How to tell the year via the data plate

[Rande]

How can you tell what years an early jtruck is by the data plate? Is it a part of the serial number?

[porkchop]

Try this: http://www.ifsja.org/tech/figures/index.shtml

[joe]

Depends on what you mean by "early" jtrucks.
The model year wasn't part of the VIN till 1972. Pre-72 you have to go by what the truck is equipped with ie eng, axles etc. The engines have a build date code but now we're in the gray area of if it's the original motor.
Only the 230 OHC motor doesn't have a build date but they were all 62-early 65 and those rigs were identical through the years so it's a moot point. The ring gear on the early D44 axles have a build date stamped into them but that only tells you when Dana built the axle, not when it was shipped to Kaiser or how long Kaiser had it in a warehouse before it hit the assembly line. The most reasonable way to tell the year it is just go by what the title says so long as the numbers macth the rig. Even there it gets iffy though. A lot of states back in the 60's titled/registered a rig by when it was sold since the VIN didn't give a build date.

[Rande]

Thanks PC. I'm usually intelligent enough to look through the tech archive first. Senior moment I guess.

-joe, thanks too. That info helps a lot. Just what I wanted to hear. :D

[ June 13, 2003, 09:36 PM: Message edited by: Rande ]