Help Decode this Frame Vin#

[72stepside4WD]

I am trying to determine the year of my frame. I found a partial vin # stamped on the top of my frame rail near the steering box, and it reads 32Z514012, see attached pic. I have been told multiple times (by 2WD owners) that there should only be 1 number in front of the single letter, and that number identifies the year of the frame and the single letter is the assembly plant. Is it possible that numbers on a 4x4 frame would decode differently than on a 2wd? If you can decode these numbers I sure would love to know what I am sittin on. Thank you!

['68OrangeSunshine]

Maybe "3" for 1-ton, and "2" for '72?
Tell us more about the truck. Or is it just a disembodied frame?

[72stepside4WD]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Maybe "3" for 1-ton, and "2" for '72?
Tell us more about the truck. Or is it just a disembodied frame?

It is a Frankenstein truck. From the outside it looks like a 72 SWB Stepside 4WD. However, the cab and 402 engine are from a 2WD LWB 72 C10. I thought the "3" also might mean 1-ton, but wouldn't I have 8 lugs instead of 6? Also, I can tell the frame was shaved near the exhaust manifold so that the big block would fit in. I think that verifies it was a 4x4 frame, and not a conversion???

[Blazer1970]

A one ton frame is totally different from the 1/2 and 3/4 tons. I would seriously doubt that is what you have. I have been on this board for many years, and I have never seen an explanation of those frame VINs that makes sense.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Cabs are all the same, 2WD or 4WD. As for the one ton frame, there's a reason I started with "maybe." It's possible to convert 8 lug axles to 6 lugs, but usually not worth the trouble.
As for the frame VIN numbers, who can say, maybe production line 3, shift 2. or something?

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Blazer1970

I have been on this board for many years, and I have never seen an explanation of those frame VINs that makes sense.

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

As for the frame VIN numbers, who can say, maybe production line 3, shift 2. or something?

I'm no expert on '67 -72 (my expertise is '73 on up): are you saying there is no reliable VIN decode for '72?

I can say with certainty that 73 on up is absolutely understood. I'll do some research for you guys if need be.

By the way, usually "Z" decodes to a plant code of Fremont California. Were your trucks built in Fremont?

514012 is, of course, the build sequence number (aka the "serial" number), and is used as the numeric portion of the VIN. Incidently, at my plant, VINs that started with 500000 were GMC, Chevy started with 100000 (not sure that is the case here).

K

[Keith Seymore]

Based on this thread:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=344771

I would say:

3 - may have been the model code in '72 for pickup cab/box
2 - model year 72
Z - Fremont assembly plant
514012 - build sequence (serial) number

K

[72stepside4WD]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Based on this thread:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=344771

I would say:

3 - may have been the model code in '72 for pickup cab/box
2 - model year 72
Z - Fremont assembly plant
514012 - build sequence (serial) number

K

Keith- I think I think the mystery is solved with the possiblity of a GMC frame. See Page 2 of this link to GM "VIN System" I just found via Google:

http://service.gm.com/dealerworld/vi.../vincard72.pdf

With this I would say:

3= Chassis Cab (not sure what this means, but it seems to relate to trucks??)
2= model year 72
Z=Freemont

You guys are awesome!

[Keith Seymore]

Excellent.

A chassis cab is like a pickup, but with no box. They do come in various wheelbase lengths, including a pickup length, and then a couple longer versions.

These would be used to make dump trucks, car haulers, U hauls, catering trucks, etc.

K

[mkp]

I have the feeling that the author should have written a bit more elaborate blog. I think it would have been better had he given some more photographs of his vehicle. Anyway I could not make out the year from the photo because it is not at all clear. I have decided to ask one of my friends who is a mechanic. He is also very passionate about Chevy trucks. I am sure that he will be able to answer your query.

[wilkin250r]

Originally Posted by 72stepside4WD

it reads 32Z514012, see attached pic. I have been told multiple times (by 2WD owners) that there should only be 1 number in front of the single letter, and that number identifies the year of the frame and the single letter is the assembly plant.

My frame is similar to yours, though mine is a 79. My frame VIN is T9J520931, with two numbers in front of the assembly plant code.

I'm not an expert, but I'm assuming the "T" is the same as the first letter of the vehicle VIN, to denote a GMC rather than a Chevy (because if the cab wasn't attached, how would you tell the difference?) The "9" is the year, and the "J" denotes the assembly plant, and the last six digits are the sequential serial number.

[72stepside4WD]

Originally Posted by mkp

I have the feeling that the author should have written a bit more elaborate blog. I think it would have been better had he given some more photographs of his vehicle. Anyway I could not make out the year from the photo because it is not at all clear. I have decided to ask one of my friends who is a mechanic. He is also very passionate about Chevy trucks. I am sure that he will be able to answer your query.

Here is a picture of the truck. However, the PO told me that it was built using 2 trucks, one was a 2WD (cab & engine), and the other a 4x4. I was able to get the VIN off the cab as well as decode the #'s on the engine to confirm that they are both from a 72 LWB 2WD Cheyenne; so that I am sure of. However, I never asked what year the undercarriage came from. That is why I am trying to decode the VIN off the frame. If you could ask your friend, that would be much appreciated.