Here's something I found years ago about decoding a VIN#. I'm guessing it's still useable.
VIN #, How to Read it.
1st digit is where vehicle is built, 1,4,5=USA, 2=Canada, 3=Mexico, Puerto Rico or Costa Rico, 6=Australia, 9=Brazil, J=Japan, K=South Korea, L=Tawain, S=United Kingdom, V=France or Yugoslavia, W=Germany, Y=Sweeden, Z=Italy.
2nd and 3rd characters indicate specific manufacturer.
4th through 8th characters are a portrait of the specific vehicle, Brand, Body Style, Engine Size & Type, etc.
9th character is a security code that identifies the VIN as being authorized by the manufacturer. Law enforcement can determine if a VIN is authentic or not from this character on a specific vehicle.
10th character is the model year of the car. 1980=A, H=1987, J=1988, N=1992, P=1993, T=1996, V=1997, through Y=2000. Then 1 = 2001 and so on. There are no I, O, U, or Z years.
11th character is the specific plant which assembled the vehicle. Each manufacturer uses different codes to identify their plants.
12th-17th characters are the serial number of the specific vehicle. Not all companies start at #000001, practices vary among manufacturers.
The VIN gives a detailed breakdown of your vehicle so any guesswork on the application of the vehicle to find the correct parts, repair information, service procedures, etc.
Y 4 Wheel Drive
Model Year
L 1990 M 1991 N 1992
P 1993 R 1994 S 1995
T 1996 V 1997 W 1998
X 1999 Y 2000 1 2001
2 2002 3 2003 4 2004
5 2005
Plant Code
T Tochigi (J30, 1990-1993 Q45)
T Oppama (M30, G20)
M Tochigi (1994-1996 Q45)
M Tochigi (G35, J30, M45)
W Kyushyu