Crew Cab & Serpentine Belt ??

[90blzr]

Whats the deal...does anyone know the reaon that the crew cabs never got the serpentine set up? All of the 89-91 blazers and burbans I have seen have the serpentine set up...but none of the 89-91 Crew Cabs have had it?
Anyone know WHY??

In '91 maybe it was a toss up between the 4L80E/205 or the serpentine...fine, I'll take the 4L80E/205...but what about the other years!?

 

[nvrenuf]

I'm convinced it has to be an assembly line thing; suv's on one line = serp belts and crew cabs on a different line = regular belt set up. Who know's maybe it's different plants.

 

[90blzr]

Damn, I thought someone would have some info

Yeah, must be assembly line thing. All the one tons were probably at a different plant, or the ran all of the one ton's last and didnt have any serpentine set ups left

So then my crew cab and your crew cab should be at the same plant you think?

 

[nvrenuf]

Makes sense, do you know which VIN digit tells the plant?

 

[90blzr]

No, but I am sure its in the front of the shop manuals somewhere (the set that you told me about from Helms). I am sure one of those books says.

Or Dorian probably knows.

 

[90blzr]

Found it!
http://www.ramblerman.com/blazer/vin.htm




1981-1991
For these years, the new "world" style VIN consisted of 17 characters. The decoding is as follows... The first number indicated nation of origin: 1=U.S.A. 2=Canada. The next symbol is a letter: G for General Motors. The third symbol is a letter: C for truck. The fourth symbol is a letter: E for a GVWR of 6001-7000 lbs. and it also designates hydraulic brakes. The fifth symbol is a letter: K for Conventional cab, 4x4. The sixth symbol is a number: 1 for 1/2 ton. The seventh symbol is a number: 8 for Blazer. The eighth symbol is a letter identifying engine type and make. Please refer to the table below:

ID
Letter

Engine Type
Displacement in
Cubic Inches (Litres)
Engine Make RPO
F 305 V8 4BBL (5.0L) Chevrolet LF3
G 305 V8 2BBL (5.0L) Chevrolet LG9
H 305 V8 4BBL (5.0L) Chevrolet LE9
L 350 V8 4BBL (5.7L) Chevrolet LS9
M 350 V8 4BBL (5.7L) Chevrolet LT9
P 350 V8 2BBL (5.7L) Chevrolet LF5
W 454 V8 4BBL (7.4L) Chevrolet LE8
T 292 L6 1BBL (4.8L) Chevrolet L25
Z 350 V8 Diesel (5.7L) Oldsmobile LF9

The ninth symbol is a number: This is a check digit. The tenth symbol is a letter: B=1981, C=1982, D=1983, E=1984, F=1985, G=1986, H=1987, I=1988, K=1989, L=1990, M=1991. The eleventh symbol is a letter or number indicating the assembly plant: A=Lakewood, B=Baltimore, F=Flint, J=Janesville, S=St. Louis, V=Pontiac, 1=Oshawa, Canada, 3=Detroit, 4=Scarborough, Canada, 7=Lordstown. The last six digits are that truck's sequential serial number.



Mine is "F" which would indicate the Flint plant.

Whats yours?

 

[nvrenuf]

Well what do ya know... I beez from Flint two!

Now, if I can remember tonight I'll see what the VIN on the Blazer has.

 

[1-ton]

I wonder if the Crew Cabs Have the V-belt system (and not Serpentine) because of the Hydroboost brake system?

 

[90blzr]

Damn, are we the only two people who give a rats ass what the deal is?

I'll look on my blazer too, its a '90, but has serpentine.

Maybe I'll make another post askin anyone who has an 89-91 crew cab to post up what factory they were from.

Serpentine came out in 87 or 89?

Nevermind, just checked serpentine started in '89 as I originally though

 

[90blzr]

Hey 1-ton, what plant was your truck made at? Its the 11th digit in your VIN.

 

[nvrenuf]

I wonder if the Crew Cabs Have the V-belt system (and not Serpentine) because of the Hydroboost brake system?

Interesting...

 

[1-ton]

Mine is an "F" for Flint Michigan too.

 

[90blzr]

Maybe we are on to something here

I made another post about it so hopefully more people will post up too!

 

[90blzr]

Thats a good point too. Hmmmm. The newer trucks I belive utilize the hydroboost AND serpentine though dont they?

 

[thor]

I wonder if the Crew Cabs Have the V-belt system (and not Serpentine) because of the Hydroboost brake system?

No, My 90 V3500 crew cab had the skinney half serpentine set up, but my 89 C3500 has the full wide serpentine set up. both are hydroboost. I'll check the VINs tonight.

 

[mini_mull]

Don't know if it matters, but my 91 burb w/serp was manu at the Flint Plant, too.

 

[dyeager535]

No, My 90 V3500 crew cab had the skinney half serpentine set up, but my 89 C3500 has the full wide serpentine set up. both are hydroboost. I'll check the VINs tonight.

Is that the half serpentine that doesn't use an actual bracket/idler pulley setup?

Curious, as I've got a "half-serpentine" setup on mine off of a car.

I guess if hydroboost was the only reason the R/V 1 tons didn't get the full serpentine setup, then an R/V K5 with diesel wouldn't have serpentine either. Right?

Of course, on either of those setups, was AIR used? (I know not on the Diesels) That would have required a different serpentine pulley arrangement too I'd imagine.

 

[90blzr]

I believe my crew cab has the half serpentine set up. I'll have to check, and it doesnt have the AIR set up.

I'll have to look at it all again tonight.

 

[thor]

Is that the half serpentine that doesn't use an actual bracket/idler pulley setup?

Curious, as I've got a "half-serpentine" setup on mine off of a car.

I guess if hydroboost was the only reason the R/V 1 tons didn't get the full serpentine setup, then an R/V K5 with diesel wouldn't have serpentine either. Right?

Of course, on either of those setups, was AIR used? (I know not on the Diesels) That would have required a different serpentine pulley arrangement too I'd imagine.

My 89 with serp has an AIR pump. Don't beleive the 90 did.

 

[dyeager535]

As I read it, your '89 is the "newer" bodystyle, correct?

Dunno why bodystyle would matter, but they are tested by the EPA individually, so one could have been certified with AIR and one without.