Reproduction VIN tag
 

Hi. This is my first post, and I'm restoring my first truck. It's a 70 C/20 350/400 2wd longbed (non A/C).

I bought it from a guy who bought it from a guy who committed suicide while the restoration had already started (approx 5 years ago). He stripped and painted the entire engine bay and interior. The level of detail is amazing. Unfortunately, somewhere between then and now, the VIN tag got lost. He also stripped the glove box, along with the rest of the interior for a repaint, and the trim decal is gone.

It's nothing exotic, like a COPO Camaro or Superbird, but I'd like to have an original (appearing) VIN tag in place. Because it's been off the books so long, I need to take it to DMV for inspection, and don't want to raise any red flags. The truck is legit, still has the license plate and VIN on the latest (1995) pink slip.

I've read tonite via this great site that I can verify the VIN on the driver's side framerail, and I'll check it next time I'm at the paint shop.

SO......... I'm hoping someone has a resource for accurate VIN tag reproductions. I've found someone who charges $195.00, and includes the original style rivets, but he normally does the typical musclecars, and has never done a truck. I intend to remove a tag from a wrecking yard '70 truck, and send it in for a match.

However, I'd prefer to check with all of you and see if you've used anyone, and what the results were.

I know this is a touchy subject, but I can assure you the truck is legit. I just want it to be whole again.

Thanks in advance for all your help!!! I'll be at the Brothers show in July, with my red/white longbed.

Rupen
70 LWB

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

Good looking truck. I've never heard of anyone reproducing VIN tags, so I'm no help there. Welcome to the board!:D

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

thanks! i was hoping for more replies, but i guess it's pretty late, especially back east. i'll try again tomorrow nite.

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

You won`t find those reproduced.That`s like a stem cell for these trucks,if you know what I mean.I`d call the CA MVA and inquire before physically presenting the truck.You should have enough documentation to satisfy them with the serial# on the frame matching the pink.But...you never know.Some states can get really nasty on that.The problem is,if all is copesthetic,they`ll want to give you an MVA VIN-plate and you want original.I`d seek out a junker and use it`s title/VIN-plate.The frame #s are the least to be concerned with.If you want it all to match up to your actual truck as far as model,try to find a CE2 fleetside truck.If you search the underworld you`ll find the the tin and paper and screw the rest of the truck.You can`t ask for that here,but that stuff is out there.Good lick to ya.

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

i would say getahold of the DMV or what ever you call it out there... it'd really suck to finish your ride, only to hand the keys over to some hippy at the state.

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

thanks for the info. i think i'm gonna go with the source i found, and risk the 200 clams. i hate the idea of a some crappy aluminum strip tag pop riveted carelessly to my door jamb.

i'll keep y'all posted!

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

I would STRONGLY recommend you not mess with that type of thing.

Here in California, it's a felony to mess with vins in just about any way..

You will need a brake and light inspection from a certified shop also if its out of DMV. DMV will issue you a vin if yours is gone..

Good luck and please send more pic's of your truck.. it looks great from what we have seen so far.

Re: Reproduction VIN tag (MORE PICS)
 

as requested, here are some more pics. these are the "as purchased" pics, fresh outta the PO's garage.

PS anybody want that steering wheel? free, if you pay shipping.

PPS anybody know what that rear end is? truck rears are new to me. where can i check for ID numbers, and is there a good link for decoding them?

thanks again all!!!!

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

I would like to have the steering wheel. I will PM you.

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

looks great, should be a fun project.

Can't really see the rear to answer your question though..

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

Show me your rear.Wait,the didn`t come out right.If the diff cover is round it`s the corporate rear,also known as the Eaton HO52.It was used through`72.

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

Well, here in California. You will have to take all of your documentation down to the DMV, get a permit , then to the CHP where they will issue a VIN, then back to the DMV. Somewhere inbetween you will have to obtain a Brake and Lamp inspection.



edit: forgot to mention that the truck will have to be weighed also, for the commercail fees--doncha just luv cali

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

OK. So, I'm nowhere near the truck, so getting more pics of the rear can't happen right now. I'll try to get some more soon.

Regarding the DMV fees... I was able to sweet-talk the gal at DMV to skip that part, since I still had the previous pink slip, and all numbers were intact, and the pink states the weight rating. :)

I hope I don't regret it, but I'm gonna get the repop VIN tag made, judge it's quality and appearance, and if all looks good, try to pass it through the system. As far as THE MAN knows, there's currently no missing tag or issue.

BTW... would any of you mind sending me a pic of your 1970 VIN plate? Please block out the numbers, I don't need them. I've noticed a few different versions on wrecking yard trucks. Some are a single large 3x4 plate, and some are two smaller (business card size) plates, where the top one only has the GM mumbo jumbo, and the lower tag is ONLY for the VIN.

Thanks!!!!

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

small double plates are 69 and older.

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

Very nice truck. What is youre red called?

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

don't know what the red is. PO painted the engine bay and interior, and I just had the body shop do a color match.....

it's ridiculously bright.

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

"PS anybody want that steering wheel? free, if you pay shipping."

i might be interested. could you take a picture of it for me?
thanks.

btw... where is the trim tag supposed to be located? i was trying to find mine the other day.

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

there is no trim tag on these trucks

UPDATE Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

OK, so update on the VIN tag:

i found a 70 c/20 in the wrecking yard today!!! here's the question i'm hoping you all can help me with:

are the weight ratings stamped into the tag the same for all c/20s of a given year? or does it matter with options installed?

here's what's listed. i'm hoping you guys can share your listings:

gvw 5000/5000

max front 2500/2500

max rear 2948/3500

the number on the left is "as manufactured", and the number on the right is "maximum capability".

the donor truck was a c/20 2wd longbed, no a/c wood bed. 350/400 auto. in other words, identical to mine except the wood bed vs. my steel floor, and my pink slip lists the weight as 4133. i don't want to screw with that number. please let me know what you guys show on your tags. thanks!!!!!

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

OK, here goes.

I've been lurking here for a while to get ideas for my 69 S/B fleet. I'm also a CHP officer and was the VIN officer in Sacto for the last 10 years. Possession of that VIN plate is a felony. Possession of any vehicle without VIN numbers is in violation of 10751 of the Vehicle Code and subject to impoundment until it can be verified that it is not stolen. Before you sink a bunch of money into the project to finish it out, go to your local CHP office and make an appointment to get your VIN verified. Unfortunately, they will give you a "blue tag" that is a foil sticker that is pop riveted to the cab of your truck (it's ugly as ****).

I've had hundreds of guys come to me who have purchased vehicles without vins and when I did the verification, it turned out that the vehicle had been stolen (I once recovered a Hardley that was stolen in 1971). Strangely enough, the paperwork for the vehicle that they purchased did not match the frame number or the confidential #'s. The only real reason to take the VIN plate off is to hide the vehicle's identity. Any competent painter can paint around one and make it look good so that's not a viable excuse).

Contrary to other posts, the only number that counts for a vehicle is the frame number. When you do a cab switch, technically it needs to go the the CHP and have a blue sticker applied so the cab numbers can match the frame number. But for future reference and other people in this situation--Don't take the old/different VIN plate off of the cab--let the officer see it or he can take and crush that cab (again, read 10751 CVC)

Do you really know that the "paperwork" that was given you matches the truck you have in your possession? If it does, then you are lucky and take your original course of action (I hope he can do a good job because if it looks hinky and a CHP sees it, again it can be impounded for 10751 CVC)

Not trying to piss on your parade, just trying to help out before it costs $$$$$$$$.

BigBaldy

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

The weight tag on my 72 c20 reads 6700 as manafactured 7500Max front as man 3000 3000 max rear 4880 as man 5500 max But it also lists heavy duty front and rear springs on the line tag in the glove box and has rear leafs. :metal:

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

Big Baldy you are correct any competent painter can paint around that plate but most guys I know have removed them before spraying. The guy who shot my K10 actually installed mine upside down! I had him drill it out and flip it back over. There is also a member on here who has a truck without a VIN plate. He has a title that matches the VIN on the glovebox door and he was allowed to register his truck. Apparently things are much more laid back in Georgia. I'm not disputing anything you posted as it sounds like you are quite knowledgeable of the subject. I'm just posting some additional info as well. Oh and welcome to the board!:)

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

Lots of good info, bigbaldy, Welcome to the boards!!

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

Yeah, I've recovered lots of vehicles that were "legally" registered in other states and then moved to CA. That's why CA requires that all vehicles coming from other states go through a CHP inspection prior to being issued a CA title. It seems like other states don't care if your shtuff gets stolen.

My whole concern is to prevent him from investing money into something that eventually comes back as a stolen and he ends up losing it all.

See Ten:
When the guy re-installed your plate did he use the correct rivet or just a regular pop rivet. That's one of the dead giveaways of possible VIN switch stolen. Try to get the correct rivets if he didn't use them.

Thanks for the welcome

BigBaldy

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

BigBaldy, thanks for the info! The original VIN was removed for painting (not my choice), and it got lost somewhere along the way. Unfortunately, the guy who did it is dead, so he's not telling me anything.

I've tried to find the original VIN on the frame. I understand it's somewhere on the driver's side, near the power steering, but I can't seem to locate anything resembling numbers there. The license plate matches the one on the pink slip, which of course also lists the VIN.

After sending these same pics to my VIN tag reproducer, he decided there is too much text to successfully reproduce, so he's backed out, leaving me with no option but to go to CHP and get the crappy blue tag put on.

Will they assign a NEW VIN number, or just put the existing one on the tag?

Again, thanks for the info. I'm not trying to hide anything, or be deceptive.

Much appreciated, and welcome!!!!!

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

yeah im kinda in the same boat. i have a cab that is trash and one thats good but doesnt have a title.

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

You can get a title (in Texas) for the cab. I did the same thing on a Mopar I have. I just did a goggle search for vehicle title companies. It was like $150 for the title.

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

I understand that in WA State the VIN follows the cab. Now I have heard conflicting information in that regard. If you don't have a title (signed/released by the original owner) in this state...you are pretty much forked...your vehicle will go to a towing yard and owner of record will get notices, then it goes to the auction.

Rupdog, who is the owner of record? If it is the dead guy...or was the title transfered to your friend then you? Just curious.

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

I was glad to see the last post. Always do it right, then no one can take your ride away. The problem with getting a vin plate from a vehicle at a wrecking yard, is that the veh may be stolen, then when you try to get a title, bye bye there goes your ride. Altering a vin is a crime. Do it right and stay legal.

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

I don't know your "whole" story, but every old car and truck I've bought from dead and live guys never had to go to the DMV or CHP (some had Vin tags others didn't). I just took my bill of sale (which is usually just a piece of paper saying I #### sold the truck to ### for ### on this date ##/##/##) and the pink slip, paid the fees and walked out with tags. Everytime I've been pulled over they just want the registration paper and my license. Have I just been lucky up to this point?
Dano

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

watching and learnign here .
it wasnt a good idea to show the vin plate with the numbers in clear view , if someone is realy bleu collar he could give those numbers to the dmv telling them that they come of another truck and they just have to do a search on the number when you bring it in and it comes up with bells and redlights flashing .
i live in europe and from wat i read our way of registration matches california pretty close , we have an added thing here when a vehicle is 25 years or older we dont have to pay roadtax for it no more wish for a 1950 kilo truck on propane is about 1450 euro per year
so 1981 and earlier models are pretty sought after as a complete truck or only for there registration as one year driving sets you back 1500 dollar there bringing in lots of money over here
a clunker costs 6500 euro here a showroommodel more then new price .
where a bit lucky that our inspection guys arent realy intoo the american trucks as in preciese differences in modelyear and that sortah stuff so most of the time we get away with chainging the vinplate and turning in the "original " papers for a dutch licence

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

It's hard to talk alot about this subject as that the majority of the stuff that we (CHP) use to identify a vehicle is confidential. The newer cars of today have literally hundreds of ways to identify them. The older a vehicle gets though, the less options there are for identification. I can't (because of confidentiality issues) confirm or deny where the secondary/confidential identification numbers are on our trucks. I'm sure that some of you know where some of those secret numbering places are from working on them.

What concerns me is that some of you may become victims by buying a truck that has been stolen and VIN switched or sold just based upon the paperwork. It's sad to see how other states are very lackadaisical and are basically setting up people to purchase a vehicle that isn't legal.

Remember: If a deal is too good to be true, it usually is. Buying a $10,000 truck for $500 will make you $500 poorer. I've never seen a great deal like that work out for the purchaser. Here are some tips and questions you might ask yourself that might help you in the future when it comes to buying a truck (or any vehicle for that matter):

1. Never buy a vehicle based on the paperwork only. Always check to make sure that the paperwork matches the actual VIN on the dash or the door. There have been several occasions where a person has come to me with good paperwork that didn’t even come close to matching the real VIN in the dash---he just failed to look.
2. Always get GOOD identification from the person that you are buying the vehicle from (driver’s license etc). Some people like to do deals away from their home (which isn’t such a bad idea). If the car does come back stolen, you at least want to tell the police the person that you purchased the vehicle from.
3. Make sure that the paperwork shows that the seller is the owner of the vehicle. There are lots of cases where people “obtained” a vehicle via a crank deal or some other debt (some people even leave their pink slips in the glove box!), never put it in their name and when the original owner found out that the person they let “borrow” the car sold it, they report the vehicle stolen and you get the car taken from you. You then have to go through the hassle of trying to get your money back (good luck). It just takes a trip to the DMV and a couple of bucks to put it in their name. Make them do it.
4. There is nothing wrong with having a VIN officer look at the car before a purchase to make sure it is all legal. You’ll just have to make an appointment to do so. It’s kind of like getting a mechanical inspection prior to purchase.
5. Go to your local DMV and see if there are any leans, parking tickets or back registration fees due on the vehicle. Sometimes the back registration fees alone are more than the purchase price of the vehicle.

Some of this stuff may seem overkill but in the end you won’t be giving some crook your hard earned money.

BigBaldy

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

kinda on the same note if you paint you vehicle how can you update that information on the regisration and title?

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

The more work/time/effort you all put into investigating the title and registration history is well spent. Also, its a great idea to verify the tags are really current when getting just a pink slip for a car.

I have stopped many people over the years who thought their tags were good for another 10-11 months because of stickers (and just have the pink slip), they later find out there are tons of back fees, and stolen tags on the back of the vehicle..

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

The more work/time/effort you all put into investigating the title and registration history is well spent. Also, its a great idea to verify the tags are really current when getting just a pink slip for a car.

I have stopped many people over the years who thought their tags were good for another 10-11 months because of stickers (and just have the pink slip), they later find out there are tons of back fees, and stolen tags on the back of the vehicle..

Research is your key to a total lack of financial frustrations.. and if its going to be parked in the garage for a couple of years while you do stuff, non-op is your friend..

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

owner of record was the dead guy. i had to complete paperwork (2 bills of sale). one showed transfer from dead guy to PO, then from PO to me. i had to send the first one to dead guy's mother out-of-state (power of attorney), to sign everything off.

because the truck has been off the road for 10 years (or more), DMV requires a new inspection. all the other paperwork was submitted, and accepted without too much issue. SO... pending a CHP inspection, and brake/lamp certification, the truck will officially be in my name, and i'll get new plates/stickers. only red flag will be the missing VIN at time of inspection, which is what all this is about...

wew! i'm pooped.

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

Just to toss my two cents in for Nevada... I just took my 62 C10 down to the DMV for what I thought I would need. Which is a VIN inspection, since I had to do a VIN inspection with my 63 C10. After I got there, I discovered that no VIN inspection required on my 62 since it already has a Nevada title that has been signed over to me. My 63 had a California title. So it required a VIN inspection. The frame VIN is stamped into the frame right above the front crossmember on the drivers side. Just lateral of where the motor mount would be or where the motor mount perch sits.

The reason I was concerned about my 62 is because the cab VIN tag is gone. The PO claimed that it had "fallen off"..... Now we all know that is BULL****.. they don't just fall off.... the rivets have to be drilled out. In my case, I think the previous previous owner... wanted a keepsake.. Didn't matter, since the frame matches the title. When I took it to the DMV today, they looked at the title.... told me that as long as the frame matches the title, I am good to go...

Here is my 62 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post8069672

and my 63 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=605207

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

I realize this is a really old thread but just to your point, IIRC, my '62 and possibly my '63 had VIN tags that were poorly spot welded to the windshield post.

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

The taskforce trucks for sure are welded on.

Re: Reproduction VIN tag
 

I talked to DPS in Texas and it is like BigDaddy said for California, they go by the VIN on the frame not the one on the CAB. I am putting a 68 Cab on a 67 frame. and have both titles.