The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Chevy VIN question

I have found 67-72 chevy 3/4-ton truck in a junk yard. It has a v8, automatic, and 2-wheel drive. It has a twelve-digit vin. Is there any way to find out more info on this truck. It most likely has the 4.11 rear end, so I will pursue it for and upgrade for my 47 3600. I suppose I could crawl under it and find a number on the rear end, but you know how junk yards are lol.

IMHO, if it's a '72 the odds are better if it's a '67.

There should be an option label somewhere like the inside of the glove compartment that would give all the option codes including the rear axle.

If you are able to squeeze under the truck, big if, you will almost certainly need a wire brush and a flashlight. Very desirable upgrade, hope it works out.

The VIN won't tell you what rear is in the truck, you need to look at the SPI data label on the glove box door for that info.

Mike B

Thanks, I'll go back next week and look into it further. I have not been around this type of truck for years. I never thought to look into the glove box. The passenger door is welded shut and the driver's door is damaged really bad. When did the 17 digit vin come into play? I owned a 67 1/2 ton back in the late 70's. It had a 307 v8, three on the tree, and 4.11 rear end. I'm hoping this 3/4 ton has the Eaton rear end with the 4.11 gearing.

lumbersawyer,

The "SPI" label Mike B refers to (Service Parts Identification) data labels for this group of trucks lists all the options the truck would have been built with at the factory.

Take a peek at this SPI information page along with the last linked web page in the left column.

This should help understand what all that gibberish on the label means by referring to the SPI Code List that describes all the options (at least those known to the owner of the site).

I found 3 different codes on that page that reflect a "4.11 ratio" rear axle. Your initial search/assessment of the vehicles SPI label in question could show you at least what it came with from the factory without getting down in the dirt/weeds.

Thanks, according to the spi data it looks to be a 71.

Most who have studied it a bit or experineced it say that 1968 was the first year of somewhat uniform "Vin numbers" If you were to look at the vin numbers of early 60's GM, Ford and Mopar, IH and AMC vehicles there was no continuity between one and the other. That changed in 68 and has changed at least twice since. Until around 1954 most vehcles just had serial numbers used as vin numbers and as we with older rigs all know a number of states used engine serial numbers while others used the body serial numbers. The spid as onthers is your go to on this though.