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Body changes between 76 to 86 Suburban? Not what your thinking...

Metal Twister

Metal Twister

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I know, I know, the same body style. I'm looking to identify a body with no numbers anywhere to be found. I noticed that the hood was hinged with the the post 1980 style hinges. I'm sure the grill has been changed out a few times so is there any other small subtle differences between the years that may help me dial in just how old this body is hints? Any codes on the glass or anything? Thanks guys I figured if anyone would know it would be you guys. :bow:
 
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If memory serves correctly there might be a sticker inside the door panels that show when they were made or the tail light housing might have a date imprinted in the plastic on the back side. But I may be thinking of something else. Don't know if you have those items available to you. If all else fails you could try carbon dating.
 
Not sure about Suburbans, but I know my body did some changing between 76 and 86.......

As for carbon dating?? Never Again!! That stuff makes your d*ck black.........

As for your actual problem, post some pics so we can tell what we have to work with.
I have seen dates molded into plastic light housings, but they are usually only useful for an oldest date.
In other words, when that design was first created.
So, if you see a 1976 date, it only means that it is not older than that. They may have used that same design for the next 10 years.

So, it might be helpful for you, but I doubt it will give an actual year.
 
Fordum said:
Not sure about Suburbans, but I know my body did some changing between 76 and 86.......

As for carbon dating?? Never Again!! That stuff makes your d*ck black.........

As for your actual problem, post some pics so we can tell what we have to work with.
I have seen dates molded into plastic light housings, but they are usually only useful for an oldest date.
In other words, when that design was first created.
So, if you see a 1976 date, it only means that it is not older than that. They may have used that same design for the next 10 years.

So, it might be helpful for you, but I doubt it will give an actual year.
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Thanks guys, Kind of a sticky situation I got myself into. Have a vehicle at the shop that was delivered via wrecker yesterday. It was sent to me by a friend who thought I could use the stuff off of it at a good price. It has been his 35 year old sons for years and thought that for the price I could use it. I was planning on parting it out and using it as a donor vehicle. The pink and all the documentation was in the car. went to compare the vin with the pink and guess what... Lifted the dash mat and a big ass hole where the vin should be. Pink slip says its a 1977! So I have a truck in my driveway that I was going to hack up that doesn't have the right pink. Or Vin Numbers... It hasn't been registered for years but has a nice shinny 2013 sticker on the license plate. Can you say, Chop Shop!:mad: By the hinge style on the hood I know its newer than 81. I was just trying to do some Detective work so when I have my heart to heart talk with my buddy tomorrow about his son I can have guns loaded. If I cant get any straight answers from him and he doesn't drag the thing off with him I will be contacting the local authorities.

It's obvious to me thing was probably an 85 or 6. I was just hoping I could dial the year in but dont think that is going to happen. I know where the frame numbers are hidden on this thing but I dont want to go to the trouble cleaning the frame and getting the mirror out. Really Pissing me off that he would put me and my business in this position! Im sure this thing is a collection of many parts so ID'ing will be almost impossible.

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sweetk30 said:
well have a nice day . replay like that is bold and nasty in my book.

we can make a goof now and then we are human :whistle:
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So that's an apology then right? :whistle: I mean, was your comment meant to be edifying, Demeaning, Obvious, or ? Seemed it was meant to be demeaning to me, but without the full array of our communication senses I must of taken it wrong. My apologies. Have a wonderful Fathers day Sir.
 
That's certainly an 89-91 front clip. Pretty sure that the only identifying item would be dash or steering column mounted wiper switch. That would at least narrow the year range.
 
your first replay to me was recived as real nasty .

then i told you in a nice way have a great day ***

take it for what it was i goofed and missed it. it happens here dont be so fast to bite off some guys head .

i am done here.
 
sweetk30 said:
your first replay to me was recived as real nasty .

then i told you in a nice way have a great day ***

take it for what it was i goofed and missed it. it happens here dont be so fast to bite off some guys head .

i am done here.
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Thank you, I really appreciate you being done here.

Thanks to the rest of you for the help and meaningful posts it truly is appreciated. I'm after any and all the help I can get here on this one. As mentioned I'm a bit peeved and need to get this resolved as much as possible before tomorrow.
 
Well, the dash pad is 81-91, the dash bezel is 84-later (wiper switch moved to column). Get a pic of where the radio goes and this will help narrow even more.
 
Steering wheel is late 80's early 90's. Seat patterns would also be different by certain years. Is it fuel injected or carb'd? Body trim and mirrors are also from the 89 to 91 range. I've got a bad feeling that this thing is hot...
 
smier said:
Steering wheel is late 80's early 90's. Seat patterns would also be different by certain years. Is it fuel injected or carb'd? Body trim and mirrors are also from the 89 to 91 range. I've got a bad feeling that this thing is hot...
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Good eye, those are power mirrors though and weren't offered until 1990 so i'd guess this rig is 90-91.
 
Hmmmm, I know you said no numbers but what about the taillight numbers and the rear glass numbers?

Stock speakers on the back have dates on them and it is usually easy to tell if the screws are factory installed and unmolested.

Also where is the filler for the gas tank as they changed over the years.
 
What's it even matter? It's obviously hacked together and with no vin or paperwork it's not registerable. I'd say it's destined to be parted out then scrapped.
 
My guess is that somebody replaced the body on the 77 frame and was going to 'replace' with the original vin but didn't get around to it. I'd check the vin on the frame to see if it matches the one on the pink slip.
BTW: it looks like the original color of the cab was blue as seen by the ebrake handle.
 
Copy4ofCIMG0001.jpg


Well I dont think Hot... Thinking that he had two legit Burbs. One died and all the good **** went to the newer one. Then for what ever reason just kept the older pink. Just fine till re-smog time... Not diesel and not the original engine. Thing is a 350/350 combo, 203 tcase, 44 in the front and a10bolt of all things in the rear. Not sure if it has gears in it. Nice new 38 Swampers.

Havent looked at the tail lights? Need to remove them or is it embossed in the lens?
 
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