I used free search, and didn't find this in the forums, just wanting to contribute somehow since I can't donate until the first =\

here it goes

this was found on http://cherry-auto.proxsoft.com/niss...oding/498.html

#1 Manufacturing Country
J-Japan
1-USA 3-Mexico
4-USA
5-USA
#2 Make
N-Nissan
#3 Vehicle Type
1-Passenger (Japan), Multi-Purpose Vehicle
2-Multi-Purpose Vehicle
3-Convertible
4-Multi-Purpose Vehicle, Cargo, Passenger (USA)
6-Truck
8-Multi-Purpose Vehicle
#4 Engine Type
* Maxima
C-VQ30DE 3.0L
H-L24E 2.4L, VG30E 3.0L
E-VE30DE 3.0L
S-LD28 2.8L Diesel
#5 Car Line
A-Maxima
B-NX Coupe, Sentra, 200SX (95-97)
C-Van
D-Truck, Pathfinder (87-95), Frontier
J-Maxima
L-Altima (98-01)
M-Axxess/Stanza Wagon
N-Pulsar, Quest
R-Pathfinder (96-01)
S-Sentra, 200SX (84-88), 240SX
T-Stanza
U-Altima (93-97), Maxima, Stanza
Z-280ZX, 300ZX
#6 Model Change Code
#7 Body Type
* Passenger Car
1-4 Door Sedan
#8 Restraint
A
Air Bag System
C
Air Bag System
D
Driver & Front Passenger Air Bag + 3 Point Seat Belt
E
Driver and front passenger SRS air bags, SRS side air bags, SRS curtain
air bag & 3 point manual seat belt
P
Passive Restraint System
#9 VIN Check Digit (Manufacturer's Internal Code)
#10 Vehicle Model Year
D-1983
E-1984
F-1985
G-1986
H-1987
J-1988
K-1989
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
6-2006
#11 Assembly Plant
#12-17 Serial Number (Sequential Production Number)

 

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