I need to start thinking about getting my paperwork in order on this truck, I did have the title transferred into my name when the truck cane into my possession so that is out of the way but I do have a few questions.

!- The Vin data plate is inside the glove box door but it looks like someone at some point moved it from its original location ( where ever that was ) and put it in there with two Phillips headed screws in the lower corners and then just sorta tucked under the hinges at the top.

Screws are rusty and they have been there a while but I am just wondering if that is going to be an issue. We do not have vehicle inspections here for the DMV so I guess I shouldnt worry about it but who knows.

2- The title states 4,950 pounds, that dosent sound right, all the numbers match up though. 1952 F-7

Does that sound right to you guys

3- I am wondering where you guys go for insurance, I called about insuring it a few years ago and they ( might have been Hagertys ) told me they required it too be stored inside. I dont have a garage big enough to put it inside. Anyone ever run across this before?

I do not plan on driving it often, just maybe a trip to a show every now and then and maybe to H.D or the dump both of which are only a few miles from the house so I cant justify spending thousands of dollars a year for regular insurance.

 

Inside glove box is stock location for data plate..... along with upper right (passenger side) firewall, and number stamped on frame. At least it is for 1948-50. Serial numbers changed a bit in 1951, but I'm thinking they're still in the same locations.

In MN, I get farm plates, and put minimum insurance on it, certainly not cost "thousands of dollars"

 

That's the correct placement for the VIN plate on the glove box door.

My VIN plate gives a GVWR of 10,000 pounds on my F4, and your title is possibly referring to the truck's actual unladen weight. However, I think 4,950 pounds sounds a little light, as my title says my F4 is 5,030 pounds unladen. The F7 has a double walled frame, so would be heavier than the F4. Perhaps that's the weight with no bed? That would sound about right. At any rate, the weight on the title doesn't limit you in any way, except the Registration fee in CA is based partially on that weight, so less is better. May not matter where you are.

I did go with Hagerty Insurance because it is so much less expensive, but the caveat to be kept inside a lockable storage has caused me to rearrange a few things inside and outside my garage. I got the 5,000 mile per year plan (which I'll never meet, much less exceed). The plan includes free towing on flatbed or trailer up to 50 miles. Not that my truck will ever break down away from home...

 

That is all stock. Nothing to worry about there.

That number is probably referring to the scale weight of the truck. It may or may not be accurate, but again, no one is likely to care much.

 

Ill have to look into farm plates, dont know if thats an option in FL

 

The guy told me when selling the truck that the DMV at one point screwed up the weight on the title but in FL that only helps because they charge you tax based on weight.

I have one other question I would like to ask but dont feel comfortable doing it on-line, if you could drop me an e-mail it would be appreciated. jhason2@yahoo.com

 

So two little Phillips head screws are stock, that seems strange but good to know, thanks

 

The title on my F3 was messed up at the DMV when I first got it. They had it at 37,700 weight. I kept it about a year before I registered it. The lady at the DMV looked real concerned and ask me how big is your truck. She issued my a new title with the weight 3,770 on it.

 

I've seen them with small phillips screws and also with large pan head slotted. I'm sure it varied by assembly plant and whatever fastener was handy that day. But tucked under the hinge is standard for sure.

 

Dont get me wrong, I do believe you but for lack of a better way of expressing what I think about that ....Unbelievable !

Again I never would have guessed, so sloppy, if I were DMV I would automatically assume this had been shifted around by someone at some point. Thanks for clearing that up for me, this has been weighing heavy on me for a long time, even though we do not have inspections here I am often assuming the worst ( and hoping for the best ) and I figured this would come back eventually and bite me in the ***.

I am in the collision industry, years ago I was rebuilding totals and I replaced a cowl assy on a then new Dodge truck. You might not believe the hassle we had to go thru just to transfer that stupid VIN plate.

We had to have a representative of DMV hand deliver these tiny special headed rivets and stand there and watch as I put the VIN plate on the truck.

These trucks were going thru auction and other dealers would know something was up if we had done otherwise, I believe though now adays this is circumvented by cutting the Vin out around it, grinding the backside of rivets very carefully and then panel bonding the number back on with the original rivet heads still in place.

I have not done this myself because most of my work is insurance work now-adays but I have heard that is one way they get around that.

Its not often we get into cowl in the business. I have twenty plus years and I have never done another.

I have read that the Vins are also stamped on at least one or two areas of the frame but I dont think anywhere else ( that I can remember right now ) It would be so easy just to switch glove box doors if one was totaled and one was re-buildable but had a bad Vin?

Very surprised they would make it this easy!!

 

1950's were a more innocent time. They didn't really worry about chop shops back then.

Add to that, the pickup cab was merely a replaceable part in those days. (The frame stamping is the number that mattered)

VIN's didn't start until 1954, prior they were just serial numbers.

Times sure are different now.

 

54 F750 Off the Vin plate GVwr 19000 #

No title in possession at this time.

Do not know yet haw DMV will handle it. Weight wise

Do not know yet weather I will be able to get historical or antique plates for a truck this big.

Time will tell

 

Keep in mind that the serial# is stamped into the frame and THAT is really the only one that matters. Now if the one stamped in the frame doesn't match the title, you have a problem. The tags on the firewall and glove box are only considered to be Data tags, not a vin or serial number plate.

 

On the 48-52 trucks, there is only one frame stamp, typically located by the right side motor mount and that is considered by most states to be the one an only legal vin for the purposes you just described. (later trucks reportedly have more) The glove box tag is officially called a rating plate and serves no legal purpose. You'll notice is reads 'engine number' instead of serial or vin, even though the number there is the vin. Pre-52 trucks also had a tag riveted on the firewall, under the hood with the vin on it, as well.

I'm also from a body shop and car building background, so I know exactly what you're talking about with regard to the way the gov't handles vin swaps. That's serious business and you don't want to be on the wrong side of that law. But as you know, there's always a way to get around something and take the easy route, good or bad.

 

Thats for sure, just in case while the thread is running where EXACTLY is the # on the frame, just in case I do need to find it. I wouldn't imagine I have done anything to remove it in my efforts to place this new engine in there but I guess I better look and see if I can find it. Thanks