The "seldom seen" RPO thread

[weim55]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

The 4x4 front axle posi option I’m sure qualifies for this thread, I’ve only seen it pop up on here a few times. Here’s a blazer example from a while back.

Notice how the option code does not follow the alpha number pattern that all the other listed options do. No G code as would be normal for any axle option. Which leads me to believe this is NOT A regular production option. I’ve seen SP IDs for government ordered trucks that might have a dozen of these type of non RPOs But not on customer order trucks. I’d love to know the backstory of what it took to make that front Positraction axle happen on that Blazer. A TRIPLE BLACK LOADED one no less!?

Steve weim55 Colorado

[57taskforce]

I’m not sure what it took but I’ve seen 4-5 of them on here over the years.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by dagnabbitt

The fact that all trucks that I have found that have the J76 option were made at the Oshawa plant makes me wonder if only certain plants were equipped to fulfill certain orders. I would think it makes sense, anyone know for sure?

That is correct.

Build location was assigned somewhat geographically based on where the vehicle order was originated, but that was overridden if the truck had an option that was only built at one or two specific plants.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

1/2 ton with Factory clearance lights?

Sure. U01 was free expression. You could get it on anything just by checking the box.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Codes that do not follow the typical "alpha-number-number" arrangement are "SEO"s: Specialty Equipment Options.

They are normally reserved for medium and heavy duty trucks, which were built at slower line rates and with much more proliferation of options, or for police/government/special contract vehicles, like Penske and Uhaul.

K

[weim55]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Codes that do not follow the typical "alpha-number-number" arrangement are "SEO"s: Specialty Equipment Options.

They are normally reserved for medium and heavy duty trucks, which were built at slower line rates and with much more proliferation of options, or for police/government/special contract vehicles, like Penske and Uhaul.

K

Fantastic information, thank you!

Steve weim55 Colorado

[weim55]

Unicorn ‘68 K20:

A85 shoulder harness. Didn’t know you could option those as early as 68.

Another truck with a Positraction FRONT axle. Notice how both the no spin option for the rear and the posit traction for the front do not have typical alpha number number codes either.

Steve weim55 Colorado

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by Bob B.

Did Chevy offer R05 on the C-20? I wonder if there is such a thing as a dual rear wheel Eaton rear axle set up for coil springs. I know I have never seen anything like that.

Yes Chevy did, starting in '63, C 20's with duals had the coil set up. Not sure when this option ended. I thought the reason was for a softer ride with coils with stability of the duals and lower ride height. Never seen a Chevy or GMC 3/4 ton factory dually with leaf springs.

[Warrens69GMC]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Sure. U01 was free expression. You could get it on anything just by checking the box.

K

I realize that. I have never seen another 1/2 ton with the raised roof pods for the clearance lights.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

I realize that. I have never seen another 1/2 ton with the raised roof pods for the clearance lights.

You couldn't get U01 without the raised pad roof in 69-72. U01 was available in earlier years also, but the roof was smooth and the lights were Yankee 77 style (with chrome) not fireman's hats. You could have added Yankee 77 style lights via aftermarket or as dealer add-ons to any truck that wasn't originally ordered with U01 on a smooth roof.

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

I realize that. I have never seen another 1/2 ton with the raised roof pods for the clearance lights.

My dad had a 71 K10 with factory U01’s with the raised pads. They aren’t all that common but they are definitely around.

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by weim55

Unicorn ‘68 K20:

A85 shoulder harness. Didn’t know you could option those as early as 68.

Another truck with a Positraction FRONT axle. Notice how both the no spin option for the rear and the posit traction for the front do not have typical alpha number number codes either.

Steve weim55 Colorado

Man Steve that is a pretty stout K20 for sure, interesting that one has the K28 fuel filter setup too.

[Bob B.]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Yes Chevy did, starting in '63, C 20's with duals had the coil set up. Not sure when this option ended. I thought the reason was for a softer ride with coils with stability of the duals and lower ride height. Never seen a Chevy or GMC 3/4 ton factory dually with leaf springs.

'67-'68 GMC 2500's would have had leaf springs and a Spicer 60 rear axle with or without R05. The Eaton axles and coil rear springs were both 'effective 1969' according to the GMC '67-'69 light duty parts book. I believe you about the Chevy C-20 R05's, though I have never seen one.

Data Books are gold!

[jocko]

K28 fuel filter

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by weim55

Unicorn ‘68 K20:

A85 shoulder harness. Didn’t know you could option those as early as 68.

Another truck with a Positraction FRONT axle. Notice how both the no spin option for the rear and the posit traction for the front do not have typical alpha number number codes either.

Steve weim55 Colorado

The shoulder harness actually first became an option in mid model year '66. About the posi and no spin. The no spin was the eaton style ( looks like a Ford unit ) and the posi was used on the integral style ( looks like a dana unit ) Its possible the options were a special order capacity or ratio because the option doesn't have the typical codes.

[CKfan]

Originally Posted by jocko

Thought it might be nice to share options we've stumbled across on SPIDs over the years that we don't see every day - that haven't already had several other dedicated threads written about them (like A50 bucket seats - although rare and very desirable, there are already some great threads on here about them). I'm talkin about RPOs that make you scratch your head, stuff you've only seen a few times - so, "rare" yes, but doesn't matter if they are desirable or not. I'll go first to get the ball rolling:

You all know I love RPOs but this one has made me dig, and I haven't hit paydirt yet: ZQ5 - Std Truck Trim.

(btw, I think this is a pretty cool truck - white/saddle Custom Camper Longhorn with LS8, K28, and U15 - nice... and I'd submit that K28 and U15 are also "seldom seen" RPOs).

Been digging a while! You hit pay dirt yet? I have wondered about this for a long while, researched and found nothing! Doesn't make sense. Listing STD (assuming is means standard) Equipment on the SPID??? I have seen only one other and she is sitting in the garage. There has to be more out there.

[ghackett1]

I thought the small wheel carrier was pretty cool.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by CKfan

Been digging a while! You hit pay dirt yet? I have wondered about this for a long while, researched and found nothing! Doesn't make sense. Listing STD (assuming is means standard) Equipment on the SPID??? I have seen only one other and she is sitting in the garage. There has to be more out there.

nope, no paydirt yet - but at least now I know it wasn't a fluke! Thanks for sharing the pic (and nice truck!). I did note that both were 69s. The one I posted in post 1 is a Z62 trim truck and yours is a base model. Post 1 "almost" makes sense if a buyer wanted to order the base level trim on an upper trim level truck (for some reason), but seeing the RPO on your base model K10 kills that theory. So, I guess I'm still diggin...

[CKfan]

Love the "seldom seen" thread idea.

Wish more people would post their anomalies as you know there has to be someone out there that will have an explanation for them........someday : )

I have fished through the SPID thread (also great) many times.

Thanks to all the members who post SPID pics. It really helps.

[CKfan]

Originally Posted by ghackett1

I thought the small wheel carrier was pretty cool.

Cool color combo

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by ghackett1

I thought the small wheel carrier was pretty cool.

SM= Side Mount

[Tuff Gong]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

The 4x4 front axle posi option I’m sure qualifies for this thread, I’ve only seen it pop up on here a few times. Here’s a blazer example from a while back.

Man. That truck was loaded with all the cool stuff

[ghackett1]

Originally Posted by factorystock

SM= Side Mount

Yep thanks correct. I still have the original bolt hanging from the factory installed inside the bed tire attachment bracket. Kinda cool. I’m thinking about attaching the spare tire to it.

[ghackett1]

Here’s the other side of the SPID, black with red interior.

[dave6672]

K43 and Q20