VIN decoding (fourth digit) - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

navybear70 · 01-17-2006, 01:27 PM

Scenario: 1969 Chevy c-10. VIN plate at driver's door gone. vent in it's place.

VIN in glovebox matches frame. fourth digit is 4. I thought this just meant truck with box (could be fleet or step).
Problem: new owner is stating that 4 is stepside. Says that fourth digit would be 34 for a fleetside. Says guy down the street has a 69 fleetside and his code is CE134...etc. Model # in glovebox is all but faded BTW.
Question: Can fourth digit be TWO digits? What gives with his info??? He says that the new LMC catalog confirms his story. (I gave him my copy, so I can't confirm that myself.) Also, could that vent be from the factory?

**Palf70Step** · 01-17-2006, 01:38 PM

On your VIN# the thrid digit (3, 2 1) means the weight (1ton, 3/4, 1/2) the forth digit means means it is a pickup (cab and a bed).

Now althought similar in looks, your glove box also lists a Model ID which is longer and more specific. There is a code mid way through, they call it the 6th position, that describes the type, like 34 is a 04 is a stepside.

Longhorn Man · 01-17-2006, 04:58 PM

And your whole cab has been replaced. In 71, they started with the vent, and there SHOULD be a VIN plate there in addition to that vent.
If you are looking to buy it, and it is more than a parts truck, you need to contact the DMV or whom ever and find out if this will bite you in the 12 bolt later on. In many states, that is flat out illegal.
Print out this link and show him. http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/Chevyear.html
LMC is not the only on putting out this wrong info, most places that you'll look will give you the same info as you have, which, as stated, totally wrong. The VIN on a chevy will tell you nothing about fleet or step.

01-17-2006, 01:27 PM	#1
navybear70 hometown heroes! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ewa Beach, HI Posts: 487	VIN decoding (fourth digit) Scenario: 1969 Chevy c-10. VIN plate at driver's door gone. vent in it's place. VIN in glovebox matches frame. fourth digit is 4. I thought this just meant truck with box (could be fleet or step). Problem: new owner is stating that 4 is stepside. Says that fourth digit would be 34 for a fleetside. Says guy down the street has a 69 fleetside and his code is CE134...etc. Model # in glovebox is all but faded BTW. Question: Can fourth digit be TWO digits? What gives with his info??? He says that the new LMC catalog confirms his story. (I gave him my copy, so I can't confirm that myself.) Also, could that vent be from the factory? __________________ 2009 Silverado 2wd, 121k as of 04APR13. I love my truck 29 days out of the month. The payment is due on the 30th... Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less. -Robert E. Lee "Never give up ground you've already taken." -Unknown Last edited by navybear70; 01-17-2006 at 01:35 PM.

01-17-2006, 01:38 PM	#2
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,762	Re: VIN decoding (fourth digit) On your VIN# the thrid digit (3, 2 1) means the weight (1ton, 3/4, 1/2) the forth digit means means it is a pickup (cab and a bed). Now althought similar in looks, your glove box also lists a Model ID which is longer and more specific. There is a code mid way through, they call it the 6th position, that describes the type, like 34 is a 04 is a stepside. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! Last edited by Palf70Step; 01-17-2006 at 01:39 PM.

01-17-2006, 04:58 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: VIN decoding (fourth digit) And your whole cab has been replaced. In 71, they started with the vent, and there SHOULD be a VIN plate there in addition to that vent. If you are looking to buy it, and it is more than a parts truck, you need to contact the DMV or whom ever and find out if this will bite you in the 12 bolt later on. In many states, that is flat out illegal. Print out this link and show him. http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/Chevyear.html LMC is not the only on putting out this wrong info, most places that you'll look will give you the same info as you have, which, as stated, totally wrong. The VIN on a chevy will tell you nothing about fleet or step.



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