do i title my cab a 1968 0r a 1971

[isaacf]

do i title my cab a 1968 0r a 1971? my truck is a 1971 with title that matches the frame. my replacement cab it titled and is off a 1968. im not sure if i need to swap my firewall in the 68 to be a 1971 or if it worth my time,

the 1971 is a medium optioned 4x4 truck and i have the spid for it

the 1968 is a highly optioned 4x4 custom it had the speed warning and buddy buket factory. it is a totaled title though

[mcmlxix]

I think it depends on your local laws. The title stays with the cab because the vin is riveted to the door jam. Some states might inspect for a vin stamped in the frame to match the one on the cab. Out of state titles probably get more scrutiny because of title washing...

[sanford66]

Cab vin trumps frame vin. Joseph

[rsavage]

This subject is opined on just about weekly. My opinion is always keep your original VIN by changing the VIN tag over. Your tag will match the frame as it should. It is held on by four little rivets and if you are worried about the look of the replacement rivets, there are people who sell them. There is no cowl tag. Just the VIN tag on the driver's door frame. You are changing sheet metal nothing more - no different in my mind than changing to a better bed or box. A matching numbers truck with a good title (not a salvage/total title that doesn't match the frame) is much more valuable than one that has non-matching numbers. You could also cut out that section of the jamb and weld it in the new cab if you are loathe to drill out the rivets, but that seems like overkill to me.

[70BLAZERX2]

does your 68 parts 4x4 have a rockwell transfer case on it? With 4 speed? I am in need of the sleeve coulper that goes in the adapter..I would buy that as well..Getting hard to find these rockwell parts..Just checking..Thanks

[sjarrett71]

I would suggest to call the local highway patrol or department of motor vehicles since they will know the laws that apply to your particular state. They might have to do a vehicle inspection and take both titles and issue you a new vin. It's best to check with the authorities and ensure you are legal so if you ever do get things checked your truck doesn't get impounded. From my experience though, the cab vin is the one that's checked most.

[ebry710]

If your truck has the features of a 1971, but the cab is different, then call it a 1971. It solves part problems. The metal on these truck are the same, but the feature upgrades are different (hood, brakes, etc). Why complicate matters? You won't be the first one in your state to have to replace an id jamb on your truck. I think there has been an accident or two in your state that has crumpled a driver side door, so DMV will have the answer for you. Good luck.

[isaacf]

Originally Posted by 70BLAZERX2

does your 68 parts 4x4 have a rockwell transfer case on it? With 4 speed? I am in need of the sleeve coulper that goes in the adapter..I would buy that as well..Getting hard to find these rockwell parts..Just checking..Thanks

yes it did but i already sold the frame with all the suspension and trans and transfercase for 275

[isaacf]

Originally Posted by ebry710

If your truck has the features of a 1971, but the cab is different, then call it a 1971. It solves part problems. The metal on these truck are the same, but the feature upgrades are different (hood, brakes, etc). Why complicate matters? You won't be the first one in your state to have to replace an id jamb on your truck. I think there has been an accident or two in your state that has crumpled a driver side door, so DMV will have the answer for you. Good luck.

is it worth my time to change out part of my firewall to make the cab a 1971?

[ebry710]

Worth the time is a personal opinion. If it was me "no", because I want a daily driver and firewall options at going to be replaced as I upgrade to a HEI, new a/c and other toys. I think most firewall options are the same between years. If you have both firewalls, look to see if there is a difference.

I know that engine, transmission, factory options and added goodies usually determine what is on the firewall more then year. The firewall is the "communication hanger" between what is in the cab and what is under the hood.

[ChevLoRay]

Originally Posted by isaacf

is it worth my time to change out part of my firewall to make the cab a 1971?

I don't know of any part of the firewall that says it is one year or another. There may be a difference in the way the accelerator is mounted, if that is what you're saying. The only other differences between the two is the emergency brake (lever vs. foot pedal) and whether or not it has/had factory AC. Beyond that, I'm not aware of any differences in the firewalls.

I also agree that a salvage title isn't going to match a non-salvage title. I'm going to drill out my rivets and swap my VIN tags between the '68 and '69 cabs that I have, so my '69 title and cab/chassis continue to match. Overkill, or not, it may be that a little "cut and stitch" work on the metal surrounding the two is what happens. Either way, all of my numbers will match. Since I only have a bill of sale for my '68 cab, I don't see that I have any choice. I don't want the police to have any suspicions.

[70BLAZERX2]

67 68 fuse box mounts ==== this way and 69-72 mount this way !!
!!

[Little Red]

Check your local laws, but here in PA the title stay's with the frame. Just swap out your vin tag.

[LONGHAIR]

Although different states approach this situation in different ways....it in NOT LEGAL to "swap the VIN plates yourself" in any of them. It is against the law everywhere.......please quit giving this advice.
You can/will end-up getting someone's truck impounded or permanently confiscated.
Just because there is no "black helicopter" watching you in your garage, does not mean that somewhere along the line you won't run across the law. It may be as simple as having to document the truck after being stolen/recovered. It could also have this issue after an accident or insurance claim from storm damage or vandalism.

There are legal ways to go about this. It may seem like a few hoops to jump through.....but nothing like what it takes to get one back after the law snags it.

[sjarrett71]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

Although different states approach this situation in different ways....it in NOT LEGAL to "swap the VIN plates yourself" in any of them. It is against the law everywhere.......please quit giving this advice.
You can/will end-up getting someone's truck impounded or permanently confiscated.
Just because there is no "black helicopter" watching you in your garage, does not mean that somewhere along the line you won't run across the law. It may be as simple as having to document the truck after being stolen/recovered. It could also have this issue after an accident or insurance claim from storm damage or vandalism.

There are legal ways to go about this. It may seem like a few hoops to jump through.....but nothing like what it takes to get one back after the law snags it.

Good advice, that's the point I was getting at.

[Hubscrub]

why take the chance? just do it right the first time and talk to you local law or dmv and you can drive without worry

[rsavage]

I offer my "opinion" not advice, as does anyone who comments on the thread. Am I supposed to believe that a truck that has a MATCHING VIN and frame will raise the suspicions of a law enforcement officer or insurance companies more so than a truck with a VIN tag that doesn't match the frame? Don't think so. It is illegal to attempt to or register/title a vehicle that is stolen by attaching a different VIN.

[ebry710]

I do not think the question was how to launder a stolen truck, it is more how do handle the problem which a lot of us face when scavenging one truck to fix another. Knowing that the door id and the frame id are not the same and that the years are different enough that it makes a difference.

The DMV of your state has the final and legal answer, but if the components, hood, engine and frame are 1971 and only the cab is 1968, it is a 1971. If you are driving it on the road or taking down for a brake job, it will ID and spec as a 1971. If you buy a left door jamb from LMC, it does not come with Vin #. That chassis is just parts for a 1971 truck.

On my van, I have a modification sticker on it. It explains that my van has been modified. It sticks on the door jamb and was issue by the DMV.

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by rsavage

It is illegal to attempt to or register/title a vehicle that is stolen by attaching a different VIN.

It is illegal to tamper with the VIN tag, regardless of your intent.....hence the "tamper proof" rivets.

By your logic, it would be OK to put your VIN onto a "brand new" replacement body like they make for some of the early muscle cars?.... I think not

The VIN is placed by the original manufacturer and is not to be manipulated by consumers. Changes can only be legally made by the state who issues the new title when "combining" vehicles. Part of the difficulty of all of this is that the states don't all do it the same way. Some states don't even require titles on really old vehicles, but that doesn't mean that it will "fly" when transferring to another state.

[MAK191]

Everyone always freaks out about this and will give you different advice. Go to your DMV and also read up on your laws. Here is an example from MY state.

Here is a paragraph from Florida Statutes 319.30 - Definitions; dismantling, destruction, change of identity of motor vehicle or mobile home; salvage

" (c)() This chapter does not apply to anyone who removes, possesses, or replaces a manufacturer's or state-assigned identification number plate, in the course of performing repairs on a vehicle, that require such removal or replacement. If the repair requires replacement of a vehicle part that contains the manufacturer's or state-assigned identification number plate, the manufacturer's or state-assigned identification number plate that is assigned to the vehicle being repaired will be installed on the replacement part. The manufacturer's or state-assigned identification number plate that was removed from this replacement part will be installed on the part that was removed from the vehicle being repaired."

This info was copied from here:http://www.lawserver.com/law/state/f...tatutes_319-30

And to just reiterate what I said earlier this is from MY state and does not pertain to you it is only an example. Do your homework

[ebry710]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

It is illegal to tamper with the VIN tag, regardless of your intent.....hence the "tamper proof" rivets.

By your logic, it would be OK to put your VIN onto a "brand new" replacement body like they make for some of the early muscle cars?.... I think not

The VIN is placed by the original manufacturer and is not to be manipulated by consumers.

I have two thoughts.
VIN's do not have to be made by Chevy. My homemade trailer has a hand stamp VIN issue by the Ca DMV. Kit cars don't have manufactures VIN's they are given by the DMV.

Our trucks do not have a 17 digit VIN track by National.

It's the DMV that make the call.

[special-K]

State law varies.Here they'd want you to take in both clear titles that are in your name and they will assign and fasten a new VIN and title.It's not what you assume that matters,it's what the authorities assume.That being said,I just go with the body VIN because they never check the frame if they see no reason to.This has been my experience.Yet,I would never recommend anyone takes a chance just because I do.If I sold the vehicle I would inform the buyer and provide them with both titles.If that was a problem I would assist them in the legal procedure.I think it's BS but,like all laws,it is what it is.

[ebry710]

I agree.

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by ebry710

I have two thoughts.
VIN's do not have to be made by Chevy. My homemade trailer has a hand stamp VIN issue by the Ca DMV. Kit cars don't have manufactures VIN's they are given by the DMV.

This illustrates my point. The "home-made trailer" and "kit car" are both "self-assembled vehicles" (at least according to my state) and in that case the state BMV does in fact issue a VIN....But, moving VINs from one vehicle to another is a completely different thing. You can't remove/switch that state-given VIN either.

Originally Posted by special-K

State law varies.Here they'd want you to take in both clear titles that are in your name and they will assign and fasten a new VIN and title.

It's the same way here....and exactly why most people go the "shakey" route. Once it is done this way, it becomes a self-assembled vehicle in whatever year this happens. The '68 is "technically" no longer a '68, it becomes a 2010.

[ebry710]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

It's the same way here....and exactly why most people go the "shakey" route. Once it is done this way, it becomes a self-assembled vehicle in whatever year this happens. The '68 is "technically" no longer a '68, it becomes a 2010.

Point well taken.