Repurposing bronco frames

[bigmuddy]

So I recently had an interaction with a guy that passes thru the area and all over the US as well, and buys primarily bronco frames and titles although he would prefer just the frames, he also buys whole bronco's for the frames too.

Anyway, he is blasting and coating the frames then taking them out west and I assume various other places for shops to build new Bronco's.

I really am having a hard time understanding why you would do this from a shop perspective as you could buy a TDK frame or similar for slightly more money and know you had a quality frame to build off of. The used one's have rot and likely undetermined frame issues which I would be concerned about.

So, how many "nicely built" broncos are likely on the road that have compromised titles?

 

[chuddy]

Presumably you're talking about Bill Karpovich. I also don't understand why you would buy a frame without a valid vin (since he sells the title and tags separately from the frame). He obviously has found a market for these, I just don't get it!

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[bigmuddy]

Presumably you're talking about Bill Karpovich. I also don't understand why you would buy a frame without a valid vin (since he sells the title and tags separately from the frame). He obviously has found a market for these, I just don't get it!

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Chuddy, I don't want to get into names.

Yeah, that weird as most of the builders I know are using the old bronco title. But maybe in the western states you have to retitle as a new car or builder car or something?

 

[serial car restorer]

But maybe in the western states you have to retitle as a new car or builder car or something?

In Oregon, if the DMV people are paying attention to the state requirements, you need a title and frame that have machining VINs. (Officially, the glovebox tag is irrelevant since it is not a legal VIN.) If the title and frame don't match, or the frame VIN is missing or illegible, you get a state-assigned VIN and the title is branded as 'Reconstructed' or 'Replica' (aka 'kit car'). So a matching title and frame are much more desirable around here. No idea about other states.

 

[Colo77Bronco]

In Colorado vehicles coming in from out of state require VIN verification on the FRAME. If frame VIN not legible requires a reconstructed or replica tag as well and is subject to current Emissions standard. That was the only reason I did not use s TDK frame as the starting point for my build. Once registered in Colorado, they don’t require the vehicle inspection to change register with a new owner. There can be problems with insurance if an accident occurs and the VIN cannot be verified however. Insurance companies are keen to people using the same insurance and registration on multiple vehicles such as someone having multiple TDK broncos. They require frame VIN verification for insurance payout if in an accident sometimes especially high dollar payouts.

 

[serial car restorer]

In Colorado vehicles coming in from out of state require VIN verification on the FRAME.

That is a good addition to my Oregon post above. The VIN check for frame and title is only required for incoming out of state transfers. If you have an Oregon title, no inspection is required. But if the frame VIN is later determined to not match or is missing, various penalties could be assessed.

And the insurance caveats posted by @Colo77Bronco are valid anywhere in the US.

 

[bigmuddy]

In Colorado vehicles coming in from out of state require VIN verification on the FRAME. It frame VIN not legible requires a reconstructed or replica tag as well and is subject to current Emissions standard. That was the only reason I did not use s TDK frame as the starting point for my build. Once registered in Colorado, they don’t require the vehicle inspection to change register with a new owner. There can be problems with insurance if an accident occurs and the VIN cannot be verified however. Insurance companies are keen to people using the same insurance and registration on multiple vehicles such as someone having multiple TDK broncos. They require frame VIN verification for insurance payout if in an accident sometimes especially high dollar payouts.

All of this makes me much more curious why you would then buy a used bronco frame without title if one was available?
Southern states have for a long time not even issue titles after a certain age and has been an issue with some states that don't do that.
In my home state if you buy from a state that doesn't issue titles they are aware and just issue a Missouri title.

I know some of the big bronco builders with use an old title on a brand new frame and apparently not have issue but I suspect that's state dependent?

 

[Broncobowsher]

Apply for lost title on the frame with a good VIN stamped in it. Now you have a frame with title. Just paperwork. Some states it will be impossible, others will rubber stamp it. And the right connection with some 3rd party DMV offices could make it even easier.

 

[chuddy]

Apply for lost title on the frame with a good VIN stamped in it. Now you have a frame with title. Just paperwork. Some states it will be impossible, others will rubber stamp it. And the right connection with some 3rd party DMV offices could make it even easier.

That's not the question here, though. The question is how someone can "split" the frame from a valid title, and sell them separately. As someone that has bought and sold well over 200+ broncos in the past 5 years, It's puzzling for me. The only explanation I can come up with is that they are being sold overseas, where the title won't matter (and thus someone could buy the title here and apply to a TDK frame) without worrying about duplicate VINs showing up.

 

[bigmuddy]

That's not the question here, though. The question is how someone can "split" the frame from a valid title, and sell them separately. As someone that has bought and sold well over 200+ broncos in the past 5 years, It's puzzling for me. The only explanation I can come up with is that they are being sold overseas, where the title won't matter (and thus someone could buy the title here and apply to a TDK frame) without worrying about duplicate VINs showing up.

The overseas sales isn't something I had considered but it makes sense..
The few "high end" builders I know are using the old title and that's it, everything else is brand new.