Frame Vin decoding

[RPBurris]

So i have long suspected that my 69 K20 was a transplant of a 69 body onto a late 70s frame. I found the VIN stamped on the frame under passenger side of the cab. The VIN stamped is 8 S 308 on top and 11000252 on the bottom. The S is in a circle and probably means the truck was assembled in St. Louis? So what advice can anyone give me when dealing with a 69 body onto a 79 frame? I bought some radiator supports and they do not match what i took off.

I really wish i would have found this site before i bought this truck 5 years ago. It has been a nice truck overall and will be when i am done it just wont be anything close to an original truck. Oh yeah...it started life as a 2wd as well.

[sameyrasmea72]

Are you sure it is not a 67-72 frame? I thought is was a mojor deal to swap to a 73-79 frame that required alot of mods. The 8 s shows that it was either a 68 frame or if it is how think it is, it would be a 78 frame. The digit before the letter shows what year the frame is.

This one has a 2 and is a 72 frame

[sameyrasmea72]

Originally Posted by RPBurris

I bought some radiator supports and they do not match what i took off.

.

If your frame is a 68, that would explain the different mounts because a 67 and 68 had different bracket for the rad support and different supports than the 69-72.

[RPBurris]

VIN was stamped on the side of the frame rail and not on top. No vin was found near the power steering pump either.

[MusicMan70]

My 70 GMC does not have the stamping next to the steering box either. Is this the stamping you refer too. I don't believe this is a vin number. This was on the front passenger side frame rail.

[RPBurris]

Anyone else got any ideas? I would really like to know what year frame i am working with.

[sameyrasmea72]

Not much to go on. You might post some better pics of your frame. Frame mounts, core support mounts, especially cab mount brackets. Then people might be able to help you some.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by RPBurris

So i have long suspected that my 69 K20 was a transplant of a 69 body onto a late 70s frame. I found the VIN stamped on the frame under passenger side of the cab. The VIN stamped is 8 S 308 on top and 11000252 on the bottom. The S is in a circle and probably means the truck was assembled in St. Louis?

That doesn't sound like a VIN to me. Sounds more like a manufacturer's mark and part number.

K

[trev1]

my 69has the VIN stamped into the frame on the drivers side between where the powerstering pump is bolted on and the motor mount. The cab vin and the frame vin sould match. you can decode what the frame is then. Look at you pic above. It should be right where the powersteering pump is sitting on the frame. Its on top of the frame. Hope it helps

[old69chevy]

I think I am having the same problem. I have a 69 chevy earlier life I believe was 2 wheel drive also. I have a stamped vin number on my frame driver side next to steering box 1Z636775 it is very clear. That in no way matches vin on the cab. I have fully restored this truck everything seems to bolt up fine. I have a gut feeling this is frame is something different. Any help would be appreciated.
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[chewychevy67]

Originally Posted by MusicMan70

My 70 GMC does not have the stamping next to the steering box either. Is this the stamping you refer too. I don't believe this is a vin number. This was on the front passenger side frame rail.

my 67 GMC frame has a similar mark as this by the rad support with the "S" circled. I know my truck is a 67 chassis because it doesn't have the dimple for power steering and the lip is wider in the engine bay as 68-72 ate thinner to acommodate the 396. My truck wasnt made in st louis (according to my vin). thought this meant that the truck cane with a inline 6. not certain about that though. please correct me if your trucks with these "S" marks came with v8's. my vin also is nowhere to be found in the markings on the frame. its wierd. my frame has the #'s on the side of the frame rails under the cab and by the rad support on both rails not on the top lip of the rails by the steering box and under the cab.

[MusicMan70]

chewychevy67 Re: Frame Vin decoding

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please correct me if your trucks with these "S" marks came with v8's. my vin also is nowhere to be found in the markings on the frame. its wierd. my frame has the #'s on the side of the frame rails under the cab and by the rad support on both rails not on the top lip of the rails by the steering box and under the cab.

Yes, my truck came with a 350.