Don,
Check with the DMV. You can probably get a new VIN for your truck....you might have to post a bond for the value of the truck....if you do it before you restore, that won't be much.
If you buy a VIN, you might run into trouble. You might have the plate...someone else might still have your title....
Here in MN, there is a process to do this and it is not too hard. You might be better off going the long way round on this one....
