Opinions on 67 vs.68 fenders.

[WB72]

Out of nessesity, a rotting cab, I am changing out my 72 cab with a 67 SBW cab. The PO of the cab, also had new in box front fenders as well as SWB bed sides for that year. So I purchased them as well as a bunch of other items. Anyway, I noticed that one front fender and one bed side are 67 (no signal light) and one 68 (with signal light). So, I plan to either graft in a patch panel or a signal light.

I ask of you, in your opinion, should I fill the holes, or graft in signals?

Plans are to have it slammed on air ride if that makes a differance.

['68OrangeSunshine]

I think '67s have a coolness factor all their own, so since you're halfway there already, I'd cover over the marker holes on the two fenders that are later than '67.
That depends on Canadian safety laws, however. If that's legal, I mean.
Does the cab have a small rear window? If so then 1967 all the way.
'68s have reflector-only markers, later years had lights, and even later, turn signals in front.

[OARNGESI]

Fill them especially on a small window cab

[special-K]

Try to swap with someone to get the '67 parts. The bedside will be harder to find, so probably end up with filling that. I would make it appear '67 all the way with the small back window (I decoded your lingo I have never seen used before).

[hewittca]

I agree with everyone above. If it's a small window '67 cab, then you definitely need to go with no marker lights. If it's a big window '67 then you can go either way, but I still think the no marker light look is better. Whichever way you go, I would also make sure the grill treatment is model year correct since '67 and '68 had slightly different trim/paint options.

One other thing. Are both of your bedsides from the same manufacturer? I think I read somewhere here on the board that the '67 bedsides and '68-'72 bedsides were not made the same. I think there is even one repro bedside that is missing a subtle detail, as in the small indentation around the wheel opening. I would check both sides to make sure they look the same.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by hewittca

One other thing. Are both of your bedsides from the same manufacturer? I think I read somewhere here on the board that the '67 bedsides and '68-'72 bedsides were not made the same.

All SWB bedsides were made the same with the exception of the 67's with no side markers.

It was the LWB beds that were different. In 67, the LWB sides had the same "square" front fender opening while the 68-72 longbeds are "rounded". NO clue why GM did that.

All SWB bed and 1967 LWB, all surburbans and blazers (the patch is actually from a 1967 LWB, I cut a 72 bed down to a SWB and wanted it to look right):



1968-1972 LWB beds:

[hewittca]

That is true about the square vs. round corner (and I would also REALLY like to know why they did that), but I'm talking about the crease pointed out here that runs around the wheel opening. Some reproductions have this crease, some do not.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by hewittca

That is true about the square vs. round corner (and I would also REALLY like to know why they did that), but I'm talking about the crease pointed out here that runs around the wheel opening. Some reproductions have this crease, some do not.

Oh, I thought you meant the factory beds.

Yeah, I've seen some crappy versions of fenders where that reverse curve was terrible or almost non existent. I've bought quite a few patch panels that didn't have the reverse curve.

One of the big reasons I took on the task of cutting down a super nice longbed.

['68OrangeSunshine]

You may have to acquire a '67 hood and grille [and radiator support] to acheive the total 1967 look.

[WB72]

Sounds like you have the same thoughts as i do. Fill panels are going to be installed.

I do have most of the bits and pieces that allow the conversion. I guess my next question would be should I register it as a 67 with the cab VIN or a 72 with the chassis VIN?

[WB72]

Originally Posted by hewittca

I agree with everyone above. If it's a small window '67 cab, then you definitely need to go with no marker lights. If it's a big window '67 then you can go either way, but I still think the no marker light look is better. Whichever way you go, I would also make sure the grill treatment is model year correct since '67 and '68 had slightly different trim/paint options.

One other thing. Are both of your bedsides from the same manufacturer? I think I read somewhere here on the board that the '67 bedsides and '68-'72 bedsides were not made the same. I think there is even one repro bedside that is missing a subtle detail, as in the small indentation around the wheel opening. I would check both sides to make sure they look the same.

The panels are all from the same manufacturer., well at least that's what the box says. I will check to see if they have the ridge. Do factory panels have the ridge?

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by WB72

Sounds like you have the same thoughts as i do. Fill panels are going to be installed.

I do have most of the bits and pieces that allow the conversion. I guess my next question would be should I register it as a 67 with the cab VIN or a 72 with the chassis VIN?

Mostly a legal question. If the regulating agency looks for the frame VIN, although it's only a partial, there may be complications -- like needing titles to both frame and cab. If they only look at the VIN plate on the B pillar in the cab, it's a '67.
You need an expert on Canadian law, not a sea-lawyer from Tucson.

[hewittca]

Originally Posted by WB72

The panels are all from the same manufacturer., well at least that's what the box says. I will check to see if they have the ridge. Do factory panels have the ridge?

Yes they do. That's an original factory GM shortbed side in primer on my truck in that photo.

[Daves70]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Mostly a legal question. If the regulating agency looks for the frame VIN, although it's only a partial, there may be complications -- like needing titles to both frame and cab. If they only look at the VIN plate on the B pillar in the cab, it's a '67.
You need an expert on Canadian law, not a sea-lawyer from Tucson.

It really doesn't seem to be a big deal around here with classics. Every swap meet I go to , there is a guy selling ownerships (titles). He could re-register the truck as a 67 or use his vin tag and call it a 72 and no one will care. Legal not sure but he will not get bothered for sure. Cab swaps and frame swaps are common place anymore on both sides of the border now that these trucks are 50 years old.

[WB72]

Originally Posted by Daves70

It really doesn't seem to be a big deal around here with classics. Every swap meet I go to , there is a guy selling ownerships (titles). He could re-register the truck as a 67 or use his vin tag and call it a 72 and no one will care. Legal not sure but he will not get bothered for sure. Cab swaps and frame swaps are common place anymore on both sides of the border now that these trucks are 50 years old.

I may casually ask a man in uniform when I get the chance.

I also have the original vin from the rusty old cab, I could replace the 67's with that. It would just be registered as a 72. Not many enthusiasts will ask to see my title to determine the year of the small back window.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by WB72

I may casually ask a man in uniform when I get the chance.

I also have the original vin from the rusty old cab, I could replace the 67's with that. It would just be registered as a 72. Not many enthusiasts will ask to see my title to determine the year of the small back window.

In the US, it's illegal to swap the B pillar VIN plates. They check the special ''rose petal'' rivets.
Call it a '67 and call it good.

[cypressbog]

Cover the side marker holes and title it as a 67.

[BILT4ME]

Body shops are allowed to swap VIN plates and replace with "factory" rivets. In the event a cab is damaged in that area, they are allowed to remove and replace the VIN plate on the cab.

If it was me, I would find someone that has a body shop and discuss it with them and check your local laws. If you have the title to one truck or the other, then I would license it as the one with the title. However, if the frame and body VIN don;t match, it could be sticky.

I build a 69 Chevy K10 when I was in high school (a VERY long time ago) and it had a 1960 frame under it. I licensed it as a 69 because that's the truck I had a title to. The state I lived in at the time did not care what the frame numbers were. My truck had a 69 cab, 68 front end, 60 frame, 75 front axle, 70 engine, and a 79 rear axle. Johnny Cash Special.....