Model type determining Confused/Help Would be appreciated

[Silvy06]

So I've looked all over this site and have yet to find the answer to the question I'm looking for. The Vin number in my 81 GMC truck has rusted off or fell in behind the dash, haven't taken dash out yet to see. But the issue is that the Vin number in the glove box registers the truck as a C20 2wd truck, yet the truck is a 4wd. Did GM do something in these years of trucks that I don't know about with the Vin numbers to classify the models?

[JWall]

It could've had the cab swapped out, or had the glovebox swapped out, etc.
I would try to find the VIN on the frame & go from there.

[Silvy06]

I suppose it could have been, but its been a one owner truck till I bought it. Thought I'd ask to see if GM did any weird vin stampings at some point in time. I'll have to do some crawling around to find that stamp on the frame.

If Admin wants to delete thread by all means you can.

[motornut]

Originally Posted by Silvy06

So I've looked all over this site and have yet to find the answer to the question I'm looking for. The Vin number in my 81 GMC truck has rusted off or fell in behind the dash, haven't taken dash out yet to see. But the issue is that the Vin number in the glove box registers the truck as a C20 2wd truck, yet the truck is a 4wd. Did GM do something in these years of trucks that I don't know about with the Vin numbers to classify the models?

That can be bad news,but the police will check your Vin for free.
Free if you call them,but could be costly on the side of the road.(seized/towed)
Vin will have a C or K in it, plus other checking digits...
If it's removed,you need to get it checked.
they can reissue a vin here(Ont) for about $400.
but it would be "confirmed" year(newest date for frame or cab).
Vin swaps issues are touchy here(site) being illeagle,and not recommended.

[Keith Seymore]

Yes - the VIN can distinguish between model series and types.

Mistakes do get made but are very unlikely.

I would say post the VIN here (you can omit the sequential portion if you are uncomfortable) and let us decipher it, just in case you are making a wrong interpretation.

K

[Silvy06]

I don't think I'm reading it wrong. This is the manufacturer sticker in the glove box. Year matches the truck n such of when it was printed. Trucks V.I.N is 2GTEC24M4B1 . The one on the door frame is paintes over with the factory blue.

[Just call me Sean]

VIN swaps are not illegal. VIN swaps with the intent to defraud are illegal.

[motornut]

2- Canada
G -General Motors
T - GMC truck
E - 6001-7000 GVW - brakes HYD
C - Conventional Cab - 4X2- includes Jimmy/Blazer/Burb
2 - 3/4 ton
4 - two door cab
M - 350 -4BBL
4 - (check digit)
B - 1981
1 - Plant code = Oshawa

[dfrank]

The vin on my cab is different from the glove box. I am assuming the glove box was changed as tbe truck is a 4x4 shortbed and the glovebox says it is a c20 long bed.

[hatzie]

Trucks are kind of an odd duck in that the cab can get easily moved to another frame. It's much more common than with a car.
I'd put a sweet rust free 2wd cab on a 4wd chassis without hesitation.
The frame VIN is somewhere on the RH frame rail about 3/4 of the way up from the back...

Do you have a title that lists the VIN on the SPID?
Does the SPID match the door jamb tag?

[motornut]

I would think Saskatchewan would be close....
In Ont Canada,
You must report a change or data correction for a registered vehicle within six days of the change. These changes include:

•Colour
•Body Type
•Fuel Type (Power)
•Number of Cylinders
•Registered Gross Weight
•Make, Model and/or Year
•Odometer Information
•Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

[Silvy06]

Door jab tag is painted over for some reason by the looks of factory paint, I could be wrong tho. I was doing some digging on the rpo code list to see Iif I could find anything got sidetracked now tho.

Only reason I'm concerned about knowing is when I go to order a lift I'd like to know which to order. Unless they are pretty much the same setup between them all except k30s for parts wise. Confusing stuff I must say lol.

[Keith Seymore]

The door jam VIN plate would not be painted over at the factory, nor would there be a VIN plate on both the door jam and the top of the instrument panel (it would be one or the other).

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by motornut

I would think Saskatchewan would be close....
In Ont Canada,
You must report a change or data correction for a registered vehicle within six days of the change. These changes include:

•Colour
•Body Type
•Fuel Type (Power)
•Number of Cylinders
•Registered Gross Weight
•Make, Model and/or Year
•Odometer Information
•Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

I'm sorry to hijack briefly; so you are saying in Ontario if you change the color of the vehicle or the engine, you have to report it to the authorities?

[Just call me Sean]

Color has to be reported here, color is on the registration.

[motornut]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I'm sorry to hijack briefly; so you are saying in Ontario if you change the color of the vehicle or the engine, you have to report it to the authorities?

didn't used to,not sure when it started but i was checked out recently in the 78 Jimmy,
but he said (pulled over) he can still tell it's really a blue truck.but i have to change it.
or I will keep getting pulled over,and checked....

Insurance too,asked me about engine/colour changes,even just 305 to 350...
I could see 6cyl to 8cyl but I guess it all has to match in their computers
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dan.../getinfo.shtml
bout 2/3rds down

[motornut]

Originally Posted by Just call me Sean

Color has to be reported here, color is on the registration.

here too

[motornut]

I thought 81 was dash pad Vin?
my 78 is jam/79 dash

[Just call me Sean]

I believe he's talking about the sticker on the jamb. You could read a painted over plate but not a painted over sticker.

[Bears63]

Here in South Dakota as well, a change in color requires a person to get an updated title.

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by motornut

didn't used to,not sure when it started but i was checked out recently in the 78 Jimmy,
but he said (pulled over) he can still tell it's really a blue truck.but i have to change it.
or I will keep getting pulled over,and checked....

Insurance too,asked me about engine/colour changes,even just 305 to 350...
I could see 6cyl to 8cyl but I guess it all has to match in their computers
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dan.../getinfo.shtml
bout 2/3rds down

I'm sure the actual car color has always been required on the registration paperwork.

The states only care about cylinders and fuel type. Displacement is only relevant for emissions checks.

Are you Ontario folks in the same boat as BC? The auto insurance company ICBC is a Provincial government outfit and private auto insurers don't exist? I could be all wet too...

As for me... I never have told my insurance co what displacement motors I have. I'm sure they'd love to have me volunteer as much info as possible. Not happening. It's safer and better maintained than most new trucks and that's good enough.

[Just call me Sean]

I don't tell the insurance companies anything. Look up the VIN, that's what it is. I don't know anything about cars.

[motornut]

Originally Posted by Just call me Sean

I don't tell the insurance companies anything. Look up the VIN, that's what it is. I don't know anything about cars.

Haha I don't think theyd believe that lol
I've had different companies but the've been my "broker" since the 80s
but I figure they would have a "way out" if i knowingly missrepresented the info
they ask CID,4X4 or 4X2,how many doors,
I figure it's just questions they ask now,and i needed apprasials and sent pretty pics of all four sides.

[Just call me Sean]

Yeah, I have the bare minimum coverage required by law.

[hatzie]

Don't hit that Bentley...

I'm sure if I was looking at classic insurance I'd be required to provide a whole lot more info but this is only uninsured motorists and liability. They only ask for the VIN so that's what they get... No volunteers here.