VIN Help Needed- What's in this car?

[silentfive]

Hi, I've recently inherited an 81 Subaru DL Wagon due to an accident which destroyed my previous vehicle (97 GMC Sonoma, if it matters.) The Subaru's been in the family for about 15 years, and I'm going to be driving it for a while (maybe a long while, we'll see how it holds up. Funny thing, it's the car I learned to drive on, and now it's back after a couple of other dead vehicles, still running.)

 

I like the car a lot, but I'm kind of stumped on the VIN; if someone could help me figure out what the car's equipped with, I'd be grateful. I have the Chilton manual, and running through it, I came up with the codes for (I'll go by positions and some codes, because I don't know if posting VIN on the Internet is safe or not):

 

1. Japan

2. Fuji Heavy Industries

3. Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle

4. Restraint Line and Seat Belts

5. Station Wagon ("M")

6. 1800cc Engine 4WD ("5")

7. DL Model

8. Weight Class 3-4k lbs. ("B")

9. Check Digit

10. 1983 Model Year ("B")

11. 4WD 4MT Manual Transmission ("D")

 

This is where I'm confused: it's a manual, and it's a five speed (1-5 and reverse.) There's no push-button or any other 2wd->4wd shifting mechanism in the interior. Also, it's an '81 , and the model year is 1983. All of that makes me think that the car is not as it was stock, especially the 4WD/ 4 MT stuff considering the shifter is five speeds. The VIN I went by is the one on the insurance; the dash was carpeted over.

 

Can anyone tell me what the deal is here? I've been searching Google, reading the manual, and lurking here for a couple of weeks and I can't figure out if the car is some all time 4WD, or if it's the original body with a new engine/manual trans dropped in, or what? This is how we bought the car, but it was a long time ago off a used lot, and we're not really mechanics. Any pointers to identify what I've got would be really appreciated.

[screwbaru2]

You've come to the right place. I can't help you with details but someone will.

First thing I would do is find a vin loaction on the car. That is look around. In the engine compartment, I've seen vins on the paint ID plate. Might be worth taking a peek under the rug on the dash if all else fails. Match it to the vin you have now. If they match and it conflicts with the car you need to ask about the history because someone did something at sometime to change the car from original.

[hatchsub]

Its quit possible that someone changed out the dash and forgot to change the vin as well. As said previously try to find another vin. My old camaro had had the armrest replaced and thats where all the vin and RPO codes are and my autobody guy was confused since it was saying the car was silver and a 6 cylinder. I checked the vin on the dash and it didnt match. Hope some of this helps.

[Skip]

IIRC all 5 speeds in 81 were FWD only

 

4wd models only had four speeds.

 

Try another VIN checker maybe?

[Durania]

+1 to swapping vin's. What if it doesnt have the standard 17 digit vin? Being an 81, it should have it.

[GeneralDisorder]

The dash was swapped - read the VIN from the firewall in the engine bay.

 

Your's is 2WD being a 5 speed. 4WD's were 4 speed only.

 

GD

[pheonix165]

while its unlikely you'll find it. try looking for the build sheet. that will contain all manufacturers information on the factory side of assembly

[MilesFox]

if you prefer 4wd its all bolt up, 4wd will just swap in easy as that(when you have all the necessary parts!)

[silentfive]

I haven't had a chance to check other VIN locations yet (really lousy weather here this weekend, no garage) but I will as soon as it's over 30 (and not too windy.) Thanks for all the great info and warm welcome, though. I'll update when I can move stuff around a bit better, because I'm pretty curious about this car now.

 

Yeah, I would greatly prefer 4WD (what I'm used to, really), even though the FWD has performed pretty well; I was secretly hoping that some former owner just did a screwy conversion that could be undone with a little effort, which is why I was confused/started the topic, so hearing bolt up conversion to 4WD is a relief, and it makes me want to invest more in the car (if I can find the parts!) Dash swap does seem most likely, though.

 

Even at 27 years old it's only got 155,000 miles on it, so I bet it could still go really far with the right maintenance.