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1980 GMC hidden Vin Number location...

Metal Twister

Metal Twister

1/2 ton status
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Jan 8, 2010
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Location
SoCal Diego
Im trying to get my Texas truck registered in California... What a run around!
Anyway I need to verify the vin number is correct for the truck. I need to match up the door post sticker, Vin windshield plate, and the hidden Vin Number. Does anyone know where the hidden vin location is for a 1980 GM P/U is? No one seems to know for sure? Providing there is such a thing?
 
On my '87 K5 frame it was on top of the frame rail right under the passenger front floorboard.
 
I've also heard it's under the floorboard...pretty good bet it's on the top of one of the frame rails somewhere. My '76 is on the passenger side rail near the engine, on the top near the motor mount.

I believe the frame stampings are always just a partial.
 
The frame has vin numbers in 3 or 4 places on each frame rail.

Under the front riveted body mount/spring hanger
side of the frame under the drivers feet area
side of the frame in front of the rear axle spring hanger
maybe one more????????

Sometimes in the door jam
dash tag
glovebox
firewall on older trucks
RPO paper under the sound deadening material under the passenger seat
 
FWIW, DMV only cares that the dash VIN matches the registration and any other paperwork.
 
Not the case here for some reason? I have to either take it to the DMV or have a CHP look at it and sign off that the numbers match? I have the forms at the shop... I wanted to make sure it was all good before they looked it over.
 
4X4HIGH said:
FWIW, DMV only cares that the dash VIN matches the registration and any other paperwork.
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Ding ding ding! We have a winner. :D

Metal Twister said:
Not the case here for some reason? I have to either take it to the DMV or have a CHP look at it and sign off that the numbers match? I have the forms at the shop... I wanted to make sure it was all good before they looked it over.
Click to expand...

I've done what you are doing but in my case the vehicle wasn't even in anyone's system because it was from out of state and was so far out of registration it wasn't in the old state's available information.
I had to jump through a few hoops but when I went to DMV they just looked at the door then acted like they looked under the hood and that was it.
As long as you haven't done anything fishy just take it in and make them earn their money. If possible go on a really hot summer day like I did and make the sucker come out of the office and crawl around looking for vin numbers.
 
Metal Twister said:
Not the case here for some reason? I have to either take it to the DMV or have a CHP look at it and sign off that the numbers match? I have the forms at the shop... I wanted to make sure it was all good before they looked it over.
Click to expand...

I've had to do this a couple times in the past. I just called for an officer to come out to where the vehicle was and they looked it over, made sure the VIN plate wasn't tampered with and matched the VIN number to the paperwork then signed it off and then I went back to DMV and finished the registration.
 
Sweet, That is the issue... last registered some 15 years ago in Texas now Im trying to get it done in Calif. The truck is all stock and in good shape for a 1980!
 
I wanted to finalize this thread with what I found out in hopes that it will help others in the future.

Mr. C.H.P. Officer came out to my shop yesterday. I put the 1980 GMC 3/4 ton pick up on the rack for its inspection. the Officer went right to the passenger side frame rail about half way between the tail gate and the cab. He then reached up to the top of the rail and steel wooled the frame. Using an inspection mirror he read off the vin number to me which matched. He then signed off the paper work and stating that all three numbers matched... Vin in the windshield, Vin on the door jamb, and the vin on the frame. Mission complete and one step closer to getting it registered. Tomorrow I will get it weighed and smog checked then its all legal. Thanks for the help guys. :waytogo:
 
I have always wondered about that, 3 locations, frame, door, and dash, but what happens when I replace the rotted out door?
 
I have an all original 1979 K30 and just found the RPO paper in the seat frame, it has the VIN number on it too.
 
K85 Octane said:
good luck with the smog :(
let us know how she goes and maybe a picture of two :)
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Its just a 2 wheel drive Camper Special which is perfect for throwing a old Lance camper on and getting to the desert. Its just a beater truck but it was FREE!

ebay072.jpg


This is when I picked it up out of the field where it has been sitting for 12 plus years.
Copy2ofp_00139.jpg
 
Don't know about Washington but in Cali. the over-riding Vin is the frame.
I brought my rig down from Oregon after a full body swap ('73 frame & 88 or 89 body). It has a newer dash pad with a vin hole in it. Get to the DMV and surprise no tag under the hole so just had to match the papers to the frame and all was good.

Metal Twister - nice find! Hope all works out with what you are looking to do.
 
nvrenuf said:
Good looking truck, does it have a tach?
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No tach, but super clean interior. Nice fresh engine with super clean oil. I just ran it down to the weight station and it weighed in at 5240 LBS.

I snuck it home and threw the camper on last night. Cant wait to use it now. LOL
ebay073.jpg
 
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