1987 GMC Truck RPO Codes

[GMC85HighSierra]

Hello, I recently picked up a 1987 GMC truck. It appears to be mostly original, but I'm not sure. I would like to find out what my RPO codes mean. I attached pics. Thanks

This truck has a 305 TBI in it with a 2wd 700r trans. It is a LWB. Has 87,000 original miles, came from Georgia. It appears to have the Sierra trim (although the hood ornament and chrome trim all around the lights suggests it's a Sierra Classic, also chrome bumpers). I got this truck for $1000.

Crazy story for how I got this truck. About a year and a half ago I was looking for a daily driver that was decent. I found this on craigslist and went to go at it. When my dad and I arrived, the truck was gone. The guy had an emergency with his kid, and he took the truck. A year and a half later, me and my dad were coming back from a parts haul for my 75 K5 Blazer. Google Maps took us down the same road where the truck was; we forgot all about the truck. We talked to the guy, and the truck was still available. He stopped driving it because the fuel pump went out; so it wouldn't start. We agreed on a price and got the truck.

Right now we are in the process of getting it running. We are replacing the fuel pump and gas tank (someone bondoed a hole, rusting the gas tank even more). It will turn over, but doesn't start.

I got this GMC because a year ago, I got a 1985 GMC that was pretty cool. It was a 350 4 on the floor, LWB. Ended up doing some swapping to get my K5 Blazer, and he traded the 85 for a 76 Chevy. Ever since I regretted getting rid of the truck; so I found a replacement to somewhat fill the void.

Would like to keep it mostly original; that's why I'm sking what the RPO codes are. Thanks

[mongocanfly]

http://www.rpocodes.com/

[Keith Seymore]

Generic info packet from the GM Heritage Center archive:

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...olet-Truck.pdf

It specifically says "Chevrolet" but GMC would be the same.

Also - if you are interested you can send in $50 and your VIN and they can return to you the invoice for your exact truck, which would include the original selling dealership, RPO content and pricing. I've attached a sample below.

http://www.gmmediaarchive.com/?page=1

If there is a particular RPO you get stuck on - ask here. I have most of them memorized.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by GMC85HighSierra

It appears to have the Sierra trim (although the hood ornament and chrome trim all around the lights suggests it's a Sierra Classic, also chrome bumpers). I got this truck for $1000.

It's a base Sierra (like a Custom Deluxe).

High Sierra/Scottsdale would show RPO Z62.

Sierra Classic/Silverado would show RPO YE9.

YG1 is what drove the bright trim around the lights, black body side molding (B84) and wheel opening moldings (B96). YG1 is included with the ZY5 two tone paint, as was the hood ornament. I don't think there were any (white) painted front bumpers left by '87, although V42 is the RPO for a rear chrome step bumper.

Looks like someone picked nickel and dime stuff to build the ad hoc truck they wanted.

K

http://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/gmc/87gmc.html

http://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/gmc/87g.html

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

http://www.rpocodes.com/

I don't mean to dominate the thread, but a couple comments about the generic online RPO decoders:

a) The RPO codes get reused, so if the decoder is looking for the modern usage of the code you can get messed up. For example, an LS6 today (GenIII small block) is not the same as an LS6 from 1970 (450HP big block).

b) Not all RPOs are included; in the decoder above YG1 is not shown.

So it's usually better if the person can find contemporary literature which includes the RPO codes from the era in question.

K

[sambrutay]

good stuff Keith.

[mongocanfly]

no worries Keith. ..when it comes to this stuff I'd listen to you before I'd listen to me...I didn't know that so that's good info...

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by GMC85HighSierra

It appears to have the Sierra trim (although the hood ornament and chrome trim all around the lights suggests it's a Sierra Classic.

Also, Sierra Classic/Silverado (RPO YE9) is not available with the base level single headlamp front end treatment.

YE9 drives the uplevel RPO V22 grille (quad headlamps).

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

no worries Keith. ..when it comes to this stuff I'd listen to you before I'd listen to me...I didn't know that so that's good info...

I think we lost our original poster....

K

[GMC85HighSierra]

Thanks for the help. Debating about putting a stepside bed on it; not sure. What are your guy's thoughts? Thanks

[c10Bryan]

hello all - I am new to this so please forgive me if I have missed the answer to my question somewhere. I have a few c10s and squarebodies but most are not stock. I recently bought a 1987 K10 that has been completely restored. The paint code is ZY5 which I believe to mean its a two tone. It is currently all light blue but the codes at the bottom of the glove box sticker are: WA - L7439 U7470 29L

any insight on this? I think it means light blue with the midnight blue center section. Which would mean I need to paint the center and get the stripe kit if I want it to be 100% factory.

Thank you in advance.

Bryan

1972 C10
1985 C10
1987 K10
1990 c/k1500
1997 c/k1500

[jocko]

RPO ZY5 is the "Exterior Decor Package" which is a fancy way of saying a "Special Two Tone" with added upper paint divider stripe tape to separate the middle color from the upper color. Below are the ZY5 paint code combos for 87 - left code is for primary (i.e upper/lower) and right code is secondary (middle) - stripe tape colors are in the far right column. Vastines Paint Garage carries stripe kits https://www.facebook.com/VastinesPaintGarage/

[Keith Seymore]

Well done, Jocko.

I was not aware that anyone was reproducing the paint stripes.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Incidentally, when painted in the factory the secondary color was applied first, then covered with masking paper and the primary color sprayed over everything else.

The tape stripe shown above had a covering on it such that the stripe itself became the masking for the upper boundary. After the masking was removed the covering on the stripe was removed to reveal the two tone paint scheme.

K

[hatzie]

Download the 85-91 GM parts and Illustration books from the 73-87 manuals link in my signature.

The RPO tables in the front of the books are specific to your truck