build sheets

[Mothers Mistake]

Hi everyone,new here,just bought a 1986 GMC 3/4 ton. I have been searching for a build sheet with no luck,can anyone help me out..Cheers Terry

[Keith Seymore]

I've had my truck completely apart and never found one. Location (or inclusion) of build sheets may vary a little from plant to plant; Do you know where your truck was built?

Best place to look would be in the seat cushions, inside the doors, under the floor mat/carpet, inside the dash, maybe even inside the A pillar.

Is there a SPID label in the glovebox? If so, that will tell you all the option content there is to know....or are you looking for sentimental reasons?

K

[Mothers Mistake]

Yes I have found the build sheet in the glove box ,don't know how to decode it

[Keith Seymore]

Ok, good. We certainly know how to do that!

If you would like to post a pic or list them here I'll take a shot at it.

Or you can try here: http://www.73-87.com/chevy_ids/rpomenu2.htm

Or here: http://www.cadillacfaq.com/rpo/index.php

K

[85Bowtie]

My build sheet is clearly located in the glovebox. Codes, options etc. Not sure if you would call it an actual "build sheet" or not as it doesn't have any of the dates, shipping order or anything like that, from what I remember anyway. For what it's worth, Mopars are under the seat tucked in the springs. never saw an actual sheet stuffed anywhere on a Chevy truck before.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 85Bowtie

My build sheet is clearly located in the glovebox. Codes, options etc. Not sure if you would call it an actual "build sheet" or not as it doesn't have any of the dates, shipping order or anything like that, from what I remember anyway. For what it's worth, Mopars are under the seat tucked in the springs. never saw an actual sheet stuffed anywhere on a Chevy truck before.

Correct: "SPID" label, or service label is located in the glove box.

"Build sheet" is an actual build document, used to aid the workers as the vehicle went down the line.

There was no requirement to place the build sheet in the vehicle, but usually it got left there because it was easier than throwing it in the trash. That's why they can be found in such different places, varying from plant to plant, day to day, shift to shift and worker to worker - or why some vehicles can have two or three (including wrong ones), some vehicles have none.

Here is one from a Pontiac GTO, found above the gas tank:



We also had something called a "build manifest", which was like a bunch of the build sheets printed together on that old "tractor paper" (with the little holes on the side). This was something they gave to certain workers, so they knew what option content was coming ahead of time, usually passed out for one day (two shifts) worth of vehicles. Those got thrown in the trash as well when we were done with them.

K

[S10Fan]

Keith,

I want to thank you for joining this site. You are a wealth of information for the members, I know I enjoy each and every bit you share with us.

Thanks!!!!!

[78 Chevyrado]

I think mine came from under the rubber floor covering, it's a 78 built in Atlanta.

[80SPORT]

I usually find them under the seat springs,especially on Janesville builds;look up at the bottom of the seat from underneath on the passenger side;you will have to pull the seat to remove them in 1 piece.

[68 TT]

Not truck related but I found a build sheet on a friends Nova when we had it up on the lift doing some work on it. I had the work lamp at the right spot that when I was looking forward I saw up inside the subframe rail and saw some paper in there. It was the build sheet and it was complete and undamaged after 16 years in there exposed to the elements.

We found another one in the back seat and another on top of the gas tank on that same Nova.

I searched every inch of my Camaro and didn't have a single one.

[92470]

I recently put new carpet in my 87' V10 and when I pulled up the factory carpet, there were 3 pairs of white cotton work gloves underneath. A couple of the gloves were partially underneath the black sticky dampening mat also, so I knew they were from the factory. I figured an assembly line employee just tossed them in before the carpet was put down. I pulled out one pair to show my wife (couldn't have cared less!) and left the other 2 for nostalgia.

[87Bob]

There is a service that will document your truck. It is in Canada if your interested the cost about 50.00 send me an email and I'll send you the info.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 92470

I recently put new carpet in my 87' V10 and when I pulled up the factory carpet, there were 3 pairs of white cotton work gloves underneath. A couple of the gloves were partially underneath the black sticky dampening mat also, so I knew they were from the factory. I figured an assembly line employee just tossed them in before the carpet was put down. I pulled out one pair to show my wife (couldn't have cared less!) and left the other 2 for nostalgia.

Yes - assembly line workers used to wear white cotton work gloves. IIRC we would dish out 2 pair per day per worker.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 68 TT

We found another one in the back seat and another on top of the gas tank on that same Nova.

I searched every inch of my Camaro and didn't have a single one.

The one I posted above is from my own GTO; I have never found one in my Chevelle (even though I've had the interior out and the seats apart).

K

[78 Chevyrado]

Here's what mine looks like.

[Mothers Mistake]

Thanks everyone ,and last thing Im lookin for is what rearend is in it (without crawling around in the snow).and again thanks..Terry

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Mothers Mistake

Thanks everyone ,and last thing Im lookin for is what rearend is in it (without crawling around in the snow).and again thanks..Terry

3.42 ratio. open diff.

Are you asking what size rearend (ie, 8.5" ring gear, 9.5" ring gear, etc)?

That will depend on the series (10, 20, 30) which we haven't determined yet.

What's the model number shown on the SPID label?

K

[Keith Seymore]

Chevyrado - thanks for posting that. I am going to spend some time poring over that.

I wonder if/when the Lakewood plant stopped building trucks. I have never been there; by the time I started traveling the plants building C/K trucks were Flint, Pontiac, Oshawa, St Louis and Janesville. I think Arlington and Ft Wayne came later, with the GMT400 versions.

K

[78 Chevyrado]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Chevyrado - thanks for posting that. I am going to spend some time poring over that.

I wonder if/when the Lakewood plant stopped building trucks. I have never been there; by the time I started traveling the plants building C/K trucks were Flint, Pontiac, Oshawa, St Louis and Janesville. I think Arlington and Ft Wayne came later, with the GMT400 versions.

K

I have a bigger copy HERE you can read it easier, better quality

I don't know when It quit trucks. I know Grandad's, '62 c10 and his 78 c20 were built there as well as my dads 77 c10. My uncle worked there his whole career, but he died years ago so that info is lost.

I think the plant now does something with sheet metal. IIRC the sign out front changed from assembly years ago to now say "Sheet metal Fabrication" or something like that.

[Mothers Mistake]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

3.42 ratio. open diff.

Are you asking what size rearend (ie, 8.5" ring gear, 9.5" ring gear, etc)?

That will depend on the series (10, 20, 30) which we haven't determined yet.

What's the model number shown on the SPID label?

K

1986 3/4 ton 2wd base model

[bluex]

Mine was under the seat. It fell apart when I tried to take it out. It was built in Baltimore. Havent looked for one in the K5 yet, it was built in Flint.

[80SPORT]

under the seat as you can see by the marks ...Fremont build

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 80SPORT

under the seat as you can see by the marks ...Fremont build

80Sport - that is a beautiful thang....



I'll spend sometime later memorizing it...

K

[Stepsideride]

What are the odds of finding a build sheet in the seat in a 1984 SWB Stepside??


Also can a buildsheet or list be dug up by having the VIN?

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Stepsideride

What are the odds of finding a build sheet in the seat in a 1984 SWB Stepside??

My vote is "slim".

Obviously it can happen, but the odds are against it per on my earlier post #6. Depends on the plant, the shift and the individual operator.

Originally Posted by Stepsideride

Also can a buildsheet or list be dug up by having the VIN?

No. Not the buildsheet itself. The buildsheet was a build document, for use during the assembly process, and not a document that was saved.

You can use your VIN to pull up RPO content (that is, the information contained on the build sheet but not a facsimile of the build sheet in appearance). Here's a link to a comprehensive VIN decoder (it is not populated for all VINs, so yours may not show up; mine didn't): http://www.compnine.com/vid.php?vin=2GCEK19K8R1177262 and I also have an internal GM web database for more modern vehicles.

Another exception would be if your truck was built or sold in Canada. GM of Canada has a service where they can pull your build information and RPO content and (I believe) where you can get a reproduction window sticker made.

K