SPID ERRORS, does it happen?

[ryanmcb]

I am looking at a 76 GMC. I have not seen the truck in person but it is one family owner and looks very solid in the pics. The owner sent me a picture of the SPID and it lists the Silverado Package (YE9). I was just a little confused because its a GMC as verified by the VIN. Do they list that instead of High Sierra? Is it basically the same?

One other thing that is odd. It says Tachometer on the SPID but in the pics it looks like it just has the gas gauge. Nothing on this truck looks to ever being changed though. Everything looks completely original.

Do you ever see errors in the SPID? Should I be concerned that it shows a Chevy package and lack of tachometer.

thanks!

[mikentosh]

My '74 GMC has it listed as "YE9 - SIERRA GRANDE EQUIP" on the SPID. I'm sure there was a bit of variation based on which factory and year it was produced.

[ryanmcb]

Originally Posted by mikentosh

My '74 GMC has it listed as "YE9 - SIERRA GRANDE EQUIP" on the SPID. I'm sure there was a bit of variation based on which factory and year it was produced.

I read on a website that in 73-74 that Sierra Grande was the top model and then in 75 they switched it to High Sierra. Maybe the YE9 just designates the top model.

I'm sure some experts can clarify. I just think it is odd so see a Chevy package listed on there.

[mikentosh]

Originally Posted by ryanmcb

I read on a website that in 73-74 that Sierra Grande was the top model and then in 75 they switched it to High Sierra. Maybe the YE9 just designates the top model.

I'm sure some experts can clarify. I just think it is odd so see a Chevy package listed on there.

Yes, YE9 is always the top model but the name changed through the 70s. I seem to recall that depending on the year and factory they would use Z88 RPO to identify it as a GMC, so I could see the combination of Z88 + Chevy naming on the other options on SPID, but your's doesn't have that either.

[Keith Seymore]

It's common.

YE9 is the highest trim level, regardless of Chevy or GMC badging. It varies by plant and model year but some GMCs do show the "YE9 - Silverado" naming convention.

Also - Z88 is, in fact, the GMC nameplate conversion. What is not as widely known is that there is a Chevy RPO too: RPO X88 = Chevy nameplate.

K

[ryanmcb]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

It's common.

YE9 is the highest trim level, regardless of Chevy or GMC badging. It varies by plant and model year but some GMCs do show the "YE9 - Silverado" naming convention.

Also - Z88 is, in fact, the GMC nameplate conversion. What is not as wildly known is that there is a Chevy RPO too: RPO X88 = Chevy nameplate.

K

Keith,
what is your opinion on the tach option. I confirmed with the current owner it does not have a tach, yet listed on the SPID. He assured me that they have not touched anything on the truck, it has 59k original miles.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

It's common.

YE9 is the highest trim level, regardless of Chevy or GMC badging. It varies by plant and model year but some GMCs do show the "YE9 - Silverado" naming convention.

Also - Z88 is, in fact, the GMC nameplate conversion. What is not as wildly known is that there is a Chevy RPO too: RPO X88 = Chevy nameplate.

K

One other thought relative to SPID labels: Just to re-iterate - SPIDs are not typed individually on a typewriter. There would be no way to keep up with production (typically one completed truck per minute, which allows about 45 seconds of productive time per unit). The data is loaded into a central database at the individual plant and then broadcast to all the remote areas that need the information. If there was human error involved it would have taken place before the beginning of the model year and every SPID label with that option from that plant would show the same error until corrected. 1964 Pontiacs had a "Heavey Duty Fan and Clutch" option (sic) that ran all year spelled just like that.

We have a saying here at work: “At Chevy – you don’t make a mistake; you make a million of ‘em”.

(lol)

But in this case I wouldn't consider using the Chevrolet naming convention a "mistake" - just a conscious business decision for expediency's sake.

K