO 3779: Sequential Number Standard: 15 ISO 3779: VIS ISO 3779: Sequential Number Standard: 16 ISO 3779: VIS ISO 3779: Sequential Number Standard: 17 ISO 3779: VIS ISO 3779: Sequential Number

Courtesy of Jeepfan.com