The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts restoration package gggrrrrrrr

I call for a package. Got through on the lst try. They called back today and told me the id # off the door post wasn't enough characters. Needed to be 10 to 11. And to look for it on the front drivers dash. My response was "Look on the dash for '48??"
Now I don't know what to do with these "helpful" people.
What do you see wrong with the number 5RWS1 8121??

June

48....Just for grins I put your ID # into our very own "vin cruncher". It came back with the correct data, but it automatically put a zero before the number, making it 10 characters!

Stuart

hey Stuart, just where is "our very own" cruncher. I found a link to one that didn't give back much.
On a better note.... After 3 conversations with the 1st gal. I loaded up on java and started from scratch with the 1-800 #. 30 minutes of actual conversation later, my pack will be on my porch in 4 to 6 weeks. I would think they would have some pop-up screens to assist these gals in assisting us! Don't mean to flame any females....but.....don't mess with a country girl and her truck!
June

That's my fault. I haven't gotten it on the Tech Tip page yet.

But it's in the July news -- check the link on the menu bar. It's midway down the page.

Hope to get it on the Tech Tip page tomorrow.

Just finished some other correctins on the site.

Peg

In defense of the "gals" at GM, I have to say that the lady that I spoke with was very knowledgeable, took my information and gave me details on my truck (most I already knew from the VIN cruncher on the American Classics page and with reading and a couple of discussions on this site) and was extremely pleasant to deal with in the 10 minutes I was talking with her first thing on a Monday morning. She said the package would be sent right away and be at my home in 4 - 6 weeks. She was wrong, I had it in less than 2 weeks.

My experience was very positive.

Jim

Thanks Peg, Works great!
Jim, Yes, through all this, all the folks I have talked to have been very pleasant and great to work with. It's been the followup messages that are a little frustrating.
Back to that package. After my 30 minute call and a 4 to 6 week promise, I come in to find a message stating that "If I could call her back, she could give me a website with information on a buick roadmaster." ??????? So, 1-800-again. Poor fella that answered got asked "Do you know anything about Chevy trucks? Do you know that they are not the same as a buick roadmaster?" Very polite fella. Anyway, I should have my pack in 7 to 10 days. And if it is not the correct one, please call him back.
Now I just wait with my fingers crossed.
J

Just an interesting point of info. "Uncle Albert" might not be a 2-ton truck (technically). According to the serial number, the prefix RWS is for a '48 1.5-ton "special" (6400S series). The 1 after the S in the serial number is probably an I, which would designate the build month (September). The VIN cruncher doesn't handle the "specials".

The only difference between a 6400S 1.5-ton special and a 6400 2-ton would be the tires that it came with from the factory. The special used smaller tires with a lower weight rating, so the maximum GVWR was reduced from 16,000 to 15,000. The serial number plate would say 15,000 for the max. GVWR if I am correct about this.

BTW, when I got my resto pack, I didn't even talk to anybody. I just requested it through the customer service contact page on Chevrolet.com. Got it in less than a week. These packs actually come from a third-party business services company in Michigan (MSX International). At least that's where mine came from.

Curt, interesting! I had not found any info yet on the "S" designator. And yes, it is an I not a 1 as I had typed. And the plate does show 15,000. We were going with 2 ton based on the deciphering we had found in various places and what was told to the bidders at the sale.

Now I know to use the website next time.
Thanks,
June

The VIN Cruncher sticks a 0 in front of some VIN's as a work around to keep it from getting different model years (with fewer characters)confused.

The 0 acts as numerical bondo, to make everything the same length.

As far as the resto pack people are concerned, i've called them twice.. both times they were very nice, and both times they sent me the wrong pack.