VIN Decode for 1969 GMC 8500

[lgvl]

So, i'm looking at a 1969 GMC 8500 but there is no information about the engine or transmission. There is, however, a VIN. But i'm currently at work on a vessel at sea and our internet drags like snail's tits and I can't find a VIN decoder that will work. Can someone give me a hand and help me decode this thing? It would be much appreciated. Keeping my fingers crossed it's a Detroit Diesel but i'm betting it's a 366ci. Thanks! -Ryan

HM80A-D106237

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Are you sure that's the VIN and not from the trim/cowl tag?

[r bernard]

For 1967 (may be the same specs for 1969?)the HM85 series came standard with the GMC 351 cu in V-6 engine; opt engines were 401 and 478 GMC V-6's..Standard transmission ?? may be a 5 spd NP-541GL with another NP and several Clark and two Spicer trans.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

A GMC 8500 is a pretty rare truck. I can't really help with the numbers, but in my general experience, an 8500 is a 9500 with a smaller engine. My best guess is a 401 or 478 V-6 as mentioned above.

But keep us posted on it.

Bill

[Bob B.]

Originally Posted by C10 - C90 Bill

A GMC 8500 is a pretty rare truck. I can't really help with the numbers, but in my general experience, an 8500 is a 9500 with a smaller engine. My best guess is a 401 or 478 V-6 as mentioned above.

But keep us posted on it.

Bill

That's right, in those years an 8500 was a 9500 with a gas V-6. In this case, HM80 means short nose conventional single rear axle, V-6 engine.

[r bernard]

More info on the VIN code. HM80A-D106237. The "A" designates the year as 1969. The "-" was left blank and used for trucks delivered to Pennsylvania, seems odd but as remembered.
The "D" should be a "P" as all 1969 GMC MD and HD were produced at the Pontiac, Mi plant code "P", and the last six designate your truck's line sequence number for 1969, as such then the next truck was numbered 106238 and so on.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

----'82 C30 3+3 Dually 454---- (The OP's Signature)

It took me many years to learn and finally found out a short while back what the "3+3" stands for, lol.

[studda]

My dad had one back in the '70s that had a 401 in it. It was a '66 model tandem with a 6X6 conversion though. It was originally an Air Force wrecker that he put bunks on to haul logs. My dad has a lot of maintenance books from back then and I can check them next time I'm at his house to look at the configurations and specifications.

[Robert1970C20rstbukt]

The beginning of that VIN is the same as my truck:

H - Conventional cab 92" BBC
M - V6 gasoline, most likely a 478M since it has a higher GVW
8 - 26,001 - 33,000lbs GVW
0 - ?
A - 1969
D - ?

That's as far as I know from what I've found on the net, I have a late '60's GMC truck service manual for 7500 and 8500 trucks but it doesn't elaborate on the VIN number breakdown. I found an original owners manual on ebay I'm buying and hopefully it will have the rest of the info. The NP541 is the standard option transmission, my truck was ordered with the Spicer 5752C which wasn't very common apparently. I've been trying to find a reversible PTO for it and nobody lists that model in their catalog.

[Robert1970C20rstbukt]

Can't edit my post but I received the 1969 GMC 4500 thru 9500 owner's manual and I found out the rest:

H = Short conventional cab 92" BBC, single rear axle
M = V6 gasoline engine
8 = 26,001 - 33,000lb GVW
0A = Cab and chassis - air brakes
D = Year model code 1969