gmc frame rail number

[ArnoLieshout]

Dear guys,

Recently i imported one of General Motors fine 1965 Chevrolet C10 trucks in to the Netherlands.
During inspection and registration at the "RDW" (Dutch DMV) they found a number stamped in to the
frame near the door, the number is: 2443631 11177
Because of the fact that this number does not match the VIN they think the frame is not period correct
and will not register the car.

My question to you is can you tell me what the purpose is of this number and can it be identified
as the original frame of my 1965 GM C10 truck?
Is it a production number?

Are there any other marks or specifications witch can identify a GM truck frame and a early sixties
C10 frame in particular?

Any information would be highly appreciated!

With kind regards,

Arno van Lieshout
Oudewater, the Netherlands

[Funky61]

Welcome Arno!

If that number is stamped on the frame, just below the door area, I believe it is a part number. You would have another on the other side.

My 70 GMC has similar numbers stamped there. Usually on the Chevy trucks, the partial VIN number is stamped next to the Steering box on the frame. Again my 70 does not have one there.

I've been told that the VIN may be stamped on top of the frame, just below the cab/driver seat area. You might be able to see it with a mirror. I've yet to check this out on my suburban.

Here is a photo of those frame numbers I think you refer to; remember this is for a 1970 and these are 'part numbers" for the frame.

Next photo shows the area that might have a partial vin number.

My 73 does have a partial vin stamped on the driver-side upper frame area by the power steering box as mentioned. Hope this helps some.

[Funky61]

Also in case you did not see this section on Jolly's site.

http://6066gmcguy.com/GMCID1.html

[Funky61]

OK, last photo; my 1973 partial VIN on the frame rail

[ArnoLieshout]

Thanks Guys,

Do someone nows or there is always a vin number on the frame? and where it is?
I heart that a GMC from 65 and 66 only has vin plate on the cab and no vin number on the frame.

i got a vin plate on the drivers side door opening on the top middle number
1001pf28640a but i can't find it on the frame.
also a tag plate by the air vent.

Kind Regards,

Arno

[Jeannie]

Arno,

To be clear your truck is a Chevrolet and not a GMC. Is that correct?
They are not the same truck for 1960-68, however you appear to be mistakenly using them interchangeably.

-Jeannie

[David R Leifheit]

Arno,

To be clear your truck is a Chevrolet and not a GMC. Is that correct?
They are not the same truck for 1960-68, however you appear to be mistakenly using them interchangeably.

-Jeannie

From his VIN it appears he has a GMC truck.
For some reason, even auto parts houses believe that GMC and Chevrolet are the same, no matter what year. :(

[David R Leifheit]

Thanks Guys,

Do someone nows or there is always a vin number on the frame? and where it is?
I heart that a GMC from 65 and 66 only has vin plate on the cab and no vin number on the frame.

i got a vin plate on the drivers side door opening on the top middle number
1001pf28640a but i can't find it on the frame.
also a tag plate by the air vent.

Kind Regards,

Arno

Not always, but the ones I have do not have a stamp on the frame. The '69 Chev a friend of mine has does have the last part (the serial number) stamped on the frame above his steering box, but that is the only one I've seen with a frame "VIN"

And to clarify, your VIN indicates you have a 1000 series GMC. A "C10" is a Chevrolet. :)

[bigblockv6]

Very true Jeannie, even my 68 doesn't have the vin number on the frame rail.

[ArnoLieshout]

it's a GMC shortbed fleetside

[Jeannie]

Your GMC will not have a VIN stamped on the frame. That is a part number. GMC models have a VIN on the cab only. Chevrolet stamped the frame as well as the cab.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

This is one place I know a little about! GMC didnt paint or mash the vins on the frames at ALL for our trucks. I think they started in 1972, but I dont know for sure on that one.

There wasnt a law to tell them to do it anyway until 1987 and that really didnt apply to trucks anyway only high theft cars. (chew on that for a while!) So if you really need it stamped on the frame you can do what some other people have done and just stamp it on there yourself! Or have someone stamp it for you at a garage. It probably has to look official so dont have your borther-in-law do it with a torch or something.

Heres a fun fact, Alabama was FORCED to title trucks made before 1975 without framestamps or risk losing its federal highway funding.

Good luck! I dont know how de nederlands are with the VIN places but maybe you can get a old timer to look at it that will understand and get you certified.

[BarryGMC]

I would love to see some pics. Is this truck still sporting its original power train ? If so there are some things you can help you make a case with the dmv. First the motor mounts are gmc v6 specific. It would be easy to tell if they were modified at some point. Second there is a casting date on the v6 intake manifold. US style of date not euro style. 65 gmc trucks have leaf spring rear suspension. Chevies almost always don't. If the rear end is original the ring and pinion will have a date of manufacture on the ring gear. M.D.Y. The rear will also be a Dana 44 and a Chevy will be a corporate 12 bolt. BTW I spent some time in your country and found the place beautiful. Barry.

[BarryGMC]

Well I did a little more searching on my 65. on the drivers side frame rail right behind the cab mount. # 2443634 -3-09 - 57-69 Passenger side same area # 2443639 -1-20 - 57-69 On the front frame horns the 57 is stamped. So the first #'s would seem to be frame rail part #'s the second numbers I believe to be forming or stamping dates for each rail.I am making this assumption based on the fact my truck was the 7th truck assembled on April 2nd 1965 at the Freemont California plant.And all of the date #'s I have found are from January through march of 65. the last numbers I cant hazard a guess what they mean. Now since my truck is a 1500 series it would make sense they are not the same as yours. But there seems to be a sequential pattern here. Here are some copies of a GMC sales brochure that show an artists rendering of a GMC truck chassis, and the frame measurements. The Frame line lists the dimensions of the frame channel under the cab. Hope this helps. Barry

[Rockdriller]

Arno,

In the US legal system, and more than likely in yours too, they have what is called "expert Witness's" or "expert testimony". I'm sure you know where I'm going with this....
I would print this thread and take it down to the Motor Vehicle Division and see if this doesn't help your cause.
There are few folks in the world who are any better qualified to speak about these trucks than the ones who answered your question.

We'd like to see some pictures of your truck.

[ArnoLieshout]

Hi Guys i need your help on a registration issue (again)
The Dutch DMV thinks that the frame of my 1965 C10 truck is of an 1973 and will not register it.
Can you check the posted pictures and give me some specifics of what would be typical for
the frame of a 1965 truck.

Any feedback or help would be highly appreceated!

Kind regards Arno

[Funky61]

Arnie, here are some pics I got off another site of a 1974 short bed frame for comparison. I'm not an authority on this just trying to help clarify one way or the other. Hopefully someone else will chime in as well.

[bigblockv6]

One thing I like to bring up is an easy way to identify which year frame is by the front frame horns. The bumper mounting is different so if someone has pics of both that would help. I know my 68 has basically the same frame dimensions as the 60-66 frames but the frame horns are shaped differently and the same should apply for the 73 and up frames.

[ArnoLieshout]

Hello Funky,

Thanks, i can see two differences the front bracket from the leafspring and the shocks from a 74er are on the frame outside and from a 65er on the inside.

[Funky61]

Here are some links with more info to breakdown. I read through some of it; BigblockV6 is correct that the frame horns are unique.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=325736

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=472767

[BarryGMC]

It's not a 73-87 style frame!!! The frame rails are completely different. The easiest way to identify a 73 style frame is that it steps up under the cab. I will post some comparison pics later.

[ArnoLieshout]

Hello Barry,

Thank you, all pics are welcome.

Bye

[BarryGMC]

Hi Arno. Here are some pics of a 65 frame and a 72 frame. I will get some pics of a 73 on monday. the 73 is totally different than the 63-72 style. First pic is a 65 second pic is a 72. picture # 412 is the 65 crossmember. picture # 421 is 72 crossmember. picture # 434 shows 72 front core support mount. # 436 is 65 core support mount. pic #427 shows frame part # on the 65. 429 is a close up of #. pic 422 shows steering box mount on a 67-87 style frame. Note that it is formed with the dimples from the factory. 60-66 frames are flat. # 431 shows the dimples from the top on another 72 frame. hope this helps. Barry

[ArnoLieshout]

Hi Barry,

Thanks again for your help and pics.
This week i had a appointment whit the Dutch DMV and hope for the best.

All the other guys thanks for the feedback.
Maybe i will come back to this forum with some pics when i start the project but first i need a dutch title.

Kind regards Arno

[BarryGMC]

Good luck Arno. If you have any trouble let us know. Actually let us know either way. Barry.

[kieth]

Thanks Guys,

Do someone nows or there is always a vin number on the frame? and where it is?
I heart that a GMC from 65 and 66 only has vin plate on the cab and no vin number on the frame.

i got a vin plate on the drivers side door opening on the top middle number
1001pf28640a but i can't find it on the frame.
also a tag plate by the air vent.

Kind Regards,

Arno

Here is what the numbers on the frame look like on my 66 gmc, they do not match the door frame tag:

http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-GMC/i-nqf6GHn/A


Here is a picture of a number on top of the frame by the power steering gear box: I never checked to see if they matched the vin tag on the door:

http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-GMC/i-DzgFwgd/A


tag on the drivers side door frame:

http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-GMC/i-KPrBcCj/A

[kieth]

Hi Barry,

Thanks again for your help and pics.
This week i had a appointment whit the Dutch DMV and hope for the best.

All the other guys thanks for the feedback.
Maybe i will come back to this forum with some pics when i start the project but first i need a dutch title.

Kind regards Arno


What did the DMV say, did you get your title ???? :goodluck:

[ron david]

gmc did not have the ser# on the frame though chevrolet did as Jeannie did point out'
there has been a lot of frame juggling around and there is a lot of ignorance about it. it is amazing how many people think that they are empowered. to do it
ron

[kieth]

Hi Barry,

Thanks again for your help and pics.
This week i had a appointment whit the Dutch DMV and hope for the best.

All the other guys thanks for the feedback.
Maybe i will come back to this forum with some pics when i start the project but first i need a dutch title.

Kind regards Arno


What ever happened with the DMV ? did you get your title or are you still having problems. ????? :ahhhh: