New Frame, how does the VIN and title work?

[Prizefighter]

I wanted to order a new frame from JBG, I believe they are Art Morrison, for my restoration project. How will that work with titling the vehicle since there is no VIN stamped in it? It won't be a problem in my state but if I ever sell it to a buyer who lives in a state that requires it to be there, how will they register it?

I know the topic of VIN, frame, warranty tag, title matching has been brought up a lot lately but I haven't seen anybody address a new frame with no VIN stamping that I found.

 

[okie4570]

Did JBG give any suggestions?

 

[Crawdad]

I feel as long as you have the original frame you should be safe. I'd document the swap with your DMV in case they wanna take a few pics for their records. But I bet it would be a bear storing it around the house. Not like you can hang it with the ladders behind the house!

 

[luke]

No issues. Just do it.

 

[Nothing Special]

I'm no expert on this, but from what I've read on other sites the registration generally goes with the VIN on the body, so as long as the title matches the VIN plate on the body you would be alright.

 

[DirtDonk]

Definitely are work-arounds in most, if not all states. But like anything else DMV related, "your results may vary by state" would be the best way to think about it.
If your old frame is MIA, there's nothing you can do about it. If you have it and are going to scrap it, cut one of the VIN's off of it as a keepsake just in case.
Otherwise check with your own DMV to see what they say. Then call them again another day to talk to a different person to see what THEY say!

But parts get rusted out, damages in accidents and replaced. It's a fact of automotive life and most states have a way to deal with it.
Should be pretty straightforward.

And keep your receipt of the new frame for future reference.

Paul

 

[Prizefighter]

I called JBG and they gave me the number to the place that builds them, Throttle Down Kustoms. I called TDK and they said you take the part of the old frame with the VIN and weld it in the new frame where it should be or have the VIN stamped in the new frame...

Going to call my state's (TX) DMV and see. I know in Arkansas if you have a new frame or a kit car they issue you a Specialty Vehicle Title. I don't really want that because I want to keep the original Bronco VIN.

 

[DirtDonk]

Sounds like it should be pretty straightforward then. Even if your state wants to put you in that specialty category, just don't tell them what you're doing and go with what the manufacturer said. Since most inspections don't check the frame, and even if they did they'd still find the VIN clearly showing, I can't imagine they'd track you down and force you to convert to an SVT.

Good luck though! After all, this is still a DMV, no matter what state we're talking about here.%)

Paul

 

[Broncobowsher]

I recall the VIN is in 2 places on the frame, not just the one on the passenger frame rail.

My thought would be to cut out the VINs and ship them off to the frame builder and have the frame be ordered as a "frame repair" that still has the VIN numbers on it. They just customized every part of the frame except where the VIN is at. So long as it isn't a "new" frame and only a repaired one it should fly just fine. I've never seen it specified that you can't repair a frame, even if 98% of it is replaced.

 

[Crush]

There are no vin tags on the body of a bronco. They are warranty plates or information stickers. The only vin on a bronco that is used for identification purposes according to federal law is the one stamped on the frame in the known two places. Sometimes a third. Most every state ,if the registration process is correctly followed, a vehicle without a frame vin will be issued a state serial number. This does not include unibody vehicles because they have no frame. Also cutting the serial number out of the frame or body and placing it in another frame or body is considered serial number tampering and is against the law. The correct way to register a throttle down customs frame or krawlers edge frame or any other replacement fram is with kit car registration in which the state will issue a vin for that vehicle. The only exception to this i know of is if the frame comes with a serial number from the manufacture. Then you can show this on the titling paperwork but most cases you will then recieve a reconstructed title because if the frame needed replaced it woukd have been considered a total in the states eyes.

But all states are different. If your bronco isnt ever goin to leave your state then do what you want. But it will adventually be someone elses nightmare if you dont do it the right way the first time

Also do not call your dtate dmv and ask them about removing or cutting serial numbers out and putting them on another. They will have you arrested as a car their. Lol

 

[Prizefighter]

There are no vin tags on the body of a bronco. They are warranty plates or information stickers. The only vin on a bronco that is used for identification purposes according to federal law is the one stamped on the frame in the known two places. Sometimes a third. Most every state ,if the registration process is correctly followed, a vehicle without a frame vin will be issued a state serial number. This does not include unibody vehicles because they have no frame. Also cutting the serial number out of the frame or body and placing it in another frame or body is considered serial number tampering and is against the law. The correct way to register a throttle down customs frame or krawlers edge frame or any other replacement fram is with kit car registration in which the state will issue a vin for that vehicle. The only exception to this i know of is if the frame comes with a serial number from the manufacture. Then you can show this on the titling paperwork but most cases you will then recieve a reconstructed title because if the frame needed replaced it woukd have been considered a total in the states eyes.

But all states are different. If your bronco isnt ever goin to leave your state then do what you want. But it will adventually be someone elses nightmare if you dont do it the right way the first time

Also do not call your dtate dmv and ask them about removing or cutting serial numbers out and putting them on another. They will have you arrested as a car their. Lol

I talked to the state, who then told me to call the regional tax office, who then told me to call the local police. The officer was pretty nice and seemed like it could be done, just going to take a lot of driving around from city to city with this frame for one person to the next to inspect it as I go through the steps. All the places I have to drive are about 2 hours from me, with a trailer in tow hauling the bare frame.

 

[duffymahoney]

I would have the vin cut and welded in the new frame and never worry or tell anyone else about it, unless you sell it.

 

[Crawdad]

I talked to the state, who then told me to call the regional tax office, who then told me to call the local police. The officer was pretty nice and seemed like it could be done, just going to take a lot of driving around from city to city with this frame for one person to the next to inspect it as I go through the steps. All the places I have to drive are about 2 hours from me, with a trailer in tow hauling the bare frame. The state is going to issue me a special VIN number.

Next question, how will this state assigned VIN affect my value? I wanted to keep the factory VIN. This Bronco is a 1975 Ranger 302/C4.

I would push the issue that you have a legit bronco with matching VIN , that's why I said to keep the frame. I wouldn't cut it up unless I had to. I'd show the DMV your legit frame and get it titled as such. Then go home and build your bronco on new frame. I'd get a Marti tag for the glovebox door. It won't be the official VIN but some DMVs won't know any better. I can't give an opinion on the "special VIN" but I wouldn't buy an EB with first matching the title to the frame. In SC I found that out the hard way by buying a frame from out of state. I'd probably stay away from a "special VIN" bronco as well bc it may affect the value when trying to sell it down the road. But that's me, other will disagree. But if you had a bronco with all the correct paperwork with matching frame, regardless if it's sitting on a new custom frame, I'd buy it.

Also, my DMV said if I were to remove/ cut out the VIN section that I would be breaking the law that carries stiff penalties and possible time in jail. If I bought a high priced bronco and discovered the PO cut n swapped out VIN stamps there would be one helluva lawsuit.

 

[West Tn Dawg]

I would just stamp the number in the new frame, destroy the old one so it could not resurface later down the road. Don't tell anyone, and no one will ever know! They look for the VIN and there it is. Case closed.
Why make this complicated?

 

[Prizefighter]

I would just stamp the number in the new frame, destroy the old one so it could not resurface later down the road. Don't tell anyone, and no one will ever know! They look for the VIN and there it is. Case closed.
Why make this complicated?

I don't want any problems down the road.

 

[taipeichris]

I agree with West TN Dawg, just stamp the vin on the new frame, consider it as "part of the restoration process," and enjoy your new frame.

Crush,
Where are the 2 or 3 location on the frame that the vin might be stamped? I have an early 66 and I don't recall ever seeing the vin on my frame.

Thank you!

 

[Prizefighter]

Crush,
Where are the 2 or 3 location on the frame that the vin might be stamped? I have an early 66 and I don't recall ever seeing the vin on my frame.

Thank you!

I've seen it on the passenger side further back in front of the rear axle on some of my frames in addition to the place we know near the starter location.

 

[EB70]

I'm in the midst of a frame off project right now. On my 67 it has the starter area VIN and then another one back about 30" or so, same rail on the top. There maybe other places, but I haven't seen any yet.

 

[Crawdad]

Rear stamp

Here is the spot for the rear VIN stamp circled in red. Disregard the weed eater.

 

[67RT]

Get the state issued VIN.. I would buy your truck with upgraded frame. I have a state vin because some jackass swapped the glovebox on mine. Even though the Marti for my frame VIN matches my original paint Bronco, MD MVA required a state VIN to be issued. It was strange since they are a frame VIN state and mine was clearly legible and clearly matched my truck (old title VIN matched bad glovebox VIN).

Don't stamp frames, don't swap glovebox doors. May be done with good intentions, but others will view it as an attempt to defraud/hide something.