71 or 72?

[Tug87]

Hi all,

I was sold my K10 as a 71, but after doing some research it looks like it may be a 72...?

Here is the VIN - CKE142S108550
Glove Box Model # - KE10934

Would someone with some more experience be able to decode it?

Thank you!

[Rods]

Yes,the vin # you have posted is for a 72

Does the frame have the same vin or partial of that same vin number ?

Are the original rosette rivets installed on the vin tag ?

Does that same vin # appear on the spid sticker on the back of the glove box lid ?


If the answer is yes to all of these then I would say you have a 1972 not a 1971

[54blackhornet]

Tug
On the front drivers side, on the upper frame section is a partial vin # stamped into it, check it against your title and sales receipt…good Luck..Jack

[Stocker]

There may be some confusion due to when it was manufactured. For example, my 1972 K20 was built in August 1971..... but is a 1972 model year truck.

[special-K]

Definitely a '72 VIN. Tell us more and show us pictures. There are difference, although parts can be swapped. Is the header panel above the windshield stamped for the mirror like a '71? If so, the VIN and cab are a mismatch

[Accelo]

I realize the VIN is definitive. However there are other identifiers:
Is the rear view mirror on the window or roof?
Does it have the astro-vent on the inside of the drivers door jam?
Does it have the screw on the inside of the door just below the vent window handle?
Is the truck Medium Gold (1971 only color)
Is the truck Red (1971 only color)

Help me out here as there has to be many more differences.
Not counting things like the tires that are long gone on most trucks.

[57taskforce]

The pin striping/black accents on the grill are different 71 vs. 72

Looks cut and dry that his cab at a minimum is a 72 to me though.

[jocko]

I think perhaps the first question should be - did the VIN you shared in post #1 come from the metal vin tag or off the SPID? If the former, and rosettes are intact, mystery solved, it's a 72. If the latter, then pls confirm or post the metal tag VIN. Beyond those two scenarios - I'm not sure the unique differences between a 71 and 72 matter at all for this question.

[Bigdav160]

Did the title say 1971 with a 1972 VIN?

[Tug87]

Wow!

Thank you for the responses!

I went over the entire truck and the vin stamp matches the frame and matches the glove box. - Also found out that it's an AC truck.

The mirror is on the glass not the body as well.

This looks like a 72 that was sold to me as a 71.

All good info to have moving forward and very cool to have the community and knowledge base here!

Thank you1

[Warrens69GMC]

I have witnessed MANY people who go by the "First Date/Month Registered" that appears on the title.

[Steeveedee]

^Yup. IIRC, it was Roosevelt who moved the model year up a few months to help get the economy rolling during the Depression. The model year change and new models coming out in August/September has been an endless source of confusion.

[special-K]

Sounds like you got it figured out. who knows why the seller didn't know what year truck they were selling

Originally Posted by Accelo

I realize the VIN is definitive. However there are other identifiers:
Is the rear view mirror on the window or roof?
Does it have the astro-vent on the inside of the drivers door jam?
Does it have the screw on the inside of the door just below the vent window handle?
Is the truck Medium Gold (1971 only color)
Is the truck Red (1971 only color)

Help me out here as there has to be many more differences.
Not counting things like the tires that are long gone on most trucks.

I asked about the mirror mount area, '71s had the astro-vent, and the doors are one thing I was talking about when I said parts can be switched.

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

The pin striping/black accents on the grill are different 71 vs. 72

Looks cut and dry that his cab at a minimum is a 72 to me though.

We didn't know about the mirror mounting yet, so could have been either. It's rare to find that black accent showing still on original grilles.

Originally Posted by jocko

I think perhaps the first question should be - did the VIN you shared in post #1 come from the metal vin tag or off the SPID? If the former, and rosettes are intact, mystery solved, it's a 72. If the latter, then pls confirm or post the metal tag VIN. Beyond those two scenarios - I'm not sure the unique differences between a 71 and 72 matter at all for this question.

Unless the VIN was replaced. There are rosettes to be found out there, yet. And you seem to be overlooking the mirror mount area that a '71 can would have vs smooth header panel in '72

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

I have witnessed MANY people who go by the "First Date/Month Registered" that appears on the title.

Some states titled using that criteria.

[jocko]

It’s not that hard to tell when a VIN has been replaced even with illegal aftermarket rosettes - which is why I mentioned ‘intact’ rosettes. If the op’s VIN tag had been replaced, it probably wouldn’t match the SPID and frame partial. I don’t understand what I’m overlooking, his mirror is correct for a 72.

[special-K]

Yes, the pictures he showed in post #10, accompanied by info on matching numbers after his inspection, do show it is in fact a '72. My original post asking about the mirror mounting was #5 and yours, only focusing on the VIN-plate, was post #8. I didn't intend to offend you, just keeping the info straight to better help Tug87 (and others) learn. No comment on the 'intact' rivets vs replaced

I also want to say that '71 and '72 both had the same two reds available, 513-Flame Red and 514 Red. I felt awkward enough posting #13 already and getting into color in this case wasn't the priority for determining year. It's all good. He worked it out.

Sorry if I offended anyone. Just trying to help keep the facts straight for better future reference

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by special-K

Yes, the pictures he showed in post #10, accompanied by info on matching numbers after his inspection, do show it is in fact a '72.

I see no pics in post #10 (or any other post in this thread). Possible computer glitch on my end?

[special-K]

Originally Posted by Stocker

I see no pics in post #10 (or any other post in this thread). Possible computer glitch on my end?

Ok, I didn't go over the thread with a fine tooth comb, just went back for post numbers. So, it was only in text that we learned the answers in Post #10, no pictures needed. I had asked for pictures and knew from last night he had come back and solved the mystery. The only accuracy I am concerned with is related to information answering the question asked. Everything else is trivial. Sorry for any confusion

[Stocker]

Thanks, Tim. No worries.

[jocko]

No offense taken Tim - just wanted to figure out if I was missing something. The point of my first post was to answer the op's direct question about decoding his VIN - and as long as the VIN posted was from the metal tag, then the answer was that it was a 72. All good my friend!

[special-K]

Glad to hear. You all know how this conversing in text can be when it comes to how we might come across, especially when there is a difference. I wondered if I went overboard on the quotes and comments that night, by the time I woke up the next day. But it was too late to edit.

[57taskforce]

For what it’s worth, per accelo above me, I was just high lighting a sometimes forgotten change between 71-72. If the vin is legit, it tells the true tale regardless of what the truck may or may not have now-a lot of things happen in 50+ years.

I agree, a lot of the grill black might be gone by now, how ever My 69 has a 71 grill in it and it still shows traces of the original pin striping around the perimeter.

[Tug87]

Such great info in this thread!

Thank you for dropping the knowledge!

I'm going to throw a couple more questions out there if you don't mind...

Picture 1: The first picture attached has two switches above the ignition. I cant seem to find any pictures of dashed with them so I'm assuming they are not stock. Thoughts?

Picture 2: I've always assumed the box with knob that can be seen on the lower left is an aftermarket brake controller - as it moves slightly when I hit the brake. I've never messed with it though...? Thoughts.

Lastly I've attached a picture of the vin plate.

Wished I looked into all of this before, but honestly I was just having a great time driving it!

[Stocker]

Yep, those two toggle switches above the ignition have been added. Maybe see if you can trace where any wiring might be going from them.

Another yes on the trailer brake controller.

Nice clean interior, and a perfect color! Looks like a new S-connector on the airbox, may need to drill holes to connect it.

[special-K]

That brake controller is "wet", meaning it is tapped into the closed brake fluid system. I removed the one in my '72 K2500 to eliminate the chance for the old thing to leak.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by special-K

That brake controller is "wet", meaning it is tapped into the closed brake fluid system. I removed the one in my '72 K2500 to eliminate the chance for the old thing to leak.

Yup! I bought a new controller that has some sort of piezo sensor in it. I really wanted that possible brake fluid leak out of the cab, though I shouldn't have worried, since it was in there for 30+ years that I know of. Changed it out when I went to disc brakes.