I'm just curious if any of ya'll could tell me what the laws are pertaining to replacing a damaged Cab which title would then apply to the truck???? Do I have to get a Rebuilders title for it if I replace the Cab. Basicly I just want to know anything and everything that regards the legality of swapping cabs on trucks in Tx so I know the proper procedure to go through

 

In my opinion, the best thing to do is going to be contact the DMV in regards to what you have to do. I honestly have no idea.

 

I dont know about Texas but I know here in Connecticut the correct way is to go by the Chassis number and the state affixes a new vin matching the Chassis Vin to the Door pillar of the new cab... Although I myself have done several cab swaps and simply just registered the truck with the title and vin that was already with the replacement cab... its a pretty grey area but I would simply just register the truck with the replacement cab vin and title (and save the title to whichever truck is used as the "parts truck" for future reference if questions ever arise as to where or what happened here, unless Weight and emissions are going to be an issue with the truck if done this way....

 

Ah ok thanks ya'll yeah I was thinking the same thing of just titling it with the vin on the donor cab and going that route although that'll necessitate making sure the donor trucks gotta clear title I just want to get the old truck back on the road it's the 1990 in my Signature it's a extended cab short bed with a 300 straight 6 and an E4OD thats working ok especially given the high mileage 225,000 minimum that the engine and transmission have on them. How much gas mileage would I be losing on the highway if I switch from the E4OD to the Freshly rebuilt prior to parking C6 in the 87 parts truck

 

what ever you do do not remove the vin plate on either truck that is serious problems reguardless of what you plan to do with either vehicle. if you were to combine them i believe the proper thing to do would be to register with the dps and let them inpect the vehilce for road worthyness and they will also be the best go to people on what and how to make it work.

 

Ahh cool man thanks for the heads up. Yeah I'm thinking of going that route OR possibly pounding the pavement and getting a bonded title. the bonded title will just be a pain to deal with all the paper work

 

my sister's first car was a salvage rebuild from 2 seprate cars. i didnt register it but if i remember correctly they had to register with both serial numbers. if it were me and it was possible.... (im not a lawyer or a legal represenative btw) i would use the original cab and cut it where the winsheild starts and graft the other cab to it so your not technically removing the vin plate.

 

AHH I see what your saying.....unfortunately for me I don't have a work area here or Equipment I.E. Torches or welding equipment. very clever Idea though essentially merge the front of the cab I.E. firewall dash and window pillars with the donor cab retaining the appearance of originality. I like the way you think!!!!

I could find a titled cab around here for probly 250-300 though if all else fails.

 

There are more identifing parts on a truck then just the vin tag. Where they all are I don't know. Just remember that at some point you could be crossing a line legal or illegal and the law isn't always friendly to people ignorant of the law. for me that is all there is to that issue. Would it be cheaper to sell the parts and start with a new truck? The resale value will take a huge hit.

 

unfortunately the trucks a salvage/rebuild as is, it does have current tags and inspection. but resale value would be probly 300-400 I'm thinking especially given the lack of a title. Sounds like the bonded title is the best route then. cause I won't have to make any alterations to the truck at all. it's be less expensive than getting a cab too. only thing is the leg work and bunch of paper work to get the bonded title

 

Not saying you should do this but once on a car I was restoring i just drilled out the rivets and took the vin tag off because I didn't want it getting damaged during sandblasting and painting process

 

That is slightly illegal. Jail time illegal if they wanted to go after you.

 

This was in an 80 elcamino and unless you told someone you couldn't even tell after it was riveted back together. Not condoning doing something illegal, but sometimes whats the harm. In my case it was the same vin tag for the vehicle. basically it just got new rivets. I guess this is why I'm not in law enforcement because i see nothing wrong with switching the vin tags on the two vehicles the OP is talking about. It's not like he stole the vehicles or anything seedy.

 

No dissagreement with you woody. If it your property you should be able to do with it what you want. Not exactly a law ennforcement enthuiast either.

 

yep correct the scenario dealt exclusively with a Truck I own that was sold to me as a parts truck. And a Cab a friend had at the time. I think it'll be easier to just get a bonded title for it, Even with all the paper work and hoops they make you jump through to get it. and in the interim whilst straightening out the Old Guys papers I'm contemplating getting temporary tags as I'm told that'll cover both Tags/Plates and Inspection for a month. but yeah eventually I want to replace the cab and the Front clip because the Imbecile that had the Old Guy before me was a Drunkard Idiot that did his best to run this truck into the ground. By that I mean complete and utter lack of maintenance, and smashing it into alot of crap to the extent of 2 ruint doors and a big Dent in the passengers side from of the bed. a Buddy from on here 75three90 popped the bulk of that dent off but theres still residual damage and you can look in the bed and see the damage there aswell I.E. theres a Big ole dent in the floor of the bed right behind the wheels and the wheel wells themselves are beat to high hell too. I however do want to change it aswell to eliminate the now unneeded front gas tank door. Basicly this truck needs to be restored so it's more feasible to get a complete but non running preferably with no motor or transmission 87-91 Truck and just move the front clip cab and bed over to mine. heres some pictures