Where is the VIN located?

[B_RideBronco]

Others can comment on reproducing the factory stamping - I don't think that's a good idea. A '67 would have #3 and #4. Door post tags didn't come until 1970. Marti reproduces the kick panel tags. The frame will also be stamped on the pass side further back - essentially under the passenger's seat.

Todd Z.

In this case, why would you suggest not reproducing the factory stamping on the frame? I contacted a classic ford restoration shop in my area who said they do it all the time after sandblasting and re-coating a frame for a project, so I guess I assumed this was the same type of deal, and commonplace when taking a project to bare metal. There is no mal intent, or nefarious motive at all, just putting back what unintentionally got removed during the build process.

I guess I'm worried about a couple things if I DON'T have the frame stamped:

1. VIN inspection to get it re-titled and registered from out of state - it's likely they'll only look at the glovebox tag (or in my case, kick panel tag being a '67?), but I don't know if I want to take that risk.
2. Ability to resell if I ever had to, and value.

If I DID have the frame restamped to match factory, though, would the forward-most passenger frame rail location be sufficient, or would I need to stamp both in front of the firewall AND under the passenger seat? It's a little unclear according to the photos @FordBronc posted above. Blue tape in both locations, but the frame schematics say under the passenger seat is not common/rare.

Ultimately I'm just trying to get this thing 100% legal and on the road with the ability to resell at market value if I ever have to without running into VIN issues...

 

[toddz69]

Maybe it's ok to re-stamp it - I'm not an expert in that area. I was just raising the issue because I hear/read a lot about stamping VINs being bad.

Todd Z.

 

[bmc69]

In this case, why would you suggest not reproducing the factory stamping on the frame? I contacted a classic ford restoration shop in my area who said they do it all the time after sandblasting and re-coating a frame for a project, so I guess I assumed this was the same type of deal, and commonplace when taking a project to bare metal. There is no mal intent, or nefarious motive at all, just putting back what unintentionally got removed during the build process.

I've never yet seen an example of sandblasting or other frame cleaning methods remove the stamped VIN. I'm still not clear how the new frames get invested with legal VIN numbers...

 

[bax]

It's located pretty much where ever you put it.

 

[B_RideBronco]

It's located pretty much where ever you put it.

There's truth to that! But I am really trying to put VINs back where they belong based on factory locations. Again, no foul play intended here at all, just trying to get it correct after the rebuild.

Does anyone have a photo of where the VIN tag should be located on the driver kick panel? I can't seem to find any pictures that indicate the exact spot there.

 

[B_RideBronco]

I've never yet seen an example of sandblasting or other frame cleaning methods remove the stamped VIN. I'm still not clear how the new frames get invested with legal VIN numbers...

According to the builder it's gone, but I will check as soon as I can get eyes on it. It's possible it's still there but very faint. This whole issue is extremely muddy, I'm not sure how others have done it either. Or how it's done with a new frame.

 

[okie4570]

I know two guys who I know for sure know early broncos and vin locations who both failed to find vins on two frames. Both frames were in good shape, and both frames were 66's.