STOLEN!! Anybody use vin etch? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sakohntr · 05-20-2003, 01:13 PM

http://www.vinguard.org/index.html I see you can also etch body panels as well like newer cars.

Big69C20 Toy · 05-20-2003, 01:46 PM

that's a pretty cool deal. if i had nice new windows i might do that

bouncytruck · 05-20-2003, 02:20 PM

I saw something about this on a show about car theft. It is an interesting idea.

bouncytruck · 05-20-2003, 02:20 PM

I saw something about this on a show about car theft. It is an interesting idea.

Brad · 05-20-2003, 02:26 PM

I used an electric scriber on all my Camaro windows and in other locations. I think I'll do it on my truck now too.

GreenMystChevy · 05-20-2003, 04:00 PM

What's to stop the thief from breaking the window and discarding the pieces with the VIN on it? Maybe I don't understand or maybe we are hoping the thief doesn't think of that.

Something to try though, anything we can do to keep 'em safe.

bpmcgee · 05-20-2003, 04:01 PM

Green,

I think the idea is that the parts no longer hold any value to the thief-breaker because they can be traced back to your vehicle.

Brian

**1970 CST Short Wide** · 05-20-2003, 05:16 PM

I was reading an artical about thiefs getting the vin off new cars to get a key made and then steeling the whole car. My vin # on my 02 suburban are covered.

Baradium · 05-20-2003, 05:18 PM

I can't quote directly, but I think I heard somewhere about it being illegal to cover your vin...

tom hand · 05-20-2003, 05:22 PM

In regard to getting a key from the VIN number...I have done this. I locked the keys in my exgirlfriends Kia. I was only a couple of blocks from the dealer at the time. Went to the dealer and bought a new key from the VIN number. They never even asked for ID

*racedvl* · 05-20-2003, 10:45 PM

My 88 K1500 has them on everything. Windows, bumpers, ect.

Brad · 05-20-2003, 11:10 PM

Also, Greenmystchev, the theif would have to replace all the windows along with other parts if they were to drive it. Certainly a thief could make excuses if he got pulled over, but it's one more thing to deter theft.

jef5150 · 05-23-2003, 05:19 AM

85%of vehicles are stolen for "PARTS",you dont steal a car to make it "a daily driver".The other 15% are usually "high end" luxury vehicles.Thats where stolen vin tags come in.You need a clear vin# to export those "high end" vehicles out of the country.As far as Laser Etching of glass,its mostly a deterent.But "ONLY" if it can be easily seen,YOUR HOPING HE WILL SEE IT,cause he knows that if HE breaks the glass to take the car,he's gonna have to replace it before he can wholesale the doors,,

Seke69 · 05-23-2003, 06:47 AM

kinda OT.

we were just watching COPS here at work and I saw a 69-72 (?) that a crook had just been pulled over in. the plates were from a red 78 chevy, when the cops ran the vin, it turned up stolen. it was a white GMC (not sure what year, steep hood), with tan (restored looking) interior, I think the whole episode was in Washinton state (Lakewood county?).

the guy had a sawn shotgun, and chemicals for making meth, to add to his stolen vehicle felony... ouch.

Lippyp · 05-23-2003, 07:33 AM

This makes it a lot harder to do what we in the UK call "Ringing" cars. "Ringing" means taking a stolen car and one that has been written off in an accident and switching their identities, thieves are very clever at doing this, including cutting out the portions of the frame/body with the vin numbers stamped in them and welding them into the stolen vehicle. The more places you put the VIN number the harder it is to do this. It also makes it harder to do what is called "cut and shut" which is basically taking two vehicles, one that has had a front end impact, one that's had a rear end impact,. cutting them in half and welding the good ends together. It happens and people have died here when cars have just fallen apart in a minor accident.

There have been various measures brought in, including a national database of written off cars that the insurance companies maintain, and the latest one is that you cannot get a license plate made up without proving who you are (driving license) and that you own the vehicle (vehicle registration documents) These have to be taken in to the shop before a plate can be made up. This covers all UK plate suppliers in shops and mail order and they all have to be registered with the government.

I have had vehicles with the license plate number (unique to the vehicle) etched onto the windows. The only thing is that I have ended up with a used window to replace a broken one with someone elses number etched on it.

I used to work for Microsoft in the UK and one afternoon we had two carload of cops turn up in the car park to see why our Sales Director had just carried out an armed bank robbery the other side of town! It turned out that someone had stolen a car the same as his as the getaway car, seen him driving his around town and had a set of plates made up the same so if a cop did a check it wouldn't show up as stolen. Needless to say they left slightly redfaced. I guess the new legislation around license plates would have stopped this.

griesel72 · 05-23-2003, 08:42 AM

As nice as some of your trucks are on here, you need to stamp the Vin in every piece. When i fixed up my 72, a buddy of mine did a 72 cheyene super at the same time. He had just gotten it back from the body shop and taken his girlfriend out to eat at Olive garden and when he came out, his truck was gone. Thevies are pretty ballsy if they will steal a truck at 6:00 pm in a public parking lot on Wannamaker.

Blue Beard · 05-23-2003, 09:06 AM

Use to do Locksmith work.

Vin numbers to make keys in Washington was only done if proof of vehicle ownership was proven......

05-20-2003, 01:13 PM	#1
sakohntr Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Floodwood Minnesota Posts: 1,057	STOLEN!! Anybody use vin etch? http://www.vinguard.org/index.html I see you can also etch body panels as well like newer cars. __________________ 1967 K30 Napco 292/SM420 original paint 30k miles 1968 K60 Napco 396/5spd. dbl frame 52" michelins 1969 K10 SWB GMC 454/4spd 6" 35's posi,hooks 1972 C30 longhorn,BB/AT,A/C,Tilt,Toolbox,lokr 1987 K20 Chevrolet Suburban. 6" lift. 5.7L/TH400 1979 K60 GMC Coleman 4x4, 427/Allison.

05-20-2003, 01:46 PM	#2
Big69C20 Toy Livin' it up. Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Richland, MI Posts: 2,212	that's a pretty cool deal. if i had nice new windows i might do that __________________ -Greg; Sold the 69 C20. It's off to a better home with more love! Now onto the 86 CUCV M1009; K5 blazer with 6.2L diesel, corp 10 bolt axles, Detroit locker in the rear, trutrac front, 3.73 gears, 35" tires.

05-20-2003, 02:20 PM	#3
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	I saw something about this on a show about car theft. It is an interesting idea. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

05-20-2003, 02:20 PM	#4
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	I saw something about this on a show about car theft. It is an interesting idea. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

05-20-2003, 02:26 PM	#5
Brad Out of the carpool lane. Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Clark Co, WA Posts: 5,673	I used an electric scriber on all my Camaro windows and in other locations. I think I'll do it on my truck now too. __________________ 1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten...

05-20-2003, 04:00 PM	#6
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	What's to stop the thief from breaking the window and discarding the pieces with the VIN on it? Maybe I don't understand or maybe we are hoping the thief doesn't think of that. Something to try though, anything we can do to keep 'em safe. __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

05-20-2003, 04:01 PM	#7
bpmcgee Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 2,181	Green, I think the idea is that the parts no longer hold any value to the thief-breaker because they can be traced back to your vehicle. Brian

05-20-2003, 05:16 PM	#8
1970 CST Short Wide Senior Moment Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pittsburg Ca Posts: 4,140	I was reading an artical about thiefs getting the vin off new cars to get a key made and then steeling the whole car. My vin # on my 02 suburban are covered. __________________ 1970 CST LS 1 6 speed Ford 9 inch Detroit Tru Track, Dakota Didgital, Vintage Air, QA1 Coil Overs Front & Rear Lots of FUN 2013 GMC PU, Oldest Son 71 GMC LWB. QA1 Suspension, Angry SB. Youngest Son 2019 GMC Diesil Dually. Youngest Son 2017 Toyota SUV Daughters car 2018 Traverse , Wife’s Ride Pittsburg Ca 94565

05-20-2003, 05:18 PM	#9
Baradium Binder Rep Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Salcha, AK Posts: 1,506	I can't quote directly, but I think I heard somewhere about it being illegal to cover your vin...

05-20-2003, 05:22 PM	#10
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	In regard to getting a key from the VIN number...I have done this. I locked the keys in my exgirlfriends Kia. I was only a couple of blocks from the dealer at the time. Went to the dealer and bought a new key from the VIN number. They never even asked for ID __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

05-20-2003, 10:45 PM	#11
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	My 88 K1500 has them on everything. Windows, bumpers, ect.

05-20-2003, 11:10 PM	#12
Brad Out of the carpool lane. Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Clark Co, WA Posts: 5,673	Also, Greenmystchev, the theif would have to replace all the windows along with other parts if they were to drive it. Certainly a thief could make excuses if he got pulled over, but it's one more thing to deter theft. __________________ 1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten...

05-23-2003, 05:19 AM	#13
jef5150 Inline 69 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: valleysprings,california Posts: 1,018	85%of vehicles are stolen for "PARTS",you dont steal a car to make it "a daily driver".The other 15% are usually "high end" luxury vehicles.Thats where stolen vin tags come in.You need a clear vin# to export those "high end" vehicles out of the country.As far as Laser Etching of glass,its mostly a deterent.But "ONLY" if it can be easily seen,YOUR HOPING HE WILL SEE IT,cause he knows that if HE breaks the glass to take the car,he's gonna have to replace it before he can wholesale the doors,,

05-23-2003, 06:47 AM	#14
Seke69 Space Cadet Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 132	kinda OT. we were just watching COPS here at work and I saw a 69-72 (?) that a crook had just been pulled over in. the plates were from a red 78 chevy, when the cops ran the vin, it turned up stolen. it was a white GMC (not sure what year, steep hood), with tan (restored looking) interior, I think the whole episode was in Washinton state (Lakewood county?). the guy had a sawn shotgun, and chemicals for making meth, to add to his stolen vehicle felony... ouch.

05-23-2003, 07:33 AM	#15
Lippyp English Chevy Owner Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France Posts: 1,848	This makes it a lot harder to do what we in the UK call "Ringing" cars. "Ringing" means taking a stolen car and one that has been written off in an accident and switching their identities, thieves are very clever at doing this, including cutting out the portions of the frame/body with the vin numbers stamped in them and welding them into the stolen vehicle. The more places you put the VIN number the harder it is to do this. It also makes it harder to do what is called "cut and shut" which is basically taking two vehicles, one that has had a front end impact, one that's had a rear end impact,. cutting them in half and welding the good ends together. It happens and people have died here when cars have just fallen apart in a minor accident. There have been various measures brought in, including a national database of written off cars that the insurance companies maintain, and the latest one is that you cannot get a license plate made up without proving who you are (driving license) and that you own the vehicle (vehicle registration documents) These have to be taken in to the shop before a plate can be made up. This covers all UK plate suppliers in shops and mail order and they all have to be registered with the government. I have had vehicles with the license plate number (unique to the vehicle) etched onto the windows. The only thing is that I have ended up with a used window to replace a broken one with someone elses number etched on it. I used to work for Microsoft in the UK and one afternoon we had two carload of cops turn up in the car park to see why our Sales Director had just carried out an armed bank robbery the other side of town! It turned out that someone had stolen a car the same as his as the getaway car, seen him driving his around town and had a set of plates made up the same so if a cop did a check it wouldn't show up as stolen. Needless to say they left slightly redfaced. I guess the new legislation around license plates would have stopped this. __________________ Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission Last edited by Lippyp; 05-23-2003 at 07:35 AM.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

05-23-2003, 08:42 AM	#16
griesel72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Howard, Kansas USA Posts: 1,997	As nice as some of your trucks are on here, you need to stamp the Vin in every piece. When i fixed up my 72, a buddy of mine did a 72 cheyene super at the same time. He had just gotten it back from the body shop and taken his girlfriend out to eat at Olive garden and when he came out, his truck was gone. Thevies are pretty ballsy if they will steal a truck at 6:00 pm in a public parking lot on Wannamaker. __________________ 1969 K10 Custom 10 1997 Z71 2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 2006 King Ranch 1980 Wife

05-23-2003, 09:06 AM	#17
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,834	Use to do Locksmith work. Vin numbers to make keys in Washington was only done if proof of vehicle ownership was proven...... __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.