What the heck is this Frankenstein truck?

[TrucknAndy]

Been a member for a while, and do more lurking than socializing. I bought this 72'(This I am sure of) as a GMC(on the for sale sticker, but has a GMC hood, and a chevy tailgate, but I was looking at prices for body panels, and I was trying to determine exactly what this thing is. The hood and headlights seem to be a dead give away to a GMC, but the vin doesn't paint the same picture. Is this considered a fleetside or wideside? VIN is TCE142F702082. I attached a few pics as an offering to the picture gods.

Thanks,
Andy

[sameyrasmea72]

Vin is a 1972 GMC for sure. A 72 chevy would be CCE not TCE

[TrucknAndy]

Thanks for the reply. Its a start. It measures 127 inches center cap to center cap. So no doubt it is a LWB, and bed is approx. 8' 4" in length. But, what do I call it? Fleetside? Wideside? Terminology can vary a lot, and be confusing at times. Throwing up the SPID in case that helps.



Andy

[sameyrasmea72]

Fleetside is correct. Wideside is sort of slang as in shortwide bed. It probably came from a stepside being called a narrow bed sometimes.

[TrucknAndy]

Thanks again.

Last question. I am trying to determine the trim level as well. Looking on the web I see:

Trim Levels (GMC)

late 1971-72 Super Custom 1500 Sierra 1500 Sierra Grande 1500

Since this truck has no badging I am trying to determine whar trim level this is.

Andy

[Andy4639]

Is this considered a fleetside or wideside?

They mean the same thing just wideside is the slang term!

[jocko]

Originally Posted by TrucknAndy

Thanks again.

Last question. I am trying to determine the trim level as well. Looking on the web I see:

Trim Levels (GMC)

late 1971-72 Super Custom 1500 Sierra 1500 Sierra Grande 1500

Since this truck has no badging I am trying to determine whar trim level this is.

Andy

I would assume it's the 2nd trim level up the totem pole - it lists Custom Deluxe Equipment (and in Chevy parlance, it goes (from bottom to top):
Custom
Custom Deluxe
Cheyenne
Cheyenne Super

So, since it has Custom Deluxe on the SPID and I don't see any separate listing of Sierra or Sierra Grande, that's what I'd bet on. Although, off the top of my head, I don't know what the base trim level was for a GMC...
Did they have 4 levels like a chev?? I dunno.

[SS Tim]

Originally Posted by sameyrasmea72

Fleetside is correct. Wideside is sort of slang as in shortwide bed. It probably came from a stepside being called a narrow bed sometimes.

Actually both are sales terms people in marketing dream up and test to death. Just like the color names in the brochures are very different from the trade names.
Chevrolet Stepside = GMC Fenderside...Chevrolet Fleetside = GMC Wideside
Remeber at the time these trucks were built and marketed and "wide" was a sell word. Think Firestone "Wide Ovals" and Pontiac's "Wide Track" as two that still come to mind.

[SS Tim]

Anyone have any comments on the rivets?

[cdowns]

they are hardware store poprivets commonly used on frankentrucks with switched altered vin numbers

[Shaun1162]

You can always check the frame VIN to see if it matches up

[special-K]

SS Tim is correct. You have a Wideside because you have a GMC. The name goes back to 1958 when the first ones were sold. People use Fleetside and Stepside as generic descriptions (even on Fords and Dodges) when they are actually Chevy-only names.

Chevy- Fleetside/Stepside
GMC- Wideside/Fenderside
Ford- Styeside/Flareside
Dodge- Swepline/Utiline
IH- Bonus-Load/Standard (IIRC)

[SS Tim]

Originally Posted by special-K

SS Tim is correct. You have a Wideside because you have a GMC. The name goes back to 1958 when the first ones were sold. People use Fleetside and Stepside as generic descriptions (even on Fords and Dodges) when they are actually Chevy-only names.

Chevy- Fleetside/Stepside
GMC- Wideside/Fenderside
Ford- Styeside/Flareside
Dodge- Swepline/Utiline
IH- Bonus-Load/Standard (IIRC)

Lets not forget Jeep Townside/Thriftside :-)

[TrucknAndy]

I never paid much attention to how the placard was affixed. I did think.it weird that the glove box door was the only brown thing on the truck. Guess I better check the chassis vin out. Thanks for the overwhelming number of responses. At least when hunting for parts wideside isnt ever an option ive seen.

Andy
Posted via Mobile Device

[black_sheep454]

The glove box should be brown because gmc's had color matched gloveboxes and gauge trim to match the interior color which is listed as parchment.
Posted via Mobile Device

[TrucknAndy]

Well...the chassis number (2F702082) matches the vin on the glove and door placard. Interestingly, the interior paint color could be considered a dark olive(not the same as the newer firebird greenish blue on the exterior of the truck.) But, there is no parchment trim anywhere in the truck. If the rivets on the placard are not original as what has been implied. Whoever may have done the cab swap did this truck no favors. Cab corners rotten, poor body fill, and rags to keep out the cold/sunlight. It also has rotten rockers, crappy floor pan, and core supports. I will likely have the the above replaced if I ever make it to body work/paint. In my mind a donor cab would have to almost perfect to consider buying it, but I guess I will have to cross that bridge when it comes.

Thanks for all your inputs, and keen eyes.

Andy

[Bob B.]

Hey SS Tim, what year is that GMC brochure? Thanks, Bob.

[SS Tim]

Why a '72 of course! Here are a couple of other pages. Don't own it and they tend to be expensive.

[sameyrasmea72]

I wouldn't call your truck a franken truck. It sounds like a fairly original matching (vin palte, glovebox door, frame)truck. I guess the tailgate has been replaced at some point.

As for the rivits on the vin plate, There are a number of reasons why some people remorve them (not a good idea). Swapping cabs is just one. A body color change or body work are a couple others.

[Bob B.]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

Why a '72 of course! Here are a couple of other pages. Don't own it and they tend to be expensive.

Thanks! Don't have that one.