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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 29
'Bolter
'Bolter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 29
I bought a 40 Chevy with a dump box today..not sure if its a 1 or 1.5 ton..heres the Vin can anybody decode it? W1WAO36931
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,038
'Bolter
'Bolter
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,038
I am not sure your number is correct, as I didn't think it should start with a letter. In any event, I used the VIN buster in the tech tips on this forum and it gave me 1940, 1 1/2 ton, 133 inches wheelbase, unknown manufacturing plant. Try it yourself. I believe the manufacturing plant is a number and is the first item in the VIN. If I remove the "W" at the front it gives me the same info, and adds Flint, MI as the plant. Kent
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
Kent posted the answer, and, the pertinent question regarding the leading W.
series letters on this page Unit Serial Number information on this page. Can you post a photo of your Vehicle Serial Number plate?
Did your code come from that plate, or was it on a title/document?
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 29
'Bolter
'Bolter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 29
I got the vin from the title..here is a pic..
Attachments
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
That is why it does not exactly match Chevrolet documentation.WA DMV added the leading “W”, most likely? Is there an ID plate on the truck, on the right side of the cowl, under the hood?
Last edited by tclederman; 04/26/2019 4:13 PM . Reason: crossed out the "WA"
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 29
'Bolter
'Bolter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 29
Yes there is a ID plate but I have not got the truck home yet.I believe this has been a MN truck since new..
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
Maybe someone knows (or, will guess) why MN put the "W" preface on the title's VIN when that registration/title was issued in 1978?
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,214
'Bolter
'Bolter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,214
Tim,
There's no telling when the typo happened, it could have happened decades before in another state and each DMV after that just copied it with the error.
Mike B
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
Thanks, Mike I agree Some questions might never get answered