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GMC 1000-3000 Year & Model Identification Location and Styles

The 60-66 GMC Club contains the largest sampling of GMC Trucks and Truck Owners in the
world. Through this network we have developed and documented the following VIN/Serial
Data, tag types, locations, and associated information. This page contains information
for Models 1000-3000 Trucks, Panel Trucks, and Suburbans. For Vin/Serial Number decoding
see the Vin Details page or try our online Vin Decoder

It is important to note that unlike Chevrolet trucks of the era, GMC trucks did not have
the VIN/Serial number stamped on the frame. The Data Plate or the title is the only
place this information can be found.

60-66 GMC series 1000-3000 ID Plate Locations

They can be found in the drivers door frame of the 1000-3000 trucks on the
inside upper door pillar or top of the door frame.

60-66 GMC series 1000-3000 ID Plate Styles

This one is from a 1962 GMC 1000 Pickup. This style was used on 1962 and 1963 trucks along with some 1961 trucks*.

This one is a 1965 GMC 2500. This style was used on 1964 to 1966 trucks.

This cowl plate, typically used in 1964 to 1966, is the companion Data Plate to a Vin-Only Plate. They show engine model number and GVW.

If you have difficulty establishing year of your GMC truck, your title will be your best
reference point. Your VIN plate style and location will add to your assurance. If your
title and cab VIN plate style do noat match up with the year your title dictates you may
have a truck with a replaced cab. Your glass codes, engine part casting dates, axle
cast/stamped dates, trim, body style and motor series can help with dating your truck
especially if you do not have a VIN plate or documentation.

It also should be noted that 1960 and 1961 trucks can have two unused “Plate” holes in the
drilled into the A pillar. This is common due to the cab piece being used at the time by
both Chevrolet and GMC. Chevrolet was using the A pillar tag in 1960.

Buying a vehicle without a title and/or VIN Plate is very risky. It is not advisable unless
you are going to part out the vehicle. We do not advise nor condone stamping your own VIN
plate. It is illegal in every state. Only a state agent can reinstate a VIN or give a new
VIN. Re-attachment of a Vin plate that has fallen off is up to the local motor vehicles
division also.

GMC Body Identification

What I have found in doing the research for this site is that GMC used during this seven year run,
two cabs, changed in 1964, two hoods, changed in 1962, the same grill, front clip, and 5 beds,
a 6.5' and 8' in fender-side and wide-side, and a 9' fender-side bed. I have also found that
GMC Suburban and Panel trucks had 3 bodies, an 8 foot Suburban and a 7.5 foot & 10.5 Foot Panel.
They also had two rear gate options:

The station wagon type tailgate, Other swing out barn doors.

The Hoods on the 1960 & 1961 GMC's were identical, with the two large ovals in the leading edge of
the hood, integrated with a gap across the entire front of the hood. They had the opening coved
with a wire mesh. Small rectangular park/turn lights were placed on this wire mesh off center to
the outside, one could say the lights looked to be floating in the pods.
This hood should only be found on series "N" trucks.

For more on GMC hoods, Check the GMC Truck Hood ID page.

1960-1961 Hood / 1962-1966 Hood

After the stock of 60-61 hoods were gone, the only hood one could get was the newer hood, so many
got changed to the newer style hood after a wreck when a new hood was needed. Also one should
note that Chevrolet hoods were used on a lot of GMCs as a replacement. 1962 through 1966 had
the same hood. 1962 had clear front turn signal lenses. 1963 through 1966 used Amber lenses.
From what I have found in doing this page is that in 1963 a federal law required amber front
turn lamps. 1962-1966 parking lamps were tapered on the inner edges, had no surrounding
bezels and clipped into the openings.

1964-1966 Cab & 1960-1963 Cab

The Cab style was changed in 1964, in that the A post now had a forward slop, this cab was used
on all series "F" trucks. The 1963 and older or Series "N", "J", and "G" trucks had a slight
rearward slop, or "dog leg". The 1960 though 1963 GMC's had a the wraparound windshield,
while 1964 through 1966 had the more rectangular flat windshield.

Wide Side (Fleetside) / Fender Side (Step Side)

GMC Pickups came with one of five pickup boxes in the 1960s, there was the Fender Side which most
folks call a step side, but that is the Chevrolet name. They came in 6 foot, 8 foot and 9 foot
sizes. The 9 foot box was used only on the 2500 series. You could also get the Wide Side, which
Chevy called the Fleetside, in either a 6 foot or 8 foot box.

Standard Back window, Small / Optional Back Window, BIG

The question of BIG or small back window comes up a lot, so here is a sample of both. In the 1960s
the BIG back window was an option costing about $40.00, and it was called a "Full Rear Window"
in the GMC Dealer handbook.

1960-1966 Painted Grill with 60-65 letters

The Grilles on GMC trucks of this generation remained the same for the seven years. They are the
dual headlight design with the light assemblies housed in pods. The upper, lower, and inner
edges were raised, giving the head lamps a recessed look. The two pods had a horizontal bar
connecting them. Under this bar the flattened block GMC letters were suspended. 1960 through
1965 used the oval-shaped "G" and "C" letters in the grille, with the letters and grill being
either all chrome, or all painted.

1960-1966 Chrome Grill with 66 letters

In 1966 the faces of the lettering were recessed and had a red stripe in them. 1966 was the only
correct year for the squared-off letters in the grille, with red pinstriping running through
the letters, and chrome or painted outside the pinstriping. Now not all painted grills are Ivory,
GMC Painting Regulations called for "Ivory" on all Trucks, except White trucks, which had "White"
painted grills. I have seen them painted the same color as the trucks and I have seen them painted
in a different color than the truck. But from the factory, they were Ivory on all but white trucks
and Custom Trucks. Custom Trucks had Chrome Grills.

GMC V6 Engine Emblems

On the 1960-1961 GMC Trucks you would fine A Round V6 emblem mounted to the upper forward area of
the front fenders. The 1962-1966 GMC Trucks used a "V" shaped emblem mounted to the forward
part of the hood. On Truck with the "CUSTOM" cab they had Chrome Engine emblems.

The GMC "CUSTOM" Pakage

The Chrome Grill and Bumper is found on mostly the "Custom" cab trucks, and they will have this
"Custom" emblem mounted to the cab behind the door. Some will also have a the extra cost trim
package around the windows, and others will have the Chrome trim down the side of the truck.
The Custom Package with extra cost chrome trim can be seen on the Truck above, Click on the
picture for full size view. The following is from the GMC Dealer handbook: Cab. Custom. No. 1846
includes front end bright metal equipment, (RPO 1304) and chrome hub caps, custom trim and interior
convenience group, RPO (0170). The Custom package is RPO 0113. RPO 0170 includes nylon seat fabric,
right hand sun visor, Left hand arm rest and fawn floor mat. RPO 1304 Front end bright metal
equipment, bumper, grill and headlamp panels.

Other chrome trim options offer in addtion to the custom cab at extra cost are; RPO 0148 Bright Metal
Moldings, Front fenders and cab, not available with panel, includes RPO 0149. RPO 0149 pickup side
moldings, for use on Wide Side pickups, Includes Fender moldings RPO 0148.

GMC Truck Model Numbers

Model numbers have changed many times over the years, just about every time GMC did a body change
they changed the model numbers, so you can't go by what we have today for what was done in the
past. I'm no expert on what GMC has done over the years, but I have done a lot of research on
the 1960-1966 GMC trucks, here is what I have found.

The 1000 to 3000 trucks used the same cab or light truck cab, the 3500 was the first truck to use
the Big truck cab, with the running boards and front fender flares.

Here is how to tell what truck model you have by just an inspecting it with out seeing the
vin number. GMC 1000-3500 truck do not have model emblems, 4000 and up do.

GMC 1000 can be Short bed or long bed, will have 6 lugs on the wheels, 1960-1962 will have torsion
bar front suspension, and coil rear. 1963-1966 will be coil front suspension with leaf in the rear.
Can be 4 wheel drive model also, which would have leaf springs on all four corners.

GMC 1500 will be long bed only, but may not have a pickup box, will have 8 lugs on the wheels,
1960-1962 will have torsion bar front suspension, and coil rear. 1963-1966 will be coil front
suspension with leaf in the rear. Can be 4 wheel drive model also.

GMC 2500 will be cab/chassis, Stake bed, or may have a 9 foot pickup box, will have 8 lugs on the
wheels, may have dual wheels, 1960-1962 will have torsion bar front suspension, and leaf rear.
1963-1966 will be coil front suspension with leaf in the rear. No Four Wheel drive offered.

GMC 3000 will be cab/chassis only, will have 5/10 lugs on the wheels, 5 on the front and 10 on the
rear, will have dual wheels. 1960-1962 will have torsion bar front suspension, and leaf rear.
In 1963 this truck was dropped from the line due to low sales of this model.
This would be the MOST RARE GMC of this Body style.

Also it should be noted that Chevy Built the same body style trucks, but they are different in many
ways to the GMC's of this era, so none of this may apply to Chevrolet trucks OR Canadian Built
GMC trucks of the era, which were clones of Canadian built Chevy trucks, which were clones of
US Built Chevy Trucks. This info is only good for the 744,849 GMC US built trucks from 1960 to 1966.

GMC Light Truck Weights 1964-66

For 1964-1966 model numbers are as follows, & if you look at the vin,
the first two numbers will be for model series, the next two for wheelbase.
This comes from the 1966 Dealer Data book. 1963 Trucks should be about the same.

VIN Numbers	Model Series	Wheelbase	Front lbs	Rear lbs	Total lbs	Max GVW lbs	Max GCW lbs	Notes
1001	1000	115"	2355	985	3340	5200	8000	GMC V6
1001	1000	115"	2165	2010	4175	5200	8000	GMC V6 Suburban
K1001	1000	115"	2585	1160	3745	5600	8000	GMC V6 4-wheel drive
K1001	1000	115"	2395	2185	4580	5600	8000	GMC V6 4-wheel drive Suburban
I1001	1000	115"	1925	985	2910	5000	8000	Inline 6
I1001	1000	115"	1735	2010	3745	5000	8000	Inline 6 Suburban
1002	1000	127"	2375	1030	3405	5200	8000	GMC V6
K1002	1000	127"	2655	1175	3830	5600	8000	GMC V6 4-Wheel Drive
I1002	1000	127"	1945	1025	2970	5000	8000	Inline 6
1502	1500	127"	2565	1195	3760	7500	11000	GMC V6
K1502	1500	127"	2805	1285	4090	8100	11000	GMC V6 4-Wheel Drive
I1502	1500	127"	2135	1195	3330	7500	11000	Inline 6
2502	2500	121"	2650	1275	3925	8800 Single 10000 Dual	14500	GMC V6
I2502	2500	121"	2220	1275	3495	8800 Single 10000 Dual	14500	Inline 6
2503	2500	133"	2655	1295	3950	8800 Single 10000 Dual	14500	GMC V6
I2502	2500	121"	2225	1295	3520	8800 Single 10000 Dual	14500	Inline 6
2505	2500	157"	2680	1320	4000	8800 Single 10000 Dual	14500	GMC V6
I2505	2500	157"	2250	1320	3570	8800 Single 10000 Dual	14500	Inline 6

These weights are for the base chassis & cab with no options + 10 gallons of fuel.
The bed was an option so you need to add bed weight for pickups.
Bed weights come from the 1962 Dealer Data book.
The Panel Truck is an option for the Pickup, not the Suburban.

Length Feet	Bed Style	Weight lbs	Notes
6 1/2'	Wide Side	395 lbs
8'	Wide Side	470 lbs
6 1/2'	Fender Side	360 lbs
8'	Fender Side	420 lbs
9'	Fender Side	560 lbs	2500 Pickup
7 1/2'	Panel	650 lbs	1000 Panel
10 1/2'	Panel	800 lbs	2500 Panel
8'	Stake Rack	660 lbs
9'	Stake Rack	825 lbs
12'	Stake Rack	1015 lbs

GMC Light Truck Weights 1960-62

For 1960-1962 model numbers are as follows, & if you look at the vin,
the first two numbers will be for model series, the next two for wheelbase.
This comes from the 1962 Dealer Data book.

VIN Numbers	Model Series	Wheelbase	Front lbs	Rear lbs	Total lbs	Max GVW lbs	Max GCW lbs	Notes
1001	1000	115"	2435	965	3400	5200	8000	GMC V6
1001	1000	115"	2245	2140	4385	5200	8000	GMC V6 Suburban
K1001	1000	115"	2635	1270	3905	5600	8000	GMC V6 4-wheel drive
K1001	1000	115"	2445	2415	4860	5600	8000	GMC V6 4-wheel drive Suburban
1002	1000	127"	2485	975	3460	5200	8000	GMC V6
K1002	1000	127"	2675	1255	3930	5600	8000	GMC V6 4-Wheel Drive
1502	1500	127"	2580	1160	3740	7500	11000	GMC V6
K1502	1500	127"	2855	1345	4200	8100	11000	GMC V6 4-Wheel Drive
2502	2500	121"	2740	1305	4045	8800 Single 10000 Dual	14500	GMC V6
2503	2500	133"	2745	1315	4060	8800 Single 10000 Dual	14500	GMC V6
V3001	3000	133"	2815	1825	4640	14000	20000	GMC V6
V3005	3000	157"	2910	1855	4765	14000	20000	GMC V6

Truck Ratings

I really don't like to use that "1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, 1 ton ...." rating system, it's really not even close
to what one of these GMC trucks can haul. What most folks call a 3/4 ton Dodge pickup, the Army called
a 5/4 ton, because that is what the Max weight was it could haul, 1-1/4 ton. A Jeep has a 1/4 ton. So
with this in mind, a GMC 1000 short bed weighs in at around 3700 lbs, it has a GVW of 5200 lbs, that is
a difference of 1500 lbs or 3/4 of a ton.

My 1965 GMC 2500 is rated for 10,000 lbs. GVW, & it weights in at around 4000 lbs. unloaded, so that
leaves 6000 lbs., or 3 tons, so I have a three ton truck if you go by what it can haul. (with out bed)

A GMC 4000 series truck is rated for 19,500 lbs, they tip the scales at around 6100 lbs which would leave you
with 13,400 lbs, or 6.7 tons. Most folks call these bigger trucks a 2 ton because they don't know any better.
Of course that is with out a bed installed, which would raise the weight of the truck and lower the payload.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the maximum total vehicle weight, measured at the
tire-ground interfaces, for which the vehicle possesses components adequately
rated to safely carry. It cannot exceed the sum of all GAWRs.

Truck Classification by GVWR*
Class 1	0–6,000 lbs
Class 2	6,001–10,000 lbs.
Class 3	10,001–14,000 lbs.
Class 4	14,001–16,000 lbs.
Class 5	16,001–19,500 lbs.
Class 6	19,501–26,000 lbs.
Class 7	26,001–33,000 lbs.
Class 8	33,001 lbs.+
*Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

GMC Truck Production Figures

These numbers come from John Gunnell
1960 - 95,000 V-6's, 4,000 in-line 6's, 1,000 Twin-Six V-12's, 200 diesel V-8's
1961 - 62,541 in Pontiac MI; 7,505 in Oakland CA; 2,042 in Bloomfield NJ
1962 - 77,256 in Pontiac MI; 11,189 in Oakland CA; 1,344 in Bloomfield NJ
1963 - 94,234 in Pontiac MI; "some 6,000" in Oakland CA; "some 1,000" in Bloomfield NJ
1964 - 95,255 in Pontiac MI; 1,392 in Norwood OH; 139 in St. Louis MO; 11,539 in Oakland CA;
1,392 in Bloomfield NJ; 125 in Baltimore MD; 514 in Tarrytown NY;
128 in Atlanta GA (extra plants added due to strike)
1965 - 124,144 in Pontiac MI; 12,561 in Fremont CA
1966 - 120,992 in Pontiac MI; 10,488 in Fremont CA; 468 in Baltimore MD; 468 in Atlanta GA;
468 in Tarrytown NY; 600 in Bloomfield NJ
By November, 1962, GMC had built 250,000 trucks with the V6. GMC built its
500,000th V6 equipped truck in March 1966.

I need to thank the follwoing folks for their help in putting together this site, Ed Snyder,
Conrad Vogel, and Attilio Soprano, 60-66 GMC Tech Advisor for Pickups 'n Panels in Print,
the magazine for the National Chevy/GMC Truck Association.

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