What truck do I have? For the Chevy Gods, Historians and Know it alls

[Snake Eyes USA]

Hello Classic Chevy Truck Family. I'm new and somewhat happily forced into the classic truck scene.

Ive been racking my brain in trying to figure out what year and model truck I have.
Quick back story. Ive inherited the following truck as to keep it in the Family. Imported the truck back to the U.S. from Canada where it belongs. U.S.A.!
The previous owner claims it is a 1970 GMC C1500 and converted to a 71 Cheyenne. While doing some research I'm finding some things do not add up. Ive attempted Vin. I.D. but get lost at about the 5th or 6th digit.
Here are pics of the truck and vin. card information.
I would love any help I can get. The truck needs very little work and plan to have back on the road very soon.
Feel free to ask questions.

These are the following sites I found to help me out or confuse me more. Depends how you look at it. lol Quite useful for any 67-72 Chevy/GMC Truck owner.

https://www.edmunds.com/gmc/sierra-1500/history/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_C/K

http://www.trucktrend.com/features/1...pickup-trucks/

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/

http://www.pattson.com/maych/67_72_gmc.htm

http://www.pattson.com/maych/67_72_chevy.htm

[harpo231]

Looks like spid has been converted too

[toolboxchev]

Looks like a short box conversion. Or you have a small tool box option!

Lets see some pics of the tool box!

[notsolo]

Look up Cheyenne YE9, late 1971-1972 only yr and a half for that to be a Cheyenne Super.

[Snake Eyes USA]

If because SPID said, "VK2-Tool and Stowage box". The truck does not have a storage compartment behind passenger door lower bottom of bed. Wish it did. When I saw a google image of one, I thought it was bad ass.

Originally Posted by toolboxchev

Looks like a short box conversion. Or you have a small tool box option!

Lets see some pics of the tool box!

[Snake Eyes USA]

Originally Posted by harpo231

Looks like spid has been converted too

I was told it is original but will ask again. What clue lead you to say that?

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by harpo231

Looks like spid has been converted too

Which is unethical, assuming any prospective buyer is unaware. I suppose it's possible the door came off another truck. Does the VIN on the SPID & title match?

'The" truck came with a build sheet. I can only speak for a bench seat, where the build sheet is above the bottom of the seat. If by some chance you have it and it matches the SPID, then it's more likely you have a better truck than thought. Especially if those tags add up, as Jocko pointed out.

Careful of some of the SPID decoders, sometimes they're wrong. I don't have the link, but if you search this website for a bit, you'll come across one that's correct. Edit: This may be it. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=570059

[jocko]

The cab is a 1/2 ton Oshawa Canada built 72 Cheyenne Super that was originally a long bed (SPID appears legit to me for Oshawa, they did things a little differently) - very nice truck originally and a very nice truck now. Welcome! One note - compare the SPID and metal tag VINs just for some peace of mind. Also check the frame VIN to see if the partial matches your metal one. If the frame partial matches the metal tag/SPID, then the frame has been cut - look for fish plates on the inside of the frame rail or weld marks to verify. Based on seller's story, it could be a 72 cab swapped onto the original GMC truck. Do you have disk brakes?

[Snake Eyes USA]

Thanks Jocko for leading me somewhere. Thank you for the truck compliment.

You mentioned to check, metal tag vin. Where can I find teh metal tag vin.? I only know vins are found in top corner of dashes for modern cars.
Where can I find the frame vin.? I will look for frame cuts and/or fish plates.
Previous owner said truck had all drums and that he put disc in the front and kept drum in the back.
Little things he says make it hard to believe only simply based on research Ive been doing. I dont think he lies but feel he may have things a little twisted with age. He did say that Canada did things differently with manufacturing and with registration of vehicles.

Originally Posted by jocko

The cab is a 1/2 ton Oshawa Canada built 72 Cheyenne Super that was originally a long bed (SPID appears legit to me for Oshawa, they did things a little differently) - very nice truck originally and a very nice truck now. Welcome! One note - compare the SPID and metal tag VINs just for some peace of mind. Also check the frame VIN to see if the partial matches your metal one. If the frame partial matches the metal tag/SPID, then the frame has been cut - look for fish plates on the inside of the frame rail or weld marks to verify. Based on seller's story, it could be a 72 cab swapped onto the original GMC truck. Do you have disk brakes?

[bruceman1968]

Snake eyes, Your SPID is original and correct. Correct for a 1972 Chevrolet longbed, from Oshawa assembly plant. But glove box doors can be changed from one truck to another so you need to check the cab VIN plate. It is located on the driver side door pillar and should be attached with rosehead rivets. Here is a pic of a VIN plate so you know what to look for. This plate is for a 1972 GMC from Oshawa. If you have a 1970 VIN plate it will look a little different. Find your VIN plate and let's check it. Then we'll go to the frame VIN. GMC's are hit and miss on frame VINs. Some GMC's just didn't get frame VINs.

[bruceman1968]

Here are the locations for the frame VIN. It will be a partial VIN.

[Snake Eyes USA]

Hi Bruceman.

I looked for second partial vin on frame. Would it also be on the top rail? Here is a pic.. I think the chrome support may be on top of where the vin. is. I could not find a vin. in that area. Is it only found on driver side?
Please excuse the dirty engine. Step Dad coated the chrome to protect it and we still need to detail the truck inside and out.

Originally Posted by bruceman1968

Here are the locations for the frame VIN. It will be a partial VIN.
Attachment 1669807

[demian5]

Originally Posted by Snake Eyes USA

Previous owner said truck had all drums and that he put disc in the front and kept drum in the back.

Confirms the 1970 part of the story.

And the SPID and door plate VINs do not match - which vin is on the title???? If they do a VIN verification for a CA title, you better hope it is the door tag, they may look at the other places too

71 GMC Wideside truck cab built in canada...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=570059

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=160357

C=conventional cab
E=V-8 gasoline
1= 1/2 tons
34=fleet side pick-up
Dash is only on GMC Right?
sixth is a letter (unless canadian built then it will be a 1) = assembly plant
seventh number or letter is the year code Z=1970

[randy500]

Originally Posted by demian5

Confirms the 1970 part of the story.

And the SPID and door plate VINs do not match - which vin is on the title???? If they do a VIN verification for a CA title, you better hope it is the door tag, they may look at the other places too

71 GMC Wideside truck cab built in canada...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=570059

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=160357

C=conventional cab
E=V-8 gasoline
1= 1/2 tons
34=fleet side pick-up
Dash is only on GMC Right?
sixth is a letter (unless canadian built then it will be a 1) = assembly plant
seventh number or letter is the year code Z=1970

If that truck ever gets a VIN inspection by any state agency it will be a mess and probably confiscated until ownership is proven. They will only look at the vin plate and the frame numbers and it's obvious the vin plate has been removed which is big trouble (aluminum pop rivets). I would get as much paperwork from original owner and take it to your state agency and have he vin verified and get a replacement vin tag. If you do it now you still might be able to satisfy whatever the state wants to prove whatever it is, do it later when you try to sell it or if for some reason somebody questions the truck it might not be so easy

[Snake Eyes USA]

Before importing the truck we checked with state, fed. and border agencies on all requirements. But I also know I live in Commiefornia. Land of screwing the people over for $. It was 4k just to import from Canada to my front door in an enclosed carrier. We are praying everything will go smoothly when we go to DMV. Plus we made copies of the responses from said agencies. If vin was removed which I cant confirm and will ask. Was done for the paint job possibly. We do have the Canadian registration paperwork. Top rail of frame seem to match vin. on door. Will check other location of partial vin on frame tonight.

Originally Posted by randy500

If that truck ever gets a VIN inspection by any state agency it will be a mess and probably confiscated until ownership is proven. They will only look at the vin plate and the frame numbers and it's obvious the vin plate has been removed which is big trouble (aluminum pop rivets). I would get as much paperwork from original owner and take it to your state agency and have he vin verified and get a replacement vin tag. If you do it now you still might be able to satisfy whatever the state wants to prove whatever it is, do it later when you try to sell it or if for some reason somebody questions the truck it might not be so easy

[harpo231]

Just because you said the truck was converted

[Shinysideup]

I think the SPID is remake to suit whats been changed and not original. Too clean,highly optioned, and the wheelbase is missing?

[jocko]

Originally Posted by Shinysideup

I think the SPID is remake to suit whats been changed and not original. Too clean,highly optioned, and the wheelbase is missing?

Missing wb on an Oshawa truck is a pretty common occurrence. As is the spacing between initial VIN descriptors and the final serial #. Here's 2 Oshawa SPIDs. As Bruce stated, pretty certain the SPID is legit (TBD if it's for THIS actual truck, but appears to be an "original" SPID). Also note that Canada was rather fast and loose with their RPO assignments... i.e. the "Z84" Cheyenne Supers. (YE9 for almost all Supers, but that was another recurring Canadian anomaly - Z84 for a Super. Z84 is a Cheyenne (only) on US plant trucks. There are some US trucks that have both the Z84 and YE9 listed (and correctly associated with the Cheyenne and Cheyenne Super, respectively), but Canadian trucks are the only place where I've occasionally seen Z84 listed as a Cheyenne Super. Snakeeyes is clearly a Super (or at least the SPID is for or from a Super), as the YE9 is correctly paired with the Cheyenne Super description). Looking forward to hear how the VIN checks pan out.

[harpo231]

dr side door jam

[randy500]

Replacement left fender from a 69 or 70? Super emblem looks like it was placed in holes where the engine size would be on 69 and 70 years....

[72chevynut]

If the PO said it started as a 70 GMC then converted to a 71 Cheyenne, why does the SPID VIN start with CC? Isn't that a 72 thing only?

[special-K]

Probably a '72 Ottawa Cheyenne Super cab on the '70 GMC frame with 5-lug stuff and other stuff from the '72 swapped on to create a BBC SWB '72 Cheyenne Super.

That's great you are bringing it down to California to enjoy. But, your statement that it belongs in the USA is inaccurate. Looks like it's been where it belongs all it's life, in Canada where it was built!

[Snake Eyes USA]

Ok. Now I seem to be getting somewhere. Thanks fellas and Bruce for leading me into a right direction.

From my findings I believe the truck is a 70 C1500?
Now before I go further with my findings. I saw on the web same truck but called C1000. Is there any difference between 1000 and 1500? Both stated 1/2 ton trucks. One guy said 1000 may have meant short bed and 1500 meant long bed. Which I found hard to believe. Any clarification?

Back to the subject at hand. The two following pics. are of the vin. plate on door frame panel. The 2nd pic. is the number on the side of the frame which is, "393 801 -466 and 8 5 25 right below it. What do they mean?
I started to get frustrated because this number did not match anything. So I look at Bruces pic. on where to find partial on frame. Diagram said top rail of frame. How was I going to check this with the truck sitting on top? Well I got all border agent. I went under the truck and ran my fingers down the top rail to feel for a stamp. I found the stamp and took a mirror and flash light to read the numbers. The number read, "1 506o". If Im correct and you guys can verify. The 506 matches the vin. plate on door frame.
So do I have a 70 GMC C1500 converted to 71-72 Cheyenne 10 Super?


If anybody has questions or wants pics. of other parts of the truck let me know.

[bruceman1968]

Originally Posted by snake eyes usa

ok. Now i seem to be getting somewhere. Thanks fellas and bruce for leading me into a right direction.

From my findings i believe the truck is a 70 c1500?
Now before i go further with my findings. I saw on the web same truck but called c1000. Is there any difference between 1000 and 1500? Both stated 1/2 ton trucks. One guy said 1000 may have meant short bed and 1500 meant long bed. Which i found hard to believe. Any clarification? your vin plate and frame are from a 1970 c1500 gmc

back to the subject at hand. The two following pics. Are of the vin. Plate on door frame panel. The 2nd pic. Is the number on the side of the frame which is, "393 801 -466 and 8 5 25 right below it. What do they mean? still not sure, part number, batch number, steel id, date code, ect. Whatever they are their not the frame vin.
i started to get frustrated because this number did not match anything. So i look at bruces pic. On where to find partial on frame. Diagram said top rail of frame. How was i going to check this with the truck sitting on top? Well i got all border agent. I went under the truck and ran my fingers down the top rail to feel for a stamp. I found the stamp and took a mirror and flash light to read the numbers. The number read, "1 506o". If im correct and you guys can verify. The 506 matches the vin. Plate on door frame. you can check the frame stamp on the front. You can see it just by opening the hood. I added another pic to better show that location. Good on you for going all CSI border agent with your flashlight and mirror to find the frame vin that is under the cab. You found enough of it for me to think that your frame belongs with your vin plate. See if you can find the 9 in the second location.
so do i have a 70 gmc c1500 converted to 71-72 cheyenne 10 super? Pretty much yes. Nice that the seller was open and honest about that.


If anybody has questions or wants pics. Of other parts of the truck let me know.

All of the VIN decodes above are correct.
Your VIN plate isn't attached with original rosehead rivits. That may or may not be a problem. Randy500 makes good points.
Your SPID is from a different truck, so nothing on it applies.
Lot's of trucks built at Oshawa were for American buyers. Special-K is just having some fun with you. He was no doubt laughing to himself when he made his post. He's fun like that.

[Snake Eyes USA]

I want to thank you for all the help if finding out what exactly this truck is. The previous owner my Step Dad. Was pretty honest about things. He loved the Cheyenne more than the GMC and converted it.
Though the SPID in glove box is wrong. I believe only 3 options do not exist on the truck. A11-tinted glass, UY1-Camper wiring, and VK2-Tool and stowage box (if it means storage box behind passenger door bottom corner of bed),
I will look under the hood for the 2nd location of partial vin. on the frame later today.
What I was thrilled about is the 400ci engine. Only has 425 original miles on it.

Again, was/is there such model truck as C1000? If its on internet it has to be right. LOL JK

Another thing my step Dad said was that the rear wheels both spin in the same direction and not like most cars that one spins forward and the other backward. I'm sure it has a name and only known this for classic hot rods.

Second, he's adamant that I use top of the line fuel with a lead fuel additive. Any idea why? Keeping engine nice and coated? Again. Im not an under the hood car guy yet. I know the basics. I'm more of a 2A freedom builder guy. I almost feel I'm not worth such a classic truck. I live close to a small airport and step Dad was also a pilot. He told me if I could to use the fuel they use for small aircraft. Beyond me. He's an old schooler.

Originally Posted by bruceman1968

All of the VIN decodes above are correct.
Your VIN plate isn't attached with original rosehead rivits. That may or may not be a problem. Randy500 makes good points.
Your SPID is from a different truck, so nothing on it applies.
Lot's of trucks built at Oshawa were for American buyers. Special-K is just having some fun with you. He was no doubt laughing to himself when he made his post. He's fun like that.

Attachment 1669972