what is the difference between 1969 and 1972 sheet metal

[flykelley]

Hi Guys
My title says its a 1969, I am pretty sure the frame is a 1972 because it was all set up for front disk and they appear to be factory. I thought i read somewhere the vent windows are not the same and also the grill and core support. Any ideas on the doors, fenders, grills front bumper?

Thanks Mike

[hamjet]

I know the 72 doors have the tell tale "screw" in the door just below the vent window post and the rear view mirror is mounted to the glass on 72. arm rests are molded plastic, front turn signals are in the bumper...http://www.pattson.com/maych/67_72_chevy.htm

[special-K]

71/72 has a different grille that requires a bumper with turn signals, so both those pieces vary. The sheet metal is all the same, except the dimple in each door inside and location of emblems. The biggest change you will notice in the cab is the throttle pedal on a 71/72 "hangs" off the firewall and uses cable linkage. The prior years used a floor mounted pedal with rod linkage. A '69 will have two ID-plates in the driver door jam and 71/72 have a single plate. A 71/72 will have a flow through vent in the jams as well.

[71swb4x4]

Fenders and core support differ GMC to Chevrolet but no differences in those pieces when staying inside those brands 69-72.
Extremely common to swap front discs, and very easy to make it look factory. In 46 years a lot of things can happen to these old trucks.
There should be a partial VIN on the frame by the steering box, that would answer the question for sure.

[special-K]

68-72 vent windows are the same and 69-72 core supports are the same. Do you have pictures? What grille does it have in it?

[flykelley]

Here is a picture of the grill that was on it when I bought it. Bumper didn't have turn signals in them but both doors have a screw for the vent window on the inside of the door. Vin plate rivets are not the factory rivets and there is no data plate on the jamb other than the vin plate. Makes me think someone change the vin plate on this truck.

[special-K]

The doors are '72. I am sure things have been swapped around. The question is what. If it is a '69 body on a '72 frame the VIN-plate wouldn't have been changed. If it's a '72 cab, as well, that would explain it. Are there four other rivet holes for a second plate? Look behind to see if they were filled. If it's a '72 cab there won't be other holes and the throttle pedal will be attached to the firewall and hangs there. I don't know which truck is yours, but you should be able to tell paint differences between doors, cab, and rest of truck.

[hamjet]

Originally Posted by flykelley

Here is a picture of the grill that was on it when I bought it. Bumper didn't have turn signals in them but both doors have a screw for the vent window on the inside of the door. Vin plate rivets are not the factory rivets and there is no data plate on the jamb other than the vin plate. Makes me think someone change the vin plate on this truck.

Mike

mirror looks to be on windshield, (72). grill and hood bowtie, (69)..

[hamjet]

Originally Posted by flykelley

Here is a picture of the grill that was on it when I bought it. Bumper didn't have turn signals in them but both doors have a screw for the vent window on the inside of the door. Vin plate rivets are not the factory rivets and there is no data plate on the jamb other than the vin plate. Makes me think someone change the vin plate on this truck.

This photo shows no bowtie on hood, mirrors are different on this one versus the 1st photo, grill even looks different than 1st photo. are these two the same truck???

[cooperhw]

3 years.

[flykelley]

The first picture is a mistake, it was a truck I was trying to buy. The truck I am talking about is the blue one. I have stripped the paint off the can and the doors, the factory color was the same on the door as the cab. No extra holes in the door jamb for a data plate, even looked inside the back of the jamb to make sure they have not been filled in. My guess is its a 72 cab at the very least. If it is a 72 cab and frame its title as a 69. So the question is do I just leave it alone or try to correct it. I don't plan on selling the truck but at some point in my life it will get sold. I am doing this to be my DD during the summer. Im sure I can get a 72 title and vin plate from somewhere to make it all match it just seems like a lot of hassle.

Mike

[71swb4x4]

I wouldn't change anything. Your thought of getting a title and VIN plate from somewhere sounds like it could make an even bigger mess.
If you are really concerned go to the highway patrol and ask them to make sure it's all legit. Worst case scenario they find something is stolen and you loose the whole truck. Best case scenario they tell you it's all good. Middle of the road they issue you a new VIN and VIN plate.
But, you clearing it up now is better than the police deciding it's stolen after you have put a lot of time and money into it.

[flykelley]

Talked to the lady I bought it from, the truck has been in her family for years, She bought it from her Uncle who was the second owner. She remembers a tree falling on top of the cab, her Uncle did not have insurance on the truck at the time so it sat for a few years until he could find a used cab and doors. The cab and doors original colors are the same but the box and front end sheet metal are for sure not the same original color as the cab. Not sure what all this means down the road for me but I am going to leave it titled as a 69. I need to replace one door for sure since it has a crack at the hinge plate so I am going to buy doors for a 1969 truck. I will have to find different vent windows as well if I am correct. A lot of things happen to these trucks over the last 40 some years.

Mike

[special-K]

Sounds fine. There's no difference in the vent windows. It's the doors with the dimple and screw. I helped my buddy build his '68 SWB from the ground up. He used parts from several trucks but it was built to look like a '68. But he insisted on the '72 doors. If you want yours to be correct, that's one thing, but many people prefer the "upgraded" '72 doors.

[70blackfish]

gmc all metal is the same, chevy is different, 67 may have small window.

but don't quote me