1971 3/4T 4x4 or is it? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Lance · 10-11-2006, 08:42 PM

I'm new to the site and am looking for some assistance in a potential purchase.

I'm looking at buying a 1971 flat bed, 3/4 4x4. It has seen better times but I want it as a beach truck for my commercial fishing business in Alaska. It has a run out 350 with water in the oil, 4 sp and a Spicer decal on the glove box. I was going to buy it but I mentioned to friend who is an old chevy guy that the prior owner said he rebuilt a front wheel cylinder. I checked back with the owner and sure enough, it has front drums not discs which I understand is not the factory option for 1971.

I'm thinking that the body may be the '71 but perhaps the chassis is older? The vin on the inside drivers door jam is KE148Z118205. Is there a vin number location to check on the chassis to see exactly what year/model it is? I have to have at least a 3/4 ton chassis as we routinely haul 4,500lb anchors on the back of our trucks!!! Any other clues to look for to ensure its a 3/4 ton?

If the chassis is a 1971, how much to go with a disc brake front axle or is there a conversion kit to put discs on? If so, who do I check with for parts to swap?

The truck cosmetically not bad for a 35 yr old rig. It has a flat bed on it which is what I need and decent 32" wide tires. He wants 1000.00/offer. I've got a rebuilt sBC 400 on my engine stand or could rebuild the 350 and hope the tranny is fine.

Thanks,

Lance

Lance · 10-11-2006, 09:01 PM

Back again,
I just looked through some threads on this site and found a VIN code listing. Turns out this rig must be a 1968 1/2 and not a '71 3/4 ton!!! It has the 2500 emblems on the cab but those must be incorrect!!! I'll keep looking.......

Lance

Aarons72s · 10-11-2006, 09:06 PM

Want to see pics!

Aaron

69TowRig · 10-11-2006, 09:10 PM

All the 3/4 tons will be 8-lug...

krue · 10-11-2006, 11:27 PM

67chevy2wd · 10-12-2006, 12:53 AM

It could of just had the cab swaped and that would make the rest of the truck a 71 but the vin would say 68. As for the frame it might of had a frame swap also.

stllookn · 10-12-2006, 01:22 AM

Lance...F**ds make better beach trucks...they just LOVE that saltwater...I'm serious...they LOVE it!

Werewolf · 10-12-2006, 07:03 AM

'71-2 had "Custom 20" on the fenders, the "20" signifies 3/4 ton. '67-8 had a Chev bowtie emblem with the corresponding number (20) underneath it. Plus, the front clips of these trucks looked completely different. Just look around the site and you'll see the differences. Also, as 69TowRig said, 3/4's and up are going to have 8 lugs, whereas 1/2 tons had 6 lugs.

I *believe* that '71's and up all had front discs. I know my dad's old low optioned '71 3/4 4x4 had discs, and I don't ever remember seeing anything about them as an option in the glove compartment. The whole truck could just be a '68.

10-11-2006, 08:42 PM	#1
Lance Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: CA Posts: 2	1971 3/4T 4x4 or is it? I'm new to the site and am looking for some assistance in a potential purchase. I'm looking at buying a 1971 flat bed, 3/4 4x4. It has seen better times but I want it as a beach truck for my commercial fishing business in Alaska. It has a run out 350 with water in the oil, 4 sp and a Spicer decal on the glove box. I was going to buy it but I mentioned to friend who is an old chevy guy that the prior owner said he rebuilt a front wheel cylinder. I checked back with the owner and sure enough, it has front drums not discs which I understand is not the factory option for 1971. I'm thinking that the body may be the '71 but perhaps the chassis is older? The vin on the inside drivers door jam is KE148Z118205. Is there a vin number location to check on the chassis to see exactly what year/model it is? I have to have at least a 3/4 ton chassis as we routinely haul 4,500lb anchors on the back of our trucks!!! Any other clues to look for to ensure its a 3/4 ton? If the chassis is a 1971, how much to go with a disc brake front axle or is there a conversion kit to put discs on? If so, who do I check with for parts to swap? The truck cosmetically not bad for a 35 yr old rig. It has a flat bed on it which is what I need and decent 32" wide tires. He wants 1000.00/offer. I've got a rebuilt sBC 400 on my engine stand or could rebuild the 350 and hope the tranny is fine. Thanks, Lance

10-11-2006, 09:01 PM	#2
Lance Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: CA Posts: 2	Re: 1971 3/4T 4x4 or is it? Back again, I just looked through some threads on this site and found a VIN code listing. Turns out this rig must be a 1968 1/2 and not a '71 3/4 ton!!! It has the 2500 emblems on the cab but those must be incorrect!!! I'll keep looking....... Lance

10-11-2006, 09:06 PM	#3
Aarons72s Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: oklahoma Posts: 10,670	Re: 1971 3/4T 4x4 or is it? Want to see pics! Aaron

10-11-2006, 09:10 PM	#4
69TowRig Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 894	Re: 1971 3/4T 4x4 or is it? All the 3/4 tons will be 8-lug... __________________ -Chris Building a stripper, one part at a time: 1969 K5, 307, 3spd, 3 seats, hard top. Added Pwr Discs, Pwr Steering, Aux Battery, T-case Skid, Lighted Sidemarkers, HEI, Lock-Right Diff, ECE Class IV Hitch, 32" MT/Rs. Parts to Install: Hand Throttle, Console, Tow Hooks, Dual Horns, AM-FM, Dealer Swing-Away Tire Carrier, Gas Tank Skid. Also building a 1950 Willys CJ-3A and off-roading a 2001 Nissan Frontier on 1-Ton Portals...

10-11-2006, 11:27 PM	#5
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: 1971 3/4T 4x4 or is it? __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

10-12-2006, 12:53 AM	#6
67chevy2wd Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New Salem, ND Posts: 1,558	Re: 1971 3/4T 4x4 or is it? It could of just had the cab swaped and that would make the rest of the truck a 71 but the vin would say 68. As for the frame it might of had a frame swap also. __________________ 07 Chevy classic LBZ Duramax (a few mods) '67 Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd (in pieces) '69 Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd (on hold) '71 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 ‘71 GMC 1/2 ton 2wd suburban

10-12-2006, 01:22 AM	#7
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Re: 1971 3/4T 4x4 or is it? Lance...F**ds make better beach trucks...they just LOVE that saltwater...I'm serious...they LOVE it! __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

10-12-2006, 07:03 AM	#8
Werewolf Woof? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 276	Re: 1971 3/4T 4x4 or is it? '71-2 had "Custom 20" on the fenders, the "20" signifies 3/4 ton. '67-8 had a Chev bowtie emblem with the corresponding number (20) underneath it. Plus, the front clips of these trucks looked completely different. Just look around the site and you'll see the differences. Also, as 69TowRig said, 3/4's and up are going to have 8 lugs, whereas 1/2 tons had 6 lugs. I believe that '71's and up all had front discs. I know my dad's old low optioned '71 3/4 4x4 had discs, and I don't ever remember seeing anything about them as an option in the glove compartment. The whole truck could just be a '68. __________________ 1968 LWB CST BB 2004 Avalanche Z71 LT3. 2003 S-10 ZR2 (hers). 1997 Astro 1992 Caprice wagon, 500k stock miles. Nursing wounds after a bad wreck. 1997 Saturn - need gas mileage from something!



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