Willys Vehicle Identification Numbers Explained
 Bck to Useful Stuff
The Vehicle Identification Number (V.I.N.) of your Wagon / Delivery will tell you the year and model of your rig. But beware: V.I.N. plates are attached with common screws, and are easily changed. Note that this was a common practice at dealerships, where with W-O blessing, year end leftover stock's VIN plates were re-stamped or replaced with numbers of the succeding model year (and sold as such).

Willys used several V.I.N. numbering systems over the years. The following explains those for Wagons and deliveries only. If your number doesn't match anything below, you've probably got a plate from a different type of vehicle. Should your V.I.N. plate appear to be the corrct one, you still might use Wx4's Wagon Evolution chart to confirm the year and model based on running gear / equipment.
Where do you find the V.I.N plate?
See bottom of page.

Once you've located your V.I.N. number, go to Off-Road.com or the CJ3b page to see exactly what you've got. Both sites have this info for all W-O / Kaiser Jeep vehicles through 1961. For 1962-65 Wagon / Delivery V.I.N.s, see below.


(Left: V.I.N. plate for a 1947 Model 4-63)


Serial Number Prefixes
Wagon / Delivery V.I.N.s are devided into two parts, the serial number prefix, and the actual serial number. The code sytem for the prefix changed from time to time.
1946-1950
Serial number prefix was the sam as the actual model number, thus a prefix of 4-63 was a Model 4-63 (see photo for example).
1951-1954
The serial number prefix basic format was a three number group followed by a group consisting of two letters and a number.

First group: The first number indicates the number of engine cylinders, either 4 or 6. The second two numbers indicate the year. Thus, 651 indicates a six cylinder 1951 Jeep.

Second group: This group indicates vehicle type. L head, foot actuated starter models ended with a "1". F head, key-start 475 models (starting in 1952) ended with a "2".
AA1(2): Wagon 4x2
CA1(2): Delivery 4x2
FA1(2): Wagon 4x4
HA1(2): Wagon with I-beam front axle
JA1(2): Delivery with I-beam front axle
1955-1964
The prefix consisted of a five digit code, followed on Special models (only) with a hyphen and and two digits.
First three digits: chassis / body
54: Wagon chassis
540: Special on Wagon Chassis
541: Wagon
542: Delivery
544: Wagon chassis w/ flat-faced cowl
545: Wagon chassis w/ cowl & windshield
546: Wagon chassis, stripped
Fourth digit: Engine
2: F-head six cyl.
4: four cyl.
6: L-head six cyl.
7: OHC six cyl.
Fifth digit: power train
7: 2x4
8: 4x4
Sixth & seventh digits: Specials
-03: Ambulance
-04: Ambulance
-06: Cargo/personnel carrier
-07: Rail truck (Wagon?)( commonly called "Hi-Railer")
-14 Traveller
1963-1965
A new prefix code was phased-in starting sometime in 1963 (or 1964?) for Delivery/Traveller models, and 1964 for Wagons. Note that all 1965 models are actually left-over 1964 models that were re labeled by dealers.
First and second digits: engine / chassis
41: 4 cyl. 4x2
42: 4 cyl. 4x4
43: 4 cyl. 4x4
64: 6 cyl. 4x2
65: 6 cyl. 4x4
Third and fourth digits
12: Wagon
13: Delivery
15: Traveller
16: Flat-faced cowl
17: Cowl & windshield
18: stripped chasis


Wagon / Delivery V.I.N.s, 1962-65
Data for these years is at best, speculative,

Year Model Note A Prefix Serial Numbers
1962 F4-134 (475) 4x2 Utility Delivery (U.D.)
F4-134 (475) 4x4 U.D.
L6-226 4x2 U.D.
L6-226 4x4 U.D.
6-230 4x2 U.D.
6-230 4x4 U.D.
6-230 2x4 Traveller
6-230 4x4 Traveller
F4-134 (475) 2x4 Utility Wagon (U.W.)
F4-134 4x4 U.W.
L6-226 4x4 U.W.
L6-226 4x2 U.W. (6-230 ohc)
L6-226 4x4 U.W. (6-230 ohc)		 54247
54248
54267
54268
54277
54278
54377
54378
58147
54148
54168
58177
54178		 12795 - 13022
11824 - 11953
11994 - 12457
15311 - 16184+
10001 - 10156
10001 - 10408
10001 - 10010
10001 - 10365
16423 - 17250
18111 - 18840
64239 - 68537(+)
10001 - 10395
10001 - 13830

1963 F4-134 (475) 4x2 U.D.
F4-134 (475) 4x4 U.D.
6-230 2x4 U.D.
6-230 4x4 U.D.
6-230 4x2 Traveller
6-230 4x4 Traveller
F4-134 2x4 U.W.
F4-134 4x4 U.W.
6-230 2x4 U.W.
6-230 4x4 U.W.		 54247 (4113)
54248 (4213)
54277 (6413)
54278 (6513)
54377 (6415)
54378 (6515)
58147
54148
58177
54178		 13023 - 13394
11954 - 12025
10157 -10587
10409 - 10698
10011 - 10023
10366 - 10698
17252 - 17427
18841 - 19159
10396 - 10477
13831 - 15357

1964 F4-134 (475) 4x2 U.D.
F4-134 (475) 4x4 U.D.
6-230 4x2 U.D.
6-230 4x4 U.D.
6-230 4x4 Traveller
F4-134 (475) 4x2 U.W.
F4-134 (475) 4x4 U.W.
6-230 4x2 U.W.
6-230 4x4 U.W.		 54247 (4113)
54248 (4213)
54277 (6413)
54278 (6513)
54378 (6515)
58147 (4112)
54148 (4212)
58177 (6412)
54178 (6512)		 13395 - 14295
12026 - 12087
10588 - 10600
10699 - 10802
10583 - 10706
17428 - 17467
19160 - 19260
10478 - 10522
15358 - 16217

1965 Note B F4-134 (475) 4x4 U.D
6-230 4x4 U.D.
F4-134 (475) 4x4 U.W.
6-230 4x4 U.W.		 4213
6513
4212
6512		 12066 & up
10717 & up
18559 & up
15776 & up

Note A: Model designations represent my current best guess, subjcet to change.
Note B: Serial numbers and prefixes through 1964 are from the Willys America Catalog. The partial numbers for 1965 (1964 models re plated with 1965 V.I.N.s) are from the Standard Catalog of 4x4s. I do not know the original source for either of these compilations.


Vehicle Identification Number Plate Location

Locating the V.I.N. in the real world: OK, in the want ads you've found a "Needs TLC" Wagon for a mere pittance. The owner has no title papers. To find out what it is for sure, open the driver's door and look here. You'll probably have to scrape paint and other gorp off of the plate to see what's cooking. Note that the plate is held on with screws, so you might want to look closely to see if it's the original.