Strange VIN question

[snick]

I bought a good condition frame a couple months ago to replace my current one that has some significant cancer. The frame did come with a title (no vin plate) but I was out of town and didn't want to wait and risk someone else buying it so I had a friend pick it up for me. Unfortunately he was unable to verify the title vin matched the frame vine because he couldn't find the vin on the frame. This weekend I finally had some time to take a close look at the frame and found the vin stamped on it (the one on the passenger side frame rail near the engine mounts). Unfortunately it is one digit lower on the last number and is a U14 title vs U15 vin frame number.

To clarify:

Stamped frame vin: U15GM####5
vin number on title: U14GM####4.

At first I thought maybe it was just mis-typed by someone at the DMV but it just seems to coincidental to be a random mistake is those particular locations of vin #. When it was built on the line 50+ years ago did Ford decide to make it a half cab after the vin was stamped on it? The frame is in a location that didn't allow me to look at any of the other frame vin locations but it seems highly unlikely that they would have a different stamped vin number than the one I found.

My other thought is that a PO converted it to a half-cab and had a "hook-up" at the DMV that changed the vin (yes, I'm fully aware this is a felony) so they could sell it as a factory half cab?

Thoughts/comments/questions?

 

[half cab]

So as of now you can't get to the other vin no. Located on the rear of the same side rail of the frame?

What year is the title supposed to be? I can see maybe one mistake but to on the same vin well something seems fishy?

 

[okie4570]

Bizarro. 71' or 72'?

 

[half cab]

Bizarro. Definitely a 71' or 72' u14 frame though.

Even with it stamped U15?...never mind I see what ya did.

 

[67RT]

Get your money back

 

[okie4570]

Even with it stamped U15?...never mind I see what ya did.

Yeah I misread that about 15 times and backwards lol.

 

[Slowleak]

That’s odd. Two 5’s that were changed to 4’s. Makes me wonder if someone at the DMV was just not paying attention to where the 5 is on the number pad. Some people don’t even look and just type based on where their fingers are.

 

[73azbronco]

Double check rear vin on frame, and if wrong, get seller to fix at DMV or get your money back.

To my knowledge Ford didn't make a VIN number mistake.

 

[FordBronc]

I am new, but I agree that the paper title VI # SHOULD of matched the actual VI# on the frame. IN ALL of the places it is.

Especially if you bought it as an advertised " frame w/title" for sale deal. I would of thought that the seller would of been more than happy to prove this? Like at least show your buddy where the VI#'s are.

And I have to ask, how can this be, "The frame is in a location that didn't allow me to look at any of the other frame vin locations"?

Is it on it side, shoe horned and 3/4 of the way and buried in a storage unit? lol

 

[Madgyver]

I'm having trouble locating the VIN on a 77 frame. I recall finding it awhile back. Now I can't find it. There is some surface rust on the frame and no body on it.
I looked at the same location on the frame where the VIN is on my other 77. No luck finding it.
Can someone here confirm their VIN location on a 77?

 

[stout22]

Double check rear vin on frame, and if wrong, get seller to fix at DMV or get your money back.

To my knowledge Ford didn't make a VIN number mistake.

Ford did make a VIN number mistake on one of my Broncos. The frame is stamped U16 in one place.

 

[JGbronc]

It’s not uncommon for the VIN on frames to be stamped incorrectly. It’s highly possible that it’s a U14. Too bad you didn’t have the tag off the glovebox door to see what it was.

An easy way to tell how it left the factory is order a Marti report for both and see which comes back as right

 

[Broncobowsher]

Frame and title need a road trip to the local DMV. Typos did happen, especially back in the day when it was done without computer checks. Either one (title or frame) could be in error.

The fix might be 5 minutes and a corrected title is handed to you. Or it may be unfixable. Depends on the state and sometimes even the mood of who you are talking to.

 

[navi]

I had an issue with the frame vin not matching the title. I'm in CA as well and there was a chance it was going to be unregisterable.
I wasn't looking to battle with the dmv so I had a company that specializes in this look into it.
Best $100 I ever spent.;D

 

[1970 Palmer]

I had an issue with the frame vin not matching the title. I'm in CA as well and there was a chance it was going to be unregisterable.
I wasn't looking to battle with the dmv so I had a company that specializes in this look into it.
Best $100 I ever spent.;D

I agree, fortunately in California we have privet "DMV licensed" vin verifiers. They are your best bet to correct any "out of normal" DMV transactions.

The privet company wants to help you resolve the problem the simple way, then they can make some money for the transaction. The DMV office just looks at it as a difficult problem, says you need more paperwork, and just sends you away.

The lady I use only charges me $35, plus the actual DMV fee's. I have used her for years on all kinds of weird licensing issues.

John

 

[sprdv1]

I'm having trouble locating the VIN on a 77 frame. I recall finding it awhile back. Now I can't find it. There is some surface rust on the frame and no body on it.
I looked at the same location on the frame where the VIN is on my other 77. No luck finding it.
Can someone here confirm their VIN location on a 77?

did you ever find it boss...?