Glove box VIN title mismatch

[jpc1970]

Hi All
A few years ago I bought a glove box with a out of state title from a member here. The title is signed on the back by the owner. Well long story short I started the process of transferring the title to California and discovered the vin printed on the title is off by 1 letter. The glove box VIN is correct. So I started to get concerned and ran a check on the VIN from the glove box which came up as registered in Arizona. Now I’m not sure if I got scammed or if the VIN search might be old? It does list a status of current. I used the VINdatadotcom site. Is it possible the record that came up is incorrect or out of date? Any ideas on how or if I could move forward?

 

[ngsd]

Never Buy a VIN! The only VIN that matters is on the Frame. Hard lessons

 

[thegreatjustino]

So you bought a title and glovebox without getting the frame or even the VIN section of the frame? There's a reason there's all kinds of threads on this board about the illegalities of doing this...

 

[Broncobowsher]

You are looking at a Felony. Jail time.
You didn't buy a VIN, that is stamped on the frame rail. You bought a glove box door that has a non-offical copy of the VIN number on it. That is the warranty tag used for when the dealer needed to do warranty work. Nothing offical there.

What you have is a title, not properly transfered, and nothing else. In short, you have nothing. Trying to transfer it to another vehicle is illegal. Very much so. VIN tampering is a federal crime. And that is what you are attempting to do.

What to do now. Go to the top of the passenger frame rail and copy down the VIN stamped in it. Then you get into state specific rules. You need to apply for a title for that VIN. And while at it you can go to Marti and get a reproduction glove box tag that matches the chassis VIN, but I would wait until you get the title and proper ownership taken care of first. Not being California I don't know the specifics, I think you can use a 3rd party DMV? Maybe go through the highway patrol? Someone with California experience will chime in and help with that part.

Expect it to be a lot of paperwork. A pain in general. But there are proper ways to do this without being a criminal. And shortcut ways where you are a criminal. And the shortcut ways may get you by for now, but it will come back to haunt you later. When the papertrail comes back to you swapping VINs. Could be something as simple as a bad traffic stop, an insurance claim. Or selling it to someone else who runs into mixed VIN issues and the go back to you. Just do it right.

 

[jpc1970]

Hi thanks for responding. This is good advice

 

[jpc1970]

Also I do have the frame but the vin is not readable at all. Surface corrosion has removed it

 

[AZ73]

Also I do have the frame but the vin is not readable at all. Surface corrosion has removed it

It may look like it's eroded but go over it with steel wool until you get the frame down past the paint. The number should stand out. And there can be 2 different places the VIN is stamped on the frame. One by the starter, the other towards the back by a frame mount.

 

[ngsd]

Or on top of the frame under the door area is another popular spot

 

[thegreatjustino]

Not being California I don't know the specifics, I think you can use a 3rd party DMV?

$321 for a title through Ken with Peninsula Registration Services

Peninsula Registration Services

Peninsula Registration Services - Your DMV Concierge

www.peninsularegistrationservices.com

 

[Timmy390]

Can't the CHiP's run the vin an see whom it's registered to and where?

What state was the title you "bought" issued in?

Tim

 

[bmc69]

Also I do have the frame but the vin is not readable at all. Surface corrosion has removed it

No it hasn't. the way they are stamped imprints a change in the surface grain very deep in to the metal. It can take a lot of patience to "draw it out" but its there.

 

[FordBronc]

Lots of place to look that frame over for a stamped VIN. Some hard to access with the body on. Blue tape is vin location. Arrow is another view of the vin. Cleaned areas are vin locations.

Marti Auto for repop tags. https://www.martiauto.com/tags.cfm

IMO....so when you bought the Bronco you should of located the frame vin/vins, confirmed it matched the paper title vin. And then compared it to the glove box "warranty tag". And then you should also check the dvrs side B pillar Safety Certification "white " sticker, for a vin match also. ALL FOUR should match. Unless you bought a untitled parts pile.

I would just to TALK to the state/town DMV folks and ask them questions and find out what are the regulations you need to follow. I would not go in there full disclosure of your situation. Just ask questions and find out what you need to do.

As far as messed up or different vins, imagine this. Get it insured with one vin, be driving, get in a wreck, your fault or theirs. Insurance adjuster (yours or theirs) goes digging and bam wrong or mis matched actual vin and BAM you are not covered by your insurance for that accident.

Good luck.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Not all years have the white sticker on the B-pillar.
'66 (maybe '67?) have the glovebox tag on the driver's kick panel.

So there are a few variations between years.

 

[jpc1970]

Thanks everyone for this fantastic information. It’s very helpful and it has helped me a lot. I’m sure it can help others as well!

 

[FordBronc]

Not all years have the white sticker on the B-pillar. '66 (maybe '67?) have the glovebox tag on the driver's kick panel. So there are a few variations between years.

Thanks, yes I forget that all the time. I am a 71 & 73 owner. The 73 does not have the B pillar (to put a sticker on) and the glove box door is not mounted yet. At least the #'s all match between the frame vin, the glove box door tag and the paper title.

 

[hummerdan]

Don’t mean to hijack but has any ever seen a bronco with two different VIN #s?

Both VINs are stamped in the correct location, one above the other. Bronco is registered and the original data tag and registration matches one of the VINs

 

[bronkenn]

I would be a little suspect on that.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Don’t mean to hijack but has any ever seen a bronco with two different VIN #s?

Both VINs are stamped in the correct location, one above the other. Bronco is registered and the original data tag and registration matches one of the VINs

Just one location or all locations. If just one, the VIN stamping guy was a little hung over that Monday morning and had to correct it. If all of them, then they both need to be run as it could be very suspect.

 

[blade]

If you can find a vin on your frame you can do a vin inspection, most of them are done by local law enforcement or in some states you can go to an independent mvd. Then you can purchase a bond and apply for a bonded title. If you can find someone in your state who has gone through the process it really helps.

 

[Oldtimer]

Don’t mean to hijack but has any ever seen a bronco with two different VIN #s?

Both VINs are stamped in the correct location, one above the other. Bronco is registered and the original data tag and registration matches one of the VINs

What are the differences in VINs?

For example:
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 4 _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 8 _ _ _