VIN decoding conflict??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Big Bobby O · 05-21-2007, 12:04 AM

Hello everyone,

I'm have a little problem. I was given a truck and the VIN doesn't match the truck. As far as I can tell from some internet searching (see below), the vin comes back as a 78 1/2 ton, 2wd. But the truck has 8 lug wheels and is 4wd. As for the year, I can't tell because the tag on the driverside doorjam doesn't have a date stamped. Just the vin and the GVW numbers. And I don't know if the GVW numbers listed are consistant with the 8 lug wheels. There is no VIN tag on the driverside dashboard and I don't know what year they started that.

Any help would be appreciated.

Vin Decoding Results
VIN TCU1481XXXXXX
Model Year 1978
Division (unknown code)
Chassis 2 Wheel Drive
Body Style Pickup
Series 1/2-Ton
Engine V8 305
Assembly Plant Flint, MI
Sequential Number XXXXXX

The VIN door tag gives that vin number and lists a GVW of:
05400 - 3100 front, 3210 rear
plus some other "camper loading" info - (?) GVR0863 DIM A 077 IN DIM B 004

Does any of this make sense???

*trkklr77* · 05-21-2007, 12:15 AM

well
what does the floor pan look like. low hump/high hump?
what does the axles and suspension look like, clean or newer parts?
does the dash have a 4wd light in the speedo or fuel pod?

*trkklr77* · 05-21-2007, 12:16 AM

do the rivits for the tag look like the originals or are the standard round poprivits?

Big Bobby O · 05-21-2007, 12:43 AM

I didn't know that the floor humps had a different height. I will try to measure it. Now that I think about, the floor pan was removed. But I do know that they were replacing the motor and had an issue with the bell housing dowels so I think that's why it was removed.

The front differential looked like it was the older type of hub, like the kind you see on an old jeep or international. I hope you know what I mean. I had a 78 years ago and it had the bigger, type (I think it's the rotor that makes the difference-?).

I'll have to check the 4wd light.

As for the rivits, they are scalloped, kinda like flower petals (does that make sense?)

Does anyone know what year they started putting the VIN tag on the driverside dash?

rfmaster · 05-21-2007, 06:16 PM

Big B

Check driver side framerail next to driver door hinge for VIN number. Unless frame was swapped it should have the full VIN stamped.

//RF

**Captkaos** · 05-21-2007, 06:30 PM

T = GMC
C = conventional cab (4x2)
U = 305 cid V*
1 = 1/2 Ton
4 = pickup
8 = 1978
1 = Oshawa
XXXXXX = build sequence...

You cab indicated it is a 1978 1/2 ton 2wd pickup with a 305 built in Oshawa.

As for it being 4x4 with 8 lugs, someone did a cab swap on it. Not unheard of on a 4x4 that has seen alot of mud and abuse.

1979 was when the WIN moved to the dash.

Srubydo1986 · 05-21-2007, 08:25 PM

sounds like to me a 2 wd truck had a good body and a guy wanted it to be 4wd so he swapped the trucks underbody for a one ton 4x4. Sound like what i was doing then gave up and just made it 2wd cheaper and easier.

Russell · 05-22-2007, 01:19 AM

I did the same thing to my 2wd, cept I was honest to my insurance company about the swap to 4x4, and now they won't cover it. My only option is to find a 3/4 ton 4x4 somewhere to buy, and swap all my good parts over.

Until then, my truck will just be sitting in the back corner of the shop

Big Bobby O · 05-22-2007, 05:50 AM

I will check the frame rail, as well as a few other things tomorrow and report back. I'll try to take pictures, but I don't know how to get them on the board for people to see.

If someone has easy instructions that I could understand, let me know, I'll do it. I'm not the most computer literate.

05-21-2007, 12:04 AM	#1
Big Bobby O Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Southern Ct Posts: 6	VIN decoding conflict??? Hello everyone, I'm have a little problem. I was given a truck and the VIN doesn't match the truck. As far as I can tell from some internet searching (see below), the vin comes back as a 78 1/2 ton, 2wd. But the truck has 8 lug wheels and is 4wd. As for the year, I can't tell because the tag on the driverside doorjam doesn't have a date stamped. Just the vin and the GVW numbers. And I don't know if the GVW numbers listed are consistant with the 8 lug wheels. There is no VIN tag on the driverside dashboard and I don't know what year they started that. Any help would be appreciated. Vin Decoding Results VIN TCU1481XXXXXX Model Year 1978 Division (unknown code) Chassis 2 Wheel Drive Body Style Pickup Series 1/2-Ton Engine V8 305 Assembly Plant Flint, MI Sequential Number XXXXXX The VIN door tag gives that vin number and lists a GVW of: 05400 - 3100 front, 3210 rear plus some other "camper loading" info - (?) GVR0863 DIM A 077 IN DIM B 004 Does any of this make sense???

05-21-2007, 12:15 AM	#2
trkklr77 Account Suspended Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: vacaville ca, because it as far from indy as i can be Posts: 777	Re: VIN decoding conflict??? well what does the floor pan look like. low hump/high hump? what does the axles and suspension look like, clean or newer parts? does the dash have a 4wd light in the speedo or fuel pod?

05-21-2007, 12:16 AM	#3
trkklr77 Account Suspended Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: vacaville ca, because it as far from indy as i can be Posts: 777	Re: VIN decoding conflict??? do the rivits for the tag look like the originals or are the standard round poprivits?

05-21-2007, 12:43 AM	#4
Big Bobby O Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Southern Ct Posts: 6	Re: VIN decoding conflict??? I didn't know that the floor humps had a different height. I will try to measure it. Now that I think about, the floor pan was removed. But I do know that they were replacing the motor and had an issue with the bell housing dowels so I think that's why it was removed. The front differential looked like it was the older type of hub, like the kind you see on an old jeep or international. I hope you know what I mean. I had a 78 years ago and it had the bigger, type (I think it's the rotor that makes the difference-?). I'll have to check the 4wd light. As for the rivits, they are scalloped, kinda like flower petals (does that make sense?) Does anyone know what year they started putting the VIN tag on the driverside dash? Last edited by Big Bobby O; 05-21-2007 at 09:34 AM. Reason: Added question

05-21-2007, 06:16 PM	#5
rfmaster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: OC CA Posts: 1,374	Re: VIN decoding conflict??? Big B Check driver side framerail next to driver door hinge for VIN number. Unless frame was swapped it should have the full VIN stamped. //RF __________________ "The Beast" 1975 Chevrolet C20 longbed 350/700R4! with 3inch body lift Dual Flowmasters Super 40's! TBI retrofit completed (2007-07-29) New 383CID (+030) 08-304-8 9.5:1CR x36,005 (2012-12-17)

05-21-2007, 06:30 PM	#6
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Re: VIN decoding conflict??? T = GMC C = conventional cab (4x2) U = 305 cid V* 1 = 1/2 Ton 4 = pickup 8 = 1978 1 = Oshawa XXXXXX = build sequence... You cab indicated it is a 1978 1/2 ton 2wd pickup with a 305 built in Oshawa. As for it being 4x4 with 8 lugs, someone did a cab swap on it. Not unheard of on a 4x4 that has seen alot of mud and abuse. 1979 was when the WIN moved to the dash. __________________ 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

05-21-2007, 08:25 PM	#7
Srubydo1986 The Crazy Machanic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nokesville Va Posts: 1,437	Re: VIN decoding conflict??? sounds like to me a 2 wd truck had a good body and a guy wanted it to be 4wd so he swapped the trucks underbody for a one ton 4x4. Sound like what i was doing then gave up and just made it 2wd cheaper and easier. __________________ 1986 Sliverado longbed 400 small block mean as hell, 700r4 trans (5 speed coming one day) 1970 chevelle 2dr sedan Latest update June 24 2007. *1957 4 door stationwagon - pink all original needing a good restore (body great, floors bad) newest additions 1965 shortbed fleet great granddads. Been told im nuts to bring it back from the dead (still going to happen) plans-all stock with a turbo 292 inline 3 speed column shift. and thats it big block 427 and 5 speed trans and ford 9 inch theyhave no home yet thinking what to put them in and a 79 c60 trash truck um no idea i have one

05-22-2007, 01:19 AM	#8
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	Re: VIN decoding conflict??? I did the same thing to my 2wd, cept I was honest to my insurance company about the swap to 4x4, and now they won't cover it. My only option is to find a 3/4 ton 4x4 somewhere to buy, and swap all my good parts over. Until then, my truck will just be sitting in the back corner of the shop __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

05-22-2007, 05:50 AM	#9
Big Bobby O Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Southern Ct Posts: 6	Re: VIN decoding conflict??? I will check the frame rail, as well as a few other things tomorrow and report back. I'll try to take pictures, but I don't know how to get them on the board for people to see. If someone has easy instructions that I could understand, let me know, I'll do it. I'm not the most computer literate.



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