Revised 05-27-05


1956 VIN - Model - Series Identification
(back to main page)

RPO = Regular Production Options

Serial Numbers locations
*ENGINE* *TRANSMISSION*
V8 Numbers = Top of Right Hand Bank at the front.
6 Cylinder Numbers = On boss at the rear of the distributor
3-speed conventional, overdrive and 4-speed = rear face.
3-speed Heavy Duty = left side at rear.
5-speed = right side rear bottom.
Automatic = left side at rear.
*REAR END* *VEHICLE*
Series 3100 = front face.  All Other = top.
Forward Control = left hand side on steering column.
Flat Face Cowl = front face of cowl top panel.
All Other = body hinge pillar.

Vehicle Serial Numbers

Example: 3C56F 001234
3C = Series*, 56 = Year, F = Assembly Plant,
001234 = Unit Number beginning with 001001 at each plant regardless of Series.
* = The letter "V" prefix to the Series designation will identify models equipped with optional V-8 engine.

 
Series Designation

Ton   Series

 Wheel Base (in) Model Type
3A 1/2 3100 114 Flat Face Cowl Chassis, Cab Chassis, Pickup, Panel, Suburban W/S Cowl Chassis & Cameo
3B 1/2 3200 123.2 Cab Chassis, Pickup
3C 1/2 3400 104 Forward Control, Step Van
3D 3/4 3500 125 Forward Control, Step Van
3E 3/4 3600 123.2 Flat Face Cowl Chassis, Cab Chassis, Pickup, Stake & W/S Cowl Chassis
3F 1 3700 137 Forward Control, Step Van
3G 1 3800 135 Flat Face Cowl Chassis, Cab Chassis, Pickup, Panel, Stake & W/S Cowl Chassis
4A 1-1/2 4100 130 Flat Face Cowl Chassis, Cab Chassis, Stake & W/S Cowl Chassis
4B 1-1/2 4400 154 Flat Face Cowl Chassis, Cab Chassis, Stake & W/S Cowl Chassis
4C 1-1/2 4500 154 School Bus Chassis
5A 2 5100 112.6 Cab Chassis
5B 2 5400 136.6 Cab Chassis & Stake
5C 2 5700 160.6 Cab Chassis & Stake
5D 1-1/2HD 5100S 112.6 Cab Chassis
5E 1-1/2HD 5400S 136.6 Cab Chassis & Stake
5F 1-1/2HD 5700S 160.6 Cab Chassis
6A 2 6100 130 Flat Face Cowl Chassis, Cab Chassis, Stake & W/S Cowl Chassis
6B 2 6400 154 Flat Face Cowl Chassis, Cab Chassis, Stake & W/S Cowl Chassis
6C 2 6500 172 Flat Face Cowl Chassis, Cab Chassis & W/S Cowl Chassis
6D 2 6702 194 School Bus Chassis
6E 2 6800 220 School Bus Chassis
6F 1-1/2HD 6100S 130 Flat Face Cowl Chassis, Cab Chassis, Stake & W/S Cowl Chassis
6G 1-1/2HD 6400S 154 Flat Face Cowl Chassis, Cab Chassis, Stake & W/S Cowl Chassis
6H 1-1/2HD 6500S 172 Flat Face Cowl Chassis, Cab Chassis & W/S Cowl Chassis
7A 2-1/2 7100 112 Cab Chassis & Stake
7B 2-1/2 7200 124 Cab Chassis
7C 2-1/2 7700 172 Cab Chassis
8A 2-1/2 8100 132.5 Cab Chassis & Stake
8B 2-1/2 8200 144.5 Cab Chassis
8C 2-1/2 8400 @ 154.5 Cab Chassis & Stake
8D 2-1/2 8500 @ 174.5 Cab Chassis
8E 2-1/2 8700 @ 192.5 Cab Chassis
8F 2-1/2 8800 240 School Bus Chassis
9A 2-1/2 9100 112 Cab Chassis
9B 2-1/2 9200 124 Cab Chassis
9C 2-1/2 9700 172 Cab Chassis
10A 2-1/2 10100 132.5 Cab Chassis
10B 2-1/2 10200 144.5 Cab Chassis
10C 2-1/2 10400 @ 156.5 Cab Chassis
10D 2-1/2 10500 @ 174.5 Cab Chassis
10E 2-1/2 10700 @ 192.5 Cab Chassis
10F 2-1/2 10800 240 School Bus Chassis 
  	S = "Special" Model 
	@ = Optional Tandem Axle Equipment is available on these models; 
	for 8000 Series see RPO 682; for 10000 Series see RPO 467.
	Series 3000 = Light Duty
	Series 4000, 5000, 6000, 6000S & 6000H  = Medium Duty
	Series 7000, 8000, 9000 & 10000 = Heavy Duty
	ASSEMBLY PLANTS:
	A = Atlanta
	B = Baltimore
	F = Flint
	J = Janesville
	K = Kansas City
	L = Los Angeles
	N = Norwood
	O = Oakland
	S = St. Louis
	T = Tarrytown
	W = Willow Run

Rear Axle Identification (Chevrolet)
Example:  AF 2 12
AF = Type, series and assembly Plant designation
2 = Month
12 = Day of month

Axle numbers are stamped on the front or top of the Carrier.

Capacity (lbs) Type Ratios Series
3300 AF 3.90:1 31 and 3200 Regular Production
3300 AG 4.11:1 31 and 3200 with RPO 315
5000 CA 5.14:1 34-35-3700 Regular Production
5000 CB 5.14:1 34-35-37-3800 with RPO 299
5000 CC 4.57:1 3600 Regular Production with RPO's 314-316-318
5000 CD 4.57:1 3600 with RPO 285
5000 CE 5.14:1 34-35-3700 with RPO's 316-318-321
7200 CF 5.14:1 3800 Regular Production, (34-35-3700 RPO 205)
11000 CG 6.17:1 4000 Regular Production
11000 CH 6.17:1 50-70-8000 Regular Production (except 8800); (6000 with RPO 252)
13000 CJ 6.17:1 6000 Regular Production
15000 CM 7.20:1 5-6000 RPO 252
15000 CM 7.20:1 7-8000 (exc.8800) with RPO 252
15000 CM 7.20:1 8800-10800 Regular Production
15000 CL 6.40/8.71 50-60-70-8000 with RPO 201-415
30000 DA 7.20:1 10400-10500-10700 with Tandem Equipment RPO 476

Rear Axle Identification (Eaton)
Example: 7.17    001250    S-9460
7.17 = Ratio
001250 = Serial Number.
S-9460 = Eaton Spec. Number

Specification Number is stamped on the Housing Arm.
Ratio and Serial Numbers are stamped on the Carrier.

Capacity (lbs) Spec Numbers Ratios Series and Capacity
16000 S-9460 7.17:1 7000-8000(exc. 8800) RPO 467
16000 S-9460 7.17:1 9000-10000 (exc. 10800) Regular Production
16000 S-9460 7.17:1 10800 RPO 468
16000 S-9461 6.50/9.04:1 7000-8000 (exc. 8800) RPO 475
16000 S-9461 6.50/9.04:1 9000-10000 (exc. 10800) RPO 479
18000 S-9458 7.17:1 HD 9000-10000 (exc. 10800) RPO 468
18000 S-9459 6.50/8.87:1 9000-10000 (exc. 10800) RPO 479

Front Axle Identification

Make Capacity (lbs) I-Beam Height (average) Spec Series
Chevrolet 2200 2.09 31-3200
Chevrolet 2500 2.19 - 2.34 3600
Chevrolet 3500 2.19 - 2.34 3800
Chevrolet 4000 2.19 - 2.34 41-4400
Chevrolet 4000 2.44 - 2.59 34-35-3700
Chevrolet 4500 2.44 - 2.59 45-5000-61-6500 (RPO 41-4400)
Chevrolet 4750 2.44 - 2.59 6700-6800
Eaton 7000 3.25 70-80-90-10000

Engine Serial Numbers (Loadmaster Excluded)
Example:  001234 F 56 E
001234 = Unit Number starting with 001001 at each source; 6 & 8 cylinder engines are numbered separately.
F = Flint; T = Tonawanda.
56 = Year.
E = Type and Series designation.

Type Series Description
X 31-3200 Thriftmaster 235 with 3-speed (regular production)
XG 31-3200 Thriftmaster 235 with Hydramatic
VC 31-3200 Thriftmaster 235 with HD clutch
A 31-3200 Trademaster 265
B 31-3200 Trademaster 265 with Hydramatic Transmission
M 31-3200 Trademaster 265 with HD Clutch
W 34-35-3700 Thriftmaster 235 (regular production)
WA 34-35-3700 Thriftmaster 235 with Hydramatic Transmission
D 34-35-3700 Trademaster 265
DA 34-35-3700 Trademaster 265 with Hydramatic Transmission
DB 34-35-3700 Trademaster 265 with HD Clutch
XA 3600 Thriftmaster 235 (regular production)
XGA 3600 Thriftmaster 235 with Hydramat