Narrator

Hey everyone,

I've been searching high and low and can't find where to decode the model number, transaxle number and Trim/Color codes found on the VIN Plate. I can decode the VIN no problem, and I've found bits and pieces of model #'s to tell if it has LSD, Cali Spec, etc..but where's this mysterios chart!?

I have an '03 Maxima that i'm curious about, but more importantly right now i need to decode the #'s off of an 01 Pathfinder that my girlfriend might be buying tomorrow.

Can anyone shed some light on this? Thank you! If someone actually knows the answer to this, can we make a sticky out of it?

absoundlab

you are looking in the right direction. i've seen the chart before on the internet but I cant remember when I saw it

Succinct

I combed all the FAQs and how-tos and every other stickie post, but I never saw what you are looking for all in one place.

The two things I found was the helical LSD transaxle number by searching on "HLSD" (or similar). I also found a great trim code decoder in another post, but cannot recall how I found that except maybe via FAQ's. That's about all I can offer...

Narrator

Thanks guys. Yeah, i've done the same for about 2 hours maybe. Bits and pieces here about HLSD and Trim / Color decodes but....it's kinda obvious what color it is..heh.

I've googled till the earth's end and can't find anything on it...not even on Nissan's site. Sooooooo...wtf.

If/when someone finds something on this..i'm mounting it on my wall.

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

Not sure if this helps but just throwing what I have out there....

VIN decoder:

http://www.courtesyparts.com/specs/vin.html

Color codes and more (under FAQs):

http://away.no-ip.org/maxima/

Gear ratios:

http://vibratesoftware.com/html_help...ons.htm#Maxima

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

And if you can't find what you need to use for checking out the Pathfinder, just call Nissan USA with the car's VIN and they will tell you exactly what trim and options it came with from the factory.

brio_max

iTrader: (9)

Here's is another alternative http://www.autoglobus.ru/vin.htm

This VIN Checker is working for all Euro and US Maximas/I30/35
Sorry that the link is in Russian language, but i hope it would be useful...

Narrator

Cool, it actually decoded the Pathfinder VIN too. So, i guess my question is now, is there even such thing as a model # Decoder? Or is all the information you're gunna get located in the VIN? It spit out the model # and apparantly read the color/trim code too...not too shabby.

This is what that decoder gave me: (much more informative than the courtesy Nissan Vin Decoder Chart

VIN: JN8DR09Y63W812599

Model code: VLJZLTAR50EUAG-A--
Internal color: P - BEIGE
External color: KY2 - GRAY M
Production year/mon: 0209
Model start year: 9510
Model finish year:
Model: Nissan PATHFINDER R50

Description:
ENGINE - VQ35DE TYPE ENGINE
TRANS - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHL DRV - PARTTIME 4WD
GRADE - SE TYPE
EMISSION - FED & CAL(FROM 012000)
BODY - WAGON
Description:
ACON3-F/AIR CON-FULL AUTO
RDIO5-F/BOSE AUDIO
SPTRC-F/SPARE TIRE