So heres my problem I have a 71 f750 that I want to shorten and put a pickup type bed on. So when I was down at the DMV getting the tittle done I asked how I should register it and what it would cost so the woman there tells me that the only way I can register it is either as a farm truck in which case I can only use it for farm work. or as a commercial vehicle in which case I have to have CDL which I do not have. So I'm wondering if there is another way? Since it's just gonna be a toy. I've seen several of these type builds so I'm thinking there must be another option for registering. Either that or those trucks are in a different state where the laws are different. I'm in Ohio and they come up with some ridiculous laws and interpret them however they feel like so maybe that's the problem. But anyways if anyone could she'd some light on this i would appreciate it. Oh and if it makes any difference the gvwr on it is 27000 but they said I can register it at something under 26000 which is the point at which you need a cdl. I don't understand why I can't register it at like 24000 with commercial plates and not need a CDL because it's not for hire and under 26000. Oh and they said i can't get non comm. Plates on anything bigger than a 1 ton. So I'm confused and about ready to just scrap the thing and forget it. But anyways thanks in advance for any insight yall can offer.

 

Welcome to FTE.

It is a 27000 GVW truck. CDL rules, which is a Federal rule, is 26,001 and up. So even if you cut it up etc, it still has a GVWR of 27000 lbs.

If you want an F750 pickup, you can probably find an F750 with a lower GVWR or you can do a body swap to an F350. Cabs are the same in many years.

I don't see how they can waive a CDL on that GVWR by letting you pay for 24000--is that what they said?

Anyway, you aren't going to haul anything with it so just find a rusty F350 and put the cab on it. The powertrain in the F350 would be easier to live with anyway.

 

Do you want it for a daily driver? If not, register it as a historical vehicle. You don't need a cdl for anything historic in Ohio. Another route is to register it as a camper toter. Don't need a cdl for that either. But, try and register it as a 1ton. Go to a different person. Years ago I had a friend here in Cleveland who bought a new F700. It was a 26,000gvw truck. He had a cdl and didn't worry about weight. Around 1998 he got pulled in to the infamous scales in Brunswick Oh on route 18. He was scaled at 25,000lbs and got an $800 ticket. He asked why, and the cop told him the license plates were only good for 14,000lbs!! They had come off his F600 that he got rid of when he bought this truck. So for all those years he ran the wrong plates and never got caught. So he corrected the plates and sent a copy to Brunswick. They sent him back $600 from the fine.

 

This question mostly depends on your state. Registration under 26,000 pounds varies by state. Don't confuse vehicle registration with CDL requirements.

It is a cool idea and a project that I always enjoy. Once you finish up at the court house you should be good to go.