Swapping Cabs, VIN/ Title questions

[frito-bandito]

I have decided that due to the massive cancer on my floorboards of my 1981 c30 single cab dually, I'm gonna replace the whole cab. My question is, if the new cab has a vin plate and a clear title, would be ok if I used that info to register my truck, or would I have to use the info off of the bad cab?

[82gmc3/4ton]

Depends on a few things. 1. Is the new cab from within your state? If it is, no problem. If is isnt, certain states might want to inspect the truck if your transfering the title to your name in which case they might check the frame and axles to see if they match. Usually it's a hassle to answer their questions and troopers have guns! LOL 2. If your already have plates for the old truck, it might be cheaper for you to switch vins so you don't have to pay for tranfering titles and plates. 3. It also depends on your state i.e. yearly inspections. Hoped this helped.

[VileZambonie]

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=15277.0

[frito-bandito]

I appreciate the help guys. State inspections are no problem for me to get, if you know what I mean . The cops around here very rarely look at the vin plates in the dash so that wouldn't be a huge problem. My main fear is that if the cab is off of a 1/2 to and my truck is a 1 ton, that might raise some suspicion, hopefully if I told them that its basically built it piece by piece, I would be in the clear.

[Irish_Alley]

just tell them you upgraded the axles if they ask you anything but they shouldn't just read the post vile posted that pretty much covers it all lol

[frito-bandito]

Thanks, that's what I was hoping to hear!

[tobiahr]

i asked the same questions when replacing the cab for my blazer. here in texas a trooper told me i could swap the entire cab a just cut and swap the 12 inches or so around the vin and i would not have to retitle the vehicle. a couple of body shops i spoke with confirmed. as long as the dash around the vin stays it not a "new" cab

[Blazin]

I have swapped cabs before and just used the new cabs VIN number. I swapped an 83 C10 cab onto my 86 K20 chassis that I am driving now, I just swapped the VIN plate from the 86 cab into the 83.

[hogdaddy]

Here's what I ended up doing on my cab swap. I used the vin off my old truck and bought the correct rivets for $40 installed them and I can't tell the difference myself. The rivets look just like the old ones.

[Engineer]

 

I seen in one of the posts in the other thread that swapping axles sends up a red flag?

I have swapped axles by the dozens, and know of other people that have as well. I have NEVER seen a VIN or even a sequential build number on the axle housing.

The closest thing to this would be the BOM numbers that DANA stamps into it's axles. However that only gives data relevant to manufacturing, like the mfg date, and what options are contained in the axle.

[Irish_Alley]

I think its the truck vin but with all the products out there its never pressed.  But just like that Johnny cash song one piece at a time

[VileZambonie]

Here's what I ended up doing on my cab swap. I used the vin off my old truck and bought the correct rivets for $40 installed them and I can't tell the difference myself. The rivets look just like the old ones.

Where'd you get em?

[hogdaddy]

Here's what I ended up doing on my cab swap. I used the vin off my old truck and bought the correct rivets for $40 installed them and I can't tell the difference myself. The rivets look just like the old ones.

Where'd you get em?

Here ya go.
http://www.warrencountycustomsllc.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=407

I used one of those orange handled rivet tools but you have to almost force it in the smallest of the rivet tools end pieces for it to grab hold good since they are not aluminum.

[frito-bandito]

I think its the truck vin but with all the products out there its never pressed.  But just like that Johnny cash song one piece at a time

Lol, I was thinking the same thing. Everytime I work on the truck I hear " with a little help from an A dapta kit, we had that engine running just like a song"