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LAND ROVER IDENTIFICATION

How to Read your Land Rover's VIN Number

Land Rovers have been around since 1948 and, while the idea behind their construction hasn't changed, the models have.

As the years have rolled by, the model revisions have become more frequent...and more subtle. When purchasing parts, it's important to know exactly what model Land Rover you own. Minor exterior changes often signal major differences in how both parts and accessories will fit your vehicle. 

We've produced this chart to help you determine which model you own so you can order parts and accessories with confidence. 

Land Rover Defender | Range Rover | Land Rover Discovery | Land Rover Series

LAND ROVER DEFENDER

Defender 90 (1994 -1997  - for North American Market) 

Land Rovers - DefenderThis 3.9-liter V8 convertible marked Land Rover's introduction of the Defender 90 to the U.S. market. It sports 2 doors and short wheelbase of 90”. Land Rover stopped importing them to these shores in 1997. 

Defender 90 Vehicle Identification
Numbers (V.I.N. #):

SALLDV228*RA- 1994 90 soft top manual
SALLD128*SA - 1995 90 soft top manual 
SALDV328 *SA- 1995 90 wagon manual
SALDV128*TA- 1995 90 soft top manual
SALDV328*TA- 1996 90 wagon manual
SALD224*VA - 1997 90 soft top auto
SALDV324*VA 1997 90 wagon auto

 

Defender 90 Gearbox:

(Through mid- '94, 90) LT77S manual  61A00001 5 spd. V8 w/oil cooler  

(mid-`94-`95, 90) R380 manual, 5 spd. V8 w/oil cooler  
('97, 90) Automatic

Defender 90 Transfer Case:    

LT230T-32D00001 (90) 

Defender 90 Engine Identification::  

Displ. Number  Comp. Ratio App. Years
3.9 29G 9.35:1 1992 manual
3.9 29G 9.35:1 1994 manual
3.9 29G 9.35:1  1995 manual
4.0 50D 9.35:1  1996 manual
4.0 50D 9.35:1  1997 auto

 


Defender 110 (1993 - for North American Market) 

 Land Rovers - DefenderThe 110 Defender was a Limited Edition, 5 door station wagon with only 500 "officially" ever sold in the United States. 110 refers to its 110” long wheelbase.

Defender 110 Vehicle Identification Numbers (V.I.N. #):  

SALLD128*PA    - 1993 110 manual  

Defender 110 Gearbox: 

(1993, 110) LT77S manual  61A00001 5 spd. V8 w/oil cooler

Defender 110 Transfer Case:  

LT230T-22D00001 (110) Auto ZF 4- spd.
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

Discovery 1 (1994 – mid 1999)

Land Rovers - DiscoveryThe ever-popular Discovery model was introduced here in the States in 1994. They are easily distinguished by the unusual raised roof  with alpine windows and roof rack. And, the top of the taillight aligns with the top of the license plate lamp.

Discovery I Vehicle Identification Numbers (V.I.N. #):  

SALJY128*RA** - 1994 manual  
SALJY124*RA** - 1994 auto
SALJY128*SA** - 1995 manual  
SALJY124*SA** - 1995 auto
SALJY128*TA** - 1996 manual
SALJY124*TA** - 1996 auto  
SALJY128*VA** - 1997 manual
SALJY124*VA** - 1997 auto  
SALJY128*WA** - 1998 manual  
SALJY124*WA** - 1998 auto
SALJY124*XA** - 1999 auto

Discovery I Gearbox: 

(1994-99) R380 manual 53A00001 5 spd.; ZF 4-spd. (no prefix) auto.

Discovery I Transfer Case: Land Rovers - Discovery

(1994-99) LT230T  28D00001

Discovery I Engine Identification:  

Displ.  Number  Comp. Ratio  App. Years
3.9 35D 9.35:1 1994 manual
3.9 36D 9.35:1 1994 auto
3.9 35D 9.35:1 1995 manual  
3.9 36D 9.35:1 1995 auto  
4.0 50D 9.35:1 1996 manual  
4.0 50D 9.35:1  1996-99 auto

 

Discovery Series II (mid 1999 - 2003)

Land Rover Discovery Series IIDiscovery Series II made its debut mid 1999.  Although 85% of the Series II is different from its predecessor, the differences are very subtle from the outside.  The most obvious change is the elevated position of the taillights  - on the Series II the bottom of the taillight lines up with the top of the license plate lamp.  It also sports the Discovery Series II logo on back under the license plate.

Discovery Series II Vehicle Identification Numbers (V.I.N. #):  

SALTY124*XA** - 1999 auto
SALTY124*YA** - 2000 auto

Discovery Series II Gearbox: 

(1999-00) 69A.

Discovery Series II Transfer Case:

 (1999-00) 42D

Discovery Series II Engine Identification:  

Displ. Number  Comp. Ratio App. Years
4.0 56D 9.35:1 1999-00 auto

When Shopping On-line look for the Model code of D2  for parts that will fit your vehicle.

RANGE ROVER

Range Rover Classic  - Grey Market (1970 - 1986)

The Range Rover Classic debuted the same year as Atlantic British - in 1970.  Any model pre-dating 1987 in the United States is considered a "grey market" Range Rover, as they were not imported by Land Rover until that year. If your Range Rover has 2 doors, a manual transmission or a carbureted engine, it’s a Grey Market vehicle.

Range Rover Classic  - Short Wheel Base 
(SWB) (1987 - 1995) 

The Short Wheelbase model carried through from '87 to '95, and the easiest way to distinguish a “Classic” from a new model (4.0/4.6 Range Rover, or 2003 Range Rover 4.4) is at the roof line.  If it has rain gutters, it’s a Classic.  (See pictures for dimensions.)

When Shopping On-line look for the Model code of RC for parts that will fit your vehicle. A small number of parts will only fit the Long Wheel Base (LWB) vehicles and are indicated in the product title.

Range Rover Classic  - Long Wheel Base 
(LWB) (1993 - 1995)

Long Wheelbase model from '93 to '95.  (See pictures for dimensions.)

NOTE: When Shopping On-line, a small number of parts will only fit the Short Wheel Base (SWB) vehicles and are indicated in the product title. There is also a sub-vehicle - the Range Rover Classic 1995 model. While this vehicle shares many of the same parts as all Classics, it also shares some parts with the Discovery I vehicle.
 

Range Rover Classic – County / Great Divide  / Hunter 

Were all limited editions of this already exclusive SUV and can be distinguished by the identifying badges on the tailgate.

Notes on Range Rover Classic vehicles:

Clues: 
"late" 1990 - Factory anti-roll bars introduced.
1990 – ABS Brakes added
1991 - front door hinges no longer visible.
1995 - airbags introduced.

Range Rover Classic Vehicle Identification Numbers (V.I.N. #):  

SALHV114*HA  - 1987
SALHV114*JA - 1988
SALHV124*KA - 1989
SALHV124*LA - 1990
SALHV124*MA - 1991
SALHV124*NA - 1992
SALHV124*PA - 1993
SALHV124*RA - 1994
SALHV124*SA - 1995

Range Rover Classic Gearbox:   

(1987-1994) ZF 4 spd. auto. 
(1995)  4HP-24 auto.

Range Rover Classic Transfer Case:   

(1987-88) LT230 30D00001C
(1989-94) Borg-Warner  
(1995) 44-62-003 - pink label auto.

Range Rover Classic Engine Identification:  

Displ.  Number Comp. Ratio App. Years  
3.5 31D 8.13:1 1987-88
3.9 38D 8.12:1 1989-92
3.9 36D 9.35:1 1993-94  
4.2 40D 8.94:1 1993-95 LWB

 

Range Rover 4.0/4.6 (1995 - 2002)

The new rounded body shape of the new-model Range Rover makes it easy to distinguish from its somewhat boxy predecessor.  The plastic molded bumpers are integrated into the design, as are the headlamps, fog lamps and roof molding strips with trap doors were added for roof rack mounting, eliminating the rain gutters. 

The major difference between 4.0 and 4.6 models is found under the hood, with the 4.6 (introduced in '96) referring to the larger 4.6 displacement engine. 

Range Rover 4.0SE Vehicle Identification Numbers (V.I.N. #):  

SALL*****SA - 1995/96
SALPV124*VA - 1997  
SALPV124*WA - 1998  
SALPV124*XA - 1999
SALPV124*YA - 2000  

Range Rover 4.6HSE Vehicle Identification Numbers (V.I.N. #):  

SALPV144*TA - 1996  
SALPV144*VA - 1997
SALPV144*WA - 1998
SALPV144*XA - 1999
SALPV144*YA  - 2000  

Range Rover 4.0/4.6 Engine Identification:  

Displ. Number Comp. Ratio App. Years  
4.0 42D 9.35:1 1995-00  
4.6 46D 9.35:1 1996-00
SERIES LAND ROVER

Now considered collector's items, the earliest model Land Rover Series were the toughest, most versatile vehicles on and off the road.  Although the model number didn't change, the engine and wheelbase often did, as engineers had decided from the beginning to identify only major production changes.  Wheelbases for instance - measured from hub center to hub center - changed three times on the Series I, so it's important to know the model year before ordering parts.  If you're not sure of the year, these clues may help.  One word of caution however: many of these vehicles have been in-and-out of garages over the course of their lives and often include retrofitted parts mixed from model to model, so the clues should be considered guidelines only. 


 

Series I (1948-1958)


The original Series I had an 80" wheelbase and a 1.6-liter displacement.  In 1952 the engine displacement increased to 2.0 liters.  In 1954, the wheelbase was extended to 86" and a 107" wheelbase pickup model was added.  In 1956, the wheelbase changed again to 88" and to 109", and a 2.0-liter diesel engine was offered as an option. 







 

 

Series II  - Early (1958 thru 1960)  

More power and a new body style distinguished the Series II from its rough-and-ready predecessor. The alteration from a flat fender treatment to a curved look is the only major styling change here. The new body style included sill panels to hide the chassis and the exhaust. The engine was bumped up to a more powerful 2.25 liters, while the wheelbase options remained at 88" and 109".
A Station Wagon version was introduced (the first SUV?) sporting a full hard top with tropical roof, sliding windows, Alpine glass, roof vent, rear door & full interior trim.
 
Clues:
Look for a steel front grille with three holes for airflow and chrome rings around the headlamps.
 

Series IIA  - Late (1961 to early 1971)

Series IIA's are often referred to as "early" or "late"...the fall of 1967 being the dividing line.  The big change involved the polarity of the electric system and a centrally located wiper mounted on the dash. 

Clues:
1967 "late" – single wiper motor is added to center of the dash.
1969 - headlights moved from the center radiator grille to the wings and the
sill panels narrowed from 5" to 3".

"Transitional" IIA: Three holes for airflow and an almost rectangular steel grille that looks like an upside-down "T".

Late Series IIA: Three holes for airflow and a large steel grille that looks like a fat "+" sign.
 

Series III (late 1971 to 1984) 

To keep the owners guessing, the Series IIA became the Series III in the fall of 1971, with some "transitional" alterations along the way. 
  
The new Series III sported a revised fascia with a modern black plastic safety dash. The instruments were moved in front of the driver, and a fully synchronized gearbox was introduced.


Clues:
Series III - a plastic radiator grille and dash.

How to Read your Land Rover's VIN Number