Do you have a 1972 Fremont built truck?

[SS Tim]

2Z162521 was assembled 04/17/72

[DeadheadNM]

Thanks for the follow-up posts. I'll upload a pic of the emissions decal later this evening.

[DeadheadNM]

Decal shot "M..R" appear visible so I assume March.

[SS Tim]

From the looks of that sticker I'd agree it is March.

Going back through the numbers, that March build indicates a five day week with a production rate of 386 units per day. That would put the build date of your truck on March 1 or 2 at the latest.
If we added in every Saturday the production drops to 322 units per day and a build date on your truck of February 26 or 27.

Now more than ever I'd like to see the engine assembly date code. It would almost have to be a late February.

Looks like first quarter production was pretty laid back on the truck line running five days a week and single shift.

[dazza]

Adjusting the image in different ways, including inverting it like an x-ray didn't help. Not sure if I still have my emissions sticker but do they normally have the day within the date? Because looking at the spacing of the characters, the spacing between the R and what appears to be a 1, would align perfectly with a month/year stamp as I've shown. If it were Mar 19, 72 it wouldn't align.

I would definitely say MAR, even though it looks as nothing was there, blown up it shows a few spots which could be the lower part of an A.

[SS Tim]

Here is a sample of the format.

[DeadheadNM]

I'll try to dig out the engine date code and thanks guys for the help. As an aside, I've got no reason to suspect the motor is from a different vehicle.

Begs the questions, at what point did the blue door decal get affixed in assembly (on way out the door?) and when was the emissions decal affixed in the assembly process?

[Mike_The_Grad]

My truck was special ordered. I wonder how "custom ordered vehicles" were factored into the production schedule, and if they have a VIN designating it as a "Custom Order" Vs. R.P.O. vehicles. I see the date: 05-24-72 on my build sheet. My protecto-plate paperwork shows a vehicle delivery date of: 06-11-72.

[SS Tim]

Originally Posted by Mike_The_Grad

My truck was special ordered. I wonder how "custom ordered vehicles" were factored into the production schedule, and if they have a VIN designating it as a "Custom Order" Vs. R.P.O. vehicles. I see the date: 05-24-72 on my build sheet. My protecto-plate paperwork shows a vehicle delivery date of: 06-11-72.

Not sure what you are digging for. While an individual could have ordered these specific options, it may just have been ordered by a dealer as a lot unit. Overall a very capable yet plain appearing basic truck.

Every option is in fact a Regular Production Option with the individual options common and even collectively fairly common.

The HD Radiator and Tint suggest add-on A/C may have been planned for or installed on this truck.

Working this truck into production would have been very easy given the light option load among very popular Cheyenne Supers and the Promo Package Highlanders.

The VIN does litle more than designate it being a 72 1/2 ton Chevy V-8 pickup assembled at Freemont with a given sequence/serial number.

The date on your build sheet is the scheduled build date, but is likely close to the actual.

It would be interesting to see if the engine's stamped assembly code matches the POP's. Both should have the "TFD" suffix found in box 11. Also how close that date code is to the scheduled vehicle build date.

[special-K]

Not a '72, but I ordered a '92 just the way I wanted it and it took from Jan-July to be delivered. I don't know how differently things were done between the decades, but mine came off the order list (means truck is done and moved to shipment status) a few times. I got three calls from the dealer saying my truck was done only to find it went back on the list. I know my truck had a unique combo of options and figure it got sidelined those times waiting for a unit. First it was the fleet paint they made an exception to give me on my single order and I doubt any fleets ordered SLE bucket seat 5spd 6.5TD K3500 SRWs. I had to wait for the build to begin until at least 5 other trucks were ordered in that color, which took the first 6 weeks. So my truck was in production for months. I could see the dates being all over the place. Just adding these factors as food for thought. Things may not be as cst in stone as we think. There could always be exceptions.

[SS Tim]

With 18 days beween scheduled build and known delivery date to the customer (driving off the dealer's lot), clearly there were no real delays.

[Mike_The_Grad]

Not necessarily digging, but contributing to the OP's post in an effort to help narrow down his vehicles build date. Based on known inconsistencies in SPID labels amongst the build plants, I identified dates stated on MY paperwork. I see where you are coming from on the overall general options listed on my spid and build sheet. So the relative closeness of the dates coincides with a general low option ordered vehicle conceivably being built and delivered on those dates. As far as my statement regarding the VIN I was curious if there was a designation within the VIN identifying a Special Ordered Vehicles VS. R.P.O. but it seems irrelevant to the manufacturer what was ordered vs what was produced other than major vehicle components like engine,body type, chassis, etc.

[davischevy]

Here's my SPID. Unfortunately, the blue sticker on the door is missing on mine as well.

[DeadheadNM]

Thanks guys for the help. A good friend here in town now owns this RV. That means I get first dibs when sells It's in good hands and was used for elk hunting this season. 2/4 tires lost tread on the trip back home despite deep tread - must be old.