Quick registration/title question
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,898
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From: Southern California
Quick registration/title question
I am parting out a 65 F100 and a guy is coming tomorrow to buy the cab and he asked me about the paper. I have read here that the VIN on the frame is what the DMV needs, so the title goes with the chassis, not the cab, correct? Otherwise, that's another thing I need to do by morning, find the paperwork.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2014
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I believe that you are correct, however, I have also heard that when you are scrapping a vehicle in California that substantial components such as the cab are also “tied” to the vin. I don’t know how this affects you, but if he takes the title, it will be his burden to prove the chassis and the cab (data plate) go together and are verifiable. The subject may never come up if you transfer title because the vehicle won’t have to be inspected. You won’t be able to sell the frame as a titled vehicle after he buys the cab. I don’t know why he would want the title because he will have to pay registration and transfer fees even if the cab is going on another truck. I would just part it, like you planned and take the title to the DMV and explain that the truck was scrapped.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 4,735
From: Burbank, WA
Agreed. The title goes with the chassis. The number stamped on the frame is the only legal VIN on the vehicle, and the papers need to follow that.
If the buyer wants something, you can write him a bill of sale that states you sold him a cab from a dismantled or parts truck and reference the VIN, but I would not give him the title. I wouldn't even give him the glove box tag, or any other tags with the serial or VIN numbers on it. If you ever needed to dispose of the frame, you'd need the title, or you'd have to cut it up in little pieces that do not resemble truck parts to sell it to a legitimate scrap and salvage yard.
If the buyer wants something, you can write him a bill of sale that states you sold him a cab from a dismantled or parts truck and reference the VIN, but I would not give him the title. I wouldn't even give him the glove box tag, or any other tags with the serial or VIN numbers on it. If you ever needed to dispose of the frame, you'd need the title, or you'd have to cut it up in little pieces that do not resemble truck parts to sell it to a legitimate scrap and salvage yard.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2019
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From: Southern California
So I should remove the warranty plate from the drivers door?
also, I don't have a title per se. I have a few bills of sale and paperwork from a police impound auction. But I will hold on to all that. Make him copies if he squeaks I guess.
also, I don't have a title per se. I have a few bills of sale and paperwork from a police impound auction. But I will hold on to all that. Make him copies if he squeaks I guess.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 4,735
From: Burbank, WA
You can give him copies of your papers if you want, just be sure they are clearly marked as copies. It would be safer to do as I suggested above and keep your stuff for yourself. My 2c.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2014
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...I agree. He is buying "parts" not a titled vehicle. Since there is no title, you have no issues in scrapping the truck except as 52 Merc stated above, you won't be able to take it to a recycling yard if it resembles a vehicle. Of the two trucks I parted, I did as mentioned, and cut the remaining stuff up into small pieces and had a metal collector come pick it up to recycle. Keep in mind that the unfortunate restorers back east are often looking for rust free frames or sections.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 234
From: Southern California
...I agree. He is buying "parts" not a titled vehicle. Since there is no title, you have no issues in scrapping the truck except as 52 Merc stated above, you won't be able to take it to a recycling yard if it resembles a vehicle. Of the two trucks I parted, I did as mentioned, and cut the remaining stuff up into small pieces and had a metal collector come pick it up to recycle. Keep in mind that the unfortunate restorers back east are often looking for rust free frames or sections.
As far as getting rid of it, if the rolling chassis doesn't sell i might know a guy that will disappear any vehicle for a very reasonable fee. Maybe. ;- l.
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 234
From: Southern California
...I agree. He is buying "parts" not a titled vehicle. Since there is no title, you have no issues in scrapping the truck except as 52 Merc stated above, you won't be able to take it to a recycling yard if it resembles a vehicle. Of the two trucks I parted, I did as mentioned, and cut the remaining stuff up into small pieces and had a metal collector come pick it up to recycle. Keep in mind that the unfortunate restorers back east are often looking for rust free frames or sections.
As far as getting rid of it, if the rolling chassis doesn't sell i might know a guy that will disappear any vehicle for a very reasonable fee. Maybe. ;- l.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,529
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From: Billings Montana
Sure glad I live in Montana. All this sounds like a bunch of hooey. No one here would even know to look on the frame for a serial number on anything that old. And if the guy buying the cab was building a truck out of bits and pieces and had no serial numbers when he got done with the truck he could have it inspected by DMV or Highway patrol and they would issue him a serial number and he would get what is called a builders title.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 619
Likes: 46
In Texas the cab has to have title frame dont if scrapping. Since the numbers can be removed from cab there would be no record of what it is. 30 years ago I was charged with possision of altered motor vehicle in TX because warrenty tag on door didnt match the number stamped in frame. That became a cluster but finally got straitend out.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,830
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From: Angier, NC
The VIN, cab numbers, frame numbers, etc. differ state to state.
Why not sell him the cab & frame as a whole and will not break it up?
I know its to late but he gets all the plates with the VIN and title and you don't have to worry about getting rid of anything with out a title.
Here in NC I was shocked that no one wanted to look at my 81 F100, VIN can be see thru the front glass, sticker on the left door post and on the frame, when I got plates.
Now I did send my parts truck frame to MI, the cab is still in my yard and title in my draw, but if he needs it I will send it and cut the rest of the cab up and take to local weekly trash recyl.
That is what I did with what was left of the long bed.
Dave ----
Why not sell him the cab & frame as a whole and will not break it up?
I know its to late but he gets all the plates with the VIN and title and you don't have to worry about getting rid of anything with out a title.
Here in NC I was shocked that no one wanted to look at my 81 F100, VIN can be see thru the front glass, sticker on the left door post and on the frame, when I got plates.
Now I did send my parts truck frame to MI, the cab is still in my yard and title in my draw, but if he needs it I will send it and cut the rest of the cab up and take to local weekly trash recyl.
That is what I did with what was left of the long bed.
Dave ----
Super Moderator
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Sure glad I live in Montana. All this sounds like a bunch of hooey. No one here would even know to look on the frame for a serial number on anything that old. And if the guy buying the cab was building a truck out of bits and pieces and had no serial numbers when he got done with the truck he could have it inspected by DMV or Highway patrol and they would issue him a serial number and he would get what is called a builders title.
https://media.dojmt.gov/wp-content/u...tificate-1.pdf
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2019
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From: Southern California
Here is what happened. Dude came with his stepdad to get the cab and such that were still bolted down like it left the factory. LOL. I was inside swapping beds from here and there. I asked the guy about his project and he tells me he is going to put it on a Crown Vic chassis.
I told him it is going to be registered as a Crown Vic because the DMV uses the VIN on the frame for registration, he said no, I'll register it as an F100. I asked him how? I need to take the VIN plate from the door. He was all, Bro I need that! I let him keep the warranty tag on the door and wrote him a bill of sale. He got no other paperwork because I couldn't find it. It seems that my girlfriend's filing system leaves much to be desired.
I told him it is going to be registered as a Crown Vic because the DMV uses the VIN on the frame for registration, he said no, I'll register it as an F100. I asked him how? I need to take the VIN plate from the door. He was all, Bro I need that! I let him keep the warranty tag on the door and wrote him a bill of sale. He got no other paperwork because I couldn't find it. It seems that my girlfriend's filing system leaves much to be desired.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 271
From: Billings Montana
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,954
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I think you will find all of this is different by state. In my 67 years of buying and building cars in Massachusetts I have never had anyone check a frame for the VIN, All they seem to care about here is the one that is easy to find. 
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