vin number change

[nosfuel]

is there any way to swap the vin number from one truck to another

 

[Jay FX4]

Sounds illegal....

 

[mn_smokeater]

it is IIRC

 

[adsm08]

What are you trying to do, because the question that was actually asked is so A) illegal, and B) stupid that is should never have been asked in the first place.

Now if you have vehicle A that has had cab swapped over from vehicle B, and you want your vin tag to match your registration and insurance, then yes, its possible to swap the plates, but you need the have the right rivets or you get in big trouble because someone sees that and then they just go and re-vin the whole vehicle.

Its better to just get the title for the vehicle the vin plates came from (you can get a new, clean on generated at the DMV, you just take it down there, tell them what happened, and they look the vehicle over quick to make sure everything is in good shape), and this is probably your best option no matter what your situation is.

If its a door sticker, don't worry about it, in most cases its the metal plate that counts.

 

[Explorin94]

Without going to jail......NO!

 

[Downey]

lol i wasnt sure what people were going to say to this when i saw the title lol

 

[superdave1984]

Unless you have found a rusted out shell of a Boss 429 Mustang that still has an intact VIN, I wouldn't even consider it. It is illegal. However, about that Boss....

 

[Will]

is there any way to swap the vin number from one truck to another

Well, there is a right way to do it, actually. And it depends on your state how hard it is. In Indiana it's called an assembled vehicle. There is a form you fill out in which you describe the vehicles you assembled your new vehicle out of. You have to find a police officer to look at it and confirm it. Then the BMV will send you a new number which you apply to your vehicle. Last, an officer will verify that the number is attached to the assembled vehicle. And then you can register it.

Get on your state code and search for assembled vehicle. In a state with a smog check, this could all be very different and more complicated. Or impossible. In any case, I'll bet your state code is online and you will have a better answer there.

In Indiana, it is a felony to even possess a VIN tag that is not attached to a vehicle. But you intentions of owning it will play a big part in what the county prosecutor does to you if you get arrested for something involing the tag. I can buy a Ranger for less than the cost of a 2 hour visit with an effective lawyer. So it's much better to avoid it altogether and do it right.

 

[Xandor]

Haha I thought about asking this same question but didnt wana be the guy everyone thinks is a tard. I Mite be buying another bronco II now that mine is dead, thought I could save money on all the bullcrap at the bmv by swaping the VIN off my old BII to the new one. Everything at the BMV is a rip.

 

[Hopman]

Unless you have found a rusted out shell of a Boss 429 Mustang that still has an intact VIN, I wouldn't even consider it. It is illegal. However, about that Boss....

What about a Hemi 'Cuda droptop or a COPO Camero?

 

[erocka1982]

sure you can do it, but lose the paper trail starting with deleting this thread...haha

 

[superdave1984]

What about a Hemi 'Cuda droptop or a COPO Camero?

Yes to the 'Cuda, but i don't do chevys.

 

[AllanD]

Legally it is a variable depending on state law.

Here in PA I can replace ANY part of my truck if the purpose is "rust repair"

I can even replace the FRAME as part of one repair and the body as part of another.

TECHNICALLY speaking they are a bit more anal about frame numbers which was one of the minor reasons I kept my original frame when I did my 4x4 conversion even thought I had (and still have) a complete supercab frame set

HOWEVER I already HAD another cab so I'm eventually planning on replacing that as well...

As for the "special rivets" presuming you aren't trying to re-VIN a stolen vehicle and giving you a constitutionally required "presumption of innocence" I will tell you that if you remove the dashboard the BOTTOM of the rivets are accessable
you can use a sharp (read brand new) flush cutting diagonal cutter and remove most of the back side of the rivet and can usually with care and either a thin knife blade or thin screwdriver pry the VIN tag off...


Personally I'd go a step further... Take a dremel tool with a sharp rotary burr (Carbide not stone) and cut away the back side of the rivets until the VIN tag literally falls off.

You can do the entire job of remving the stem of the rivet
with a dremel but carefully avoid cutting too lon on any one rivet becasue cutting makes them heat up and the thin plastic covering on the VIN tag is easily damaged by heat

At that point a dab of Cyanoacrylate (super glue, preferably the "Gel" kind) will hold the rivet heads to the VIN tag, then you can use the thin "heavy duty"double stick foam emblem mounting tape. to put the Vin tag on the mounting tab.

The VIN will be firmly mounted and if the grey tape if carefully trimmed with a razor blade, will be invisible and will appear "kosher" to all but the most intrusive examination.

trim the tape to the EDGE of the tag as a gap UNDER the tag that is supposed to be riveted to a sheet metal tab... a GAP visible at the edge of two pieces that are supposed to be riveted together would be "noticeable"

Referencing the TV show CSI "Grissom" might notice it but nobody else would without intentionally smashing out the windshield.

for the final touch? toss a canadian dime on to
the dash so it falls onto the VIN tag

AD

 

[adsm08]

Legally it is a variable depending on state law.

that as well...

As for the "special rivets" presuming you aren't trying to re-VIN a stolen vehicle and giving you a constitutionally required "presumption of innocence" I will tell you that if you remove the dashboard the BOTTOM of the rivets are accessable
you can use a sharp (read brand new) flush cutting diagonal cutter and remove most of the back side of the rivet and can usually with care and either a thin knife blade or thin screwdriver pry the VIN tag off...



AD

I came across the information about these rivets from my auto prof. He had a 72 mustang that he was restoring after it had burned, and as part of this repair he was cleaning all metal parts of the interior. He took the vin tag off to clean it, and to get under it and then riveted it back on, not knowing about them not being just standard hardware store rivets. After he got it all back together he went down to the DMV to get it registered and the guy said "those aren't the right rivets, you changed the tag and I gotta issue the car a new VIN."