Need Help - Looking at 72 GMC Sierra Grande - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mgm60 · 01-01-2017, 10:34 PM

I'm looking at buying a 1972 GMC Sierra Grande 1500 and have been searching this site for clues on how to identify Cheyenne Supers and Sierra Grandes. This week I will be looking at two GMC trucks and neither of them has the SPID. Both are highly optioned (factory air, tach, etc.) have headliners, lower woodgrain exterior trim and rear cargo light but don't have woodgrain dashes or glove box doors. Interiors look like they've been replaced/refurbished at some point and neither has the wood grain door panels. I've read on the forum here that some members have bonafide Sierra Grandes without the woodgrain interior trim pieces. And I realize all this trim stuff can be added to make a truck meet the owners desired look and not necessarily be authentic.

Without the SPID, what else can I be looking for on these trucks to verify if they are the genuine article?

engineer_gregh · 01-02-2017, 08:57 AM

Without a SPID or build sheet I would say they are not original supers or grandes. I know that sounds harsh but I've been collecting these trucks for more than 30 years and I'm sharing my experiences.

**special-K** · 01-02-2017, 09:37 AM

Can't tell w/o SPID or bui;d sheet. I have never known of a YE9 truck to not have the woodgrain dash pieces. GMC built a lot of Sierras (Z84) that said Sierra Grande on the SPID. Trim could have been removed, I removed the woodgrain on my Sierra because I think GM should have. Z84s have the scroll seat that matches the door panels and no other wood grain for door panels to match. So, someone could have removed the Sierra Grande items but that would be the exception. Most do the opposite and add items the truck didn't have. YE9s all came with upper and lower trim. All YE9s and Z84s had woodgrain lower trim. Is the trim on either truck woodgrain? And, you didn't mention if these are restored, original, or what...other than the interior looks to be replaced. Is the side trim new? Are the trucks repainted?

**70cst** · 01-02-2017, 10:12 AM

Hey mgm60 ...

to these forums and

from Ohio...

What has been said is true ...

Best wishes in your search ...

**DANTIP** · 01-02-2017, 10:14 AM

The Sierra/Sierra Grande are obviously akin to the Cheyenne/Cheyenne Super. Here's a few items to look for. These trucks all have the cargo light (no cargo light/not a Sierra). Look for a seal just forward of the door hinges that seals the rear of the front fender to the cab (no seal/not a Sierra). Next, if there are firewall markings, the Sierra will have a "4T" or "T4" on the left and right of the cowl. A lesser trim would be "2T" or "T2".

Good Luck!!

**70cst** · 01-02-2017, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DANTIP

The Sierra/Sierra Grande are obviously akin to the Cheyenne/Cheyenne Super. Here's a few items to look for. These trucks all have the cargo light (no cargo light/not a Sierra). Look for a seal just forward of the door hinges that seals the rear of the front fender to the cab (no seal/not a Sierra). Next, if there are firewall markings, the Sierra will have a "4T" or "T4" on the left and right of the cowl. A lesser trim would be "2T" or "T2".

Good Luck!!

Good info ... Thanks

**68350** · 01-02-2017, 10:43 AM

All 71 (can anyone confirm all 71s would have had it?) and 72 sierra grande have the woodgrain dash and glove box door. In 70 gmc came out with the Sierra grande package, but it is not the YE9 option like most are used to seeing on the 71 and 72s. Without the spid, I'd say value them as clones. Someone with knowledge of these trucks could easily clone one, and without the woodgrain in the interior, it's a half clone in my book. If you're looking for one that's an authentic super or grande, then you need to find one with the spid label intact

mgm60 · 01-02-2017, 12:27 PM

Hey thanks to all who responded with great information and advice. Special K had asked if these trucks have the wood grain exterior trim, were original or restored. I have only seen pictures and talked to the owners. Both trucks do have the exterior lower wood grain trim but it looks newer to me in the photos and both have been repainted and restored to some level. Neither of the current owners did the work and both bought them as they sit.

I'll be taking a look at them this week and reply with what I find on a physical inspection.

Thanks again to for the the information.

**Chevyland** · 01-02-2017, 12:35 PM

Chrome trim on tailgate handle.

davepl · 01-02-2017, 02:40 PM

Remember GMCs (not certain of 1972 but in my 1970 at least) the top line Sierra Grande had a bodycolor painted instrument cluster, not woodgrain. Chevy got the sticker, GMC got the paint.

Without a SPID or a build sheet this truck is whatever you think it is. If it -was- a Super, you've got a leg up on making it a super just because most of the equipment will still be there. But you could spend $100K restoring it as a Super and the next guy will ask for the SPID/build sheet too...

So, if you build it, build what you want. If you want rare and documented, you'll have to start with a different unit (unless it was built in Canada, those can be documented I think).

kcsa75 · 01-02-2017, 03:01 PM

Does the VIN provide any of this information?

01-01-2017, 10:34 PM	#1
mgm60 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Parker. Colorado Posts: 38	Need Help - Looking at 72 GMC Sierra Grande I'm looking at buying a 1972 GMC Sierra Grande 1500 and have been searching this site for clues on how to identify Cheyenne Supers and Sierra Grandes. This week I will be looking at two GMC trucks and neither of them has the SPID. Both are highly optioned (factory air, tach, etc.) have headliners, lower woodgrain exterior trim and rear cargo light but don't have woodgrain dashes or glove box doors. Interiors look like they've been replaced/refurbished at some point and neither has the wood grain door panels. I've read on the forum here that some members have bonafide Sierra Grandes without the woodgrain interior trim pieces. And I realize all this trim stuff can be added to make a truck meet the owners desired look and not necessarily be authentic. Without the SPID, what else can I be looking for on these trucks to verify if they are the genuine article?

01-02-2017, 08:57 AM	#2
engineer_gregh Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Smyrna TN Posts: 1,153	Re: Need Help - Looking at 72 GMC Sierra Grande Without a SPID or build sheet I would say they are not original supers or grandes. I know that sounds harsh but I've been collecting these trucks for more than 30 years and I'm sharing my experiences. __________________ 1971 Longbed BB Cheyenne Super 1972 Longbed SB Cheyenne Super 1972 Longbed Highlander Custom Deluxe 1975 K5 4x4 full convertible Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=645165 Greg Smyrna TN

01-02-2017, 09:37 AM	#3
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,861	Re: Need Help - Looking at 72 GMC Sierra Grande Can't tell w/o SPID or bui;d sheet. I have never known of a YE9 truck to not have the woodgrain dash pieces. GMC built a lot of Sierras (Z84) that said Sierra Grande on the SPID. Trim could have been removed, I removed the woodgrain on my Sierra because I think GM should have. Z84s have the scroll seat that matches the door panels and no other wood grain for door panels to match. So, someone could have removed the Sierra Grande items but that would be the exception. Most do the opposite and add items the truck didn't have. YE9s all came with upper and lower trim. All YE9s and Z84s had woodgrain lower trim. Is the trim on either truck woodgrain? And, you didn't mention if these are restored, original, or what...other than the interior looks to be replaced. Is the side trim new? Are the trucks repainted? __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-02-2017, 10:12 AM	#4
70cst Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: New Madison, Ohio Posts: 21,365	Re: Need Help - Looking at 72 GMC Sierra Grande Hey mgm60 ... to these forums and from Ohio... What has been said is true ... Best wishes in your search ... __________________ A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder!

01-02-2017, 10:14 AM	#5
DANTIP Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Posts: 1,882	Re: Need Help - Looking at 72 GMC Sierra Grande The Sierra/Sierra Grande are obviously akin to the Cheyenne/Cheyenne Super. Here's a few items to look for. These trucks all have the cargo light (no cargo light/not a Sierra). Look for a seal just forward of the door hinges that seals the rear of the front fender to the cab (no seal/not a Sierra). Next, if there are firewall markings, the Sierra will have a "4T" or "T4" on the left and right of the cowl. A lesser trim would be "2T" or "T2". Good Luck!!

01-02-2017, 10:43 AM	#7
68350 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Williston, ND Posts: 2,999	Re: Need Help - Looking at 72 GMC Sierra Grande All 71 (can anyone confirm all 71s would have had it?) and 72 sierra grande have the woodgrain dash and glove box door. In 70 gmc came out with the Sierra grande package, but it is not the YE9 option like most are used to seeing on the 71 and 72s. Without the spid, I'd say value them as clones. Someone with knowledge of these trucks could easily clone one, and without the woodgrain in the interior, it's a half clone in my book. If you're looking for one that's an authentic super or grande, then you need to find one with the spid label intact __________________ 68 Chevy CST/10, 50th Anniversary, 327/th400, 373 posi, buckets 68 GMC Shortbox Stepside, 402/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.08 Positraction 69 Chevy Camaro SS, 383, 4 speed, positraction 70 Chevy El Camino SS396, Triple Black, 454/th400, Tach 70 Chevy Shortbox Stepside 4x4, 350/th350, Tilt, Tach, Cab Lights, Bumper Guards, Tow Hooks 70 Chevy 3/4 Longbox, 350/auto, 70k, SURVIVOR 71 Chevy Blazer, CST, 350/auto 71 GMC Sierra K2500, 454, 4 speed, 4.10 posi, 37s 71 Custom/30, Open Road, 350/th400, tilt 72 Chevy Shortbox Fleetside, 496 Stroker/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.42 Posi 72 GMC Sierra Grande 2500. 427/th400, tilt, a/c, tool and stowage, buckets/console, 3.54 posi

01-02-2017, 12:27 PM	#8
mgm60 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Parker. Colorado Posts: 38	Re: Need Help - Looking at 72 GMC Sierra Grande Hey thanks to all who responded with great information and advice. Special K had asked if these trucks have the wood grain exterior trim, were original or restored. I have only seen pictures and talked to the owners. Both trucks do have the exterior lower wood grain trim but it looks newer to me in the photos and both have been repainted and restored to some level. Neither of the current owners did the work and both bought them as they sit. I'll be taking a look at them this week and reply with what I find on a physical inspection. Thanks again to for the the information.

01-02-2017, 12:35 PM	#9
Chevyland Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Ca. <-> Ma. Posts: 5,708	Re: Need Help - Looking at 72 GMC Sierra Grande Chrome trim on tailgate handle.

01-02-2017, 02:40 PM	#10
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: Need Help - Looking at 72 GMC Sierra Grande Remember GMCs (not certain of 1972 but in my 1970 at least) the top line Sierra Grande had a bodycolor painted instrument cluster, not woodgrain. Chevy got the sticker, GMC got the paint. Without a SPID or a build sheet this truck is whatever you think it is. If it -was- a Super, you've got a leg up on making it a super just because most of the equipment will still be there. But you could spend $100K restoring it as a Super and the next guy will ask for the SPID/build sheet too... So, if you build it, build what you want. If you want rare and documented, you'll have to start with a different unit (unless it was built in Canada, those can be documented I think). __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

01-02-2017, 03:01 PM	#11
kcsa75 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Kansas City Posts: 3,590	Re: Need Help - Looking at 72 GMC Sierra Grande Does the VIN provide any of this information? __________________ Willie Swamp Angel Truckers '72 C10 Highlander *People who blindly follow a GPS end up on television programs on The Weather Channel. Some survive, some don't.*



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