What exactly is a serial number for a chassis?
When it comes to identifying and tracking products, the serial number plays a crucial role.
A serial number is a unique identifier assigned to a specific item to distinguish it from others. It serves as a way to track the product throughout its lifecycle, from manufacturing to distribution to end use.
Why is it Important for A Chassis?
For a chassis, the serial number is essential for various reasons. It helps manufacturers keep track of production batches, monitor quality control, and provide accurate warranty information to customers.
How is the Serial Number Structured?
The structure of a serial number for a chassis can vary depending on the manufacturer. It may include alphanumeric characters, numbers, or a combination of both. Some serial numbers may also contain specific codes to denote the manufacturing date, location, or model.
Where Can You Find the Serial Number?
The location of the serial number on a chassis can vary. It is commonly found on a metal plate or sticker attached to the frame of the chassis. In some cases, the serial number may also be engraved directly onto the chassis itself.
80-inch models:
The chassis number can be located on the nearside engine mounting and on the brass plate positioned on the nearside of the bulkhead. On later vehicles, this plate was situated inside the cab.
86 & 107 models:
The chassis number can be found on the bulkhead within the vehicle and also on the right-hand front spring hanger. Note: We have received a report of an 86" model with the chassis number located on the left-hand rear spring hanger and no identification on the RH Front, so it's advisable to check both locations.
88 & 109 models:
The chassis number is situated on the bulkhead inside the vehicle and on the right-hand front spring hanger.
Series III 109" V8 (Stage I):
The chassis number is located on the firewall in the engine bay and also on the right-hand front spring hanger.
90, 110, 130 & Defenders:
The chassis number can be found behind Rover's left front corner of the windshield, stamped on a plate riveted to the top of the brake pedal box in the engine compartment, and stamped on the right-hand side of the chassis forward of the spring mounting turret.
Range Rovers:
The chassis number is situated behind Rover's left front corner of the windshield and is also stamped on the right-hand side chassis member forward of the front spring mounting turret. For RANGE ROVER Classic models with Vogue bodies, the chassis number is stamped in the rear/passenger cross member (in front of the rear wheel).
Discoveries:
The chassis number can be found behind Rover's left front corner of the windshield and is also stamped on the right-hand side chassis member forward of the front spring mounting turret.
Synopsis of Land Rover Chassis/Serial Numbering Scheme:
1948 - 1949:
- Chassis numbers were prefixed by L or R for left or right-hand drive, comprising six or seven digits.
- The first digit represented the year (8 for 1948-49).
- The second digit indicated the type (6 for Land Rover).
- The third digit (for seven-digit numbers) represented the model type (6 for Basic, 7 for Station Wagon, 8 for Welder).
- With the exception of the 866 series, the last four digits indicated the serial number, starting at 0001.
1950 - 1953:
- Chassis numbers were prefixed by L or R for left or right-hand drive, with eight digits.
- The first digit indicated the year (0 for 1950, 1 for 1951, 2 for 1952, 3 for 1953).
- The second digit indicated the type (6 for Land Rover).
- The third digit indicated the model type (1 for Basic, 2 for Station Wagon, 3 for Welder, 6 for CKD).
- The fourth digit (excluding 1950 models) represented the destination (0 for Home market, 3 for LHD Export, 6 for RHD Export).
- The last four digits started at 0001 and indicated the serial number.
1954 - 1955:
- Chassis numbers were eight digits long.
- The first digit represented the year (4 for 1954, 5 for 1955).
- The second digit indicated the type (7 for Land Rover).
- The third digit indicated the model type (1 for 86 inch, 2 for 107 inch, 6 or 7 for CKD).
- The fourth digit indicated the destination (0 or 1 for Home market, 3 or 4 for LHD export, 6 or 7 for RHD export).
- The last four digits started at 0001 and indicated the serial number.
1955:
- Chassis numbers were nine digits long.
- The first digit indicated the type (1 for Land Rover).
- The second digit indicated the model (7 for Land Rover).
- The third digit indicated the destination (0 for Home market, 3 for LHD export, 4 for LHD CKD, 6 for RHD export, 7 for RHD CKD).
- The fourth digit indicated the service period (6 for late 1955).
- The last five digits started at 00001 and indicated the serial number.
1956 - 1961:
- Chassis numbers were nine digits long.
- The first digit for all models was 1.
- The second and third digits indicated the model type and year.
- The fourth digit represented the year (6 for 1956, 7 for 1957, 8 for 1958, 9 for 1959, 0 for 1960, 1 for 1961).
- The last five digits started at 00001 and indicated the serial number.
1962 - 1979:
- Chassis numbers were eight digits long with suffix letters.
- The first three digits indicated the model and specification.
- The remaining five digits indicated the serial number.
- The suffix letter indicated design modifications.
1980 - Date (Worldwide, except the United States):
- Conventional Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) system was adopted, comprising various digits indicating geographic region, country, manufacturer, model, wheelbase, body type, engine type, steering/transmission, model variant, and assembly location.
1987 - Date (USA):
- Slightly different Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) system from the worldwide standard, set by the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers), with specific digits indicating country, manufacturer, vehicle make, model, series, body type, engine type, steering/transmission, and serial number.
Land Rover's chassis/serial numbering scheme:
It is a vital component in understanding the history and lineage of these iconic vehicles. By deciphering the alphanumeric codes embedded in the chassis numbers, You can uncover valuable insights into the model, specifications, and even the manufacturing year of your Land Rovers.
141xxxxxx - 145xxxxxx: These chassis numbers correspond to Series II 88 inch petrol models, indicating vehicles with a shorter wheelbase and powered by petrol engines.
146xxxxxx - 150xxxxxx: This range is allocated to Series II 88 inch diesel models, denoting vehicles powered by diesel engines.
151xxxxxx - 155xxxxxx: Assigned to Series II 109 inch petrol models, these chassis numbers signify longer wheelbase vehicles with petrol engines.
156xxxxxx - 160xxxxxx: Similar to the previous range, these chassis numbers represent Series II 109 inch diesel models, indicating vehicles equipped with diesel engines.
161xxxxxx - 165xxxxxx: These chassis numbers are associated with Series II 109 inch petrol station wagons, highlighting vehicles with petrol engines and a station wagon body style.
166xxxxxx - 170xxxxxx: Allocated to Series II 109 inch diesel station wagons, these chassis numbers denote vehicles with diesel engines and a station wagon body style.
222xxxxxx - 229xxxxxx: Corresponding to Series IIA 109 inch petrol One Tonne 6-cylinder models, these chassis numbers indicate vehicles designed for heavy-duty applications with a petrol engine configuration.
231xxxxxx - 235xxxxxx: Assigned to Series IIA 109 inch petrol One Tonne models, these chassis numbers signify vehicles optimised for heavy-duty tasks with a petrol engine.
236xxxxxx - 239xxxxxx: These chassis numbers represent Series IIA 88 inch petrol airportable ('Lightweight') models, indicating vehicles designed for military use with a petrol engine and lightweight construction.
241xxxxxx - 245xxxxxx: These chassis numbers denote Series IIA 88 inch petrol models, indicating vehicles with a shorter wheelbase and powered by petrol engines.
246xxxxxx - 250xxxxxx: Assigned to Series IIA 109 inch petrol One Tonne models, these chassis numbers signify vehicles optimised for heavy-duty tasks with a petrol engine configuration.
251xxxxxx - 255xxxxxx: Corresponding to Series IIA 109 inch petrol models, these chassis numbers represent vehicles with a longer wheelbase and powered by petrol engines.
259xxxxxx - 259xxxxxx: This chassis number range is allocated to Series III 88 inch petrol models, denoting vehicles with a shorter wheelbase and petrol engines.
261xxxxxx - 265xxxxxx: These chassis numbers denote Series IIA 109 inch petrol station wagons, highlighting vehicles with a longer wheelbase, petrol engines, and a station wagon body style.
266xxxxxx - 270xxxxxx: Assigned to Series IIA 109 inch petrol One Tonne 6-cylinder models, these chassis numbers signify vehicles optimised for heavy-duty tasks with a petrol engine and six-cylinder configuration.
271xxxxxx - 275xxxxxx: Corresponding to Series IIA 88 inch diesel models, these chassis numbers represent vehicles with a shorter wheelbase and diesel engines.
276xxxxxx - 280xxxxxx: Allocated to Series IIA 109 inch diesel models, these chassis numbers denote vehicles with a longer wheelbase and powered by diesel engines.
281xxxxxx - 285xxxxxx: These chassis numbers represent Series IIA 109 inch diesel station wagons, indicating vehicles with a longer wheelbase, diesel engines, and a station wagon body style.
286xxxxxx - 290xxxxxx: Assigned to Series IIA Forward Control petrol models, these chassis numbers signify vehicles with a specialised forward-control configuration and petrol engines.
300xxxxxx - 304xxxxxx: Corresponding to Series IIA Forward Control petrol 6-cylinder models, these chassis numbers denote vehicles with a forward-control configuration, petrol engines, and a six-cylinder configuration.
305xxxxxx - 305xxxxxx: Allocated to Series IIA Forward Control diesel models, these chassis numbers represent vehicles with a forward-control configuration and diesel engines.
310xxxxxx - 310xxxxxx: This chassis number range is assigned to Series IIA 109 inch airportable (military) models, denoting vehicles designed for military use with a longer wheelbase and petrol engines.
315xxxxxx - 319xxxxxx: These chassis numbers denote Series IIA 88 inch petrol station wagons, indicating vehicles with a shorter wheelbase, petrol engines, and a station wagon body style suitable for various utility and transportation purposes.
320xxxxxx - 324xxxxxx: Allocated to Series IIA 88 inch diesel station wagons, these chassis numbers represent vehicles with a shorter wheelbase, diesel engines, and a station wagon body style optimised for rugged off-road adventures and everyday practicality.
325xxxxxx - 329xxxxxx: Assigned to Series IIB Forward Control petrol models, these chassis numbers signify vehicles with a specialised forward-control configuration and petrol engines designed for specific commercial and industrial applications.
330xxxxxx - 334xxxxxx: Corresponding to Series IIB Forward Control petrol 6-cylinder models, these chassis numbers denote vehicles with a forward-control configuration, petrol engines, and a powerful six-cylinder configuration suitable for demanding tasks and challenging terrains.
335xxxxxx - 339xxxxxx: Allocated to Series IIB Forward Control diesel models, these chassis numbers represent vehicles with a forward-control configuration and efficient diesel engines ideal for heavy-duty operations and long-distance travel.
343xxxxxx - 343xxxxxx: This chassis number range is assigned to Series IIA 109 inch petrol 6-cylinder station wagons (North America), denoting vehicles tailored for the North American market with a longer wheelbase, petrol engines, and a spacious station wagon body style.
345xxxxxx - 349xxxxxx: These chassis numbers represent Series IIA 109 inch petrol 6-cylinder models, indicating vehicles with a longer wheelbase, powerful petrol engines, and a versatile configuration suitable for various utility and transportation needs.
350xxxxxx - 354xxxxxx: Allocated to Series IIA 109 inch petrol 6-cylinder station wagons, these chassis numbers denote vehicles with a longer wheelbase, petrol engines, and a spacious station wagon body style optimised for family outings and recreational adventures.
524xxxxxx - 524xxxxxx: This chassis number range is allocated to Series IIA 88 inch petrol station wagons (North America), denoting vehicles customised for the North American market with a shorter wheelbase, petrol engines, and a practical station wagon body style.
895xxxxxx - 895xxxxxx: Assigned to Series III 88 inch diesel airportable ('Lightweight' - military export) models, these chassis numbers represent specialised military vehicles with a shorter wheelbase, diesel engines, and lightweight construction for easy transport and deployment in military operations.
901xxxxxx - 905xxxxxx: These chassis numbers denote Series III 88 inch petrol models, indicating vehicles with a shorter wheelbase, petrol engines, and rugged construction suitable for various military, commercial, and civilian applications.
906xxxxxx - 910xxxxxx: Allocated to Series III 88 inch diesel models, these chassis numbers represent vehicles with a shorter wheelbase, efficient diesel engines, and robust engineering designed to tackle challenging terrains and demanding environments.
911xxxxxx - 915xxxxxx: These chassis numbers represent Series III 109 inch petrol models, denoting vehicles with a longer wheelbase, petrol engines, and versatile configurations suitable for various commercial, industrial, and utility purposes.
916xxxxxx - 920xxxxxx: Allocated to Series III 109 inch diesel models, these chassis numbers denote vehicles with a longer wheelbase, efficient diesel engines, and robust construction optimised for durability and reliability in demanding environments.
921xxxxxx - 925xxxxxx: Assigned to Series III 88 inch petrol station wagons, these chassis numbers represent vehicles with a shorter wheelbase, petrol engines, and station wagon body styles designed for practicality and everyday use in urban and rural settings.
926xxxxxx - 930xxxxxx: These chassis numbers denote Series III 88 inch diesel station wagons, indicating vehicles with a shorter wheelbase, diesel engines, and station wagon configurations ideal for transporting passengers and cargo with ease and comfort.
931xxxxxx - 935xxxxxx: Allocated to Series III 109 inch petrol station wagons, these chassis numbers represent vehicles with a longer wheelbase, petrol engines, and spacious station wagon body styles suitable for family outings, road trips, and recreational adventures.
936xxxxxx - 940xxxxxx: Assigned to Series III 109 inch diesel station wagons, these chassis numbers denote vehicles with a longer wheelbase, efficient diesel engines, and ample interior space designed to accommodate passengers and luggage for extended journeys.
941xxxxxx - 945xxxxxx: These chassis numbers represent Series III 109 inch petrol 6-cylinder models, denoting vehicles with a longer wheelbase, powerful petrol engines, and rugged construction suitable for various off-road and on-road applications.
946xxxxxx - 950xxxxxx: Allocated to Series III 109 inch petrol 6-cylinder station wagons, these chassis numbers denote vehicles with a longer wheelbase, petrol engines, and station wagon body styles optimised for comfort, convenience, and versatility in diverse environments.
951xxxxxx - 955xxxxxx: Assigned to Series III 88 inch petrol airportable ('Lightweight'), these chassis numbers represent lightweight military vehicles with a shorter wheelbase, petrol engines, and minimalistic construction for rapid deployment and tactical operations.
956xxxxxx - 960xxxxxx: These chassis numbers denote 101 Forward Control 12-volt models, indicating specialised vehicles with a forward-control configuration, 12-volt electrical systems, and rugged construction designed for military and civilian use in challenging terrains.
961xxxxxx - 965xxxxxx: Allocated to 101 Forward Control 24-volt models, these chassis numbers represent vehicles with a forward-control configuration, 24-volt electrical systems, and enhanced capabilities for military and commercial applications requiring high-performance and reliability.
