Frame Swap - 1988 x cab body on 2002 x cab frame?

[RonD]

VIN is for sure stamped in 2 places on the frame and more than likely 3 places, so using a frame that was that rust encrusted probably wouldn't be a good idea, lol

And if ONLY those 2 places were encrusted it would probably be the same as grinding them off as far as an inspector was concerned

You can get a Rebuilt or Salvaged Title in most states, when VINs don't match, and its only a $$ issue when reselling a vehicle, not for a keeper
Although it may cost a few dollars for a Roadworthy inspection to get it re-licensed with new title

 

[ford4wd08]

Why are northern states so anal about all of this stuff? Money?

I don't think the subject of VIN being on the frame comes up here in TN.

All I have to do is produce a title with the VIN on it, the state never lays eyes or touches my vehicle.

 

[Shran]

Do any Rangers have VIN tags on the frame itself? I have sure never seen one...

 

[Snoranger]

Why are northern states so anal about all of this stuff? Money?

I don't think the subject of VIN being on the frame comes up here in TN.

All I have to do is produce a title with the VIN on it, the state never lays eyes or touches my vehicle.

Stolen vehicles or parts from stolen vehicles.

In 2018 there was $6billion in loss from stolen vehicles.

 

[RonD]

Yes, on the VIN on Frame, in the engine bay there will be stamped VIN on the top side frame rail, this is the esiest to find and see
Also under the cab on top side of frame rail usually passenger side, need a mirror to see it

And often above rear axle on frame rail on pickups

Usually always on the top side of frame rail because of the way the machine that stamps them holds them in the jig after they are assembled/welded

 

[Curious Hound]

Go out for a good mud run before taking it to DMV. They won’t search for all that while its dripping or caked in mud. Extra credit for frozen mud/slush/salt/and that greasy goop y'all spray on for winter protection.

 

[RonD]

+1 ^^^

But I would hit the Cow(or horse) Pastures, Mud with Cow Pie debris inhibites in depth inspection, lol

 

[Ramcharger90]

But AWD doesn't do an even split of power, its about 30/70, and 4WD is 50/50

Unless you use a particular year ranger from a Subaru impreza they had true 50/50 somewhere in the 94/01 year range.

 

[Ramcharger90]

Be careful with this idea.

In PA for registration and inspection year, make, model, and VIN are supposed to be tied to the chassis, not the body.

Not to get off into the weeds.... but what shop is looking at that?

 

[Ramcharger90]

Do any Rangers have VIN tags on the frame itself? I have sure never seen one...

Neither have I.

 

[RonD]

Unless you use a particular year ranger from a Subaru impreza they had true 50/50 somewhere in the 94/01 year range.

Pretty neat trick, how did they handle the coupling, there has to a slippage allowed for on dry high traction surfaces

 

[Shran]

I don't go out of my way to look but I have stripped and crushed many, many trucks and built a bunch of pickup box trailers over the years which involves removing the cab from the frame entirely or just chopping it off behind the front cab mounts. I frame swapped my stepside truck as well because it was bent. Not once have I seen anything remotely resembling a VIN number, on a Ranger anyway, but I will have to pay more attention. Totally possible that I missed it.

 

[adsm08]

Not to get off into the weeds.... but what shop is looking at that?

In general nobody is checking for it, particularly on Rangers, because the frames are not VIN'd. However if you show up with a vehicle that has the body and VIN of an 87 Ranger and an SLA suspension it may raise an eyebrow or two.

 

[Curious Hound]

In general nobody is checking for it, particularly on Rangers, because the frames are not VIN'd. However if you show up with a vehicle that has the body and VIN of an 87 Ranger and an SLA suspension it may raise an eyebrow or two.

and how many of the people looking would know that an 87 Ranger didn’t come with SLA?

 

[sgtsandman]

Why are northern states so anal about all of this stuff? Money?

I don't think the subject of VIN being on the frame comes up here in TN.

All I have to do is produce a title with the VIN on it, the state never lays eyes or touches my vehicle.

Yep. Money. And so politicians and bureaucrats can keep their thumb on the population. It seems a good portion of the northern states can't pass up the chance to tax, impose a fee, or regulate just about anything they can get away with.