Cab swap

someotherguy · Jul 8, 2024

b454rat said:
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....

All the other "for entertainment" stuff aside.. the title must match the VIN on the dash tag, 100%, regardless of state. No state titles off the frame VIN, which is partial. The discussion of frame VIN came in IIRC because someone was talking about the cab and frame VINs matching, which really shouldn't matter.

Richard

b454rat · Jul 8, 2024

I think Utah has the frame matching the VIN. Just what I saw, so don't hold it to me lol. I thought other states did it as well. But if TX isn't one of them, then go talk to DMV and see what they say....might be easier than you think....

Logan R · Jul 8, 2024

I haven’t talked to the dmv yet, but that will be in the near future to see about this whole issue. I will definetly be asking a lot of questions! I also plan to take the cab off using 4 eye bolts screwed into the trusses of our shed, as I don’t have a cherry picker or auto lift. From there I’ll just use a chain fall and come along. Those hooks are rated for 250ish pounds, so I’d sure hope they can hold the weight of the cab

skylark · Jul 8, 2024

someotherguy said:
This sounds legit but also possibly the view of this varies from state to state.

In TX, if a VIN is altered, removed, etc. the state can inspect the vehicle and they will assign a new VIN to it - with a metal foil type sticker applied elsewhere. I've had a bike that was an AZ state-assigned VIN, too.

Or something a bit more extreme than a simple cab swap, a friend that built an extended cab 3500HD wanted to retain his original 3500HD VIN for multiple reasons - not just the clean title, but also registration and commercial usage concerns since the GVWR is indicated in the VIN (4th digit) and the HD's only came single cab for the most part, with a few crew cabs here and there. He took a 3 door extended cab 1500 and chopped it at the A-pillars and floor, grafted it to the cowl of his HD. (@skylark I know you've seen this truck, just posting it for OP and others really)

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That's some determination! Also building a truck that GM never offered.

Richard

I can have an assigned VIN as well. I wanted the HD VIN for all of the same reasons. When we retire the truck will be going through Canada and Mexico so we didn't have issues. We considered doing the same thing that your friend did but this method is much easier. I only have to cut down the firewall about 6" and about 8" across.

Logan R · Jul 8, 2024

Here are some pics of the cab I’m looking at buying. Guy wants $350 for it. I’d like to try to get it for $300.

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David G · Jul 9, 2024

I'm not an expert, but it would be dependent on each state and their laws. I would start with a visit or phone call to the state DMV and ask the prepared questions. More than likely, they would specify the guidelines/regulations and issue a re-built title for the truck in the end after all necessary repairs and inspections have taken place.

1madmouse · Jul 11, 2024

I know CA is a pain. When I wanted to make a trailer out of the frame left over I had to have the CHP check the frame and show me where the frame number is in 2 different spots. Now that was a few years ago, not sure how picky they would be on the VIN on the cab. The frame numbers were on one front frame horn and just under the front of the bed on the crossmember.

Sean Buick 76 · Jul 11, 2024

I wouldn’t ask anything I would just ensure the vin for the new cab is clear at the DNV and register it as such. If nothing is stolen and you aren’t selling it as “Chevelle SS” when it’s a “Malibu” for example no one is going to know or care when the chassis was swapped. Vin swapping to deceive people is different than putting a different chassis under a cab that you own.

Erik the Awful · Jul 11, 2024

Sean Buick 76 said:
Vin swapping to deceive people is different than putting a different chassis under a cab that you own.

Not in the eyes of the government. We've had way too many shops abuse VIN swapping, and now our federal government has been hammering any shop that doesn't dot their Is and cross their Ts. Canada may be different.

If you do any VIN swapping, you want government sanction on it so that if need be you can stand in front of the judge and show that you tried to do it the right way. When Classic Recreations here in Oklahoma got investigated, the owner got with state legislators and got the law clarified. https://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/21/classic-recreations-spurs-creation-of-new-law-to-help-restorers/

A bill unanimously passed in the [Oklahoma] state legislature earlier this month, SB 38, now clearly sets guidelines for the restoration of classic cars with new or aftermarket parts. A company can now use new body panels if:

Starter car must have a clean title, not a salvage

Replacement panels and/or body must be licensed by the OEM manufacturer

Replacement body must be the same as the original body (year/make/model)

Builder will have to pay "rebody" fee

They will be issued a new title with an asterisk and the word "rebody" on it

Cab swap

someotherguy

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b454rat

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Logan R

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skylark

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Logan R

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