Cab swap

Sean Buick 76 said:

If it were me I would pay someone to fix the work you attempted on your original cab. I also wouldn’t hesitate to swap on a cab and use that vin number. If your in an accident or pulled over as long as your dash vin matches your paperwork you will be fine.

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Both good plans, but point is if he swaps the cab over, he needs a clear title on that swapped cab. I wouldn't worry at all about the VIN on the cab matching the frame, as someone else had mentioned. I don't see it being an issue on an older vehicle at all. If it was something less than 10 years old then IF someone ever checked that - could be a red flag.

Richard

Well that’s the issue, I took it to a body shop, and they said it’s more work than what it’s worth. And to get a new cab. And I would use the swapped cab number, it just won’t match, year drivetrain, etc. So it would be cool if it could be the original VIN at least

Logan R said:

Well that’s the issue, I took it to a body shop, and they said it’s more work than what it’s worth. And to get a new cab. And I would use the swapped cab number, it just won’t match, year drivetrain, etc. So it would be cool if it could be the original VIN at least

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The "easiest" path is gonna depend on the laws in your state, especially since the year and drivetrain don't match. Does your area have emissions tests for a vehicle this old (going by donor cab year now)? If not, then it gets easier.

Just how different are the two vehicles, according to the VIN? Year, model (1500, 2500, etc.), engine?

Richard

I live in Iowa, so we don’t have emissions tests at all, and I think it’s a same year but 4wd 2500, and mine is a 2wd 1500

someotherguy said:

The "easiest" path is gonna depend on the laws in your state, especially since the year and drivetrain don't match. Does your area have emissions tests for a vehicle this old (going by donor cab year now)? If not, then it gets easier.

Just how different are the two vehicles, according to the VIN? Year, model (1500, 2500, etc.), engine?

Richard

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Good points. I once had a tow truck that was based on a F-450 chassis but it had a F-150 can swapped on. In the end I had issues with the weight rating of the truck because based on the cabs vin it was registered as a 1/2 ton. Fun truck actually! I sold off the tow truck portion and made it an off road toy. 460, manual 5 speed, big diffs.

Post sone pics of both your cab and the one you are looking at buying. Economically you would normally need to do the cab swap yourself as paying a shop would be cost prohibitive in most cases. It’s a big job, I would try to have a pro fix your body work on your old cab.

Logan R said:

I live in Iowa, so we don’t have emissions tests at all, and I think it’s a same year but 4wd 2500, and mine is a 2wd 1500

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Your insurance may go up on it being considered a 2500 although it isn't. According to the donor cab VIN, it is.. so you may check with your motor vehicle department about doing the VIN swap, what kind of process it is, cost involved, etc.

I found this out in TX when I had nearly identical trucks - a 1994 Chevrolet C2500"LD" (the 6 lug 2500, 7200lb. gvwr) 350/auto, extended cab shortbed.. and a 1994 GMC C1500, 350/manual, extended cab shortbed. The 2500 cost more to insure, enough to notice. I tried talking to them explaining it's not a "real" 2500 (8600lb. gvwr) but they didn't care.

Richard

Ok, I will get some pictures of my cab after work, but I can get some pictures of the one I’m looking at buying, I know it’s in really good shape, and I think only minor rust on the rockers, and the underneath of the cab is still painted. The seller says he would pull everything interior, doors pull it off for 350$. I think that’s a pretty good price right?

Price doesn't sound terrible providing it has a negotiable title (in other words title isn't messed up by someone signing it and not transferring, or anything that would require extra work to get the title moved over.)

Swapping a regular cab isn't too difficult if you have some basic equipment. If it's an extended cab you'll probably want easy access to a 2-post lift.

I've done a couple regular cabs - one with a chain hoist and strap, and another with an engine hoist, chains, and engine load leveler. The engine hoist was more work but not too bad; the chain hoist and strap we got into a little bit of a hurry and didn't realize the strap mashed the little rail flat where the door opening weatherstrip attaches. Not too bad to gently hammer it back in shape, just something to watch out for.

This one had to be swapped because someone really screwed up the job of the interior "update" swap and had butchered the sheetmetal around the steering column support. Black cab was a '94 C1500 5.7; gold replacement cab was an '89 C1500 5.7, with clean title.




Then my '94 3500HD which didn't actually get swapped, but I did take it 100% apart and pulled the cab off the frame so I could POR-15 everything. For the mount points on the chains, I used the bolt holes for the front cab mounts, and seatbelt retractors:






Richard

I ran into this issue couple years ago. "this is for entertainment purposes only, not to be taken (too) seriously) These trucks are over 20 years old. I could see with a truck 4-5 years old, gets stolen, someone swaps cabs and/or vins, then it will be an issue. As long as either truck isn't stolen, wanted by the FBI for being used in a crime spree, etc. If it's done right, no one is gonna know the difference. Take the dash off so have easier access to the vin and grind the rivets off. Or cut the whole bracket off with the rivets. Glue it back on, and after putting the dash back on, throw some dead flies in there, a paperclip, and a gum wrapper. No one is gonna care. Yes, it's illegal, but were talking bout a 20+year old truck.....coupe hundred bucks to some people....I live in NYS, they are Commies here, and happens all the time.

Did you talk to your DMV? Does your state require the VIN to match the frame and not the cab? If frames then your golden....