![]() |
Register or Log In To remove these advertisements. |
|
|
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
![]() |
#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Sarnia, Ontario
Posts: 571
|
My New Truck....What Do I Have?
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?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
like a rock
![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 517
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
not sure if I can help you out with your problem, but just wanted to say Hi. I'm also from sarnia area; camlachie.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Sarnia, Ontario
Posts: 571
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
Here's an attempt at some pics....by the way the trim says Sierra Classic GMC 35.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Sarnia, Ontario
Posts: 571
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
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.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
like a rock
![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 517
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
i know exactly where you are. Nice to see someone local on here. Truck looks like a good work horse.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Sarnia, Ontario
Posts: 571
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
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?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
like a rock
![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 517
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
This is what i got....
T-GMC C- 2 wheel drive S-454-4 3- 30-one ton 4-pickup 9-1979 1-oshawa |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Wishin' I had more money!
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 1,242
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Wishin' I had more money!
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 1,242
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
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. Last edited by xtreme80; 11-12-2007 at 05:22 PM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 11
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
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 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Sarnia, Ontario
Posts: 571
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
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
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Posts: 26
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
35 means 1 ton. I dont see why it cant be a 1 ton?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Sarnia, Ontario
Posts: 571
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
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??????
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Sarnia, Ontario
Posts: 571
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
Thanks to all who have helped me determine what I have...I will keep you updated as I dive into this project.....
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
like a rock
![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 517
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
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.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Sarnia, Ontario
Posts: 571
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
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. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
In the Forgotten far North.
![]() Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 2,627
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
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
__________________
1987 R3500 CREW CAB DUALLY (BIG RED)Acquired 06/12/2015 1990 chevy suburban V2500 5.7L My cluster Mods-Nov 2007 overhead console Stereo install Round 2 Aug 2009 Heated/turn signal mirror upgrade |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 3,930
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
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. Last edited by Pyrotechnic; 11-12-2007 at 06:29 PM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: northern, in
Posts: 350
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
Quote:
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. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: iowa
Posts: 722
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
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
__________________
"Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall, torque is how far you carry the wall with you." '84 chevy half ton short box 2wd, 67,000 actual miles ![]() '03 chevy 1500 HD crew cab 4x4 standard box, 6.0L ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#21 |
Gentleman Jim Driver
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Poulsbo, WA
Posts: 1,554
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
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.
__________________
Joe '75 GMC Gentleman Jim '84 Chev C10 Short Wide - Super duper plain (manual steering, manual brakes, no dome light, no cig lighter) '85 Chev C10 Short Wide - Super plain Vortec 4.8 4L60E trans also: '81 K30, '83 C30 Crew Dually, '84 M1028 CUCV, '85 M1009 CUCV, another '85 C10 SWB, '87 C10, '87 R30, 2 '89 R3500 Flatbeds |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Sarnia, Ontario
Posts: 571
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
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....
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#23 |
THE VILLIAGE IDIOT
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Tooele, Utah
Posts: 1,405
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
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...
__________________
honestly honey,,i have no idea how that truck got here. ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Sarnia, Ontario
Posts: 571
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
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????
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#25 |
Happy to be here
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 39,021
|
Re: My New Truck....What Do I Have?
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...
![]()
__________________
Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra" |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
|
|