My New Truck....What Do I Have?

[Fraser Beatty]

Well I bought a "new" truck today, and man is it a beater. It is badly rusted and the interior is absolutely wrecked, but it runs great with a rebuilt 350. And, in my area, it was a good deal at $500 Canadian. I am a little confused as to what I bought, though. The owner told me and was convinced it is a 1979 Chevrolet 3/4 ton, however, it appears to be a GMC 1/2 ton with heavy duty options. The VIN is TCS3491548762, which confirms that it is a GMC (first digit), 2WD (second digit), pick-up body type (fifth digit), year 1979 (sixth digit), and made in Canada at the Oshawa plant (seventh digit). What I can't understand are the third and fourth digits, S and 3. The S is supposed to indicate the engine size and type, but by my VIN decoder shows it should be a D,L,R, or T. The 3 is supposed to indicate whether the truck is a 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, 1 ton, or heavy 1/2 ton. Since it is a 3, that would indicate the truck is a 1 ton, WHICH IT IS NOT. I think it must be the GMC version of the Chevrolet "Big Ten", but I am just not sure. I will try to post pictures of the truck below. Anybody know what I have?

[vern350]

not sure if I can help you out with your problem, but just wanted to say Hi. I'm also from sarnia area; camlachie.

[Fraser Beatty]

Here's an attempt at some pics....by the way the trim says Sierra Classic GMC 35.

[Fraser Beatty]

Hey there vern 350, I am up here on London Line between Brigden and Waterworks Sideroads. Next time you head into Sarnia on London Line you will likely see the truck in question sitting out in our driveway, alongside my Dad's 1985 GMC.

[vern350]

i know exactly where you are. Nice to see someone local on here. Truck looks like a good work horse.

[Fraser Beatty]

It's really beat up and rusty, and its got a ridiculous amount of kms, over 850 000! But I figured I can use it as a farm truck and to learn body work on (I've restored tractors before but never a truck). And the 350 engine can be used in my Dad's truck if worse comes to worse. So, anyone know what I have?

[vern350]

This is what i got....

T-GMC
C- 2 wheel drive
S-454-4
3- 30-one ton
4-pickup
9-1979
1-oshawa

[xtreme80]

According to LMC's vin decoder, it is in fact a 1 ton

http://lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/0012.asp

[xtreme80]

Also, what makes you think it's NOT a 1 ton? Should have 8 lug wheels right?

I just don't understand your reasoning behind it not being a 1 ton?

EDIT: The 35 is GMC's version of a C30, which is the chevy. Instead of a CK30, you have a CK35, which was GMC's version. Same truck, different number.

Also, try to get some pics of the front and rear suspension if you can. I don't personally know what a 1 ton will look like, but I'm sure someone on here will.

[b1v3r]

got this from an online VIN decoder. Man it SURE doesnt workVehicle Identification Number: 1
T 2
C 3
S 4
3 5
4 6
9 7
1 8
5 9
4 10
8 11
7 12
6 13
2 14
15
16
17



Description Position Raw Data Decoded Data
Region: 1 T Europe
Country: 1-2 TC Switzerland
Manufacturer: 2-3 CS Unknown
Model Specific: 4-8 34915 Unknown
Check Digit: 9 4 Invalid
Year: 10 8 2008
Assembly Plant: 11 7 7
Serial Number: 12-17 62 62

[Fraser Beatty]

Hahaha, that is pretty funny. Darn right it doesn't work! Made in Switzerland? Year 2008? Sure doesn't look like a 2008 to me

['83Sierra]

35 means 1 ton. I dont see why it cant be a 1 ton?

[Fraser Beatty]

The only reason I was doubtful was because the guy I bought it from was convinced it was a 3/4 ton, and the truck just didn't seem at first glance to be a 1 ton. Also the S in the VIN did not line up, since I searched and searched and could not find what the S stood for. I though that maybe the S when combined with the 3 was some sort of special designation. However, I guess since all evidence points to it being a 1 ton, it must be. Like I said before, I don't mind at all that it is a 1 ton. I plan to fix it up and use it as a learning tool. As I mentioned previously, I have restored tractors and worked on trucks doing minor stuff before, but I have never tried to tackle something this major. The truck has a good running 350 that was rebuilt not too long ago, but thats about the only positive feature. The floors in the cab are rusted through, and the bed isn't in the greatest shape. The interior is in terrible shape, with a badly torn seat, cracked dash, etc. The heat and AC don't work. The speedometer does not work properly (it reads about 10km/h too high). For some reason I immediately loved the truck though, and I know it will be a great learning experience and worthwhile project. Maybe I am crazy??????

[Fraser Beatty]

Thanks to all who have helped me determine what I have...I will keep you updated as I dive into this project.....

[vern350]

glad to see you got things some what figured out. Let me know if you need any parts, i've got a few trucks around.

[Fraser Beatty]

Well, I have got things figured out now...Guess what I found? I took a look behind the seat, and I found the original sticker off of the glove box back there, along with 2 fairly new Sony XPLOD speakers, which were unhooked. Double bonus! The sticker proves that the truck is, indeed, a 1 ton, that it originally came with a 454, and that it is a "camper special". I am now wondering if the truck might still have a 454 in it, since the guy I bought it from was wrong about it being a 3/4 ton, he may very well have been wrong about it having a 350. I am no expert on engines, so can anyone tell me how to tell the difference between a 350 and a 454? I tried looking for any numbers on the engine that could be used to I.D. it. All I could find in the dark with a weak flashlight was the number 18436672 stamped on top just under the air cleaner assembly. Not sure if this is of any help to anyone in identifying the engine, but I though I would post it anyway. Thanks for all the help everyone.

vern350: Thanks, I have a feeling I am going to be searching around for A LOT of parts for this project. I will definately keep you in mind. My e-mail address is FBeatty_09@hotmail.com, if you could send me your e-mail address and maybe phone number than I would be better able to get ahold of you. Thanks for your help.

[BLE 'BURBAN]

10,15,1500 All = 1/2 Ton
20,25.2500 All = 3/4 Ton
30,35,3500 All = 1 Ton
C('73-'87) = 2 Wheel Drive
K('73-'87) = 4 Wheel Drive
And On '88-'91 Blazers, Crew Cabs & Suburbans
R('88-'91) = 2 Wheel Drive
V('88-'91) = 4 Wheel Drive

[Pyrotechnic]

It has 8 lug wheels.

8 lug wheels = 3/4 or 1 ton

It DOES NOT have to be a dually to be a 1 ton. They were offered in a single rear wheel configuration with a lower GVWR.

Also, it doesn't look like your rear spring pack is stock. It looks like someone took some of the leafs out. Not uncommon since 3/4 and 1 ton springs give a really harsh ride. The truck has been around a long time at this point - plenty of time for people to have messed with it, so don't treat it as show room original.

[bigtruck81]

Originally Posted by BLE 'BURBAN

30,35,3500 All = 1 Ton
C('73-'87) = 2 Wheel Drive
K('73-'87) = 4 Wheel Drive
And On '88-'91 Blazers, Crew Cabs & Suburbans
R('88-'91) = 2 Wheel Drive
V('88-'91) = 4 Wheel Drive

this information is incorrect, R and V designations came about in 1987. the last "C10" was produced in 1986, anything later than 1986 became an R/V series truck.

[lurch115]

i'd say thats a one ton judging by the bottom leave spring....and if you want to i.d. the motor...you either have to get the 3 digit code off either side of the block by the motor mounts....or by the one on the back driverside ontop of the block right by where the tranny bolts up

[ElGracho]

Well, it's not a 454. The valve covers on a big block are an easy way to identify them vs a small block.

It's most likely a 350 since they are the most common small blocks and still one of the most common engines on the planet.

[Fraser Beatty]

OK....I was holding out hope the guy who sold it to me was wrong again and it still had a 454 in it.....Oh well....

[68GMC454]

my stock 84 454 has short and wide valve covers on it..this is what they look like,


Hosted on Fotki

your spring pack look bigger than my old 84 3/4 gmc, but smaller than my 76 chevy 1 tons...

[Fraser Beatty]

Okay, it must have a 350 then. Pyrotechnic mentioned that someone may have modified the spring pack along the line to make the ride a little less harsh. Also maybe the single-rear-wheel camper specials came with a slightly different set up than the other 1 tons????

[N2TRUX]

If your still not convinced it's a 1 ton chassis, look at the frame. Compare the height of the frame rails to your Dad's 1/2 ton. You will be convinced...