1988 R30 VIN Frame Location(s)?
 

Hey guys, bought an original California Truck, but it has been registered out of state for the last decade. Took it to the DMV for a VIN verification, which it failed due to the door VIN GVWR decal being faded beyond readable. So, unless I find someone that will reproduce the decal (thus been unsuccessful), I am forced to have the CHP do their inspection which includes finding the frame VIN. Although I have little doubt the truck is sitting on its factory issued frame, I was warned buy the CHP inspector himself that if it doesn't match, I will not be leaving with my truck.

So.....where should I be looking? My Internet searching has been unfruitful. I didn't see it anywhere on the passenger upper frame rail facing the bottom of the body, at least not in forward of the passenger side fuel tank and the firewall.

The truck is a square body 3+3 (crew cab) dually. 2wd.


I appreciate any help in advance.

Edit: The dash VIN plate is clearly readable. CHP wants to see the frame VIN.

Re: 1988 R30 VIN Frame Location(s)?
 

VIN should be located in the dash on the drivers side at the base of the windshield

Re: 1988 R30 VIN Frame Location(s)?
 

On both my 88s (one R30 and other one a V30) the frame VIN is on the top of the passenger side frame rail right by the fuel sending unit. My 84 K1500 and 87 R10 has it in the same place also, so it should be there.

Re: 1988 R30 VIN Frame Location(s)?
 

Can you confirm the final assembly location of the trucks you've mentioned here?

The original poster's crew cab would have been built in Flint.

Edit: I just realized when I ran the area that stamped the VINs: it was Flint Line#2 (Blazer and Suburban). That might be why I can never remember where it goes on the pickups, which were built on Line 1.

K

Re: 1988 R30 VIN Frame Location(s)?
 

Keith,

The only one I know off the top of my head is the V30, which is a Janesville (sp?) truck. I had to go thru the same with it as it hadn't been registered in 10 plus years and the owner before me had passed.

I am on vacation so don't have the VINs in front of me, but will try to remember to check when I get home

Re: 1988 R30 VIN Frame Location(s)?
 

This is more my curiosity - are they not able to use the VIN that is on the dash for verification?

Re: 1988 R30 VIN Frame Location(s)?
 

No kidding? The same place that ALL GM '81+ put their VIN's??

You were joking, right?


California VIN verification requires TWO metal stamped locations. First being the dash. The second being the frame.

Re: 1988 R30 VIN Frame Location(s)?
 

That is interesting. So what happens if you have a truck with a frame swap - which is pretty common on these things (mine is swapped, as original was rotten from years in the midwest salt)? It sounds like your saying that CA will not allow it.

Not sure if this helps, but on my 2wd c10 (not a crew cab obviously) the frame stamp is on the driver side, under the door area. Its actually blocked from view by the driver side gas tank.

Re: 1988 R30 VIN Frame Location(s)?
 

In California, if you have swapped the frame, you must also own the title (in your name) for the vehicle the frame came from.

I hope to be outta California within 5 years, but that's another story.

I looked under the driver side this morning, per suggestion from a Facebook page, I found a few numbers/letters, but they probably aren't what I need. '7W1207'

Re: 1988 R30 VIN Frame Location(s)?
 

Doesn't look like anything; maybe a supplier date code.

I'd be looking for a partial VIN, in the pattern of "HF123456" where

H = model year 1987

F = assembly plant (F=Flint)

123456 = sequential portion of VIN, which (hopefully) matches your known VIN

Be reminded that it will be on the horizontal top flange of the frame rail, not on the side.

K

Re: 1988 R30 VIN Frame Location(s)?
 

Is this under the bed, under the cab, or right in between?

The bed is off at the moment of my '87 v20. I don't see anything.

Re: 1988 R30 VIN Frame Location(s)?
 

found it on the top right frame rail .

front bracket for gas tank section about centered on the big hole for the tank strap nut .

circled the stamped in section so you can get a idea . sorry its not better i have a tool box mounted over top of it .

Re: 1988 R30 VIN Frame Location(s)?
 

That's where mine was on the 85. Passenger side frame rail, top side facing the bed.

Re: 1988 R30 VIN Frame Location(s)?
 

I have a frame from a 1987 K5 Blazer, the VIN was on the passenger side of the frame

Re: 1988 R30 VIN Frame Location(s)?
 

I found it on mine. It's positioned just above the REAR tank bracket on the passenger side. Very faint, but there. Sweetk30's pics show very well where it is.

Re: 1988 R30 VIN Frame Location(s)?
 

The frame VIN is often only a partial.
Hopefully they aren't expecting a full VIN

Re: 1988 R30 VIN Frame Location(s)?
 

there mostly looking for the build sequence as the rest is kind of normalish i would think .

Re: 1988 R30 VIN Frame Location(s)?
 

You could check with these guys on door jamb data decals
https://gbodyparts.com/product_info....oducts_id=3196