The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk vin tag placement

My vin tag on my 55.2 3100 is mounted on the drivers side A pillar. Would a 59 vin be mounted in the same place?

should be. That is where is it on my 55.2 and my 58. I think that is where it was on my 59 but, I can't remember now and it is gone.

Yes, left, body/cab hinge pillar.

Yes (as long as we are talking about a standard cab and not a Flat Face or Windshield Cowl Cab) it will be vertical on the windshield "A" post about eye level when standing on the ground.

Mike B

Why are you asking that?

bartamos, found a 59 truck with the vin tag positioned horizontally in the lower part of the drivers side door jam, vin numbers match the ones on the frame. Having a 55.2 with the vin numbers on the upper A pillar, I figured all TF trucks were the same, and thought this was strange on the 59. So I thought I would ask about it.

Brian, you are correct to check this. The Vin tag should be on the A pillar vertically and the bigger GVW/Data plate is on the hinge pillar as I'm sure your 55.2 is. The 59 you describe is incorrect and suspicious. Possible hanky panky.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is VIN 3A59xxxxxxx? or what? Anyway when someone has a frame and a cab from different trucks, sometimes they "make" a VIN tag and don't know where it goes, thus exposing themselves as crooks. Check for data plate holes on hinge pillar and A pillar tag holes.

Stovebolt.com does not and will not endorse the alteration of Vehicle Identification Numbers on body tags or frames. Suggesting such activities will get your posts deleted.

I agree there is the potential for some to commit fraud on these tags. But, I do wonder about casting that charge in all cases. What about the many vehicles out there that prior to the mid 1950’s had the vehicles registered using the engine number and subsequently that engine was changed out to something else? I have seen many cars and trucks at many car shows with obviously replaced engines that more than likely legitimately have titles /registration and have a repop tag secured to a pillar or floor pan or cowl.
IMO seeing a repop and/or wrongly located tag on a vehicle being advertised for sale raises the bar for the potential buyer to exercise additional diligence, but not necessarily brand the seller as a fraudster.

I wouldn't buy a vehicle with an altered vin tag, pop riveted on, or no title, etc. Some people I know have this truck and I'm just trying to get this thing figured out for them. Look's like a 70's style hot rod, big fat wheels and tires sticking out past the rear fenders (looks like crap}, car Muncie 4 speed, newer style rear end, 59 truck with a 55/6 front clip. Doesn't run and been sitting for years.

When I worked in sales (hated doing that) I went to work for a place that claimed they had one price for everyone. No shady games. The first day I started training the owner stood in front of the whiteboard and said "Today I'm going to teach you how to screw the customer." I was infuriated. I almost got up and left. The sales manager who recruited me gave me a nod to sit tight. So I did, [censored] off! The next thing the owner said after letting that sink in was "Because we don't do things that way and if I ever find out you screwed one of our customers it will be your last day." For the next four hours we were taught every shady sales practice we could imagine. The owner wanted us to know what we were up against when someone came in after having been to another business and they were all twisted up and on guard. I worked there for over three years because they were honest in their practices. I could have used that knowledge to ill-gotten gains but I didn't.

Let's make it clear...Using a reproduction tag and stamping a bogus serial number on it is a felony in most states. Moving a serial number tag from one cab to another is a felony in most states. California vehicle code allows you to buy a reproduction tag, stamp the original/correct numbers on it and then install it on the same vehicle for restoration purposes. The motor vehicle department can help you unravel most vehicle registration issues. Forums can also advise you of things you should take into account before or after purchasing a vehicle with a questionable past. We should be here to help each other also. A discussion regarding legal and illegal registration practices should not be censored simply because someone may take the information and use it illegally. I agree with Justhorsenround that if you are specifically posting methods or processes that others can employ to subvert the law and register a vehicle by illegal means then you should have your posts deleted.

BUT, the conversation must go on. Without asking the questions you'll never know what is right and what is wrong, legal or illegal. As I said censoring a conversation discussing the ins and outs of a difficult registration process will not stop a criminal from committing a criminal act. Conversely, a thorough conversation touching on numerous experiences of others that helps you understand what is legal or illegal as well as the consequences of what you may think is a petty act - may just save your a** from jail time.

Different states (and different DMVs in the same state) can have different rules (and, different interpretations of the rules).

With a proper/clear bill of sale (and/or proper former registration document), I was able to register all my trucks in NY. Even with my "original" ID plates off the cab (and/or reproduction ID plates in my hand or on the cab).

In NC, if the original ID plate is not on the cab, or if the "original" ID plate is on the cab with new screws/rivets, they will not automatically register the vehicle. They can refuse to register it. But, the DMV can make a judgement call on allowing a bonded title (title insurance) - they give the vehicle a new ID number/tag. You are then not supposed to re-attach the "original" plate.

Not trying to do anything illegal. Just trying to figure what's going on with these people's truck.