missing Vehicle Certification Label - '81 Chev Silverado 4x4 1/2 ton pickup

[Frankenstien]

Hey all ... I just landed here and am hopeful an expert (or owner of the exact same pickmeup truck as me) can help me out with the info I need from this missing label ...

my truck has the 8' fleetside box (131 IN wheelbase), is Model # CK10903 and has VIN # 2GCEK14L9B1 148522 (Note: the Truck Camper Loading Information & Service Parts Identification labels in the glovebox are intact and I have them recorded as .jpg photos)

So far, I've figured out that in 1981, in Canada, GM was putting this label on the upper, rear, inner surface of the driver's door (seems strange to me that an important label would get applied to an easily removable part - oh well). Anyways, my label was no more than a residual glue spot when I bought this truck in APR04.

I've exhausted my attempts to get GM in Oshawa, Ontario (where the truck was built) to cough up the label info - they've referred me to an arm of GM called Vintage - who, in turn, have taken $26.75 off me to provide a letter that states: GAWR Front 3520 Lbs., GAWR Rear 3520 Lbs., GVWR 6100 Lbs., production date of January 15, 1981 (Service Parts Identification label says JAN 09 81) and "Original tire size was a P 235/75 R 15" (this latter portion I don't trust at all, as I have what appear to be 'BW' '15 x 8 JJ' wheels - Service Parts Identification label says 'PA6' (supposedly 'Wheels, Styled') - that, so far as I know, are the original wheels, and, all the P or LT 235/75 R 15 tires I've looked at specifiy a rim width of 6.5", not 8").

The wheel size info and recommended tire inflation pressures appeared on the original Vehicle Certification Label as well, however, Vintage does not / cannot supply that info. The guy I talked to at Vintage (George) mentioned something about deriving the information from 'calculations' - hence, a possible reason for inaccuracies on their part.

If anyone can help me nail down the tire / wheel / inflation info, I'd sure appreciate it.

[1FaastC10]

235 75 15s will fit an 8" wheel just fine, that's what my 86 had on it from the factory. as for the "proper" inflation, you've got to do some experimenting on your own for that one. i would say somewhere in the neighborhood of 30psi. not quite sure why you posted all the technical info, just to ask what tires will fit what wheels, and what tire pressure to run.

[82 Silverado 4X]

I have the same truck but in an 82. Like FastC10 said. 235 75 15s fit perfectly. My truck is stock (no lift).I have 31 10.5 15's on the stock ralleys for summer and run a set the same size on black spoke wheels during the winter. Lot's of clearance. I run 34lbs all the way around. I just seems to keep the fronts from cupping.

[Frankenstien]

thanks guys ... OK ... so the P235/75R15 tire size is perfectly plausible ... this truck of mine came with Merit All Country 30 x 9.50R15LT A/S tires on it and they look kinda too narrow for the (stock?) wheels - that's why I'm trying to establish stock info that was on the missing label - as a good starting point for selecting a size for new tires (and possibly wheels, as need be).

George ... I don't suppose your PA truck is Oshawa built by any chance? Just curious what all your Veh Cert label info is ... any chance of a digital photo of it?

Thanks, FFF

[us111]

i have a 76 k-10 cab with vin in tact and also a 78 gmc cab i bought with vin in tact,,if the info from either one would help feel free to email me at zane40@hotmail .com..i sometimes forget to check back here..

[1FaastC10]

Originally Posted by 82 Silverado 4X

I have the same truck but in an 82.

no you dont... mine didnt come from the factory with a front axle and transfer case. :p

235s were stock on both 2wd and 4x4 trucks though.

here's a pic of my C10 before her dismembering, wearing stock 15 x 8 Ralleys and 235 75 15 old man whitewalls.

[Frankenstien]

thanks for the feedback guys ... but ... I'm still looking for an identical match to my truck and a digital pic of the Veh Cert Label ... if that's possible ...