Replacing a Cab VIN Question...

[terd ferguson]

Let's say one was to replace their cab with one in much better condition. Since the VIN plate is on the cab, and assuming the replacement cab didn't have a title, what would you do as far as the title is concerned? Is it legal to swap the VIN plate from the bad titled cab to the non titled replacement cab? If not, what would one do in this situation?

Thanks in advance for any info and thanks for this great forum.

[71swb4x4]

There are a couple different ways to do this.
1) Call your DMV. Chances are they will issue you a new VIN tag after the swap. They will check the VINs on the old cab and new cab to make sure everything is clear.
2) Swap your old VIN to the new cab using the rosette syle rivets. Is it legal? No. If the police figure out what you did will you get into trouble? Yes. How will they figure it out? I don't know. If you choose this one you maybe shouldn't post exactly what you did on the internet.

[terd ferguson]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

There are a couple different ways to do this.
1) Call your DMV. Chances are they will issue you a new VIN tag after the swap. They will check the VINs on the old cab and new cab to make sure everything is clear.
2) Swap your old VIN to the new cab using the rosette syle rivets. Is it legal? No. If the police figure out what you did will you get into trouble? Yes. How will they figure it out? I don't know. If you choose this one you maybe shouldn't post exactly what you did on the internet.

10-4. Thanks.

[Daniel 61 Apache]

Swap it.

[502tripower]

Its done all the time. It only makes sense to use the better parts. If you have a better cab use it.

[Captainfab]

Contacting your state vehicle inspector is probably the correct and legal way to do it, so they can issue a new VIN for it. However be prepared to have all the requested documentation for your purchase for every single part you are building your truck with. Even then there is no guarantee that you will get a new VIN. The inspector may see something he or she doesn't like and refuse to issue a new VIN for your truck......could be they're just having a bad day. At least that's been the way it works around here.

[66Gilbert]

Here in Arizona, if you do it legally they will issue you a salvaged title making your truck worthless IMO. If you do it illegally and are caught this can look like it was stolen to law enforcement agencies. Tough choice??

[orange66fleet]

When I bought my truck I had no Id Tags in my truck, both were gone, so I bought a vin tag that they use in the hot rods at my work and hammered in the vin and took it back to the inspection and had no problems.

[LILRED66]

Install the new VIN tag on the cab in the correct location and take the title and truck to your local DMV for inspection. If questioned, the VIN tag was removed during the restoration process, to preserve it and reinstalled upon completion.

[BarryB]

Originally Posted by LILRED66

Install the new VIN tag on the cab in the correct location and take the title and truck to your local DMV for inspection. If questioned, the VIN tag was removed during the restoration process, to preserve it and reinstalled upon completion.

Ditto, plus were talking about an over 40 year old truck.

[502tripower]

I guess the first thing to ask is do you presently have a tittle to any of the above vehicles/Cabs registered in your name already? If not go do it. Then swap the cabs. If you already have it registered in your name then all you have to do is swap out the cabs and vin tags. Remember to use the correct rivets.

[terd ferguson]

Originally Posted by 502tripower

I guess the first thing to ask is do you presently have a tittle to any of the above vehicles/Cabs registered in your name already? If not go do it. Then swap the cabs. If you already have it registered in your name then all you have to do is swap out the cabs and vin tags. Remember to use the correct rivets.

My rig is my daily driver and is titled, registered, tagged, and insured in my name. Everything but the cab is in awesome shape. The cab itself has some problems that may be easier (cheaper) solved by swapping out for a better cab than trying to fix it all. For instance, the windshield has a crack, there is a hole above the windshield, and there are a couple of holes in the floor. If I could find a knee knocker cab with no holes and a good windshield for $500 to $800, it would almost be a no brainer to swap.

I've got other priorities, but I'm quickly running out of things to do besides fix my cab or swap. I'm down to bodywork/paint and interior. Besides the cab, the worst part of the truck is the lower doors and the're fixed easily and cheaply enough. Aside from the cab, bodywork/paint is just taking it down to metal and then spraying. So now I just have to decide is it worth it to fix my cab or would it be better to swap. The decision would be a whole lot easier if one were to come up locally for a good price.