Vin problem. I am in the process of buying a 2001 Suburban 2700. the problem is with the VIN number which is 3GNEC16R31G170771
When I check it on a decoder it says that it is a 2001 suburban 1500 but the car is original with a 2500 and LT plaques on it.. What are the specs on this vehicle?
Towing problem: I am buying it to tow a 7,000 lb boat which a Suburban 1500 isn't supposed to be able to do. I will appreciate any help in figuring out what this vehicle really is?

 

Well, according to THIS, that VIN is not correct for a 2001 truck.

The 8th digit, the "R" in this case, denotes the engine. R is the 5.7 liter engine, whose last year in these trucks was 1999. If that truck is a 2500, the 8th digit should be a G (for the 8.1) or a U (for the 6.0). If it is a 1500, the 8th digit should be a T, for the 5.3.

Additionally, the 5th and 6th digits call out the line/chassis series. The C1 denotes a 1500 4x2 chassis.

Lastly, the 4th digit calls out the braking system. E signifies a 6001-7000 lb GVWR braking system. This is flat out wrong for a 2001 Suburban. My '01 1500 had an F as that digit, for a 7001-8000 lb GVWR braking system. A 2500 Suburban would have a G.

Forgetting the fact that this is probably a 1500 truck, the fact that two of the digits can not possibly be correct, I'd be suspicious that it's a forged VIN. Or maybe it's just a typo on the VIN, if you want to give someone the benefit of the doubt.

And if you see the truck in person or even just in a photo, the easy way to tell is to look at the wheels. A 1500 has 6-lug wheels, a 2500 has 8-lug wheels.

Regards to the 7,000-lb boat - yes, that would be pushing the envelope for a 1500. The 2500s were beasts, and could easily pull that boat. But they're scarce, most of the ones out there are approaching 200,000 miles, and the ones that are closer to 100,000 command quite a premium price.