The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk '48 Vin tag attachment- Titling issues

Hey guys, looking for some info from your experience, & some advice.

I've had 2 trucks (a '49 4400 & a 53 6400) both vin tags were attached to the door jamb with clutch head screws.
Has anyone seen them attached with rivets ?

I'm trying to title the '49, and when I tried to have the vin tag verified by LEO, the big issue was the screws.
The guy said he came from Indiana (title origin), & that even older vehicles all had the tags riveted.
I didn't argue, but I think he's wrong.

End result is I have to take the cab to the DMV to have them look at it, Should I rivet the tag in place before I go?

This is a project I've been working on for over 10 years, & it's currently apart, but close.
There's a longer back story if anyone's interested, but that's the main

Thanks .

Clutch head is correct. What exactly did the screws screw into? A tapped hole or are they sheet metal screws. Post pic of screws. What the hell is LEO and what does it have to do with DMV?

Thank you for the reply.



LEO is Law Enforcement Officer.

In FL, an out of state title must be visually verified, through several options, A cop, a citizen patrol (volunteer cops), or DMV personnel.
I opted for a a citizen patrol, so I didn't have to load the cab on a trailer, yadda yadda...

The clutch head screws passed thru the holes in the tag, & went into non tapped holes in the metal of the door jamb (just 2 screws).
The metal here is too thin to tap, basically sheet metal screws. I think the jamb metal is 18 gauge, but may be a bit thicker.

No one is more versed on old trucks than the Stovebolt. The story for plate attachment is like other issues. Various plants may have used different screws. The basic story is that there is a unique hex head, clutch drive, screw used 47-50. The door jamb may be threaded, thin or not. Jim Carter (renowned expert) says this screw was used thru 1950, then rivets. There are trucks with a phillips head screws. This can either be factory thing or replaced by owners. Don't know. A plate that was originally riveted would have a big hole. Not a clearance hole for a screw. The door jamb would probably have a smooth drilled hole. Not many folks would take out a rivet and replace with a clutch head. If the truck has other clutch head screws used it may be an indicator of plant usage.
A person from Illinois or a LEO is not an expert. Just an observer of a truck or two that may not have been correct. A rusty old screw would look better to a DMV person the a shinny new rivet. You want to be able to say that you DID NOT change anything. If title matches VIN there should be no focus on screws.
If title does not match anything, you are in for a fight. Like the guy who stayed back indicates, not a lot of chop shop, grand theft auto syndicate, old rusty trucks someone has had for 10 years!

Bottom is is: you said the screws were a big issue. So did he write that down or just mention it. Is he going to advise DMV they are wrong. Hope not because they are not wrong.
Hope it goes smoothly. I'm sure it will. Please don't bring up the screws at the DMV. Be as quiet as you can when there. You can be firm in small steps by knowing the screws are correct if questioned.

bartamos,
Thanks !

Title does match tag.

I don't think they can let DMV know, he just checked with his supervisor. (His partner stayed in my shop while he did, & said "I would have just verified it, it's not a $100,000 vehicle, & it's obvious you've been working on this"

My pleasure. May want to re read. I was editing as you posted just now. I'm slow and don't see errors until I read it posted on stovebolt. Don't know why. A mental thing. One of many.

I have saved the thread where 6-8 Stovebolt gurus discuss this exact issue. My post was a summary of it. I learned along with you. I have also saved websites showing 48-49 original trucks with the hex head/clutch drive "special" unique screw used on ID plates.

You did not state if the vin tag is original to the cab you are trying to attach it to, therefore you have stepped into Stovebolt forbidden territory.