6 hour drive to get truck and no vin tag?

[cincytrucktp]

You know I asked about ever other possible question and asked for a got lots of pictures, just never assumed the truck didn't have a vin plate. Anyway the glove box vin and frame vin both match. Truck was painted back in 2002 and the owners body shop took it off to keep the new paint off of it but in the process they lost it. Honestly I believe the story 100%. I really like the truck but I'm just afraid the BMV is going to give me trouble if it's missing. You know it's even possible the PO swapped out the cab, who knows? As old as these trucks are and knowing how frames, cabs, beds etc get swapped out that it would really matter. Both the frame vin number and the glove box both match the title but I just know the bmv is going to give me crap. Anyone have suggestions?

[No3Fan4Ever]

Does the person you are buying from have a title with correct vin #?
The DMV won't look at the truck, only your inspection station, correct?

[cdowns]

i'd only look at the truck as a parts donor no matter the story//without the vin tag if you're ever stopped and inspected expect the truck to b impounded// IT'S A MAJOR PROBLEM

[Hottrucks]

don't worry about it if they don't know where the vin # is I'm sure you can show them....I swapped doors does that mean I have a parts truck???

[fine69]

Originally Posted by Hottrucks

don't worry about it if they don't know where the vin # is I'm sure you can show them....I swapped doors does that mean I have a parts truck???

Doors dont have a vin #.

It is illegal to remove the vin tag. Period. Many times now when you get pulled over they want to match your insurance info to your vin #.
I just had it happen in Arizona a couple months ago.

You get pulled over and there is no vin on the cab and your truck is getting impounded. And sorted out later.

In Ohio your BMV is the place that checks your vin against the title.

[jeffspower]

Everywhere you go the law looks at it differently. I'm not buying the notion that you can't remove or re-install a vin plate. If that is true, insurance would be even crazier than it is now. If a $50,000 new truck ends up with $2000 damage form a tree limb falling on it, destroying the vin plate, They are going to total it?

Body shops swap cabs on wrecks all the time. On a new truck, you can go to the dealer and buy a new one. So I'm a criminal by transfering a vin from my shot cab to a replacement?

They better build more prisons, and this board better find new methods for funding, as a whole bunch of us are heading to the slammer

[BarryB]

If you have the title, and the vin's match, there are companies that will make you a factory restamped vinplate. Look on the web there out there. This type of problem is pretty common when your dealing with vechiles this old.
Heck I even seen unstamped vinplates for sale at some swap meets.

[suville]

Did you buy the truck? If not no loss keep lookin, in these economic trying times many are deciding to sell and there are some very good deals out there. I'd suggest trying to buy something from a board member.If rust is a problem in your area consider something from the dryer climates such as the southwest. A bus ticket and driving a good solid truck back is still bucks ahead of rotted panel replacement even if you can do your own work the time involved is considerable just ask those that have gone that route. As an example when I lived in Washinton Bellingham area I found a rust free 68 burb in Phoenix for 2500 bucks drove down hauled it back was time and dollars ahead in the long run, remember the nicer a rig you start with the less work and the nicer a rig you will have in the end. Besides that frees up a lot of funds for drive train, suspension etc.If you did purchase the vehicle all is not lost, PM me for details I worked in the autobody trade for over 40 years there is options.

[dhaymaker]

Thread deleted for member`s protection.

[WIDESIDE72]

Thread deleted for member`s protection.

[rsavage]

You should talk to someone in the DMV to see what is required. In New York State, which is probably the most regulated state in the country, they look at the paperwork not the truck - that doesn't make sense to me. If the title has the correct VIN on it ( as far as you are concerned as the frame portion of the VIN matches) and the paperwork is in order it could be registered here. Bottom line though is that it should have a VIN tag for maximum purchaser comfort. I walked away from a beautiful 63 Burb that I had loaded on the trailer when I discovered the truck VIN didn't match the Michigan title. I had checked title, ID, etc. but compared numbers as a last thing. It was a gorgeous truck but I couldn't afford to make that expensive of mistake. I'd walk but it's your money. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

[72freak]

[QUOTE=rsavage;3706184]You should talk to someone in the DMV to see what is required. QUOTE]


Good luck with that......and if you do get an answer get it in writing and have a supervisor sign it!

[MAK191]

I removed mine but I plan on putting it back on with these rivets: http://www.johnsonsmusclecarsandparts.com/

I live in Florida. I was less worried after I read this:
http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Content/...t-One-Mis.aspx

Good luck with your decision. I would make sure the price was right to reflect the problem.
Mike

[woodwright]

Originally Posted by MAK191

I removed mine but I plan on putting it back on with these rivets: http://www.johnsonsmusclecarsandparts.com/

I live in Florida. I was less worried after I read this:
http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Content/...t-One-Mis.aspx

Good luck with your decision. I would make sure the price was right to reflect the problem.
Mike

Those special rivets are $45/pair....Nothing a small round file won't do.

[cincytrucktp]

Thanks for all the input. All great advise. I'm going to check with the bmv to see what they suggest.

[fun in dirt]

Thank God I live in MS...all that crap would drive me crazy!!!

[No3Fan4Ever]

As others stated each state is different. If it is legal and possible to get a replacement VIN plate that would be awesome. I can only go by my experience with purchasing a vehicle out of state and registering it.
I purchased my truck out of state and had it shipped to Virginia. Took the title to the VA DMV and had put in my name. The VA DMV never laid eyes on the vehicle.

[nds1968]

When I bought my truck from New Mexico and went to title it in Pennsylvania the notary wanted to see the truck in person to verify the vin. I also supplied them with a picture of the vin to put in with the paper work.

[wwotr]

DAMN! and they say California's DMV's are a pain in the ass!!!

I guess I better pop-rivet the Tag back on my Matress before I go to bed tonight.
Isn't that against the law to remove also?

Here's the answer....http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/1525405108.html

Roger
"RATIKLE"

[prostreetC-10]

Originally Posted by wwotr

I guess I better pop-rivet the Tag back on my Matress before I go to bed tonight.
Isn't that against the law to remove also?

I'm pretty sure the tag is only supposed to be removed by the end-user. I used to get chicks by telling them I did that all the time. They liked the "bad boy" in me!!!! lol

[MYGMCANDME]

I drove 2 hours from Kentucky to Tennessee to look at and purchase a '70 GMC one ton a couple of years ago that I found on Craigs List. I looked it over good and knew the truck intimately before I signed my name on the title and handed over the money. Didn't realize until the next day after I got it home that the vin tag was missing. Never even thought to look at that. Called the previous owner and he acted like he didn't know it was missing. The vin # on the SPID inside the glove box door matched the Vin # on the title, so I thought all would be cool when I went to the DMV to transfer it. NOT!

Since it was out of state transaction, the Sherrifs office had to inspect it. When the officer came out to inspect it, first thing she asked me was "where's the Vin tag"? I told her that it was missing, but the vin on the glove box decal was the same. She said no dice and that was the end of the inspection. She said I would have to apply for new vin tag from the state.
When I tried to do that, the DMV said that I did not own the truck (because it had not been transferred yet), and the previous owner would have to apply for a new vin tag from Tennessee. He is not interested in helping with that.

So I have a complete running and driveable "parts truck" until I can buy another junk one ton with a good title and vin tag and make the swap. It stinks not being able to drive this truck legally, because it is a fun and useful truck. I learned a good lesson the hard way. If I were you, I would walk away from this one.

Jon

[teeitup]

A few years back I bought a 4x4 truck with title and vin plate. I got it home registered it with state with no problem then noticed it was a 2wd title and vin, with no frame numbers. I had to get a lawyer, he did all the work for me, it costs $250. Then a highway patrol officer came by and removed old vin plate and put on a different one, then they sent me a new title, not all original but but it was all legal. But this was in the same state truck was registered

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by MYGMCANDME

So I have a complete running and driveable "parts truck" until I can buy another junk one ton with a good title and vin tag and make the swap. Jon

That will not make it "legal" either. Removing and/or replacing VIN tags is a Federal Offence...reguardless of how each state regulates their title process or requirements. Some states are far more strict than others about what is required, but don't go thinking that "As long as you have passed the state's minimum" you are ok....'cause the FEDS can get involved at any time.
This "overseeing" makes it possible to transfer a title from a state that has very minimal requirements to a state that is more strict.
These vehicles are all manifactured to Federal standards, they want to keep those in-place.

[AusTx68]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

Removing and/or replacing VIN tags is a Federal Offence...reguardless of how each state regulates their title process or requirements.

Discovery airs a show called 'Chasing Classic Cars' hosted by master car builder Wayne Carini. I'm sure some of you are familiar with the show.

There was an episode where a car at a prestigious show was called out for having new rivets on the vin plate. The judges required additional documentation from the owner and threatened to pull it from the show. It wasn't Waynes car but he was upset that they questioned the car. He went on to say it was common practice to remove the vin plate to restore these cars (meaning antiques). I remember specifically that statement. The car was released and went on to win an award in the show. I don't think a master builder would go on national television and condone a federal violation.

If your state has defined a legal process for replacing/removing vins, I'm sure you can use the process and not worry about the FBI kicking in your door.

[68jewel]

Originally Posted by fun in dirt

Thank God I live in MS...all that crap would drive me crazy!!!

Ditto for Texas as well. In Texas all we have to do is take a signed title by the seller and the buyer to the DMV office and it is switched into the new owners name. The don't car where the truck/car is. This applies to old vehicles anyway.