VIN vs Chassis Model

[Jonbbrew]

Ok...So my Winnie is registered as a 73 Indian, but it appears my plates say 72. So when i am looking for chassis parts do i look at a 72 or 73?
Plus it appears i am having a hard time finding a 72 M400 parts book, etc. Hm? Hm? Hm?

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

1) Winnebago had to order the chassis early so, as in your case, a 73 Winnebago was typically placed on a 1972 chassis
2) So using our Dodge Chassis VIN Decoder:
M49CN2J565625

M4 = M400 however that is actually a M375 chassis.  To confirm you should have 17" tires, 5 lug, split rims
9 = Forward Control Motor Home Chassis
C = 10,001 to 14,000lb chassis
N = 413-1 Engine (413 spark plug access is above the exhaust manifold.  440 spark plug access is below the exhaust manifold)
2 = Year 1972
J = Built in Canada
565625 = Chassis Serial number

So, with a M375 chassis (also referred to as M4 in 1972) you need the 69-75 Dodge Service 3 volume Service Manual set

[M & J]

Canadian eh?

[Jonbbrew]

Canadian eh?

Nope...true blood American...avid hockey fan and have Canadian friends.

[M & J]

Your chassis is Canadian.

[Jonbbrew]

Your chassis is Canadian.

True dat!

[Jonbbrew]

1) Winnebago had to order the chassis early so, as in your case, a 73 Winnebago was typically placed on a 1972 chassis
2) So using our Dodge Chassis VIN Decoder:
M49CN2J565625

M4 = M400 however that is actually a M375 chassis.  To confirm you should have 17" tires, 5 lug, split rims
9 = Forward Control Motor Home Chassis
C = 10,001 to 14,000lb chassis
N = 413-1 Engine (413 spark plug access is above the exhaust manifold.  440 spark plug access is below the exhaust manifold)
2 = Year 1972
J = Built in Canada
565625 = Chassis Serial number

So, with a M375 chassis (also referred to as M4 in 1972) you need the 69-75 Dodge Service 3 volume Service Manual set

Re: Chassis confirmation....yes 5 lug, yes split rims (as the PO stated he replaced all of them and by inspection i think he is correct), but....Not 17" wheels as they are 19.5...Are they incorrect? Should they be 17 or 17.5?

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

Original was 17" five lug split rim on M375 chassis.  Dodge did not migrate to the 17.5" eight lug Budd style rim until the RM300 (M300) / RM350 (M400) chassis in late 1973.  Your original owner swapped to 19.5" five lug Budd style rims because of the split rims.

[Jonbbrew]

Original was 17" five lug split rim on M375 chassis.  Dodge did not migrate to the 17.5" eight lug Budd style rim until the RM300 (M300) / RM350 (M400) chassis in late 1973.  Your original owner swapped to 19.5" five lug Budd style rims because of the split rims.

Good or stupid upgrade? Now I have to figure out how to not have them rub?

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

Jonathan,
Please discuss the tire issue over on the Tire thread you are already posting on.  It gets real confusing when trying to discuss something on multiple threads.