The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk question about vin # and location on 57 3100

Hey guys, I am trying to locate the vin # on my 57 chevy 3100 pickup. the plate on the door pillar is not readable and the engine and trans has been replaced already. Is the vin stamped anywhere else on the truck, like the frame or firewall? thanks.

To my knowledge, you've looked at the same 3 places I would have looked.

You might consider this article in Tech Tips. On a '59 (in the same Task Force series as your '57 and my '58) there is an added location for the VIN:

on the top of the drivers side frame rail, about 4 inches forward of the steering box.

Ours, not being a '59, might not have this additional one, but it is worth a check. I've haven't looked yet to see if mine has it.

Good luck.

Bill

the ID number on the frame that Bill cites started at most plants by 55 or 6, every 57 I've seen has had it - the frame number will NOT have the leading model designation [3A in your case]

Bill

thanks, but where exactly would it be on the frame rail? Are you talking about on the frame chasis? So do I get to it from the top of the truck? thanks again.

Bill & Bill,

That Tech Tip description of the discovery of a code on a frame rail is interesting.

Can you find any indication of a frame-rail ID in any Canadian or USA Chevrolet truck Shop Manual (or in a Specifications Manual provided by the GM Heritage Center)?

The USA Chevrolet Truck Shop Manuals (1957, 1958, and 1960) and the Specifications Manuals both show "door hinge pillar" for 1957 & 1958 trucks; and, in 1960, a vehicle serial number is located on the "upper left hinge pillar" and a vehicle identification plate is located on the "left inner cowl panel" (illustrations are provided for both). No mention of a code on a frame. Is it possible that some states and Canada required a code on a frame, and it was placed on the frame after it left the factory?

I just checked my 56 gmc, no numbers on the frame forward of the steering gear box

there is a frame number on mine - stamped on the frame ahead of the steering box. my fender is off the truck at the moment which made it simple for me to find. the frame on mine no longer matches the body as the truck is a Tarrytown NY truck sitting on a frame out of LA...

My 56 has the numbers stamped in that location. It is an LA built truck. I have seen several others also. You may have to remove 50 years of paint,crud, & corosion. It's not stamped very deep so it's possible the elements took their toll.
Fred

My '55 has the number stamped on the frame not once, but twice! It has the one next to the steering box (easily visible), the other is roughly at the center of the cab floor. So far, all TF trucks I've looked at have the stamped number. I can't/won't say for GMC, as I really haven't looked at many of those.
BTW, mine came from Baltimore, and was originally sold in N. Carolina.

Tim - I suspect the TF stamped ID number was the beginning of a federal program, it was definitely done by the factory on all trucks - of very many 56-58 trucks I've had / parted out, from various assembly plants, I've never seen one without it in the same place and configuration, like this on a friends 56 panel

LONGBOX - interesting, as about 1960 the frame stamped numbers started being done double like that, bare 60's frames I've seen had them in both places, near the steering box and under the cab far enough to be invisible without careful use of a mirror - Tony [4-5-6ChevyTrucks] might be able to confirm that?

rbs56 - on a GMC look at the outside of the passenger front frame horn, might find it stamped there

Bill

Only if it were built prior to May, 1949, ref. OldGMCtrucks.com