trades
 

Will someone tell me I am doing the right thing...this is my very well cared for 84' Chevy C20 Silverado 454 big boy power everything, like brand new bed, and 56K original mile main driver.
I am trading it to someone for a 65' Chevy swb chassis that has been media blasted, powder coated, and completely rebuilt from the ground up
with new brakes, wheel cylinders, bushings, bearings, steering box, etc. Like new and completely stock ready for a build-up...
The trade does have some other elements but basically it boils down to "this for that..."
note: I did have a "for sale" sign on the truck for a few months asking $3K firm.
I never got a call from that exposure. I really like the mid 60's trucks as well.

Re: trades
 

It is not a bad trade if you can or willing complete the project. If your not looking for a project then it is the wrong idea.

Re: trades
 

That's a tough one, you have a very clean truck there. Where else did you have it listed? Craigslist? Anywhere besides the sign?
Does the frame come with a title? Or proof that it's clean?

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I didn't list it anywhere as I was in no hurry. I came across the chassis while I was getting some missing parts needed for my 65' Chevy panel interior. Not having a "like new" chassis under a beautiful paint job just seems wrong and that is the part of a build I have no desire to do. The chassis does have a title...the guy has to move and has no space or ability to finish it so...I also have that 65' GMC parts truck visible in one of the pix.

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One major advantage of the 60s truck is that you don't have to smog it (or anything '75 or earlier). That's one of the reasons I bought my '73. This is for CA, other states are different.

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Im partial to our genre so id say keep your truck

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Yeah Bob...I really loved that truck. It is in wonderful shape too, fixed everything on it then I drove it on a 1300 mile round trip and thought I would go broke before I got back with that 454 in there and all the smog equipment hooked up.(when gas was $4 a gal.) I like to tinker too, I lift up the hood on this truck and I just don't want to go wrenching in there. Where as on my 65's there's nothing too complicated, no brains-mine or the machines to figure out, and easy wrenching all around. Also, the town I live in, no one would work on a carbureted vehicle for smog related work. Luckily my neighbor's friend knows a thing or two about them and prepped it to pass smog for me.

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Now he is back pedaling on the title for the chassis. How do I check to see if this chassis is going to be a DMV nightmare?

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I would not walk away from this trade.......I would run!

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no paperwork on the chassis means you could be shafted do not take the deal

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Title is for the body, not the chassis. You don't need a title for a chassis. That's like asking for a title for an engine or transmission.

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Unless the c20 is your 5th or 6th vehicle, I would keep it as long as possible. Original trucks are not that common anymore.

I suggest you find another way to obtain funds for the earlier frame.

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The California DMV will disagree with you as I just came from there and was told I need to show ownership or it can't be transferred.

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See if you can get a vin off that frame and have the dmv or a cop run it to see if its even in his name.Getting another copy of a title takes a month or today if you go to the states capital dmv.But to me sounds like its probably not in his name and hes trying to unload it on a sucker.

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No way would I even consider a trade like that, your truck at my age of 52 would be kept til some unforeseen circumstance kept me from driving even with my heavy right foot and unknown future fuel prices...

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If you want to ditch the truck market it to more than just the local area. An east coast customer would be more than willing to pay 3k for the truck and an additional 2k for transportation.

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You don't transfer a frame, you transfer a vehicle. You can't drive a frame. A frame isn't a vehicle it's just a part. If I had a truck and sold one guy the body and another the frame the guy that bought the body gets the title because that's what the VIN plate is attached to. The junkyard doesn't give me a title for a fender even though most cars nowadays have a VIN stamped on the fender.

Re: trades
 

I got the frame number from him but they are partials missing the first 3 digits but as I figured it is a 2wd (C), it is a swb and it is a truck so the first 3 can be deduced...I got the Vin.

Yeah...I thought that too C2O when I got it...I had a 85 Scottsdale that I regret selling 20yrs ago that was in about he same shape. I just like the 60's stuff better.

That's a thought! I got time to give it a try.

Your logic is winning the argument here...I was probably the victim of some idiot DMV no nothing. The question remains what problems could arise from this chassis should I mount a 65' cab on there and try an register it under the cabs Vin? Does the DMV/the law, check frame numbers against cab numbers?
Can I legally rivet these plates onto a different cab to mount it on the matching frame? What is the law in these situations?

Re: trades
 

You can't move/alter a VIN plate in most states although some do allow it because once again the body is also just a part, the VIN just happens to be attached to it. Usually requires both titles and someone of power to witness the swap. I have never had anyone look at a VIN other than the VIN plate, the one usually in the windshield. Most wouldn't even know where any others are. Here out of state titled vehicles they have to look at the VIN before transfer. I had to do it for a '65 Corvair. She went to the windshield. I said hey it's under the hood. No, that's the trunk. I said it's under the hood, back here.

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Pretty funny...those checking don't have the knowledge anyway.

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You aren't supposed to move a VIN plate.

If the body is registered, I don't think they'll ever look at the frame.

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In CA if you are assembling the truck and its out of the system OR there are questions about the VIN, you have to get a VIN verification. While some people don't know what they are looking for, CHP does (who does A LOT of the verifications). When the VIN on the frame doesn't match the cab, or the rivets holding the plate on are different, they start picking it all apart which can be a nightmare.

At the very least, you should probably get the correct VIN off the frame and contact DMV or CHP to find out what is needed before trying to mount the two together and make sure the VIN is clear before getting the frame.

You have nothing to lose by doing some of the footwork before you trade, but could be a world of headaches if you do it after.

It can also lead to problems if you play naieve and just mount the cab to the frame without checking if clear. Should an officer locate 2 different VINs on the truck, especially when you say one is only a partial VIN, it can lead to more headaches as they are investigating to make sure everything is legitimate.

Re: trades
 

Do yourself a favor and get is all checked out now, before you put money into it. What if that frame was stolen from a fellow hobbyist? By playing dumb you are supporting the thieves. I doubt it was stolen, but it's better to know now, then once you have put a ton of time and money into it.

Re: trades
 

cops will check it for free,call them
and explain the situation.
get it checked,
beats getting searched roadside.and then towed,as is,where is,
with whats in it,
and kept impounded ($$) till you prove it's yours.

Re: trades
 

I don't understand this paranoia about getting stopped searched and seized. What kind of cops are you guys dealing with out there? If you believe the frame may be stolen then by all means check the VIN. But it is not uncommon for a 40+ year old vehicle to have a different frame, or engine, or transmission, or door, or fender, etc. etc. I bought my frame at the junkyard, I installed it, I never lost a nights sleep thinking the car Nazis were going to take my car and everything in it. I can fix my car with a new frame, a custom built frame, or a used frame. MY choice. If I knew there was a VIN on the frame at the time I did it I would have ground it off, and it would be perfectly legal because it isn't the VIN plate, there is no intent to defraud, and it was a legally obtained used part.

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Depends on where you are. In CA, it is illegal to obliterate a VIN/serial number. Easier to save the headache and check FIRST. If by some chance it IS stolen the WHOLE vehicle is impounded, not just the frame. Not saying anything is wrong with swapping frames, it definitely must be done at times. Just saying know what you're getting into first.

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Replacement parts don't have VINs on them. A used frame is a replacement part. It is no longer original to that car and as a replacement part it should not have markings on it. Are they going to seize your new car because that fender the body shop put on doesn't have the VIN on it? Why would one even question that? Obviously it has been repaired. Is there some sort of frame VIN checkpoint in California where people are routinely getting their cars seized? I heard California was bad but man, I'm allowed to fix my car. I do have rights.

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Seriously, tell me how any of that makes sense. I could have purchased a new frame, it would not have had a VIN because it's brand new. If it was decided to check it for some reason and there was no VIN they would take my car? Now I have to provide proof of ownership of the vehicle and a receipt for the frame, to be passed on to each subsequent owner forever?

Re: trades
 

One option the state has if it is a project and there are no or multiple legitimate VINs is to assign a new one, which will satisfy the requirements. While there are not "checkpoints", there are occasions where the officer will delve further (VIN is altered or blocked, missing, or something else). If you can't read the VIN where it is supposed to be, next logical place to look is on the frame. If the VIN doesn't match up, then there is PC to investigate further.

This thing can go round and round, but the bottom line is there is potential for this to happen, when it could simply be curtailed with a little extra effort before the trade.

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So it's the same as any state. They go by the VIN plate. Just like I said. The one on the body. All the stipulations you mentioned are if there are problems with the VIN plate. No problems with the VIN plate=No problems.

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I agree with you. I built my truck on a different frame and didn't lose any sleep over it. I registered the truck using the title to the cab. Every time there is a thread about VIN's it turns out like this with people saying it's illegal to do this or that. Criminal laws require an intent to do something wrong that breaks the law. If your only intent is to restore your old truck, you are not doing anything wrong. :lol:

In my opinion, this trade is a bad deal. Trading a nice clean, running and driving truck for parts doesn't make any sense to me.

Re: trades
 

OldGMJon
asked
"The question remains what problems could arise from this chassis should I mount a 65' cab on there and try an register it under the cabs Vin? Does the DMV/the law, check frame numbers against cab numbers?
Can I legally rivet these plates onto a different cab to mount it on the matching frame? What is the law in these situations?"

Check with your State cause,they all seem different,


I was told by the police here in Ottawa,if they find a frame altered car/truck,which ever is newest gets to be the year for the "new" Vin.
If the numbers clear!
not sure if that applies to same year swap/replacement
And it's not mentioned (frame) for me here in Ont
I've been pulled and warned about changed colour,and V6 to V8
I'd rather warn everyone,to check it out,so they don't feel misled from info posted here like
"it's ok and cops will understand."
"it's ok it happens all the time"
then hear they lost the truck,cause something wasn't right.


http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dan.../getinfo.shtml

Vehicle Description Changes
You must report a change or data correction for a registered vehicle within six days of the change. These changes include:

Colour
Body Type
Fuel Type (Power)
Number of Cylinders
Registered Gross Weight
Make, Model and/or Year
Odometer Information
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Bring your vehicle permit to any Driver & Vehicle Licence Issuing Office and complete an Application for Registration (SR-LV-006) indicating the changes.

If your vehicle permit contains incorrect information, bring the incorrect permit to any Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office. To change the make, model, year and/or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) one of the following documents will also be required.

Copy of New Vehicle Information Statement
Copy of original manufacturer's invoice
Copy of Bill/Certificate of Sale from original dealer
Copy of original Certificate of Title/Origin
Statement from a vehicle dealer on company letterhead explaining the discrepancy
Original vehicle manufacturer's warranty.

Re: trades
 

Just trying to understand why some of you seem to let the DMV walk all over you.

As I said, have the VIN checked to make sure it isn't stolen. If you're really paranoid tell them your intent to use the frame for repairs. They can tie the VINs together if they find it necessary. I assume mine wasn't stolen as I got it at a junkyard. I also assume if they ran the VIN on it then it would come up as Certificate of Destruction as it came from a junkyard. But as I said, new/replacement parts don't have VINs so it can't be assumed you did something wrong. Innocent until proven guilty here in the states. It's a shame so many people don't know how to stand up for their rights.

Re: trades
 

This thing can go round and round. Simply put, we both agree the VIN should be checked. I too have swapped frames on trucks. Made sure it was clear first. I have also been the one comparing VINs and paperwork and sorting through the mess of stuff to make sure it all works together. None of it is fun.

Re: trades
 

Hey thanks for all the wisdom and advice...I think I just let someone scare me a little about the possibilities. I got the info (vin) I need and will verify that the chassis is without issues before I do this deal.
I realize it may not seem like such a good deal to some but the other items in this deal are things I really need for other trucks I have and even thought the Silverado is a nice driver, it has its shortcomings as well.
A tough decision even so...thanks again, jon

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I wouldn't do that deal, just with the 454 I'd hold on too.....

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Make sure you actually see the VIN for yourself and don't take someones word for it. Or do what I have done and make the seller go to the DMV with you to process paperwork before doing any deal. It's amazing what can happen when you ask a seller to meet you at the DMV with paperwork and I.D.

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Id keep the square. Id buy that truck in a heartbeat if I could. Thats an awesome deal.

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not sure which way you would go? The trade is an awesome deal? "you would keep the square" is that the Silverado that you would buy? Seems to go either way!