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Toyota Engine – Decoding Your VIN

Both our Tech and Sales department have to face this issue on a regular basis, some customers don't know what their vehicle is equipped with. Knowing what your vehicle came from the factory with is not as hard as many people think and is a must if you want to verify the fitment of a specific part. The Only way to be a 100% sure of your configuration is to inspect it by yourself, specially if the vehicle has gone through some customization processes and/or several owners.

VIN Plate Locator:

1989 and newer VIN Plate on passenger cars is located on the inside of drivers door Prior to 1989: VIN Plate is located on firewall within engine compartment Note: VIN Plate images below feature clickable hot links to related information.

Trucks: Example model code: RN80L-TRKRSA3

Engine style:

RN = 22R or 22RE engine
VZN = 3VZ-E engine

Basic model code:

80 = short
85 = long
90 = extra long
95 = super long
100 = short, 4wd, v6
101 = short, 4wd, 22re
105 = long, 4wd, v6
106 = long, 4wd, 22re
110 = extra long, 4wd

Drive position:

L = left hand drive (not specified in the manual, but I assume there's an "R" as well)

Cab Type:

T = Regular cab
C = extra cab

Deck & Tire type:

R = Steel low deck (single tire)
H = Steel low deck (single tire 1-ton US spec)
W = Steel low deck (dually)

Gearshift type:

K = 4 on the floor
T = 4 on the floor, G type
M = 5 on floor
L = 5 on floor, USA only, G type
S = 4spd auto, column
P = 4-speed auto, floor

Grade:

R = Std
D = Dlx
S = SR5
G = SR5-V6

Engine specification:

E = EFI
S = Carbed

Destination:

A = USA
K = Canada

Completeness specification:

3 = Deck-less
6 = Cab and chassis

Blank:

Complete model

4Runners: Example model code: VZN61LG-PSEA

Basic model code:

RN61 - 22RE
VZN61 - v6

Steering wheel position:

L=left

Body type:

V = Van
W = Wagon

Gearshift type:

M = W-type 5-speed manual, floor
P = 4-speed auto, floor

Grade:

D = Dlx
S = SR-5

Engine spec:

E = EFI

Destination:

A = USA
K = Canada

Engine Number Designations:

The first number is the revision number of the block, and the following letter is the name of the block. For example, the 4A is the fourth revision of the A block. Not all revisions make it to market of course. The letters after the block designation translate into the following:

G - twin cam
F - economical twin cam (cams closer to each other)
T - turbocharged
Z - supercharged
E - electronic fuel injection
L - lean combustion
C - emissions package or carbureted (depending on year/model)
U - passes the Japanese emission regulations
B - twin carbs

Example: 4A-LC = 4th revision of the "A" engine block, lean combustion, carburetor. 22R-EC = 22nd revision of the "R" block with EFI and emissions (CA?) package.

Color/Paint/Trim Code:

Paint codes, CLICK HERE
Brandsport Automotive, touch-up paint, CLICK HERE
Paint scratch touch-up paint, CLICK HERE

VIN Decoder 1990 and later:

WMI - World Manufacture Index
VDS - Vehicle Descriptor Section
VIS - Vehicle Identifier Section

1: Country

J = Japan

2: Manufacturer

T = Toyota

3: Type

1 =
2 = Passenger Car

4-5: Body Type (translated from Russian)

11 - Dzhip/minivan(Liteache) with the standard roof
12 - Minivan with the elevated roof
21 - cargo of avtobus(Yuiache) with the standard roof
22 - cargo bus with the elevated roof
23 - cargo bus with the high roof
31 - Pikap(Yuilukh)/Gruzovik(Dyna) with the single cab
32 - Pikap/Gruzovik with the one-and-a-half cab
33 - Pikap/Gruzovik with the dual cab
41 - To avtobus(Yuiache Of chommuter/Choaster) with the standard roof
42 - bus with the elevated roof
43 - bus with the high roof
52 - Khetchbek, 2 the side doors
53 - sedan
54 - Khetchbek, 4 the side doors
63 - sleeping compartment
64 - Liftbek
72 - Universal/Vagon

6: Engine Series (translated from Russian)

BUT - 4A, 5A, 7A
B - 3B, 11B, 13B, 14B, 15B
CH - 1C, 2C
E - 2E, 3E, 4E, CABBAGE SOUP
F - ECHIS
G - 1G
YU - 2H, 12H
ZH - YZHZ, 2ZHZ
K - 5K
L - 2L, 3L, 5L
M - 5M, 7M
P - YYUZ
R - 22R
S - 2S, S, 4S, 5S

7: Model (translated from Russian)

But - Supra
B - Choaster
Ch - Previa RAVYA
D - MegaChruiser
E - Chorolla
F - Lekhus Lsya00
Yu - Yuiache
K - To yuiache (new)
Zh - LandChruiser
L - Paseo, Terchel
M - Pichnich
N - Surf, 4Runner
P - Starlet
R - LiteAche
S - Lekhus Gse00, Gsya00, Chroshn
T - Charina/Chorona, Chelicha, Avensis
U - Dyna 200
C - Chamry
SH - MR2
X - Chressida
Y - Dyna 100, Dyna 150

8: Model Code

9: Check Digit

10: Year

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

11: Assembly Plant

C = Ontario, Canada
O = Supra plants
U = Gergetown, Kentucky
Z = Fremont, California

12 - 18: Sequential Production Number

Pre-1990:

WMI - World Manufacture Index
VDS - Vehicle Descriptor Section
VIS - Vehicle Identifier Section

1: Country

J = Japan
4 = North America

2: Manufacturer

T = Toyota

3: Type

1 =
2 = Passenger Car

4: Body Type (translated from Russian)

D = Dual Cab
P = Pickup

0 = Spare Symbol 1-9

6: Engine Series (translated from Russian)

BUT - 4A, 5A, 7A
B - 3B, 11B, 13B, 14B, 15B
CH - 1C, 2C
E - 2E, 3E, 4E, CABBAGE SOUP
F - ECHIS
G - 1G
YU - 2H, 12H
ZH - YZHZ, 2ZHZ
K - 5K
L - 2L, 3L, 5L
M - 5M, 7M
P - YYUZ
R - 22R
S - 2S, S, 4S, 5S

7: Model (translated from Russian)

But - Supra
B - Choaster
Ch - Previa RAVYA
D - MegaChruiser
E - Chorolla
F - Lekhus Lsya00
Yu - Yuiache
K - To yuiache (new)
Zh - LandChruiser
L - Paseo, Terchel
M - Pichnich
N - Surf, 4Runner
P - Starlet
R - LiteAche
S - Lekhus Gse00, Gsya00, Chroshn
T - Charina/Chorona, Chelicha, Avensis
U - Dyna 200
C - Chamry
SH - MR2
X - Chressida
Y - Dyna 100, Dyna 150

8-9: Model Code

10: Spare Symbol

0 = Unused

11: Year

B = 1981
C = 1982
D = 1983
E = 1984
F = 1985
G = 1986
H = 1987
J = 1988
K = 1989

11-17: Sequential Production Number

Toyota VIN Decoder Sites:

4x4Wire's Toyota VIN page, CLICK HERE
Toyota's Fleet Sales VIN decoder, CLICK HERE