Interesting Tag - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gcburdic · 03-31-2011, 09:56 AM

I'm sure others have seen this too, but I was cleaning up the spindles for the 71 super project and found this metal band/ tag on the driver side spindle...I've looked up the part number on the tag, but haven't found anything.....any thoughts/ input??
BD 3986231

gcburdic · 03-31-2011, 04:11 PM

anybody got thoughts or ever seen this...or is this like a rare corvette option

Rodk65 · 03-31-2011, 04:21 PM

After 20 years of driving trucks I have seen thousands of these. It is a seal used to seal the doors on a trailer or shipping container. The number on the seal was put on your bill of lading to verify that the load was not tampered with. They are made of plastic now but they used to be metal. It looks like it has been cut when it was removed. Not sure how it would end up in your truck.

gcburdic · 03-31-2011, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodk65

After 20 years of driving trucks I have seen thousands of these. It is a seal used to seal the doors on a trailer or shipping container. The number on the seal was put on your bill of lading to verify that the load was not tampered with. They are made of plastic now but they used to be metal. It looks like it has been cut when it was removed. Not sure how it would end up in your truck.

Thanks for the input Rod.....Yeah...I cut it off of the spindle....maybe that was a bad idea???....Wondering if the spindle was changed out long ago and they left this seal on it when it was installed....sure looks like a GM part # to me though??

**4X4GMC1972** · 03-31-2011, 04:37 PM

I'm sure it was for identification purposes on the assembly line or the supplier to GM. Very common.

*Shane* · 03-31-2011, 04:38 PM

cut one off my '70 back when I installed the ECE drop spindles ... still got it somewhere

KEL · 03-31-2011, 04:45 PM

Mine start with "D & L"
One is 3985127
The other is 3985490
They were both attached to the seat frame of my 72 GMC

gcburdic · 04-01-2011, 10:22 AM

Dang...thought I had a rare item

....Thanks for everyone's input!!!

Piece of Work · 04-01-2011, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcburdic

Dang...thought I had a rare item

....Thanks for everyone's input!!!

For you it's rare... you only have one!

Keith Seymore · 04-01-2011, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4X4GMC1972

I'm sure it was for identification purposes on the assembly line or the supplier to GM. Very common.

I agree.

It is the assembly plant "broadcast code", to help the line side operator choose the correct part.

There would be a different two letter (or three letter) code associated with each different part number permutation: so 2wd 1/2 ton would get one, 2wd 3/4 ton a different one, different one for 4wd, etc.

That way the operator needs only to walk over to the rack and select a "BD", rather than trying to remember part number 3986231 (vs trying to remember 3986232, 33, etc.).

They could be attached using the small bands you see here, or could be a paper tag stuck on the lug nut or an adhesive sticker stuck in some conspicuous place. You may even see paper tags wrapped on a part, like an ebrake cable or coil spring.

Hope that helps -

K

faribran · 04-01-2011, 10:42 AM

Keith.. you are the man.

gcburdic · 04-01-2011, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piece of Work

For you it's rare... you only have one!

Thanks Mark....I like your optimistic thought!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

It is the assembly plant "broadcast code", to help the line side operator choose the correct part.

There would be a different two letter (or three letter) code associated with each different part number permutation: so 2wd 1/2 ton would get one, 2wd 3/4 ton a different one, different one for 4wd, etc.

That way the operator needs only to walk over to the rack and select a "BD", rather than trying to remember part number 3986231 (vs trying to remember 3986232, 33, etc.).

They could be attached using the small bands you see here, or could be a paper tag stuck on the lug nut or an adhesive sticker stuck in some conspicuous place. You may even see paper tags wrapped on a part, like an ebrake cable or coil spring.

Hope that helps -

K

Wow....that helps explain it....Thankas for your input Keith!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by faribran

Keith.. you are the man.

68Stepbed · 04-01-2011, 11:26 AM

Cut one off the stock 72 spindles when I converted my 68 to 5 lug a few years back.

Mistercates · 09-05-2015, 02:48 AM

I have this exact tag on the upper control arm of my 86 crossmember that I put under my 66 c10. I too was thinking it may be a part number. Wonder if its an inspection tag?

Keith Seymore · 09-05-2015, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mistercates

I have this exact tag on the upper control arm of my 86 crossmember that I put under my 66 c10. I too was thinking it may be a part number. Wonder if its an inspection tag?

Did you read my post (#10)?

K

03-31-2011, 04:11 PM	#2
gcburdic Restoration Virgin! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Huntersville, NC Posts: 8,299	Re: Interesting Tag anybody got thoughts or ever seen this...or is this like a rare corvette option __________________ Geoff with a G 1968 Chevy C10 SWB The Mistress 1972 Custom Deluxe C20 Suburban A Suburban Named Isabella 1966 Ford Mustang Mama's High School Graduation Present

03-31-2011, 04:21 PM	#3
Rodk65 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Holmen, WI Posts: 212	Re: Interesting Tag After 20 years of driving trucks I have seen thousands of these. It is a seal used to seal the doors on a trailer or shipping container. The number on the seal was put on your bill of lading to verify that the load was not tampered with. They are made of plastic now but they used to be metal. It looks like it has been cut when it was removed. Not sure how it would end up in your truck. __________________ ROD 1969 K10 4x4 Short Fleet. Tuned Port Injection 350/700R4, Cruise, tilt and factory A/C. 1971 C20 Camper Special. 350/350. SOLD 2002 Chevy Tahoe LT

03-31-2011, 04:37 PM	#5
4X4GMC1972 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 506	Re: Interesting Tag I'm sure it was for identification purposes on the assembly line or the supplier to GM. Very common. __________________ 1978 Dodge Omni

03-31-2011, 04:38 PM	#6
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: Interesting Tag cut one off my '70 back when I installed the ECE drop spindles ... still got it somewhere

03-31-2011, 04:45 PM	#7
KEL 72 GMC Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wells, Maine Posts: 535	Re: Interesting Tag Mine start with "D & L" One is 3985127 The other is 3985490 They were both attached to the seat frame of my 72 GMC

03-31-2011, 09:56 AM	#1
gcburdic Restoration Virgin! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Huntersville, NC Posts: 8,299	Interesting Tag I'm sure others have seen this too, but I was cleaning up the spindles for the 71 super project and found this metal band/ tag on the driver side spindle...I've looked up the part number on the tag, but haven't found anything.....any thoughts/ input?? BD 3986231 __________________ Geoff with a G 1968 Chevy C10 SWB The Mistress 1972 Custom Deluxe C20 Suburban A Suburban Named Isabella 1966 Ford Mustang Mama's High School Graduation Present Last edited by gcburdic; 03-31-2011 at 09:56 AM.

04-01-2011, 10:22 AM	#8
gcburdic Restoration Virgin! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Huntersville, NC Posts: 8,299	Re: Interesting Tag Dang...thought I had a rare item....Thanks for everyone's input!!! __________________ Geoff with a G 1968 Chevy C10 SWB The Mistress 1972 Custom Deluxe C20 Suburban A Suburban Named Isabella 1966 Ford Mustang Mama's High School Graduation Present

04-01-2011, 10:42 AM	#11
faribran Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AL Posts: 1,828	Re: Interesting Tag Keith.. you are the man. __________________ "

04-01-2011, 11:26 AM	#13
68Stepbed Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 10-Uh-See Posts: 5,609	Re: Interesting Tag Cut one off the stock 72 spindles when I converted my 68 to 5 lug a few years back. __________________ Matt 68 C10 stepside, LS1/700R4, TCI Engineering suspension system

09-05-2015, 02:48 AM	#14
Mistercates Registered User Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: chickamauga ga Posts: 5	Re: Interesting Tag I have this exact tag on the upper control arm of my 86 crossmember that I put under my 66 c10. I too was thinking it may be a part number. Wonder if its an inspection tag? __________________ ______________________________________________ *RON* 66 short fleet cc bbw factory 283 3spd



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