Insurance issues and shortening truck (Oregon)

[Brad]

Well, after changing plans back in January to keep the S-10 and sell the C-10, I recently was bit by the old car bug again and I'm thinking about going back to my original plan of shortening the lwb into a swb. My questions revolve around the legal issues regarding how I'll insure it afterward and how insurance will view it. This will be my daily driver. Here are my questions:

Once I shorten it how will the DMV label it?

Would I get an entirely new VIN or would they use my existing one?

If I were to get in an accident, regardless of who's fault, would the insurance company (USAA) try to screw me because it's now a 'salvage title' (or whatever it'll be labeled as) or would I generally recover the same amount of money regardless of how it's labeled due to the age of it?

It'll be a 'circus wagon' for many years following the cut. Would this affect the value in an accident compared with a nice paint job?

[FormerMember]

I believe they go by how it's tagged at the DMV. I looked on my Oregon titled truck and I can't see a spot for WB? A half ton is a half ton is a half ton.

I wouldn't even mess with it. You're not changing the GVW, which is what matters to the DMV.

[Brad]

The wb is listed in the vin isn't it? My fear is that if I didn't tell DMV and it were in a wreck, when they looked at the vin there would be a discrepency and thus insurance wouldn't pay up!

[70rs/ss]

Originally Posted by Brad

The wb is listed in the vin isn't it? My fear is that if I didn't tell DMV and it were in a wreck, when they looked at the vin there would be a discrepency and thus insurance wouldn't pay up!

Nice SIG!! No, I would not worry about DMV as they cannot prove who did the work.... It's like the governments don't ask don't tell policy. If the conversion is done right it will stand up in an accident just as well if not better than a stock frame. Do it and do not worry, as for insurance, same thing. They couldn't prove you did the modificaton as long as you do not tell them. If you are really concerned, keep your eyes out for a swb.

[Brad]

Ttt

[pjmoreland]

Your VIN does not tell you what the wheel base is. The DMV has no idea what your wheel is or is supposed to be, nor do they care.

The options sticker on your glovebox will have the wheel base listed though, but the DMV is never going to look at that.

[truckster]

I wouldn't even bother with the DMV. I did that in my state when I swapped out an Olds 350 diesel with a 455 gas motor. I thought I'd do the honest thing and report the engine swap, since the diesel was exempt from emissions tests. The jerk at the DMV accused me of trying to commit fraud by changing the title!

[70rs/ss]

Originally Posted by truckster

I wouldn't even bother with the DMV. I did that in my state when I swapped out an Olds 350 diesel with a 455 gas motor. I thought I'd do the honest thing and report the engine swap, since the diesel was exempt from emissions tests. The jerk at the DMV accused me of trying to commit fraud by changing the title!

Exactly my point!! Do not volunteer anything to them (DMV) What they do not know won't hurt them.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by Brad

If I were to get in an accident, regardless of who's fault, would the insurance company (USAA) try to screw me because it's now a 'salvage title' (or whatever it'll be labeled as) or would I generally recover the same amount of money regardless of how it's labeled due to the age of it?

I think the first part of this was covered pretty well, as far as the insurance
part, unless it has collectors insurance or a special policy written for it when
you wreck it they aren't gonna give u hardly squat for it, reguardless of wb.
one way around the insurance thing is to have them list it on your policy as
full coverage w/ suspended collision, I think that's how mines listed, anyway
they cover it for theft, fire, vandalism, etc.... for a very minimum fee, only
the catch is you can't drive it, sorry, but just for an idea, my Garage Queen
is covered this way for a written in (Agreed) amount of $15K for $18 a year.

[Brad]

I appreciate the advise! That was always one of my hang-ups with making the cut and conversion and having to deal with DMV and fearing it would turn into a big fiasco. I just wanted to do the right thing and be honest especially if it were to come back and bite me in the backside. However, I didn't realize that wb was not part of the vin and reportable to insurance.

Sounds like my truck is a truck is a truck....

Btw, I took off the fe and bed today and disconnected much of the wiring and such from the cab to lift it off the frame. It was much easier than I realized! I'm on my way!