Legality of cab swap

[ksjh1316]

Going to us my 71 GMC cab on a 67 Chevy SWB that the cab is too far gone what is the proper was to make this change title wise ect. Want to do this right but at the same time don't want to register it as a 71 and have to make it have side markers. Maybe I am over thinking this but don't want future problems with this truck if for some ungodly reason I have to sell her.

[RShaips]

Anybody who knows anything about these trucks will know that its not a 67 because it won't have a small back window. I wouldn't worry about side marker lights, lots of guys fill those in anyway.

[Classic Heartbeat]

Best way to do it legaly is to check with your local department of licencing. I know that here in Washington they give you the option to call it whitch ever year you want. WES

[Classic Heartbeat]

RShaips, The 67s had large rear windows as an option and several do have them. WES

[berencam]

i thought it went off the frame whatever year it is... but dont take my word for it, i am just going by what ive heard.

[ksjh1316]

Ya it will now have a large back window unless I swap the top of the cab to keep the small window otherwise it will have the panoramic view option when the new sheet gets created after rebuild. Another big clue will be the vented door jams. I'll check with my local people here but wanted to know if it was ok to use the vin plate out of the 67 as well. I think older trucks that have repop replacement cabs can do this just curious about ours.

[myoldchevytruck]

My son had an S-10 and we scrapped the truck. We gave them the title and it was then marked as a salvage vehicle, therefore, it was to be used as parts or to be crushed. I sold the scrap cab and a few other things for $50.00. Nuf Said about the S-10.

Now, the same process for your old cab. Salvage/Scrap the cab and surrender the title to them and then have them classify that as salvage. This will then clear that title and as for the cab that you will reinstall, go to your local tag agency and explain to the that the vehicle cab has been replaced and you want to re-register the new vin number. Fees may apply. Get a copy of the salvaged title.

Good Luck

Harry

[Old Chevy Mech]

Are there numbers on the cab somewhere other than that rivited plate?

Frank

[sjarrett71]

Contact your state patrol. They should know the regulations.

[stllookn]

Easiest way is to just switch the old vin plate to the new cab using rosebud rivets and cut up the old cab. You don't want a salvage title and you don't want to get it reinspected...save yourself the grief...just my 0.02!!!!

[myoldchevytruck]

No, Vin Number is only on the cab. On my 69', its on the door jamb on the drivers side. Now days, the vin number is scribed on windows and even some parts.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by stllookn

Easiest way is to just switch the old vin plate to the new cab using rosebud rivets and cut up the old cab. You don't want a salvage title and you don't want to get it reinspected...save yourself the grief...just my 0.02!!!!

[sneakysnake]

If it were me, Id use the vin that I had a clear title for. I know around here the woman at the tag office just takes the #s she couldnt tell you the difference between 67 and 71. As long as the title matches the door jamb nobody should hassle you.

[53lowdown]

If you sell it to an out-of-state buyer, the buyer will have to have it inspected in their state to get a clear title. They will compare the Vin on the cab to the Vin on the frame and to the Vin on the Title - they all have to match. You're going to need matching Vin's on the Cab and Frame.

[918733]

They don't have vin's on the frame being that old. So I've been told.

[918733]

And were would you find the rosebud pop rivets?

[Brad]

Originally Posted by 918733

They don't have vin's on the frame being that old. So I've been told.

'67 & up have frame vin's. I don't know about earlier but I strongly suspect it's been in use for 70 years or more.

[cdowns]

50 different states 50different sets of motor vehiclelaws

[ksjh1316]

Just spoke with the KS tag office they say keep all the paper work and they will issue a new vin to the truck. Man I don't want to have a 17 digit or how ever long they are now vin number. May be easier to just drill out the 71's vin and slap on the 67 tag in the restore process or just use the pilar the vin is on on the 71 who knows. What would you all do get the new vin or just let the next buyer know in advance what had been done.

[centsless]

I took the vin plate off of mine to replace the rockers and cab corners. I just used regular pop rivets to re attach it. The laws are different from state to state, but I would just put the 67 VIN plate on the 71 cab, then it will match the frame ( it is stamped on top of the left frame rail near the steering box). If you are replacing the cab with a used cab, it is not any different than if you replaced it with new parts, then it would not require a VIN change.

[AH619]

Originally Posted by sneakysnake

If it were me, Id use the vin that I had a clear title for. I know around here the woman at the tag office just takes the #s she couldnt tell you the difference between 67 and 71. As long as the title matches the door jamb nobody should hassle you.

I AGREE AND WITH A LITTLE PRACTICE AND A DREMMEL TOOL YOU CAN MATCH THE ROSSETTE RIVITS. I USED A FLY TYING VISE TO HOLD IT AND KEPT PRACTICING. IT WAS BETTER THAN $50.00 A PAIR FOR ORIGINALS. MY 2CENTS

[bobthecop]

In most states it is a felony to swap vin plates, be careful.

[Old Chevy Mech]

Originally Posted by stllookn

Easiest way is to just switch the old vin plate to the new cab using rosebud rivets and cut up the old cab. You don't want a salvage title and you don't want to get it reinspected...save yourself the grief...just my 0.02!!!!

I'm not a criminal, so if it was me and so as long as there are no other numbers, I'd just move the plate over to the new cab, and chop up the old cab. Then I'd take the cab to a scrap yard and NOT an auto junk yard.

Frank

[c10addict]

Swap the vin tag from one to the other... my opnion there is nothing criminal about it..I have done it with these many times.. I have never seen vin numbers in the frame. Its not like a car where the body is all one piece. it would be criminal to buy a title and vin tag from someone else and put it on a truck with a missing title or vin but you own the truck and are changing the cab.. I do not see why it is any different than changing the front clip or the bed.. I think you use your title on the older chvey trucks where you can buy an entire complete cab.. I would not want a new vin issued...sounds like a pain and would let future buyers ask questions.. My 2 cents but then again I am always wrong

[bobthecop]

Swaping vin tags is illigal to prosecute the chop shop guys, call the local DMV and ask how to legally do it. There is always a legal way around these things. In some states there is no title on the older vehicles. Here in Oklahoma, you just do a title 42, $50.00 and 60 days and you get a title in your name. I wasn't calling anyone a criminal, just be cautious. I wouldn't want to see anyone get into trouble. I get to do the same thing, I have a cab and no title, so title 42 route for me.