The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Need help with VIN #

Hey guys....Did the checking on the VIN #s for both of my trucks. My '48 2-ton checks out.

#1RWD2526....Flint, Mich, 2-ton, 161" WB, 2526 production #.

My '49 4400 parts truck, or what I was told is a '49 has me a little confused.

VIN# 56KC2313....Looked it up in the Stovebolt Decoder, the KC code shows it to be a '40 half ton. American Classics decoder shows it to be a 1-ton of unknown year. Frank Andersons decoder shows it to be a '56 of unknown model built in Kansas City.

I know its a parts truck, but I'd still like to know more. It's definantly an AD 4400 series.

(PS...American Classics showed my 2-ton 6400 to be a "flat face or windshield cowl")

Rezman

First, these are serial numbers, not VIN numbers. VIN is a standardized system that did not exist when these trucks were built.

My experience is that the Stovebolt decoder is the most accurate of those online. I don't get paid or recieve brownie points for saying so, it just seems the most complete understanding these numbers.

The next thing to be aware of is that many of the online decoders ignore big trucks like a 4400 and so far I've not seen one that would recognize a Canadian or other non-US serial number.

The other thing all these decoders do is evaluate the serial number you plug in. They can't tell if someone has swapped the cab or the number plate at some point in the past. You might look hard for evidence someone has changed something.

Rezman, Sounds like someone used the ID plate from a '56 model Stepvan (Dubl. Duty), on that truck. What color, is the background, of the plate. '47-'52 plates, have a black background. '53, & up us a blue background. The '49 4400, should read "SK".

Thanks Spanky, I'll check that out and get back with you.

Oldsub, In Oklahoma, that is considered the VIN.

Rezman

yes, a VIN is a vin is a serial is a vehicle identification number, don't need to hash that over again, nearly any DMV anywhere calls it a VIN regardless of year

that number is incorrect for a 56 as well - the 55-59 numbers start with the model code, as in [4B] for a 4400, then the year [56] then the plant [K= KansasCity] then the sequence number, which in 56 started at 100001

if that number is on the title, may be a clerical error, if it's exactly like that on a factory tag, somethings fishy!

Bill

Well, the tag has a black background and is attached with those hour glass head fasteners. I guess it's very possible that it was semi-parted together. Though it's hard to tell if the cab, or tag for that matter was swapped out down the line somewhere, it does have the incorrect steering wheel. It is an old farm truck after all, and those guys usuallly did whatever to keep those things registered & taged.

Didn't mean to create a fuss, I was just curious. At least my 2-ton matches up.

Oldsub, Spanky & red58, thank you guys very much.

Rezman

The number '56KC2313' doesn't appear to fit any Chevrolet numbering scheme i'm familure with.. not for U.S. made trucks made between 1929 and 1959, anyway.

When you enter that number into the VIN Cruncher, what it displays is basically garbage as it attempts to apply known U.S. Chevrolet Truck numbering schemes to your strange number.

In short, Garbage In, Garbage Out.

A actual 1956 truck serial number would be in the form: SSYYF000000

SS = Series, which would consist of a numerical character, followed by an alphanumeric character. Example, '4B' would be a 4400.

YY = Year, the two digit model year. In the case of a 1956, this would be a '56'

F = Factory code.

000000 = Production order number.

If your truck was a 1949 4400, your number would start with a one or two numerical character 'factory code', followed by an 'SK' (which indicates 1949 4400) then a single alpha character production month code, and then a 4 or 5 digit production sequence number.

Example: 1SKK1002

Which would indicate a truck (1) made in Flint, MI (SK) a 1949 4400, (K) in November and was the 2nd truck made that month (since production numbers started at 1001)

LOL! Thinking the person at the counter of your local DMV understands the definitions is like expecting the the counterperson at your FLAPS to recognize parts off your old truck.

Some days you get lucky--most days you're just asking for trouble.