changing cabs

[jojoman]

just had a quick question if i got a 87 and change the cab from another year not a 87 do i have to get a title for it or how does that work cant i just switch the vin plates

[Tx Firefighter]

Technically, it's illegal to swap VIN plates.

In Texas you need to complete a form 58A and have it signed off by either a DPS trooper or auto theft officer of a police department. They then issue you a new VIN and data plate.

[jojoman]

that sounds easy but then agian must cost a grip or hell of alot of questions they going to ask(not worried about that)

[Tx Firefighter]

I don't believe it costs much. I'm actually doing it on a truck I'm building now. I have a buddy at the PD of the city where I am a fireman who is an auto theft guy so I'm going to have him lead the way through it for me.

Apparently, you make you case as to why you did what. I'm taking pictures of my original rusty cab and the new rust free cab. Then I'll take pictures throughout the build process showing it all going together.

He reviews all of this and signs the 58A.

[jojoman]

oh ok well let me know when you get it done so i can know what steps to take or pm me thanks

[BigBlocksRule]

I watched a buddy do a swap once...drilled the centers out of the star rivets, cut 'em with a very thin putty knife that had been sharpened (run the knife UNDER the VIN tag), JB Chemwelded the rivets to the tag, then the tag to the truck. Couldn't tell anything had been touched when he finished.
That said, I'd sure look into what it takes to do it legally through the DPS/DMV.

Oh, and now you'd have to put the other tag on the junk truck, scrap yards won't take 'em without a VIN AND Title...unless you cut 'em up. Been there, done that.

[jojoman]

thanks for letting me know all the good info

[HOGDADDY]

Fyi there are rivets available that look exactly like the originals in every way.

[xrcr]

Hogdaddy,Where?
I can't find them.I put a 84 cab on a 76 chassis I have Historic tags so it's not that big of an issue until I die and someone else sells it.....

[BigBlocksRule]

I've read about those rivets on a few other websites, try a few searches and you should be able to find 'em.
They're higher than giraffe's nookie, though, so be prepared to pay for 'em.

[79bonanza]

you dont have to take the vin off, just cut the metal out around the vin plate on both trucks then weld them back in. easy sheet metal welding and call it good

[BIG V]

It is illegal to swap vin plates any way you do it.

[79bonanza]

if its a really custom vehicle or something you bought out of a junkyard you can get a vin plate for it, also if it is all custom built like didnt start as a car you can put a vin plate on it. just think of the all new stamped steel roadsters and any fiberglass hot rod

[BigBlocksRule]

Originally Posted by BIG V

It is illegal to swap vin plates any way you do it.

Well, there's a lot of illegal stuff that a lot of folks participate in every day...you just gotta decide if it's worth it if you get caught