John

[John061493]

Hi all. I'm new to the board....looking for any helpful info. I have a 1972 GMC 4x4 that I plan to start rebuilding. Runs and drives....but running through everything anyway. Here's my question: The truck has the small back window, which any research that i can find tells me that it can't be original. Does anyone out there know what years, models might have come with the small window? Thank you.

[STOCKISH]

First, WELCOME to the forum.

For the 67-72 body style trucks that is a 67 ONLY option. Either its a 67 truck or a cab was swapped at some point. Any pics of the truck or spid label in the glovebox?

[John061493]

Hey, thanks for the reply! I'll try to locate a decent pic (It's in a friend's barn right now....but will check the glove box as soon as I have a chance) That's what I read...'67. I like the look.....I'm guessing now that it was an older cab swap.

[John061493]

Best shot that I have with the back glass....not sure that photo made it.(?)

[Stocker]

Welcome from Norcal! As said above, that small back window was in 1967 trucks only (though some '67s had big windows). Besides the SPID, if you can post the VIN someone will decode it. I see a side marker light in your first pic, which would not be there on a '67 (they started with the '68 model year). You may well have a Frankentruck built from pieces of different trucks. No problem with that, an awful lot of nice trucks are made from bits salvaged from other trucks.

[John061493]

Thank you! I'll try to remember to get the vin and post it. I've got the registration at home, and the number does match the vin tag. Have a good night!

[John061493]

Good morning. I tried to decode the vin by just googling 1972 GMC Vin, and got some pretty vague information.....so here's the VIN: CKE162E100894. It looks like the first digit (two digits) should be a C or a K, but not both. Otherwise, it identifies it as a 1972, with a V8 gas engine (It's 350/350), but the body code identifies it as a suburban....? Again, it has the small rear window. A cab swap might still make sense, but it definitely wasn't a suburban. Any ideas/help would be greatly appreciated! Have a good day all!

[STOCKISH]

67 cab with a 72 Burb vin tag maybe?

[STOCKISH]

Decoding: CKE162E100894

Digit Usage VIN Decoded
1 Mfgr C Chevrolet
2 Chassis K 4wd 106 inch conventional cab
3 Engine E V8 gas (307, 350, or 402-4v L47)
4 Series 1 1/2 ton
5 Body 6 Suburban, Sport Van, Rally Van
6 Year 2 1972
7 Plant 2 Linden NJ
8-13 Sequential Serial # 100894 100894


Serial numbers start at 100001

[John061493]

Good morning. Ya' know....that's almost gotta be it. I still don't get the "CKE" part, but I guess it doesn't really matter. Hey...I checked out your profile.....sweet truck, and looks like you might have a couple. I'm just getting back into old vehicles. 2 daughters have kept me pretty busy, and broke, for the last 20 years....it's awesome to see that people are still into this. Not many cool cars or trucks around here anymore.

Thanks again for the info/insight!

[68_Shortbox]

Welcome! I am glad to see that you are able to get back into the hobby. Do you have any plans for the truck yet?

[elf w/capital T]

67 is the only year as far as i know, 68s had the option, but inregards to that first pic, someone switched fenders, the 67 didnt have the fender lights/flectors.... unless im wrong....

[68_Shortbox]

The small back window was standard for '67 and was the only year it was available. The big back window was an option for '67 and was standard from '68-'72.

'67 didn't have any marker lights or reflectors on the fenders.
'68 had reflectors.
'69-'72 had lights.

[GMCjunkie]

Welcome to the neighborhood!!

[John061493]

Good morning everyone...thanks for the welcome!

68 Shortbox - nice truck! My plans are basically to run through the whole truck. I'm a former body/frame guy, and have always done mechanical work. I'm ending a whole-house remodel, and the truck has been on hold....but I'm finally getting to the point where I can start gathering parts, and collecting body tools again.

Elf - thanks for the info!! GMC Junkie...thank you for the welcome! Is THAT your truck? Awesome!

Have a great day, all!

[GMCjunkie]

Originally Posted by John061493

Good morning everyone...GMC Junkie...thank you for the welcome! Is THAT your truck? Awesome!

Have a great day, all!

Yep yep!! THATS my Burb. And Thank you!!

[John061493]

Hey everyone.....I found a photo from the front. I'm convinced that the cab is a '67 now. Maybe someone can tell me what the front end looks like. I've got the GMC grill, intact....but there are pieces missing, particularly between the hood and grille. I've looked at a lot of photos, and it looks like there is a separate piece available, as well as grill surround pieces at the fronts of the fenders.

I'm sure I'll have a lot more questions down the line...parts sources and stuff like that, but it will at least be nice to know what I'm ordering parts to fit!

[Tinkermc]

Welcome to the forum. You are missing 3 pieces from the front, there is the piece you mentioned on the hood and on each fender there is an eyebrow moulding.

[John061493]

Thank you. I thought the gap between the hood and grill looked a little wide. Someone suggested a frankentruck.....wondering if my hood and fenders match. I really love these old trucks, but have never gotten into until now....so there's a pretty good learning curve.

[special-K]

The CKE1 thing is how VINs were in '72. Chevy added the C and GMC added a T. Other than that prefix,it's like the years before K=4wd,E=V8,and 1=1/2t. My '72 K2500 GMC is a TKE2 truck.

[John061493]

Special K - thank you. I'm thinking I've got a '67 truck with a new front end, and that someone lost the registration and replaced it with a '72 Suburban registration. At least I don't hafta go too stir crazy when I order parts.....

GMC Junky - nice ride! I'll bet the painter's arm got tired on that one!

[srvivor71]

Hi there John! Welcome from a fellow New Yorker (Hudson Valley). Best of luck!

[John061493]

Hey srvivor71! Thank you. Nice lookin' truck!