USA vs. Canada-built Trucks - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

thefraze_1020 · 03-29-2014, 04:48 PM

My 1984 C-20 was built at the Oshawa, Ontario plant, and thus has a "2" as the first digit in the VIN.

So my question is, is there really any difference between my truck and a comparable 1984 built in USA?

1981Stepside · 03-29-2014, 05:31 PM

Canadian built ones are more polite- lol

thefraze_1020 · 03-29-2014, 05:46 PM

I should also mention that this was a USA-sold truck. With the speedo in MPH.

Tom · 04-13-2014, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefraze_1020

I should also mention that this was a USA-sold truck. With the speedo in MPH.

Both of my trucks [1 gmc, 1 chevy, 20yrs apart] are built in Canada, sold in the US trucks.

imjeff · 03-29-2014, 05:51 PM

The 69 Chevelle I just sold was built in Oshawa, Ontario and was exactly the same as US built...not a Beaumont. I sold it to a guy in Ottawa!

notallthere · 03-29-2014, 06:07 PM

The only difference is that through GM Canada you can get your truck build information from GM. My truck and my Chevelle both were born in Oshawa and I have the package from both.

thefraze_1020 · 03-29-2014, 06:45 PM

One thing I've noticed so far when working on it, is that bolts seem to be in metric.

meatwagon83 · 03-29-2014, 07:20 PM

the only difference is instead of decades old molson bottles and doughnuts in the doors of the canadian ones there are old mcdonalds bags and busch cans in the american ones. mine was built in kansas city

notallthere · 03-29-2014, 07:28 PM

Run on 5% maple syrup

lap15 · 03-29-2014, 11:45 PM

I have owned two trucks built in Oshawa (an '86 C10 & '82 C20) and both have had significantly less rust than others I have seen. Better quality sheet metal? Better paint or primer? I don't know, but I think the bodies hold up better.

Keith Seymore · 03-30-2014, 12:59 PM

No difference.

Trucks built in Oshawa would be designated for either Canadian or US consumption and would be equipped appropriately.

K

CHROMAHOLIC · 03-30-2014, 08:31 PM

The only difference is instead of someone saying y'all have a nice truck is they need to say, You sure have a nice truck eh!

Wellgeo03 · 03-31-2014, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHROMAHOLIC

The only difference is instead of someone saying y'all have a nice truck is they need to say, You sure have a nice truck eh!

Now that's funny!

**special-K** · 03-31-2014, 10:26 AM

USA-built gets MPG vs Canada-built gets LPK

**special-K** · 04-01-2014, 10:15 AM

Canadian Trucks were available in 12 colours but USA trucks were only available in 12 colors.

Keith Seymore · 04-01-2014, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

Canadian Trucks were available in 12 colours but USA trucks were only available in 12 colors.

HA! I see what you did there.

So - Canadian trucks were purchased with "doe-lars" whereas US trucks were purchased with "dahlars".

BTW - I have to drive "south" to go to Cahnada - eh.

K

**special-K** · 04-01-2014, 04:48 PM

Yep,my US-built truck cost a cuppa thousin dahlars used. "Seeya. I'm headin' down to Canada now"

*nekkidhillbilly* · 04-02-2014, 11:49 AM

it says budday and abut in the owners manual

kelsfine69 · 04-02-2014, 11:11 PM

Now here's a question...Were Canadian dealers allowed different options & packages, colours etc.. than their US counterparts?(Wrangler as an example). Up until 72 there were different colours for example only offered in Canada...

**special-K** · 04-03-2014, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelsfine69

Now here's a question...Were Canadian dealers allowed different options & packages, colours etc.. than their US counterparts?(Wrangler as an example). Up until 72 there were different colours for example only offered in Canada...

I'm curious when the US & Canadian models became homogenized. I know the differences were there in GMC during the 67-72 run,such as they were 910/920/930 series vs 10/20/30 and there were the colours. There were Acadians and Beaumont cars. Back even earlier were Maple Leaf trucks.I know they existed as a way around duties,tariffs,and taxes on US products going to British holdings. That all changed when those places became independent and/or the laws were changed. t one point the GM trucks built in Oshawa became split between US and Canada markets and I assumed that was when they blended as one

**Already Gone** · 04-10-2014, 01:08 AM

I believe the year was 1965 and something called the Auto-Pact between Canada and the USA. What that meant was that any vehicle built in Canada could be shipped and sold in the USA market without any duties or tariffs and vice versa and that is still in effect today. As far as Base Canadian Equipment on an 84 C20 I dont know what it would have been back then but a big difference in vehicles today is in Canada since the 1990 model year Daytime Running Lights are mandatory on every vehicle, but they are still not in the USA.

E.D.75GMC · 04-02-2014, 11:34 PM

My truck was built at the Oshawa, Ontario plant and it has an RPO for "Mandatory Canadian Ba-something" but I don't see anything that really stands out as different on the truck.

Axle · 04-13-2014, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E.D.75GMC

My truck was built at the Oshawa, Ontario plant and it has an RPO for "Mandatory Canadian Ba-something" but I don't see anything that really stands out as different on the truck.

Z49 in the little list I have says "export, Canadian model mandatory base equipment" which I'm guessing means metric speedo and guages.

Alex.

**Already Gone** · 04-13-2014, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axle

Z49 in the little list I have says "export, Canadian model mandatory base equipment" which I'm guessing means metric speedo and guages.

Alex.

We didn't start getting metric speedos until 77/78.

cory d · 04-02-2014, 11:56 PM

american doors are longer than my canadian doors. a whole 3/16 of an inch. thats like 4-5mm

03-29-2014, 04:48 PM	#1
thefraze_1020 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Mount Vernon, WA Posts: 417	USA vs. Canada-built Trucks My 1984 C-20 was built at the Oshawa, Ontario plant, and thus has a "2" as the first digit in the VIN. So my question is, is there really any difference between my truck and a comparable 1984 built in USA? __________________ Cameron 1984 Chevy C20 Custom Deluxe

03-29-2014, 05:31 PM	#2
1981Stepside Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Port Coquitlam, BC Posts: 202	Re: USA vs. Canada-built Trucks Canadian built ones are more polite- lol __________________ Proud UA member since 2009 My LT1 Silverado build-up: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=549660 Check out my new YouTube channel! - https://youtube.com/channel/UCXk5mZOQI1sEnu5bIkhe7fA

03-29-2014, 05:46 PM	#3
thefraze_1020 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Mount Vernon, WA Posts: 417	Re: USA vs. Canada-built Trucks I should also mention that this was a USA-sold truck. With the speedo in MPH. __________________ Cameron 1984 Chevy C20 Custom Deluxe

03-29-2014, 05:51 PM	#5
imjeff Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tacoma Washington Posts: 890	Re: USA vs. Canada-built Trucks The 69 Chevelle I just sold was built in Oshawa, Ontario and was exactly the same as US built...not a Beaumont. I sold it to a guy in Ottawa! __________________ I know a guy who's addicted to brake fluid. He says he can stop any time. 72 K10 396 75 Cj5 MPI 350 Chev 67 Chevelle 396, 4 speed 74 FXE 08 Tahoe

03-29-2014, 06:07 PM	#6
notallthere Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: sarnia ontario canada Posts: 211	Re: USA vs. Canada-built Trucks The only difference is that through GM Canada you can get your truck build information from GM. My truck and my Chevelle both were born in Oshawa and I have the package from both.

03-29-2014, 06:45 PM	#7
thefraze_1020 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Mount Vernon, WA Posts: 417	Re: USA vs. Canada-built Trucks One thing I've noticed so far when working on it, is that bolts seem to be in metric. __________________ Cameron 1984 Chevy C20 Custom Deluxe

03-29-2014, 07:20 PM	#8
meatwagon83 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Preble county ohio Posts: 1,914	Re: USA vs. Canada-built Trucks the only difference is instead of decades old molson bottles and doughnuts in the doors of the canadian ones there are old mcdonalds bags and busch cans in the american ones. mine was built in kansas city __________________ "DON'T TOUCH THE TRIM!!"-Early Kyler

03-29-2014, 07:28 PM	#9
notallthere Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: sarnia ontario canada Posts: 211	Re: USA vs. Canada-built Trucks Run on 5% maple syrup

03-29-2014, 11:45 PM	#10
lap15 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Womelsdorf,PA Posts: 93	Re: USA vs. Canada-built Trucks I have owned two trucks built in Oshawa (an '86 C10 & '82 C20) and both have had significantly less rust than others I have seen. Better quality sheet metal? Better paint or primer? I don't know, but I think the bodies hold up better.

03-30-2014, 12:59 PM	#11
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,237	Re: USA vs. Canada-built Trucks No difference. Trucks built in Oshawa would be designated for either Canadian or US consumption and would be equipped appropriately. K __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/

03-30-2014, 08:31 PM	#12
CHROMAHOLIC Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 795	Re: USA vs. Canada-built Trucks The only difference is instead of someone saying y'all have a nice truck is they need to say, You sure have a nice truck eh!

03-31-2014, 10:26 AM	#14
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: USA vs. Canada-built Trucks USA-built gets MPG vs Canada-built gets LPK __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

04-01-2014, 10:15 AM	#15
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: USA vs. Canada-built Trucks Canadian Trucks were available in 12 colours but USA trucks were only available in 12 colors. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

04-01-2014, 04:48 PM	#17
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: USA vs. Canada-built Trucks Yep,my US-built truck cost a cuppa thousin dahlars used. "Seeya. I'm headin' down to Canada now" __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 04-02-2014 at 02:18 AM.

04-02-2014, 11:49 AM	#18
nekkidhillbilly Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: hazard, ky Posts: 1,674	Re: USA vs. Canada-built Trucks it says budday and abut in the owners manual



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04-02-2014, 11:11 PM	#19
kelsfine69 18 Till I Die Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,522	Re: USA vs. Canada-built Trucks Now here's a question...Were Canadian dealers allowed different options & packages, colours etc.. than their US counterparts?(Wrangler as an example). Up until 72 there were different colours for example only offered in Canada... __________________ 2011 GMC Acadia 1969 GMC BBC LS7 2007 GMC Crew Duramax 1987 Camaro Iroc 350 Tuned Port Injection 42000Km 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI(yes 2) Take me drunk, I'm too home...

04-10-2014, 01:08 AM	#21
Already Gone 70+ ( Old Skool Club ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada Posts: 9,146	Re: USA vs. Canada-built Trucks I believe the year was 1965 and something called the Auto-Pact between Canada and the USA. What that meant was that any vehicle built in Canada could be shipped and sold in the USA market without any duties or tariffs and vice versa and that is still in effect today. As far as Base Canadian Equipment on an 84 C20 I dont know what it would have been back then but a big difference in vehicles today is in Canada since the 1990 model year Daytime Running Lights are mandatory on every vehicle, but they are still not in the USA. __________________ 1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021

04-02-2014, 11:34 PM	#22
E.D.75GMC Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 273	Re: USA vs. Canada-built Trucks My truck was built at the Oshawa, Ontario plant and it has an RPO for "Mandatory Canadian Ba-something" but I don't see anything that really stands out as different on the truck. Attached Images

04-02-2014, 11:56 PM	#25
cory d Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Arlington WA Posts: 1,728	Re: USA vs. Canada-built Trucks american doors are longer than my canadian doors. a whole 3/16 of an inch. thats like 4-5mm __________________ GMC C15 355 SM465 3.73 80 C10 cruiser build thread 79 short stepside crew cab. big and ugly. build thread

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