Another question to ask that supports this thread is how everyone views a situation where your early bronco does not have a legible VIN on the frame, or it is completely gone due to rust. The only frame stamped VIN that even has a chance to survive when the frame is really rusty is the one up near the engine. If you have a bronco that you want to save, it is legitimately titled in your name and you pull the body, clean up the frame, and then find that VIN is obliterated due to time and the elements, what do you do in this situation? You could apply for a state issued VIN, or turn in the title to the state and turn it into a trail rig, or part out the bronco, or finish your restoration knowing that the VIN is not on the frame, or do something else like re-stamp it. When a flap disc on a hand grinder goes over the area where the frame VIN is stamped to remove rust scale, is that a form of VIN tampering? If the bronco your grandfather drove every winter in PA through the snow and road salt is now ready for restoration and you find that the VIN is now either incomplete or completely gone due to rust but the frame is otherwise useable, what is everyone's opinion about what is right and wrong?
I expect there will be some who say finish the restoration and do nothing with the frame VIN, but if the vehicle is ever impounded for some reason (stolen then recovered, etc) it most likely will never be turned over to you if they can't verify the legal VIN. Some might say apply for a state issued VIN and continue to enjoy your dad's bronco. Some might suggest you part it out. Then there will be others who say (or think but don't say) to re-stamp the original VIN on what was your grandfather's bronco frame, laws be damned, and keep it alive in his memory.
At the end of the day federal law on VIN tampering is pretty clear, and state laws vary from state to state on how they verify and issue VINs. Just the same, some people have their own opinions based on what the law says and others have opinions based on emotion, passion, or just no care for the law because they want to have a frame VIN match a title for personal reasons or greed. My opinion in the scenario above, just to add to others, is you apply for a state issued VIN and live your life without looking over your shoulder and you still have your grandfather’s bronco.