Partial VIN frame - can anyone read this

[AuroraGirl]

So.. first... I guess how do we read the vin from frame. Like is just the first part without serial or maybe its the serial?

Second, I cant quite make out the whole string of numbers. I can get a wire wheel and a drill out if I need to.

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[yevgenievich]

Last part of the vin
Third character hard to tell

 

[Big Chip]

Is there a reason you need to know the vin?

 

[MrMarty51]

Take a piece of 400 grit sand paper, staple it to a stubby 2X4 block of wood and try sanding the high spots, that should make the numbers pop right out atchyuh.

 

[Turbo4whl]

T7J505639....maybe

 

[AKguy]

T7J505639....maybe

That’s my guess.

 

[DanMcG]

Maybe T=GMC, 7= 1977, and J for Janesville assembly plant?
You need to clean it up to see it better.
505639 are the last 6 numbers in the vin

 

[AuroraGirl]

That would make sense. 3 years before mine. It was my grandfather's brother in law's which was almost identical. I have the hood on, which doesn't match my can. Iirc, 1978 was last year of that hood style. I just was interested in what it came out of. And helps know differences.

 

[AuroraGirl]

I cleaned up the VIN and it was the suggested one. Thanks guys. But good to know it was the last part of Vin. Pre 81 Vin info is always fun

 

[82Diesel]

Before I start asking questions, For someone doing a Factory Restoration like me, What does the Frame Vin exactly tell you? Along with the axles are their any Vins or numbers on there that will say anything... Plant, Date, Obvisly Yr & Gear Ratio?

Just curious.

 

[AuroraGirl]

Before I start asking questions, For someone doing a Factory Restoration like me, What does the Frame Vin exactly tell you? Along with the axles are their any Vins or numbers on there that will say anything... Plant, Date, Obvisly Yr & Gear Ratio?

Just curious.

that is a good question, i wish i had the full VIN, too. But to my understanding its the most ill get. Maybe the differential tags indicate original ratio?

 

[82Diesel]

that is a good question, i wish i had the full VIN, too. But to my understanding its the most ill get. Maybe the differential tags indicate original ratio?

To my knowledge from some very intelligent guys over on the 67-72 forum is that there's vins & Serial numbers all over the whole thing, Axles, Frames, Some Crossmembers, etc... Just like how you have a Body tag on a Ford Mustang, That Connects to the Drivetrain, and everything else.

Chevy trucks are just done a tad different.

 

[Keith Seymore]

The only thing coded into the full VIN would be the engine option. Trans, axle ratios, etc are not coded in the VIN.

The partial VIN on the frame gives the nameplate (Chevy vs GMC), model year, final assembly location and the sequential portion.

The VIN is stamped on the top of the frame rail (not the side) in one or two locations. No crossmembers get stamped. There's the VIN on the cab and some assembly plants (Oshawa in particular) would stamp a partial VIN under the heater box for some years, not all. Engine and trans get a partial VIN, not the axle(s). The SPID label is the equivalent of the old body tag.

K

 

[DoubleDingo]

One trick you can use, too, is to take the picture and then edit it to be a negative exposure or sepia or whatever setting gets the numbers to stand out.

Something like this....

This is the pad on the front of the engine block after I painted it orange and the numbers weren't very legible.

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[DanMcG]

There's the VIN on the cab and some assembly plants (Oshawa in particular) would stamp a partial VIN under the heater box for some years, not all

Hey Keith, to see this number I'm guessing you're talking about looking behind the engine bay side of the heater, but when you say heater box it sounds like the interior box. could you clarify?