VIN and GVWR question regarding body swaps
 

I am looking at finding a good crew cab body and then finding a good diesel truck rolling chassis/drivetrain and doing a body swap. I know the VIN goes with the cab but what about the GVRW and towing capacity numbers? Obviously that is all based on the frame and drivetrain components but would that transfer onto the title some how? Say I bought a 1978 F350 2wd, then bought a 97 dodge 2500 cummins 4x4 and put the f350 body on the 2500 frame. Is that just an issue I would have to work out with the DMV?

Thanks

Good question. I also upgraded my drivetrain to 1985 F-350 4x4 from F-150. I have had no luck getting any confirmation on what I can do.

You need to contact the Utah DMV and ask them how to handle it.
In most states (I don't know about Utah) it's the FRAME Vin that's used for title purposes not the cab VIN.
On Fords the warranty plate is mounted on the driver's door. This is not a VIN plate. Ford calls it a "warranty plate" for good reason. When it comes to title and license requirements, the door mounted warranty plate is very easy to swap. For this reason most states require the VIN number thats stamped on the fame to be the legal VIN.
Some states may require the truck to be inspected then they will issue a new VIN number of their own.

1963/80 F100/350: Warranty Plate located on the left door face below the latch.

People replaced damaged left doors with used doors. 99.9% of the time, they failed to install the original Warranty Plate on the replaced door.

As Mike said, no DMV or polizei go by VIN's stamped on Warranty Plates. They go by hidden frame VIN's.

I don't know what all DMV's you all go to bit around here their to lazy to do anything more than open the door & glance at the door plate 90% of the time. Their used to be 2 Cass county sheriffs that would harass the hell out of me & they did check my frame VIN a couple times.

Yeah maybe, but it's the other 10% that will eventually trip you up. Better to do it right from the start then you know there are no worries if you should ever get pulled over or if you decide to sell.

My VIN matches my title I'm not worried about that but I have had a few that I never could read the frame VIN on because of rust

So, in the op's example, he would have to register his dent as a 97 Dodge?:eek:

Actually he'll be driving a '97 Dodge that looks like a dent'.:-jammin

you would want to verify this with your insurance agent too. If you had an accident this could certainly give them an out (rightfully so) . In the eyes of the law it would certainly put the liability on you if it wasn't done legally.

I just checked with the BMV this week in Indiana because I'm going to swap the cab on my truck. They gave me a packet in which I will have to show ownership of the truck and list all the body parts I change and the source of where they came from. Then I will have to have it inspected by the police and will be issued a new VIN. My truck will then have a "built" title. It's going to be a PITA but it will be legal. BUT as a Sheriff's Deputy I know that if there is ever a question on a VIN your truck can be impounded and disassembled to find hidden VIN's or until you go through the process of having it titled properly. Here it's $10 a day impound fee and the BMV does not get in a hurry if you don't have all the proper paper work.