Weird 2000 Chevy Fleet Truck on GMT-400

SClandscapechevy · April 28, 2021

Hello!

I have now ordered and returned two hitch receivers for my 2000 Chevy 3500. The truck is an old AT&T service vehicle with a utility bed. (Started as a regular cab and chassis). Although it is a 2000, everything about it is still on the GMT400 platform. The first hitch didn’t match the bolt pattern and the second one wasn’t wide enough for the frame. The odd part is that the frame width is 38 inches on the outside diameter. All hitches I have found have been 34 inches and I haven’t even been able to find any info on why the frame is at 38 inches. I’m at the point where I’m not finding any further info on either a hitch that will fit or specifics regarding the frame. If anyone in this group has any info or words of wisdom is would be so appreciated. Pictures of truck and frame area for reference!

CamGTP · April 29, 2021

Did you try looking up parts for a like a 1998 to see if they match. I usually end up doing that when dealing with body styles that carry over like they do here.

Z45 · April 29, 2021

When it comes to fleet vehicles like AT&T would buy it may be unique and be one off for them. Huge buyers can get purpose built vehicle that they do not produce for anyone else. We had them at the DOT, mostly K3500 suburbans (GPS Survey crew trucks), 4x4 and all emblems said it was a 2500 but it really a 1 ton . Yet it had HD springs, a larger 45 gal fuel tank, big brakes, Silverado seats, deep tinted glass, p.locks ++. Its was a special order I recall when it came time for new brakes they could only be ordered from a GM dealer using the F&SO code in the glove box. Anything the parts stores had did not fit. They ordered parts from the NAPA store and they did not fit, were not big enough and NAPA had no parts to fit. Even the Chevy dealer had to go through the F&SO group to order the correct parts, they were not in the parts catalogs, they were exceptions unique to DOT special order. I pity anyone who purchased that truck from the auction and had to put new rotors on, they cost nearly a $1,000 each on the 4wd versions.

F&SO - Fleet and Special Order (aka COPO).

Edited April 29, 2021 by elcamino

SClandscapechevy · April 29, 2021

34 minutes ago, elcamino said:

When it comes to fleet vehicles like AT&T would buy it may be unique and be one off for them. Huge buyers can get purpose built vehicle that they do not produce for anyone else. We had them at the DOT, mostly K3500 suburbans (GPS Survey crew trucks), 4x4 and all emblems said it was a 2500 but it really a 1 ton . Yet it had HD springs, a larger 45 gal fuel tank, big brakes, Silverado seats, deep tinted glass, p.locks ++. Its was a special order I recall when it came time for new brakes they could only be ordered from a GM dealer using the F&SO code in the glove box. Anything the parts stores had did not fit. They ordered parts from the NAPA store and they did not fit, were not big enough and NAPA had no parts to fit. Even the Chevy dealer had to go through the F&SO group to order the correct parts, they were not in the parts catalogs, they were exceptions unique to DOT special order. I pity anyone who purchased that truck from the auction and had to put new rotors on, they cost nearly a $1,000 each on the 4wd versions.

F&SO - Fleet and Special Order (aka COPO).

Thanks for the info! I absolutely love the truck and have already modified it a little for my use. I got a good deal on it and everything is pretty solid. I’ll probably just wind up having to pay some one to fabricate for me. I’ll have to remember that fleet and special order division if I need parts.

SClandscapechevy · April 29, 2021

44 minutes ago, elcamino said:

When it comes to fleet vehicles like AT&T would buy it may be unique and be one off for them. Huge buyers can get purpose built vehicle that they do not produce for anyone else. We had them at the DOT, mostly K3500 suburbans (GPS Survey crew trucks), 4x4 and all emblems said it was a 2500 but it really a 1 ton . Yet it had HD springs, a larger 45 gal fuel tank, big brakes, Silverado seats, deep tinted glass, p.locks ++. Its was a special order I recall when it came time for new brakes they could only be ordered from a GM dealer using the F&SO code in the glove box. Anything the parts stores had did not fit. They ordered parts from the NAPA store and they did not fit, were not big enough and NAPA had no parts to fit. Even the Chevy dealer had to go through the F&SO group to order the correct parts, they were not in the parts catalogs, they were exceptions unique to DOT special order. I pity anyone who purchased that truck from the auction and had to put new rotors on, they cost nearly a $1,000 each on the 4wd versions.

F&SO - Fleet and Special Order (aka COPO).

I reached out to fleet services

Z45 · April 30, 2021

An old vehicle like, 20 yrs +, they probably don't have records anymore.

Edited April 30, 2021 by elcamino

newdude · April 30, 2021

On 4/28/2021 at 4:12 PM, SClandscapechevy said:

Hello!

I have now ordered and returned two hitch receivers for my 2000 Chevy 3500. The truck is an old AT&T service vehicle with a utility bed. (Started as a regular cab and chassis). Although it is a 2000, everything about it is still on the GMT400 platform. The first hitch didn’t match the bolt pattern and the second one wasn’t wide enough for the frame. The odd part is that the frame width is 38 inches on the outside diameter. All hitches I have found have been 34 inches and I haven’t even been able to find any info on why the frame is at 38 inches. I’m at the point where I’m not finding any further info on either a hitch that will fit or specifics regarding the frame. If anyone in this group has any info or words of wisdom is would be so appreciated. Pictures of truck and frame area for reference!

Do you have the VIN #? Last 8 is plenty. See if I can give some sort of help.