Model/Numbers Question

[David J]

Howdy Folks:

A quick question for you.

I'm looking at a 1971 Chevy truck, badged as a Custom 10, listed for sale as a C-10.

The truck is a 4WD, and the VIN decodes as 4WD, V-8, 3/4 ton, PU made in 1971 (KE24156). There is no Service Parts ID plate in the glove box, and no records available.

Is it common for C-10's to have such a VIN, or to be available as something that seems to be a K truck?

Thanks for any comments!

Regards,

Dave

[special-K]

It's not a C/10 at all. Those are all 1/2t 2wd. You have a K/20 according to your VIN. K=4wd, E=V8, and 2=3/4t.

[jocko]

I'd double check the VIN, the 5 may be an S. But, yes, what Tim said - 71 3/4 ton 4x4 is what this thing is.

[SS Tim]

Check you numbers and verify the frame number and the embossed door plate have the same VIN and that it matches the title. Plus the plate rivets need to have rosette heads. While the glove box door mounted SPID is a good cross check it is just a service parts reference.
Fender badges are ofeten changed about and most of the time it indicates a replacement front clip. But I'd make sure it still has the eight lug axles too! There are a lot of frankentrucks waiting for unsuspecting buyers.

Jocko is correct in that the partial VIN you used is probably incorrect and "S" often read as "5". Should look like KE241S6xxxxx

[David J]

You guys are great detectives. Thanks!

I suspected something was awry.

Indeed, my bad on the "5." It is an "S."

The wheels appear to be 6 lug and the differential is 12 bolt. That seems odd (?). I'll ask the owner to shoot some picts of the VIN, embossed door plate and title VIN.

This is a very clean truck, and priced in the low $20's. She's a beauty, but the lack of records and incorrect model listing are starting to worry me.

Paranoid Dave

[David J]

Tim:

Best of luck finding your dog! I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you.

[special-K]

I'd have to know more about the truck and see it, but that sounds high for a truck that is pieced together...and the seller isn't being forthright about it. It's either a K/10 that had a K/20 cab swapped on and they are going with that title (which is the best scenario) or totally put together from various trucks. Don't get me wrong, people do wonderful jobs of that

[jocko]

If it is 6 lug with a KE241 VIN, I'd walk away personally, no matter how pretty...
6 lug = 1/2 ton 4x4 in 71 and up -or- = 1/2 ton 2wd or 4wd in 70 and earlier
If it's a KE"2" or CE"2" it should be 8 lug.

Post what you get when you get it and we'll help. But this is starting to sound like a frankentruck. Nothing wrong with that as long as you know what you're getting before you buy it, rather than after. I'm interested, want to see how this turns out.

[David J]

Originally Posted by jocko

If it is 6 lug with a KE241 VIN, I'd walk away personally, no matter how pretty...
6 lug = 1/2 ton 4x4 in 71 and up -or- = 1/2 ton 2wd or 4wd in 70 and earlier
If it's a KE"2" or CE"2" it should be 8 lug.

Post what you get when you get it and we'll help. But this is starting to sound like a frankentruck. Nothing wrong with that as long as you know what you're getting before you buy it, rather than after. I'm interested, want to see how this turns out.

Hi guys:

Thanks again for your insight.

I walked away from this beautiful truck, mostly due to the lack of records (there were none). If I simply wanted a clean truck to buy and drive, I probably could have grabbed it for 17K-18K, but I'm guessing selling it down the road might have been a PITA due to zero records and mysteries involved.

The title VIN matched the door VIN, but no frame VIN was forwarded to me. The door plate VIN appeared polished, and the rosette type rivets were replaced with the normal round type, which were painted white (like the truck).

The title stated "K20," although all lugs were of the 6 variety. The title was not branded.

Apparently, the engine was not "numbers matching" whatever that really means.

Back to the drawing board.

Dave

[57taskforce]

Don't get too bummed they are out there still. It takes some searching but you'll be glad you waited for the right one.

[David J]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Don't get too bummed they are out there still. It takes some searching but you'll be glad you waited for the right one.

Tyler:

Right on.

The search is quite the adventure.

Dave