The Jeep Cherokee "XJ" as all vehicles from 1969 on have a 16 digit identification number known as a VIN number.
These VIN numbers are located primarily in two locations on the Jeep XJ. The first location is the upper left-hand side of the dash right where the windshield meets the dash.
The second primary location is on the inside of the driver door on the white data tag or sticker. On this, you will find a long barcode and on the top left corner of the sticker, you will see the VIN there OR in the door jamb itself.
SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL DIFFERENT GENERATIONS OF JEEP CHEROKEE "XJ" VIN DECODING.
VIN decoding for the 1984-85 and 1987-88 Jeep Cherokee
Vin Digit
1 Country of Origin 1 = United States
2 Make J = Jeep
3 Vehicle Type C = MPV D = Incomplete Vehicle
4 Engine Type B = 2.1L (128 Cu. in.) 4-Cylinder Turbo (Diesel)
H = 2.5L (150 Cu. In.) 4-Cylinder TBI (Gasoline)
U = 2.5L (150 Cu. In.) 4-Cylinder 1 Bbl. (Gasoline)
W = 2.8L (171 Cu. In.) V6 2 Bbl. (Gasoline)
M = 4.0L (242 Cu. In.) 6-Cylinder (Gasoline)
5 Transmission / Transfer Case L = 5=Speed Manual Floor Shift (Part Time 4WD)
X = 4-Speed Manual Floor Shift (Part Time 4WD)
B = Auto Floor Shift (Part Time 4WD)
C = Auto Floor Shift (Full Time 4WD)
E = Auto Column Shift (Part Time 4WD)
J = Auto Column Shift (Full Time 4WD)
A = Auto Column Shift (2WD)
6 and 7 Body Style 73 = 2WD Cherokee Wagon 2-Door
74 = 2WD Cherokee Wagon 4-Door
75 = 4WD Wagoneer Wagon 4-Door
77 = 4WD Cherokee Wagon 2-Door
78 = 4WD Cherokee Wagon 4-Door
8 Trim Package 1 = Custom
2 = Pioneer
3 = Chief
4 = Laredo
5 = Wagoneer
6 = Limited
K = Cherokee Base (2WD)
L = Pioneer (2WD)
M = Laredo (2WD)
9 Check Digit Manufacturer Assigned
10 Model Year E = 1984
F = 1985
G = 1986
H = 1987
J = 1988
11 Assembly Plant J = Brampton, Ontario, Canada
L = Toledo, Ohio Plant No. 1
P = Toledo, Ohio Plant No. 2
T = Toledo, Ohio
12-17 Sequential Serial Number Six Digit Number or production number
VIN decoding for the 1986 Jeep Cherokee
Vin Digit
1 Country of Origin 1 = United States
2 Make J = Jeep
3 Vehicle Type 3 = MPV
6 = Incomplete Vehicle
7 = Truck
4 GVWR E = 3001-4000
F = 4001-5000
G = 5001-6000
H = 6001-7000
5 Car Line J = Cherokee 4WD
N = Wagoneer 4WD
T = Cherokee 2WD
6 Series 2 = Base (L)
3 = Pioneer (M)
5 = Laredo (P)
7 = Limited (X)
7 Body Style 5 = 4-door wagon
7 = 2-door wagon
8 = 4-door wagon
8 Engine E = 2.5L
L = 4.0L
P = 2.5L
S = 4.0L
9 Check Digit Manufacturer Assigned
10 Model Year K = 1989
11 Assembly Plant J = Brampton, Ontario, Canada
L = Toledo, Ohio Plant No. 1
P = Toledo, Ohio Plant No. 2
T = Toledo, Ohio
12-17 Sequential Serial Number Six Digit Number or production number
VIN decoding for the 1997-1999 Jeep Cherokee
Vin Digit
1 Country of Origin 1 = United States
2 Make J = Jeep
3 Vehicle Type 4 = MPV
4 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating F = 4001-5000 lbs.
5 Vehicle Line J = Cherokee 4×4 (LHD)
N = Cherokee 4×4 (RHD)
B = Cherokee 2WD (RHD)
T = Cherokee 2WD (LHD)
6 Series 2 = SE
6 = Sport
7 = Country
7 Body Style 7 = 2-Door Sport Utility
8 = 4-Door Sport Utility
8 Engine P = 2.5L 4-Cylinder MFI (EPE)
S = 4.0L I-6 HO MFI (ERH)
9 Check Digit 0 through 9, or X
10 Model Year V = 1997
W = 1998
X = 1999
11 Assembly Plant L = Toledo #1
12-17 Vehicle Build Sequence Six Digit Number or production number
VIN decoding for the 2000-01 Jeep Cherokee
Vin Digit
1 Country of Origin 1=United States
2 Make J=Jeep
3 Vehicle Type 4=MPV
4 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating F=4001-5000
5 Vehicle Line F=Cherokee 4×4 (LHD)
J=Cherokee 4×4(RHD) EXPORT
N=Cherokee 4×4 (RHD)
B=Cherokee 4×2 (RHD)
T=Cherokee 4×2 (LHD)
6 Series/Transmission N=5 speed manual
A=3 speed auto
B=4 speed auto
4=Sport
6=Cherokee Country/Limited
5=Classic
7 Body Style 7=2dr Sport Utility
8=4dr Sport Utility
8 Engine M=2.5L Diesel
P=2.5L Gasoline
S=4.0L Gasoline
9 Check Digit Manufacturer Assigned
10 Model Year Y=2000
Z=2001
11 Assembly Plant L=Toledo, Ohio Plant #1
12-17 Sequential Serial Number Six Digit Number or production number
Left Hand Drive=Drivers side
Right Hand Drive=Pass side
