VIN doesn't make sense!

[Transformula]

I recently bought a 1971 GMC half ton 4x4. I've known how to decode Chevy vins for a long time, but is something different for GMC? The vin starts like this: KE134Zxxxxxx (the six X's are the serial number digits) I know K is 4 wheel drive, E is v8 engine, 1 is half ton. What is the 3 and the 4? Usually where the 4 is, is the model year! Nothing on the vin tag or title has been messed with. Is GMC different in their coding?

[Bert W]

Do a search or look in the FAQ section. There have been several posts on the subject. GMC is different. Here is a link I just grabbed to give you an idea.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...c+vin+decoding

[bruceman1968]

KE134Z1xxxxx

34= wideside (fleetside)
Z= assy plant Fremont
1= 1971
the last 5 are your build number

[Transformula]

BruceMan! You Da Man!! I see you added the 1 after the Z, which is correct in my vin. Now I get it. It's hard to believe that GMC is that much different. But, the previous owner told me that it was originally a stepside, and now it had a fleetside on it of a different color as the front. I agree with you that 34 is fleetside though, because in Chevrolet, 4 is wideside. I wonder if the owner just had a stepside on it even if it really did not come that way.

[bruceman1968]

Originally Posted by Transformula

BruceMan! You Da Man!! I see you added the 1 after the Z, which is correct in my vin. Now I get it. It's hard to believe that GMC is that much different. But, the previous owner told me that it was originally a stepside, and now it had a fleetside on it of a different color as the front. I agree with you that 34 is fleetside though, because in Chevrolet, 4 is wideside. I wonder if the owner just had a stepside on it even if it really did not come that way.

Glad that helped.
In chevrolet VIN NUMBER the 4 is "pickup, cab and bed".
In chevrolet MODEL NUMBER 04 is stepside and 34 is fleetside.

According to your GMC vin. Your truck came with a wideside (fleetside) bed from the factory. The PO must have put the fenderside (stepside) bed on. Happens all the time.