how to tell if a truck is an orgional 4WD? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ggtsvnv · 06-12-2009, 02:27 PM

Hi all,

I have found a 69 GMC 4WD truck for $500.00. It has some rust in the rockers and cab corners and a few bumps and bruises but the rest of the body seems ok. However I'm not sure if it was a 4WD from the factory, the bed and cab have no gap between them at the top which makes me wonder if the frame was switched or bent. Looking under it at the frame I cannot see any obvious bends in the frame so I was thinking maybe someone took the truck and put it on a different frame to make it a 4WD. It does have on the inside roof of the cab instructions for the 4WD shifter (which seemed like a strange place for it). the glove box door is not orgional and was wondering is there any other way to tell if it was a factory 4WD?

Thanks in advance

**americanmusc1e** · 06-12-2009, 02:49 PM

post some pictures, that might help, we have a 4wd suburban and I think the 4wd information is on the visor

69GMCLonghorn · 06-12-2009, 03:08 PM

Being a California boy spoiled by rust free vehicles, I say if it has ANY rust, forget it... In terms of the gap, again I'd say forget it. Unless you just plan to use it for parts, I'd never trust a truck like that, especially not in any kind of an actual 4WD situation.

However, it could be as simple as a cab to frame mount that has lost its rubber so it's sitting crooked. Lots of possibilities, many of them quite F-UGLY!!

sweet70beast · 06-12-2009, 06:17 PM

Not all of us are lucky enough to find rust free, dent free anything especially in farm country. These are trucks and they were built to be and were used.
Look at your vin # if it starts with a K it is an original 4by if its a C it was a 2wd. I doubt that someone would switch the vin while doing a frame swap but anything is possible. All the trucks that I have seen that have had frame swaps, the owner kept the 2wd vin plate on it.
Unless there are big problems 500 bucks is a good deal.

69GMCLonghorn · 06-12-2009, 06:28 PM

Hey, I live in LA. There isn't a hell of a lot to brag about that fact... At least let me brag about being rust free!

see ten · 06-12-2009, 06:47 PM

On Chevrolets, the Second symbol of the VIN will be a K, not the first. Also all factory 4x4s will have a high hump floor.

vectorit · 06-12-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by see ten

On Chevrolets, the Second symbol of the VIN will be a K, not the first. Also all factory 4x4s will have a high hump floor.

Hmmm my 68 K20 VIN starts with a K...

glock35ipsc · 06-12-2009, 09:37 PM

Chevy VIN's had three letters in 72, otherwise there should only be two letters. BUT, this is a GMC, so it should only have two letters to start the VIN.

So VIN starting with K, and a high hump trans cover should prove it. If you can get a mirror and look under the cab on the drivers side on top of the frame rail, you might be able to see the VIN stamped into the frame to see if it matches the cab and title.

As far as the cab/box issue, look at the rear cab mounts. Probably shot.

ggtsvnv · 06-12-2009, 09:37 PM

Thanks for the replies, I will call the seller and have him check the VIN for me.

**special-K** · 06-12-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by see ten

On Chevrolets, the Second symbol of the VIN will be a K, not the first. Also all factory 4x4s will have a high hump floor.

That`s in`72.Chevys start with a C and GMCs start with a T.The second letter would be C or K,like the earlier year`s 1st digit.

06-12-2009, 02:27 PM	#1
ggtsvnv Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cold Springs NV Posts: 85	how to tell if a truck is an orgional 4WD? Hi all, I have found a 69 GMC 4WD truck for $500.00. It has some rust in the rockers and cab corners and a few bumps and bruises but the rest of the body seems ok. However I'm not sure if it was a 4WD from the factory, the bed and cab have no gap between them at the top which makes me wonder if the frame was switched or bent. Looking under it at the frame I cannot see any obvious bends in the frame so I was thinking maybe someone took the truck and put it on a different frame to make it a 4WD. It does have on the inside roof of the cab instructions for the 4WD shifter (which seemed like a strange place for it). the glove box door is not orgional and was wondering is there any other way to tell if it was a factory 4WD? Thanks in advance

06-12-2009, 02:49 PM	#2
americanmusc1e Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,079	Re: how to tell if a truck is an orgional 4WD? post some pictures, that might help, we have a 4wd suburban and I think the 4wd information is on the visor __________________ -- Josh Instagram: @americanmusc1e OLD SKOOL-- 1970 C10. 454/Th400/3.07 posi Build Thread FARM TRUCK----1949 Chevrolet 3800 Power Wagon Hauler Build Thread 1999 4wd OBS Tahoe - daily. DM me if you can't see photos i posted

06-12-2009, 03:08 PM	#3
69GMCLonghorn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Porter Ranch, CA Posts: 978	Re: how to tell if a truck is an orgional 4WD? Being a California boy spoiled by rust free vehicles, I say if it has ANY rust, forget it... In terms of the gap, again I'd say forget it. Unless you just plan to use it for parts, I'd never trust a truck like that, especially not in any kind of an actual 4WD situation. However, it could be as simple as a cab to frame mount that has lost its rubber so it's sitting crooked. Lots of possibilities, many of them quite F-UGLY!! Last edited by 69GMCLonghorn; 06-12-2009 at 03:09 PM.

06-12-2009, 06:17 PM	#4
sweet70beast Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Shelley Idaho Posts: 876	Re: how to tell if a truck is an orgional 4WD? Not all of us are lucky enough to find rust free, dent free anything especially in farm country. These are trucks and they were built to be and were used. Look at your vin # if it starts with a K it is an original 4by if its a C it was a 2wd. I doubt that someone would switch the vin while doing a frame swap but anything is possible. All the trucks that I have seen that have had frame swaps, the owner kept the 2wd vin plate on it. Unless there are big problems 500 bucks is a good deal. __________________ 1970 Nova 327/T5 (my 1st car) 1971 K-20 350/350/205 (winter DD) 1953 GMC Suburban 1968 Chevy Bel Air 1976 Chev C-10 1972 Skylark (suncoupe) 1 of 3943 made

06-12-2009, 06:28 PM	#5
69GMCLonghorn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Porter Ranch, CA Posts: 978	Re: how to tell if a truck is an orgional 4WD? Hey, I live in LA. There isn't a hell of a lot to brag about that fact... At least let me brag about being rust free!

06-12-2009, 06:47 PM	#6
see ten WTB this ad Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lafayette Georgia Posts: 5,074	Re: how to tell if a truck is an orgional 4WD? On Chevrolets, the Second symbol of the VIN will be a K, not the first. Also all factory 4x4s will have a high hump floor.

06-12-2009, 09:37 PM	#8
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,684	Re: how to tell if a truck is an orgional 4WD? Chevy VIN's had three letters in 72, otherwise there should only be two letters. BUT, this is a GMC, so it should only have two letters to start the VIN. So VIN starting with K, and a high hump trans cover should prove it. If you can get a mirror and look under the cab on the drivers side on top of the frame rail, you might be able to see the VIN stamped into the frame to see if it matches the cab and title. As far as the cab/box issue, look at the rear cab mounts. Probably shot. __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE Last edited by glock35ipsc; 06-12-2009 at 09:41 PM.

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