What year is my truck!?

[Tdubbyount]

I've always believed its a 79 Cheyenne...that's what the registration says. However the VIN on the registration says its a 76 GMC. That doesn't make sense because it was originally a 5.7 diesel, which came out in 78 I believe...? It has all the 79 Cheyenne trim, interior was correct for a 79, but the partial vin that I could find on the cab matched the 76 vin on the registration. Really confused on this one...
Anyone know of other hidden vin numbers I can find? I want to know which parts of my truck are from where.
After the restoration it has no resemblance of the truck that it was. I put a pre-78 style bezels and trim. Engine, tranny and all running gear have been swapped for earlier 3/4 ton stuff. I just would like to know for sure what year my cab, frame and possibly bed are.

Here's a picture of before I started.

[Tdubbyount]

Here's a picture of after the restoration.
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[J Knight]

Where is the vin tag on the cab? 73-76 is in the door jam and 77-80 is on the dash IIRC.
Whats the full vin#?
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[Tdubbyount]

There are supposed to be two vin tags, one on the dash and one in the door jamb. Both of them are gone. The vin on the registration starts out as TKU which means gmc truck, and the year code was 6, signifying a 1976 model year. I'll have to go check the full vin when I have time
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[TexasJeff]

In the first pick, I do notice it is a 79/80 headlight bezels, but your second pic they are different.

[Keith Seymore]

There is also a "secret" VIN on the frame, top of the rail, in the vicinity of where the seat would be (fore/aft). Could be either the passenger or driver frame rail - I can never remember which (...because it's "secret" )

K

[Tdubbyount]

Originally Posted by TexasJeff

In the first pick, I do notice it is a 79/80 headlight bezels, but your second pic they are different.

That was intentional. I like the earlier style better.
And about he hidden Vin...how exactly do I go about reading this number when it's in between my body and frame? And are there any "secret" vins on the cab?
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[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Tdubbyount

That was intentional. I like the earlier style better.
And about he hidden Vin...how exactly do I go about reading this number when it's in between my body and frame? And are there any "secret" vins on the cab?
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No secret VINs on the cab.

For the frame you might need to pull the box and you will see it (if you are lucky) or you'll need to use a mirror, flashlight and some sandpaper (if it is up under the cab).

K

[wraprail]

Originally Posted by Tdubbyount

There are supposed to be two vin tags, one on the dash and one in the door jamb. Both of them are gone. The vin on the registration starts out as TKU which means gmc truck, and the year code was 6, signifying a 1976 model year. I'll have to go check the full vin when I have time
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You never checked the vin. when you bought it?
I'm sure the cab vin. is either on the door jam ( early ) or dash (later) but not both locations. If it's missing altogether it's probably stolen.
If you get pulled over and cop decides to check the vin........ Kiss it goodbye
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[Tdubbyount]

Originally Posted by wraprail

You never checked the vin. when you bought it?
I'm sure the cab vin. is either on the door jam ( early ) or dash (later) but not both locations. If it's missing altogether it's probably stolen.
If you get pulled over and cop decides to check the vin........ Kiss it goodbye
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Well i know its not stolen haha. There was a vin tag on the dash at one point in time, but its gone. As for the door tag, its been painted over multiple times, and by the time i got it sanded down to the tag, it was unreadable for the most part.

[Tdubbyount]

Another question...Since i am missing a legible vin tag altogether, is it possible i can get another one made?

[motornut]

my 78 Jimmy the vin in in the door jam,none on the dash,never was
those light bezels are the same as my 79 not the 78 tho

couple of other ?s
78 to 79 mine i've noticed
what kind of fuses,(glass up to 78) or (blade 79 up)
if i see right you have the lip on the hood? 79?
do you have a charcole cannister? no 78 yes 79
2 line fuel or 3 line,my-78 2 79-3
also some colour differences with the head light wires and NSS wires,
no fuel door 78

And if you get caught with a "funny" truck,chances are you won't be driving it home
this site straighten me out,caught all the funny stuff
I had the police sort it out for me...it was free ....I thought i owned an 85 nope 88
and yes you can get a new Vin ....they (police)make them up according to the newest provable owned number
meaning 86 cab,79 block,72 frame.....here would get a new vin saying it's an 86 ....but thats after the ownership is proved

[SamsAutoParts73-87]

73-78 VIN tag on Driver side door frame
79-and up had the Vin tag on the dash.

I have seen it where the door jamb Vin tag was moved for body work and never made it back on the cab.

I doubt it is stolen, someone probably just started swapping parts and forgot to make sure they kept the title and VIN plate with the cab. Possibly your frame VIN matches the title.

-Sam

[83GMCK2500]

Originally Posted by Tdubbyount

Another question...Since i am missing a legible vin tag altogether, is it possible i can get another one made?

http://www.wsp.wa.gov/traveler/vinspect.htm

What if a vehicle does not have a VIN?

The State Patrol will continue assigning VINs to vehicles that do not have them. The State Patrol also will issue and attach the VIN plates to the vehicles requiring them.

Contact the WSP, explain situation, I am sure they would work with you.

[SamsAutoParts73-87]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

No secret VINs on the cab.

For the frame you might need to pull the box and you will see it (if you are lucky) or you'll need to use a mirror, flashlight and some sandpaper (if it is up under the cab).

K

Here is a picture of the frame VIN on my 82 C15 frame the white paint is over the VIN # ,only way I could get it to be noticeable in the dark garage,. It is on the passenger side top of the frame rail right behind the front bed bolt hole.
-Sam

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by SamsAutoParts73-87

Here is a picture of the frame VIN on my 82 C15 frame the white paint is over the VIN # ,only way I could get it to be noticeable in the dark garage,. It is on the passenger side top of the frame rail right behind the front bed bolt hole.
-Sam

Thank you; I made a note of it the last time we had this discussion....and then couldn't find my notes.

I'll put it someplace this time so I can remember.



By way of further detail - do you know which plant your truck was built in?

K

[SamsAutoParts73-87]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Thank you; I made a note of it the last time we had this discussion....and then couldn't find my notes.

I'll put it someplace this time so I can remember.



By way of further detail - do you know which plant your truck was built in?

K

The frame which is all that is left of that particular truck was built in Fremont, CA. The body I transplanted on it is a Canadian built 79.


-Sam

[Tdubbyount]

Originally Posted by SamsAutoParts73-87

73-78 VIN tag on Driver side door frame
79-and up had the Vin tag on the dash.

I have seen it where the door jamb Vin tag was moved for body work and never made it back on the cab.

-Sam

That could be possible. There is a vin tag on the door jamb, I just can't read it, it's destroyed. There was a spot in the dash for a tag, but it has been missing since I got the truck.
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[KQQL IT]

My 73 has a vin by the steering box
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[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

My 73 has a vin by the steering box
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Good thought, '72 and earlier do as well but later years do not.

I know by the time I started in 1979 we were not stamping up at the front of the frame; only midway down the rail.

K

[whiskeydented]

My 78 has the vin stamped twice on the frame. First spot is on top of the rail by the back of the cab. Then there is another vin stamp about 16" behind that one towards the rear. Truck was built in Canada I believe.
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[motornut]

Originally Posted by Tdubbyount

That could be possible. There is a vin tag on the door jamb, I just can't read it, it's destroyed. There was a spot in the dash for a tag, but it has been missing since I got the truck.
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when you say a spot on the dash
do you mean rivit holes with vin plate removed or there is a hole in the pad?

[Tdubbyount]

Originally Posted by motornut

when you say a spot on the dash
do you mean rivit holes with vin plate removed or there is a hole in the pad?

There was a hole in the dash for it.
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[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by whiskeydented

My 78 has the vin stamped twice on the frame. First spot is on top of the rail by the back of the cab. Then there is another vin stamp about 16" behind that one towards the rear. Truck was built in Canada I believe.
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Thank you; Oshawa, eh?

K

[SamsAutoParts73-87]

Originally Posted by Tdubbyount

There was a hole in the dash for it.
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Possibly someone swapped in a 79-80 Dash pad.
-Sam