Interesting Tag
 

I'm sure others have seen this too, but I was cleaning up the spindles for the 71 super project and found this metal band/ tag on the driver side spindle...I've looked up the part number on the tag, but haven't found anything.....any thoughts/ input??
BD 3986231

http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_5310.jpg

Re: Interesting Tag
 

anybody got thoughts or ever seen this...or is this like a rare corvette option:D

Re: Interesting Tag
 

After 20 years of driving trucks I have seen thousands of these. It is a seal used to seal the doors on a trailer or shipping container. The number on the seal was put on your bill of lading to verify that the load was not tampered with. They are made of plastic now but they used to be metal. It looks like it has been cut when it was removed. Not sure how it would end up in your truck.

Re: Interesting Tag
 

Thanks for the input Rod.....Yeah...I cut it off of the spindle....maybe that was a bad idea???....Wondering if the spindle was changed out long ago and they left this seal on it when it was installed....sure looks like a GM part # to me though??

Re: Interesting Tag
 

I'm sure it was for identification purposes on the assembly line or the supplier to GM. Very common.

Re: Interesting Tag
 

cut one off my '70 back when I installed the ECE drop spindles ... still got it somewhere

Re: Interesting Tag
 

Mine start with "D & L"
One is 3985127
The other is 3985490
They were both attached to the seat frame of my 72 GMC

Re: Interesting Tag
 

Dang...thought I had a rare item:lol:....Thanks for everyone's input!!!

Re: Interesting Tag
 

For you it's rare... you only have one!:lol:

Re: Interesting Tag
 

I agree.

It is the assembly plant "broadcast code", to help the line side operator choose the correct part.

There would be a different two letter (or three letter) code associated with each different part number permutation: so 2wd 1/2 ton would get one, 2wd 3/4 ton a different one, different one for 4wd, etc.

That way the operator needs only to walk over to the rack and select a "BD", rather than trying to remember part number 3986231 (vs trying to remember 3986232, 33, etc.).

They could be attached using the small bands you see here, or could be a paper tag stuck on the lug nut or an adhesive sticker stuck in some conspicuous place. You may even see paper tags wrapped on a part, like an ebrake cable or coil spring.

Hope that helps -

K

Re: Interesting Tag
 

Keith.. you are the man.

Re: Interesting Tag
 

:haha: Thanks Mark....I like your optimistic thought!!!:metal:

Wow....that helps explain it....Thankas for your input Keith!!!

:agree:

Re: Interesting Tag
 

Cut one off the stock 72 spindles when I converted my 68 to 5 lug a few years back.

Re: Interesting Tag
 

I have this exact tag on the upper control arm of my 86 crossmember that I put under my 66 c10. I too was thinking it may be a part number. Wonder if its an inspection tag?

Re: Interesting Tag
 

Did you read my post (#10)?

K