Help figuring what year GMC truck. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cadman89 · 06-25-2008, 04:02 PM

I bought a 12 Bolt rear end from a 19XX GMC truck out of the junk yard.

It was a short bed 4X4 and the yard owner told me it was a 1983 but tail light had a 73 on it if that means anything.

Well I got chased out of the yard 2 day later for being there with a camera...Real .. real upset people.
I took a picture of the VIN that says its a 1985 2 wheel drive 8 foot bed.. but?

That front bumper and round headlamps ?
Also the dash board torn out upside down upside down in the background with the 4 holes on the outside edge?

And the 2 hole dash board (upper Left upside down)
I think I am looking at a 1974-1979?

Anyone help with what I got?

Cadman

blk81shrt · 06-25-2008, 04:25 PM

round headlights = 73-79

but you should probably go with the VIN, people can swap front ends and dashboards as much as they want.

stepside454 · 06-25-2008, 04:45 PM

based on the grill trim, it looks like 73-76 or so

Greenlee · 06-25-2008, 05:06 PM

It looks alot like my 76'. The cruise control lever is the same as my 76'. I think by 83' they were using 10 bolt rear ends.

andresco50 · 06-25-2008, 05:16 PM

It´s a 76-78 the vin number came in the windshield since 76 0r 77 and in 79 the headlights bezels changes

jchav62 · 06-25-2008, 05:51 PM

The front end is definitely 73-78. In 79 (Chevy's anyway) the headlight bezel and parking light bezel were one piece. BUT according to that VIN, it's an 86, according to the LMC catalog, VIN Identification. Weird...

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=12

**Captkaos** · 06-25-2008, 06:52 PM

1981 was the last year for a 12bolt.
VIN indicates a 1985 1/2T. If you want to see if the cab is really an 85, look at the around on the outside of the cowl where it is flat. If there is a hole there, it is a 1981-1987...

ElGracho · 06-25-2008, 07:22 PM

What difference does it make? The rear end didn't come factory with that cab or at least that VIN. We're sure of that.

Do you just need a year to get parts for it? Tell them its from a 77, that will be a safe bet.

Looks like the smashed truck was a mishmash of different parts.

74 C-30 · 06-25-2008, 08:11 PM

is there was way of identifying the year by codes on the rear end? its obviusly a 12 bolt....are there any casting #'s on it?

ElGracho · 06-25-2008, 10:46 PM

One very clear date code will be on the ring gear. If you take the cover off you can verify the ratio too.

Square84 · 06-25-2008, 11:48 PM

dont know if it helps but the inside door handles are from an 80's truck

cadman89 · 06-26-2008, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 74 C-30

is there was way of identifying the year by codes on the rear end? its obviusly a 12 bolt....are there any casting #'s on it?

Yes there are some codes.

Anyone know how to read these codes on the shaft?
looks like KAJ W064 1 E

I just wanted to be sure of the year before I order all new brake parts.
But now I am also interested in identifying the truck. I think the "X" in the serial number where a check digit goes is interesting and the number seems to be for a 2 wheel drive truck??

Cadman

Greenlee · 06-26-2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadman89

I just wanted to be sure of the year before I order all new brake parts.
But now I am also interested in identifying the truck. I think the "X" in the serial number where a check digit goes is interesting and the number seems to be for a 2 wheel drive truck??

Cadman

That truck is a mutt. As someone else pointed out the doors are from a 1980's truck. Most everything else looks 70's.

For what its worth, I believe the brakes are interchangable through out the 70's and 80's althought they used different sizes. I just swapped a 10 bolt with 3.73 gears for a 12 bolt with 3.08 gears in my 1976 model. I kept the brakes from the 12 bolt and everything was interchangable. I unbolted the brake backing plate from the 12 bolt and swapped everything over to the 10 bolt. So, for ordering brake parts it probably doesn't make much difference what the year model is.

m22muncie · 09-01-2012, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadman89

Yes there are some codes.

Anyone know how to read these codes on the shaft?
looks like KAJ W064 1 E

I just wanted to be sure of the year before I order all new brake parts.
But now I am also interested in identifying the truck. I think the "X" in the serial number where a check digit goes is interesting and the number seems to be for a 2 wheel drive truck??

Cadman

KAJ is 3.07 open http://www.gmpartswiki.com/

motornut · 09-04-2012, 12:30 PM

the front looks 79 with the lower chrome
vin on the dash 79 ,78 is door pillar
looks like the deeper dash pad,not 79
locks on vents ,later then 79
speaker hole in the corner....i duno but not in the 78-79 i have with the older pad

GM-power · 09-04-2012, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motornut

the front looks 79 with the lower chrome
vin on the dash 79 ,78 is door pillar
looks like the deeper dash pad,not 79
locks on vents ,later then 79
speaker hole in the corner....i duno but not in the 78-79 i have with the older pad

X2
Posted via Mobile Device

KQQL IT · 09-04-2012, 04:27 PM

Vin on the dash wasnt till 78. If the vin is right its a 79
Posted via Mobile Device

clinebarger · 09-04-2012, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadman89

I just wanted to be sure of the year before I order all new brake parts.
But now I am also interested in identifying the truck. I think the "X" in the serial number where a check digit goes is interesting and the number seems to be for a 2 wheel drive truck??

Cadman

Truck 12 bolt only have 2 different size brakes, 11" x 2 3/4" & 11" X 2".

All square body 12 bolt Ive seen are 11" x 2 3/4". Though I do believe 11" x 2" were available.

6 lug is 4x4.
5 lug is 2wd.

06-25-2008, 04:02 PM	#1
cadman89 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 265	Help figuring what year GMC truck. I bought a 12 Bolt rear end from a 19XX GMC truck out of the junk yard. It was a short bed 4X4 and the yard owner told me it was a 1983 but tail light had a 73 on it if that means anything. Well I got chased out of the yard 2 day later for being there with a camera...Real .. real upset people. I took a picture of the VIN that says its a 1985 2 wheel drive 8 foot bed.. but? That front bumper and round headlamps ? Also the dash board torn out upside down upside down in the background with the 4 holes on the outside edge? And the 2 hole dash board (upper Left upside down) I think I am looking at a 1974-1979? Anyone help with what I got? Cadman __________________ 56 GMC 1922 Dodge Rat Roadster 89 Gray Allante 90 Red Allante Turkey Run Photographer http://www.turkeyrun.com/photo_gallery.html Last edited by cadman89; 06-25-2008 at 04:08 PM.

06-25-2008, 04:25 PM	#2
blk81shrt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: calgary Posts: 74	Re: Help figuring what year GMC truck. round headlights = 73-79 but you should probably go with the VIN, people can swap front ends and dashboards as much as they want. Last edited by blk81shrt; 06-25-2008 at 04:27 PM.

06-25-2008, 04:45 PM	#3
stepside454 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: st. louis area Posts: 1,551	Re: Help figuring what year GMC truck. based on the grill trim, it looks like 73-76 or so __________________ 75 GMC C-15 short/step factory 454, lowered

06-25-2008, 05:06 PM	#4
Greenlee Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: El Lago, TX Posts: 1,668	Re: Help figuring what year GMC truck. It looks alot like my 76'. The cruise control lever is the same as my 76'. I think by 83' they were using 10 bolt rear ends.

06-25-2008, 05:16 PM	#5
andresco50 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lakeworth, Fl Posts: 633	Re: Help figuring what year GMC truck. It´s a 76-78 the vin number came in the windshield since 76 0r 77 and in 79 the headlights bezels changes __________________ 2001 silverado 2wd 2003 silverado 4wd 1975 scottsdale c10 (project)

06-25-2008, 05:51 PM	#6
jchav62 1962 C-10 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico Posts: 4,978	Re: Help figuring what year GMC truck. The front end is definitely 73-78. In 79 (Chevy's anyway) the headlight bezel and parking light bezel were one piece. BUT according to that VIN, it's an 86, according to the LMC catalog, VIN Identification. Weird... http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=12 __________________ Joseph Chavez "See the USA in a Chevrolet!!" ......................_____ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(O)___//___/__(O)_/ 1962 C10 Shortbed Fleetside 327/th350 GV overdrive 1974 C10 Longbed Fleetside 350/th350 "The Trash Truck" 1999 Chevy 2500 OBS, Longbed 5.7/4L80E 4x4 2015 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 4x4 Last edited by jchav62; 06-25-2008 at 05:51 PM.

06-25-2008, 06:52 PM	#7
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Re: Help figuring what year GMC truck. 1981 was the last year for a 12bolt. VIN indicates a 1985 1/2T. If you want to see if the cab is really an 85, look at the around on the outside of the cowl where it is flat. If there is a hole there, it is a 1981-1987... __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

06-25-2008, 07:22 PM	#8
ElGracho Gentleman Jim Driver Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Poulsbo, WA Posts: 1,550	Re: Help figuring what year GMC truck. What difference does it make? The rear end didn't come factory with that cab or at least that VIN. We're sure of that. Do you just need a year to get parts for it? Tell them its from a 77, that will be a safe bet. Looks like the smashed truck was a mishmash of different parts. __________________ Joe '75 GMC Gentleman Jim '84 Chev C10 Short Wide - Super duper plain (manual steering, manual brakes, no dome light, no cig lighter) '85 Chev C10 Short Wide - Super plain Vortec 4.8 4L60E trans also: '81 K30, '83 C30 Crew Dually, '84 M1028 CUCV, '85 M1009 CUCV, another '85 C10 SWB, '89 R3500 Flatbed

06-25-2008, 08:11 PM	#9
74 C-30 Dually Pride Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NH Posts: 540	Re: Help figuring what year GMC truck. is there was way of identifying the year by codes on the rear end? its obviusly a 12 bolt....are there any casting #'s on it? __________________ If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand. '74 Chevy C-30 350/4 speed/dually '94 Ford Ranger

06-25-2008, 10:46 PM	#10
ElGracho Gentleman Jim Driver Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Poulsbo, WA Posts: 1,550	Re: Help figuring what year GMC truck. One very clear date code will be on the ring gear. If you take the cover off you can verify the ratio too. __________________ Joe '75 GMC Gentleman Jim '84 Chev C10 Short Wide - Super duper plain (manual steering, manual brakes, no dome light, no cig lighter) '85 Chev C10 Short Wide - Super plain Vortec 4.8 4L60E trans also: '81 K30, '83 C30 Crew Dually, '84 M1028 CUCV, '85 M1009 CUCV, another '85 C10 SWB, '89 R3500 Flatbed

06-25-2008, 11:48 PM	#11
Square84 I don't think these pills work Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: burkburnett,Tx Posts: 626	Re: Help figuring what year GMC truck. dont know if it helps but the inside door handles are from an 80's truck __________________ SQUARE84 90 SUBURBAN

09-04-2012, 12:30 PM	#15
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: Help figuring what year GMC truck. the front looks 79 with the lower chrome vin on the dash 79 ,78 is door pillar looks like the deeper dash pad,not 79 locks on vents ,later then 79 speaker hole in the corner....i duno but not in the 78-79 i have with the older pad __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

09-04-2012, 04:27 PM	#17
KQQL IT At the body shop. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Land of fruits and nuts. Posts: 5,231	Re: Help figuring what year GMC truck. Vin on the dash wasnt till 78. If the vin is right its a 79 Posted via Mobile Device __________________ " That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment " Last edited by KQQL IT; 09-04-2012 at 08:21 PM. Reason: typo



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