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Old 02-20-2007, 01:41 PM   #26
Unit 91
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Here is the VIN decoding for Unabombers VIN number. I know it says LOG, but that's just for quick reference in case someone needs to go back and forth between multiple cars. It gets erased when the program is closed. Trust me on this one. The parts catalog isn't linked to anything else.


Here is (just as an example) the correct clutch disc for his car with VIN filtering.


The same listing without filtering.


Hopefuly this gives you an idea of why many would want to know the VIN. It's faster and more reliable than just knowing the production date. In most cases finding something without the VIN isn't a problem, but in some cases it makes a world of difference.

Yeah, so... maybe this helps. Maybe not.
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Old 02-20-2007, 02:42 PM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unabomber View Post
My VIN is JF1GG29694G803308
i lol'd a little, wow am i a nerd
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Old 02-20-2007, 02:50 PM   #28
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I remember taking the NY state troopers test and we had 5 vin numbers in front of us and we had to determine what kind of car each one was. Make, Model, truck, suv, sedan, engine all that stuff. It was intersting
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Old 02-20-2007, 02:51 PM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ekw View Post
then you've missed some beauties!
lol well I had just got on the board... one if the first things I read. I'm sure there will be others haha.
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Old 02-20-2007, 03:06 PM   #30
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^^I understand the above, but Oil filters? Cripes!
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Old 02-20-2007, 03:13 PM   #31
Unit 91
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zornorph View Post
^^I understand the above, but Oil filters? Cripes!
Yeah, I don't know why they'd ask for an oil filter. Really, there are only 2 filters. So... yeah.
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Old 02-20-2007, 03:14 PM   #32
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i tell u what, want to know whats worse......they looking for conversion parts. i needed some odds and ends for my sti tranny .....and i had to go find an sti vin number
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Old 02-20-2007, 03:16 PM   #33
Unit 91
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Quote:
Originally Posted by toulakid View Post
i tell u what, want to know whats worse......they looking for conversion parts. i needed some odds and ends for my sti tranny .....and i had to go find an sti vin number
It's helpful, but... the parts guy should have been able to find one.
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Old 02-20-2007, 03:29 PM   #34
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the VIN is absolutely NOT needed to lookup most parts but it is the best way to ensure that parts are applicable to a certain model. If a dealership is giving you flak on a part that you KNOW is transferrable to your vehicle, tell them you know what their **** looks like and they don't need a VIN:



You just have to populate all the fields manually if you don't supply a VIN. When you click on the <?> next to Model Code, it gives you a list of vehicles... G11 applies to 02+ Impreza. After that, you fill in the remaining boxes that have chooser buttons and you can ignore the ones that are just blank fields.
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Old 02-20-2007, 03:46 PM   #35
runninstrong
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I always provide my VIN when ordering parts online, because sometimes the descriptions are almost impossible to make out, and at least I know they are going to double check to make sure I'm getting the right part.
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Old 02-20-2007, 04:03 PM   #36
Unit 91
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nhluhr View Post
the VIN is absolutely NOT needed to lookup most parts but it is the best way to ensure that parts are applicable to a certain model. If a dealership is giving you flak on a part that you KNOW is transferrable to your vehicle, tell them you know what their **** looks like and they don't need a VIN:



You just have to populate all the fields manually if you don't supply a VIN. When you click on the <?> next to Model Code, it gives you a list of vehicles... G11 applies to 02+ Impreza. After that, you fill in the remaining boxes that have chooser buttons and you can ignore the ones that are just blank fields.
That's the other system.

Now we all know what they both look like. w00t!
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Old 02-20-2007, 05:49 PM   #37
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OMG Unit 91 decoded my VIN!!!

<-----gets his tin foil hat
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Old 02-20-2007, 06:00 PM   #38
Unit 91
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unabomber View Post
OMG Unit 91 decoded my VIN!!!

<-----gets his tin foil hat
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I am now printing the hard copies.
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Old 02-20-2007, 06:43 PM   #39
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And stickied it!
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Old 02-20-2007, 08:22 PM   #40
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Subaru Fast > than Bell & Howel.

Word search FTW. lol

I get plenty of calls from dealerships who cant find parts using the VIN# sometimes you have to think outside the box.

VIN decoding has plenty of errors in its filtering.

But yes the vin makes things alot easier.
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Old 02-20-2007, 08:24 PM   #41
Unit 91
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Quote:
Originally Posted by McDade View Post
Subaru Fast > than Bell & Howel.

Word search FTW. lol

I get plenty of calls from dealerships who cant find parts using the VIN# sometimes you have to think outside the box.

VIN decoding has plenty of errors in its filtering.

But yes the vin makes things alot easier.
You can word search with Bell & Howell, too.
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Old 02-20-2007, 08:26 PM   #42
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i know but i prefer fast.

The old schoolers like bell and howell.

B&H is good when you dont have the entire vin though.
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Old 02-20-2007, 08:29 PM   #43
Unit 91
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B&H won't accept partial VINs. At least not anymore.

I prefer the B&H. Fast is a lot like the system the Ford guys use next door. No thanks.
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Old 02-20-2007, 08:34 PM   #44
munkis
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Your version of B&H looks different from mine, I dont think I have the latest update since most of our dealers use Fast. Mine will still accept the last 6 of the vin, then I can get the entire vin from that to plug into fast when the dealers call and only have the last 8.

Fords part number system is very different from subaru. I havent decided who's is better yet lol.

I like the way B&H lays out the vin breaks better than fast its easier to use when you dont have a vin.
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Old 02-20-2007, 08:37 PM   #45
Unit 91
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Quote:
Originally Posted by McDade View Post
Your version of B&H looks different from mine, I dont think I have the latest update since most of our dealers use Fast. Mine will still accept the last 6 of the vin, then I can get the entire vin from that to plug into fast when the dealers call and only have the last 8.

Fords part number system is very different from subaru. I havent decided who's is better yet lol.

I like the way B&H lays out the vin breaks better than fast its easier to use when you dont have a vin.
Fords parts system is... scary.

I just use vehicle inquiry if I need to grab the full VIN from a partial. Yeah, that's thinking outside the box.

w00t!


Heh, I just tried it... you can use the last 6, but all it gives you is a list of VINs matching that. So you need to know a bit more than just the last 6. At least if you want to be quick about it.
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Old 02-20-2007, 08:50 PM   #46
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unabomber View Post
For the love of God people!!!!!!!!!

Here's the deal and quit listening to the people that think your VIN blew up the twin towers.

The VIN is a many digit number that among other things, lets the dealer know your build date. This is important because (for example) the brake pads on the 2004 WRX changed mid year. With the VIN, you will get the right brake pads. If you just walk in there with a part number you scoured off the internet (reason #1 why I no longer put part # in my FAQs), you will likely be sitting with your car on jackstands all weekend because you have the wrong part.

The VIN is also computer and/or shop required to look up ANY parts? Why? This is due to the reason above. It assures 100% that any parts given are suitable for your vehicle.

The only killer is when you do odd stuff, like say the H6 upgrade to the rear brakes. This changes your brake pads from 04 WRX to 02/03 Outback. This can and does cause some confusion with dealers. You can handle this by copying a random VIN off of eBay or using a reputable Subaru NASIOC vendor like Subie Gal, Annapolis Subaru, etc.

If you'd like to copy a random VIN off of ebay and wear your tin foil hat into the dealer, you could receive the wrong part. Will you then come here and complain?

VINs are NOT recorded at the dealership when you buy parts. Do you get that tin foil hat wearers? They have zero impact with regard to warranty work.

My VIN is JF1GG29694G803308

Feel free to post this on every internet site ever.


Thank you for keeping me from having to type this myself.
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Old 02-20-2007, 08:55 PM   #47
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yeah you need at least the last 8 and you have a fighting chance. lol

Fords system is good if you have been doing it a long time. they use a base part number system.

so if you can memorize all the base part numbers you are good to go. Very rarealy do you need to enter a vin for ford.

If you need front rotors. just enter base part number 1125 in the proper field and it will bring you right to front rotors.

rear rotors 2C1256, front pads 2001, rear pads 2200

and you get a part number like F6YZ-2001-AA that would be something like front pads for a 96my crown victory or something lol

Its defintly not as user friendly as subarus system but then again subaru doesnt have 80 billion different cars, and the same car that can have 10 different drivetrains lol.

Subaru is getting more complicated with vin breaks though. it use to be alot easier, part numbers where alot more universal, but its all growing pains.

What was the point of this thread again?

Oh yeah, the dealer doesnt log your vin.

Last edited by munkis; 02-20-2007 at 10:03 PM.
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Old 02-20-2007, 09:04 PM   #48
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..is it possible for the open public can download either fast or B&H? I'd like to fiddle around with the catalog
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Old 02-20-2007, 09:32 PM   #49
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So, this got me thinking.

First of all, Unabomber is exactly right. The reason so many parts guys INSIST on the VIN is that Murphy's Law will almost GUARANTEE that if they do not get the VIN, the customer is going to come back saying, "Weird, this part doesn't fit my car." Rework for the parts guy, no additional revenue, time lost. Sure, WE know what we're talking about, but average Joe may not, and lots of general repair shops don't know the difference between an '02 and an '04 WRX.

When I have to supply a VIN, I just look at my handy-dandy table of VIN numbers that I've gathered over the years, mostly from cars that my own shop-mates have owned. I have most of the common models covered.

Which brings me to: Could we have a thread that just compiled VINs of each year/body style/tranny type? We'd just need some volunteers like Unabomber to pitch in. I'll happily donate my Legacy GT VIN's... I'm sure in short order we'd have a very complete list, and nobody'd ever have to go asking again.

--Dan
Mach V
FastWRX.com
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Old 02-20-2007, 09:43 PM   #50
munkis
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wiznaz View Post
..is it possible for the open public can download either fast or B&H? I'd like to fiddle around with the catalog
nope.

Dealers have to pay for it on a subscription service.

All publically available materials can be purchased through techinfo.subaru.com Parts catalogs not included. You could probably find a Mitchell crash book online.

Last edited by munkis; 02-20-2007 at 09:48 PM.
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