Frame VIN ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

John @ BROTHERS · 03-09-2010, 02:28 PM

I just picked up a 67-72 short bed frame but I have no idea what year it is. I have searched our books for frame VIN info but it is throwing me for a loop. The frame VIN is 12Z131xxx (same on both frame locations). I understand the last 6 are the production numbers & the "Z" is for Fremont, OH. I just can't figure out the "12". It has a 67-69 6-lug 12 bolt rear end by the stampings on the tubes and a 5- lug front disc. Any help is appreciated.

**leddzepp** · 03-09-2010, 02:43 PM

Fremont is in Calif

John @ BROTHERS · 03-09-2010, 03:45 PM

See, I am not crazy. This is why it is so hard to properly decode VIN's. Even the info from the "Chevy Truck ID Numbers 1946-72" book is incorrect. "Leddzepp" I screwed up and put OH, instead of CA. FYI, there is a Fremont, OH. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fremont,_Ohio

I know what you guys are thinking, there is a "12" listed as a "windshield-cowl" on the page above but the VIN is 12Z131xxx. Which means the "2" (eight digit) is the year, but then what is the "1"?

Baby John · 03-09-2010, 03:58 PM

I think those numbers in that book refer to the VIN which is different than the frame numbers. But then again, I'm just getting into this truck stuff so I could be wrong.

**leddzepp** · 03-09-2010, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John @ BROTHERS

BTW, there is a Fremont, OH.

I know, I have been there too....but Fremont, Ca. is where our trucks were built.

epashhans · 03-09-2010, 04:53 PM

What is the vin on the cab...if I remember correctly on mine, the frame number is a bit different...it just contains some of the vin number. Someone who knows for sure should chime in soon.

John @ BROTHERS · 03-09-2010, 05:36 PM

I only have the frame.

**john** · 03-09-2010, 05:53 PM

I dont understand the "12" . My truck reads 1zxxxxx which is 1971 yr model from the fremont ca plant.

Longhorn Man · 03-09-2010, 08:57 PM

I had that book, and it was so wrong I threw it away.
this frame VIN is odd... it is supposed to be the exact same numbers as the body VIN but missing the first few digits. (some, like my longhorn, are one number off between the cab and frame VIN)
I'll have to look through my books at home (I'm @ the hospital ATM with my fiancée) if no one else can figure i tout.

dfwright · 03-09-2010, 11:30 PM

My 72 starts with 2Sxxxxxx -- no one in the front either. Maybe the "1" is an artifact of the stamping process? Maybe the front of the stamp made an impression, or some junk was on the die? I have what could look like a "1" after the last digit of the VIN on my frame, but when cleaned up, you could see it was just the edge of the die.

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 03-10-2010, 02:59 AM

My guess is "1" for half-ton and "2" for 1972. The prefixes would be irrelavent to a frame moving down the assembly line. All that stuff got put on down the line. In '72 a letter went in front of the usual C/K.
"C" for Chevy, or "T" for GMC Truck.
Then C or K [2wd or 4wd].
Then "S" for L6, "E" for V8, "M" for V6.
Then "1" for 1/2 ton, "2" for 3/4 ton etc.
Then Cab style: 4 Pickup, 6 Subn, 8 Blazer.
Then "2" for l972
Then "Z" for Fremont. Calif.
etc.

Huck · 03-10-2010, 08:30 AM

I never saw a vin stamping on both frame rails but have seen an identical part number identifier on both sides. The vin on the frame (right about where the steering box mounts) typically has similar numbers as the vin stamping that is mounted to the cab door jam an the build sticker on the glove box door. There is a distinct difference in the drivers side frame rail where the steering box mounts but I don't recall how to tell---the 68 and up were pretty much the same design but the 67 used a different steering box mounting. Huck

72stepside4WD · 09-22-2010, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John @ BROTHERS

I just picked up a 67-72 short bed frame but I have no idea what year it is. I have searched our books for frame VIN info but it is throwing me for a loop. The frame VIN is 12Z131xxx (same on both frame locations). I understand the last 6 are the production numbers & the "Z" is for Fremont, OH. I just can't figure out the "12". It has a 67-69 6-lug 12 bolt rear end by the stampings on the tubes and a 5- lug front disc. Any help is appreciated.

John-I am having the same issue, did you ever figure out the "12"? I also have a 9 number stamping on the frame, but mine starts with "32Z". Please let me know if you know what my "32" means. Thanks!

my_bucket · 08-08-2011, 09:04 PM

Did any one ever figure this out ? I'm trying 2 find my frame vin info to see if someone did a frame swap on mine
Posted via Mobile Device

sameyrasmea72 · 08-08-2011, 11:37 PM

Every frame I have ever seen is like this. There is usually one # then a Letter, then the last 6 digits should match the last 6 digits on the vin plate and Vin # of the truck. The 2 is the year of frame/truck, this one is a 1972 a 0 would be a 1970 a 9 would be a 1969 and so on.

John @ BROTHERS · 08-09-2011, 04:10 PM

The truck was a 1972. Still don't know what the "1" was for.

my_bucket · 08-10-2011, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sameyrasmea72

Every frame I have ever seen is like this. There is usually one # then a Letter, then the last 6 digits should match the last 6 digits on the vin plate and Vin # of the truck. The 2 is the year of frame/truck, this one is a 1972 a 0 would be a 1970 a 9 would be a 1969 and so on.

Thanks alot that cleared it up for me.

03-09-2010, 02:28 PM	#1
John @ BROTHERS Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 310	Frame VIN ? I just picked up a 67-72 short bed frame but I have no idea what year it is. I have searched our books for frame VIN info but it is throwing me for a loop. The frame VIN is 12Z131xxx (same on both frame locations). I understand the last 6 are the production numbers & the "Z" is for Fremont, OH. I just can't figure out the "12". It has a 67-69 6-lug 12 bolt rear end by the stampings on the tubes and a 5- lug front disc. Any help is appreciated. __________________ 1967 Chevy Short/Fleet 1969 Chevy Short/Step 2004.5 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins 6spd

03-09-2010, 02:43 PM	#2
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,046	Re: Frame VIN ? Fremont is in Calif __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

03-09-2010, 03:45 PM	#3
John @ BROTHERS Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 310	Re: Frame VIN ? See, I am not crazy. This is why it is so hard to properly decode VIN's. Even the info from the "Chevy Truck ID Numbers 1946-72" book is incorrect. "Leddzepp" I screwed up and put OH, instead of CA. FYI, there is a Fremont, OH. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fremont,_Ohio I know what you guys are thinking, there is a "12" listed as a "windshield-cowl" on the page above but the VIN is 12Z131xxx. Which means the "2" (eight digit) is the year, but then what is the "1"? __________________ 1967 Chevy Short/Fleet 1969 Chevy Short/Step 2004.5 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins 6spd Last edited by John @ BROTHERS; 08-09-2011 at 04:09 PM.

03-09-2010, 03:58 PM	#4
Baby John Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Mendenhall MS Posts: 222	Re: Frame VIN ? I think those numbers in that book refer to the VIN which is different than the frame numbers. But then again, I'm just getting into this truck stuff so I could be wrong. __________________ Baby John & Tyler Shows My son and I are resto-rodding a '72 GMC Stepside

03-09-2010, 04:53 PM	#6
epashhans Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: MT Posts: 319	Re: Frame VIN ? What is the vin on the cab...if I remember correctly on mine, the frame number is a bit different...it just contains some of the vin number. Someone who knows for sure should chime in soon. __________________ '67 C-10 Shorty - 454, 5spd, and speed holes!

03-09-2010, 05:36 PM	#7
John @ BROTHERS Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 310	Re: Frame VIN ? I only have the frame. __________________ 1967 Chevy Short/Fleet 1969 Chevy Short/Step 2004.5 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins 6spd

03-09-2010, 05:53 PM	#8
john member #16 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Yuba City Ca. Posts: 3,618	Re: Frame VIN ? I dont understand the "12" . My truck reads 1zxxxxx which is 1971 yr model from the fremont ca plant. __________________ john http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php board vendors http://www.flickr.com/photos/1745471...7602865984234/

03-09-2010, 08:57 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Frame VIN ? I had that book, and it was so wrong I threw it away. this frame VIN is odd... it is supposed to be the exact same numbers as the body VIN but missing the first few digits. (some, like my longhorn, are one number off between the cab and frame VIN) I'll have to look through my books at home (I'm @ the hospital ATM with my fiancée) if no one else can figure i tout.

03-09-2010, 11:30 PM	#10
dfwright Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 1,376	Re: Frame VIN ? My 72 starts with 2Sxxxxxx -- no one in the front either. Maybe the "1" is an artifact of the stamping process? Maybe the front of the stamp made an impression, or some junk was on the die? I have what could look like a "1" after the last digit of the VIN on my frame, but when cleaned up, you could see it was just the edge of the die. __________________ 1972 C10 LWB, 350/350 Deconstruction began 5/2009, mostly completed restoration, 5/2017 Last edited by dfwright; 03-09-2010 at 11:31 PM.

03-10-2010, 02:59 AM	#11
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,536	Re: Frame VIN ? My guess is "1" for half-ton and "2" for 1972. The prefixes would be irrelavent to a frame moving down the assembly line. All that stuff got put on down the line. In '72 a letter went in front of the usual C/K. "C" for Chevy, or "T" for GMC Truck. Then C or K [2wd or 4wd]. Then "S" for L6, "E" for V8, "M" for V6. Then "1" for 1/2 ton, "2" for 3/4 ton etc. Then Cab style: 4 Pickup, 6 Subn, 8 Blazer. Then "2" for l972 Then "Z" for Fremont. Calif. etc. __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not.

03-10-2010, 08:30 AM	#12
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,261	Re: Frame VIN ? I never saw a vin stamping on both frame rails but have seen an identical part number identifier on both sides. The vin on the frame (right about where the steering box mounts) typically has similar numbers as the vin stamping that is mounted to the cab door jam an the build sticker on the glove box door. There is a distinct difference in the drivers side frame rail where the steering box mounts but I don't recall how to tell---the 68 and up were pretty much the same design but the 67 used a different steering box mounting. Huck

08-08-2011, 09:04 PM	#14
my_bucket Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Royal, ar Posts: 35	Re: Frame VIN ? Did any one ever figure this out ? I'm trying 2 find my frame vin info to see if someone did a frame swap on mine Posted via Mobile Device

08-08-2011, 11:37 PM	#15
sameyrasmea72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,443	Re: Frame VIN ? Every frame I have ever seen is like this. There is usually one # then a Letter, then the last 6 digits should match the last 6 digits on the vin plate and Vin # of the truck. The 2 is the year of frame/truck, this one is a 1972 a 0 would be a 1970 a 9 would be a 1969 and so on. Attached Images __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super 80 Silverado Blazer 2wd

08-09-2011, 04:10 PM	#16
John @ BROTHERS Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 310	Re: Frame VIN ? The truck was a 1972. Still don't know what the "1" was for. __________________ 1967 Chevy Short/Fleet 1969 Chevy Short/Step 2004.5 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins 6spd



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