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

I have a 52' 3100. The problem I have is the vin tag (or serial #) is missing. I bought the truck from out of state and my local DMV needs to match the number on the title to the number on the truck. No number, no title. is there anywhere else I can look to get a number or a part of a number? It would have to be from the fire wall back, becouse the truck has been front halfed.

If the frame wasn't cut too far back, it might be stamped on the left frame rail under the cab.
If you can't come up with a #, you amy have to take the vehicle to the main dmv at your state capitpl to have a new vin asigned to the truck. That's how it works in Illinois.

the AD's didn't have any numbers anywhere but the tag - no tag, no number [which in some places may have been the engine number, which you don't have either]

Bill

I stand corrected. I though they were stamped the same as the later trucks.
You may have to have a new # assigned to it by the dmv, which will most likely require a state inspection at the dmv main offices.

might try www.datatags.com If you have title and proof of ownership, they may be able to make you a new id plate.

On my 53 flatbed we used the 'body' tag/plate number located at the driver's door pilar. Since we had no paper work at all and since the body tag number didn't come up in the DMV data base my local police ok'ed using that number. Try to speak with a State or local police officer, my city officer was a big help. Also I found a person that works with car lots to handle all their DMV BS. For a small fee this person took care of all the DMV leg work, I'd still be standing in line.

Without the factory body tag most DMV/State Police can install a NEW tag/number, you'll just have to prove ownership via a bill of sale etc.

Buy a new, blank VIN plate and have your title number stamped into it, then beat it up a little to make it look old.

Legally, in most states, a vehicle cannot be sold, purchased, or possessed without a VIN number. If your local DMV folks wanted to be anal about it, they could technically impound the vehicle if no VIN plate is present and send it to the crusher.

Alternately, i've heard of some DMV guys just telling the owner to carve the number on the title into the firewall and that passes as a legit VIN.

My '46 1/2 ton was like that.. it had been assigned a number by the DMV, and somebody carved that number into the firewall right below the VIN plate using what looked like a pocket knife.

Buy a tag from another truck. Brian

DON'T put a tag from another truck on it. That is highly illeagal.
One more thing you might look into is locating a rebuilder. These are the guys who take totaled cars and refurbish them to be streetable again. A licensed rebuilder can re-vin a vehicle leagaly.

Yes, it is illegal & it is done all the time, just like taping or Tivo'ing a ball game w/o the express written consent of the NFL. I have yet to see the old truck cops going after folks that swap VIN tags on 50+ year old junk. No one cares about old junk. Just don't tell anyone at the DMV. My .02,,Brian

blank VIN plate
hi there i already buy down here in Brazil a american truck without vin plate the year of make is 1956 and the model is 4400 i want a buy a new blank plate could you people help me and show me same pictures of that plate my email is [email protected] thanks

That door post data plate is different from the serial number plate on a '56. The serial number plate is a stainless steel strip with only the serial number. Also the GVW will be higher on Rui's 4400.

By the way, welcome to The Stovebolt Pages, Rui.

buy a new VIN tag, as I have, and stamp it with the paperwork # the hard pat is the original numbers are 3/16" and most "on hand" stamps are 1/4". So, get you a new plate, and find someone with 3/16" stamps, your good to go!

Lost1953, that works for a '53. If you read the previous post you'll see why it won't work on a '56.