VIN troubles

[yodert]

Hey guys,

Just bought a 1985 (Chevrolet?) K10, and I'm having a hard time figuring out this issue:

The truck has all Chevrolet badges, but the VIN on the dash and on the title shows it as being a 1985 GMC K10. The cab trim that goes around the back depicts it as a Chevy, all the panel badges depict it as a Silverado and even the dash emblem depicts it as a Silverado. The emblems look to be factory applied, as well as factory paint.

My first thought is that someone REALLY wanted a Silverado, but who would go to those lengths having to change all the badges?

My second thought is that it could be a rebuilt title or a salvaged title, but haven't had any experience dealing with that kind of thing, so I wouldn't know where else to look besides the title, and it doesn't say it on the title.

Any clues?

[old Rusty C10]

Does the frame vin match the dash
If so someone prolly just wanted a Silverado and switched the badges if you search on here you will find many people here do just that... I turned mine from a Scottsdale to a Silverado
as long as the VINs match all is good if not you MAY have a legal nightmare on your hands which would require your state police to get involved

[yodert]

Thanks, Bob!

I'll check the frame. Any special location on the frame? I'm headed to get the VIN verified today, and hope it all works out. I'll keep ya posted!

Thanks again!

[old Rusty C10]

IIRC its on the rear end of the truck behind the axel I forget which side but im sure someone else will chime in with the exact location(s)

years ago in the late seventies Chrysler was notorious for sending out aspen/volare mixes on their cars I must have seen about five or six back then and I was only a kid so my travelling wasn't that far

[old Rusty C10]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=395544 this may throw some light on your situation

[yodert]

Heh heh. Thanks! I'll check it out.

Tim

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by old Rusty C10

Does the frame vin match the dash
If so someone prolly just wanted a Silverado and switched the badges if you search on here you will find many people here do just that... I turned mine from a Scottsdale to a Silverado
as long as the VINs match all is good if not you MAY have a legal nightmare on your hands which would require your state police to get involved

Originally Posted by old Rusty C10

IIRC its on the rear end of the truck behind the axel I forget which side but im sure someone else will chime in with the exact location(s)

years ago in the late seventies Chrysler was notorious for sending out aspen/volare mixes on their cars I must have seen about five or six back then and I was only a kid so my travelling wasn't that far

Agree - I've seen some trucks that were Chevy on one side and GMC on the other.

In fact, we used to convert our GMC race truck to a Chevy so that we could run the "Super Chevy Sunday" events.

Nonetheless - yodert - post up the VIN (except for the last five digits) and we'll see if we agree there is a disconnect. Here's a VIN card for 1985 so you can do some of your own analysis:

http://service.gm.com/dealerworld/vi.../vincard85.pdf (page 2)

You should be looking at the third digit in the VIN: 1GTDK14J3FF512345 where "T" = GMC; the GMC build sequence also started with 500001.

Originally Posted by yodert

Thanks, Bob!

I'll check the frame. Any special location on the frame? I'm headed to get the VIN verified today, and hope it all works out. I'll keep ya posted!

Thanks again!

It is on the passenger side top of the frame rail right behind the front bed bolt hole. There is no hidden VIN on the cab.

K

[yodert]

Keith / Bob,

Thanks for your input. I appreciate the help! I'll have to come up with an idea on how to get to the upper side of the frame rail. Heck, I think I'll crawl underneath it to search, as well. The VIN card is pretty handy...thought I had a 5.7, but looks to be a 5.0. It just keeps getting better...oh well.

As long as the VIN verification comes back ok, and I can get it registered, I'll be happy.

Thanks again, guys!

Tim

[Slonaker]

With trucks this old, you never know what someone may have done over the life of the vehicle. My guess (and it is only that...) would be that it was wrecked at some point and someone used a Chevy parts truck to fix it. I remember when I was younger seeing several cars that were Camaro on one end and Firebird on the other!

The same goes for the engine. You might have a 350. Just because the truck came with a 305 from the factory does not mean it still has one. A lot of worn out 305s have been replaced with 350s. That was what I did when mine wore out.

Slonaker

[KQQL IT]

My 73 GMC is Chevy badged.
Posted via Mobile Device

[yodert]

Here is what I came up with off the VIN card:

VIN: 1GTEK14H8FF724627

1: U.S. Built
G: General Motors
T: GMC Truck
E: GVWR/Brake System - 6001-7000 / HYD
K: Conventional Cab 4x4
1: ½ Ton
4: Two-Door Cab
H: 5.0, V8, 4BBL
8: Check Digit
F: 1985 Model Year
F: Plant – Flint, MI
724627: Sequence Number

[D13]

It can be hard to find quality GMC trim, so most likely someone got a good Chevy parts truck and swapped out trim to make it fancy.
My 81 GMC has a LH fender with Chevy emblem holes on the dealer replacement panel. Funny because it's a strippo and the corresponding GMC trim on the factory RH fender. Only way to know it's GMC is steering wheel, grille, and tailgate, and the small fender emblems. I could make it a Chevy in about 20 minutes.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by yodert

Here is what I came up with off the VIN card:

VIN: 1GTEK14H8FF724627

1: U.S. Built
G: General Motors
T: GMC Truck
E: GVWR/Brake System - 6001-7000 / HYD
K: Conventional Cab 4x4
1: ½ Ton
4: Two-Door Cab
H: 5.0, V8, 4BBL
8: Check Digit
F: 1985 Model Year
F: Plant – Flint, MI
724627: Sequence Number

Your interpretation appears correct to me.

K

[yodert]

Although I bought it because it was a Chevy, I'm happy. Now I just need to get the "no-bull" specs on it as it sits. Sure would nice to find that the 5.0 was swapped for a 5.7!!

Thanks to all for the input!

[old Rusty C10]

DId you pass the VIN check thing you were going to?

[yodert]

Sure did! Took it to Carmax. They did it for free. Also got it registered!