‘72 Door Panels In ‘71 Jimmy?

[Classics Fan]

In December I found and purchased a 1971 Jimmy Custom with 115,000 original miles. Overall it’s in great condition and runs and drives very very well. I have put dozens of hours into cleaning, detailing and addressing a myriad of things cosmetic and mechanical with the intention of flipping it next fall. That said, its become my daily grocery-getter and I might have to reconsider!

I have a question regarding interior door panels. This Jimmy has 1972 style that I believe are original to the truck. VIN is KE114S131492. Definitely a 1971, but seems probably a late run vehicle (21,492 consecutive number based on that number starting at 10000 in ‘71). Possibly the St. Lou’s assembly plant ran out of 1971 parchment door panels and substituted 1972 panels? I am OK with it, as I like the 72’s better anyway.

Anyone have any knowledge or ideas on this anomaly?

[flashed]

The doors are 72 too .

[SeventyOne]

Maybe? I've never seen it though.

Your plate is also bolted on rather than riveted - that raises a red flag to me...

Additionally Blazer/Jimmy doors themselves are different from 71-72 and the door panel mounting holes are different. So if yours really is a 71, it would have 72 doors too (unless they also redid the holes on the door).

Have you ever had the door panels off?

Do the vins match to the frame?

[A1971Blazer]

VIN tag has definitely been removed/replaced....look next to the steering box on top of the frame...there should be some numbers stamped there....should be the same as VIN#

[Classics Fan]

I found the frame VIN and it’s a match. Leads me to believe the doors have been replaced even though the hinges to the frame appear original? I’ve had the door panels off a couple of times and haven’t seen anything that seems out of place. The truck shows other signs of accident damage and repair but it’s all confined to sheet metal.

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by Classics Fan

I found the frame VIN and it’s a match. Leads me to believe the doors have been replaced even though the hinges to the frame appear original? I’ve had the door panels off a couple of times and haven’t seen anything that seems out of place. The truck shows other signs of accident damage and repair but it’s all confined to sheet metal.

Looks like you're good to go with that match...I'm guessing the doors were changed at some point..in the last 47 years....

[Classics Fan]

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

Looks like you're good to go with that match...I'm guessing the doors were changed at some point..in the last 47 years....

Thanks for your help!

[Classics Fan]

SeventyOne: rereading your post, yes, the doors have been redrilled for the panels. I thought someone had done a slopppy job refitting them at some point. Apparently it was to replace them.

[Classics Fan]

Also thanks for the heads up on the VIN plate. It hadn’t struck me that it was bolted not riveted. Rookie move! Do you know if riveting is as easy and straightforward as it seems?

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by Classics Fan

Also thanks for the heads up on the VIN plate. It hadn’t struck me that it was bolted not riveted. Rookie move! Do you know if riveting is as easy and straightforward as it seems?

The VIN tag was originally riveted on with rosette style rivets....a lot of states...cities....counties are anal about that sort of thing....right down to it being illegal to remove or alter a VIN tag.....where I live..they couldn't care less....especially on a vehicle that old....If you have a title and have it registered already...I wouldn't give it another thought.....the only way it will come into play....is if you sell it to someone living where they are stricter about the VIN.....

[Classics Fan]

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

The VIN tag was originally riveted on with rosette style rivets....a lot of states...cities....counties are anal about that sort of thing....right down to it being illegal to remove or alter a VIN tag.....where I live..they couldn't care less....especially on a vehicle that old....If you have a title and have it registered already...I wouldn't give it another thought.....the only way it will come into play....is if you sell it to someone living where they are stricter about the VIN.....

Yeah, not a problem transferring title from Oregon to Washington state, registering and insuring. I’ll consider it a lesson well learned. My heart dropped when this conversation started!

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by Classics Fan

Yeah, not a problem transferring title from Oregon to Washington state, registering and insuring. I’ll consider it a lesson well learned. My heart dropped when this conversation started!

All good........nice Jimmy BTW...!

[richard2717]

I am guessing they have changed the laws on the original rivets? I see there are several ads on Ebay for new ones. Not cheap but might be a solution for some.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...ivets&_sacat=0

[pound41]

would not shock me if the 72 doors were original to the jimmy. I have a matching numbers 69 camaro that has a block casting that was spected for a chevelle. I have A matching numbers 85 monte carlo SS that has mostly 86 parts. If you go to the books Chevrolet by the numbers where the author interviewed line workers They said when we ran out of parts they came from other places what were we going to do stop the whole line.

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by pound41

would not shock me if the 72 doors were original to the jimmy. I have a matching numbers 69 camaro that has a block casting that was spected for a chevelle. I have A matching numbers 85 monte carlo SS that has mostly 86 parts. If you go to the books Chevrolet by the numbers where the author interviewed line workers They said when we ran out of parts they came from other places what were we going to do stop the whole line.

I bought a new Z28 in '74......the factory went on strike so it came way late in the year....it had the HEI that didn't officially come out until the '75 model year...

[too much stuff]

The doors could be 70, 71, 72. Blazers had the extra screw under the wing window. The door panels are 72. I doubt the factory would have put them on since they would have had to change the window crank, door release, drill out the door for push in clips etc...

[solo72]

Nice Jimmy! Looks similar to mine! Have a picture of the Spid?

[Classics Fan]

Originally Posted by solo72

Nice Jimmy! Looks similar to mine! Have a picture of the Spid?

Here’s the Spid. Fairly well equipped with the manual throttle the most rare from what I’ve seen. No tach unfortunately.

I like your Goat in matching Hugger Orange no less! Judge? I sold my 71 Camaro Coupe with 14,000 original miles to make room for the Jimmy. Still have my 74 Ranchero 500 with WAY more in it than I will EVER recover!

[Classics Fan]

Originally Posted by too much stuff

The doors could be 70, 71, 72. Blazers had the extra screw under the wing window. The door panels are 72. I doubt the factory would have put them on since they would have had to change the window crank, door release, drill out the door for push in clips etc...

Are you saying only Blazers have the screw under the wing windows? My Jimmy has them... does that possibly point towards door replacement?

I checked with the PO who had possession since the late 90’s. He said the current door panels were on it when he got it.

Probably never know for sure.

[richard2717]

It is hard to see from the picture but if it has the big plastic screw base at the wing window it is a 71 down if it is metal and indented it is 72 only from everything I have read. door panels would be easy enough to change. The 1st pic is of the 72 door. The 2nd pic is of the 71 down blazer only wing screw & bezel


.

[briank]

Jimmys have the screw as well. I have a 70..same color, hugger orange. Your spid font looks different. Ive attached a picture of mine...codes on mine start with a different numeric??

[simicrintz]

Following this. I am way new to these rigs and have a lot to learn, but this does seem peculiar (VIN plate mounting, font) from what I have learned so far on here.

[Classics Fan]

Originally Posted by briank

Jimmys have the screw as well. I have a 70..same color, hugger orange. Your spid font looks different. Ive attached a picture of mine...codes on mine start with a different numeric??

I’ve always wondered why the font for Hugger Orange on my SPID was different than the rest of the plate. Maybe it is a repro. That said, looking initially at others in the SPID thread on this forum I see what looks like at least a couple of different fonts. I also see SPIDs with alpha numerics that begin with 1’s like mine, and 4’s like yours. There doesn’t seem to be a distinction between Chevy and GMC. Interesting...

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by Classics Fan

I’ve always wondered why the font for Hugger Orange on my SPID was different than the rest of the plate. Maybe it is a repro. That said, looking initially at others in the SPID thread on this forum I see what looks like at least a couple of different fonts. I also see SPIDs with alpha numerics that begin with 1’s like mine, and 4’s like yours. There doesn’t seem to be a distinction between Chevy and GMC. Interesting...

After 47 years...there is a plethora of possibilities with no reliable way to confirm or refute them....trying to do so is an exercise in futility.....

Back when these were made, accurate documentation probably wasn't really high on the priority list....

You have a great looking rig that is registered and insured....and you are happy with it.....that's the most important attribute of all....!

[Classics Fan]

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

After 47 years...there is a plethora of possibilities with no reliable way to confirm or refute them....trying to do so is an exercise in futility.....

Back when these were made, accurate documentation probably wasn't really high on the priority list....

You have a great looking rig that is registered and insured....and you are happy with it.....that's the most important attribute of all....!

I totally agree with the satisfaction aspect. And thanks for your compliment! Now my curiosity is piqued and I’ll be keeping watch for other clues. It’s always fun playing detective and trying to uncover the secrets these old cars and trucks hold.

I haven’t researched, but I seem to recall hearing years back that the lack of available GM production records stems from a fire that destroyed archived records that weren’t backed up. Anyone know if this is right?