Missing vin on k10 can they be swapped over from a parts truck with most of the parts?

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Scottserado

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Hey guys I have my k10 in my profile pic missing it’s vin but I have a truck just like it of a similliar year color and transmission setup and parts would it be possible to just swap over the entire truck vin.
 

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The VIN tag is fastened on with special rivets that have a distinct shape. They can be purchased from various restoration companies I believe.

There can be serious legal issues if you get busted moving VIN's around to different vehicles.
 

C10MixMaster

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there's also vin numbers stamped on the frame in various hidden places. if they dont match the vin plate you could have an issue some day.
 

80BrownK10

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there's also vin numbers stamped on the frame in various hidden places. if they dont match the vin plate you could have an issue some day.
It has to be pretty common, especially in classic vehicles where a frame vin and body vin don't match. I'm sure it's state dependent on what your legally supposed to do? Which vin is it technically, the cab or the frame?
 

SDJunkMan

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In South Dakota you are supposed to take the vehicle and proof of ownership for the parts swapped along with the title and have it inspected by the DMV. I asked when I planned to do a body swap on one of my trucks. Mine would have been easy as I had titles to both trucks (haven't done it yet).
 

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Do you have titles for both trucks? I wouldn't see a big problem if you did.
 

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I will neither confirm or deny that I have done a similar swap in MA. The "rosette" style rivets came from ebay. Make sure you can get a title from the donor vehicle first.
 

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I think it would be legal if you cut the sheet metal around the vin plate, and rewelded another truck onto it.

You remove the the cab and everything around the vin plate and install a new truck underneath it.

If they say thats illegal, they are basically saying that its illegal to change any part out on a car.
 

jjester6000

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It can be argued that the vin is the truck as far as the state knows. It is unfortunately illegal to drill out the two little rivets holding it on, so what if you just cut "the truck" off the rest of the. body.

That little piece of sheet metal with the vin riveted to it is the truck, so you just are replacing the rest of the parts at once.

The downside is that you got to weld it back into to the new body if you want to be legal, but who says it has to be in the door jam?
 

Scottserado

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I have the title and everything but would I need a rivet gun to install rivets or how would that work out my truck its legal the old owner died in the middle of painting the truck not while painting but in the process so it’s missing it’s vin.
 

Scottserado

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I will neither confirm or deny that I have done a similar swap in MA. The "rosette" style rivets came from ebay. Make sure you can get a title from the donor vehicle first.
Can I have a link to these rosette rivets? I don’t do much rivetting
 

eskimomann209

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To many extents I agree here. If I make a custom frame ( or order one) is my truck illegal? If I replace the floor pans, roof swap inner and outer rockers , firewall redone. What’s left of the original truck?
I don’t mind vin swapping as long as it’s not to evade fees. I honestly don’t even care if it’s to smog exempt because like gun laws it changes from county to county and state to state.
Just use good moral fiber in the spirit of the Law. Rivets are spendy. Hopefully you don’t have a 4 rivet door plate.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/303500347254
 

80BrownK10

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I think it would be legal if you cut the sheet metal around the vin plate, and rewelded another truck onto it.

You remove the the cab and everything around the vin plate and install a new truck underneath it.

If they say thats illegal, they are basically saying that its illegal to change any part out on a car.
I would think this would be highly illegal!!! Anywhere!

Cutting a vin out to put on a different cab is a lot different than getting a frame off a truck you bought to be put underneath ba truck that has a rotted out or cracked frame but an otherwise decent body. Now why would a truck with a frame that bad have a good body...I have no idea, just making my up an example.
 

highdesertrange

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if you want to swap VIN's you need to go to the proper authorities and do it right and legal. you CAN NOT just swap VIN's willy nilly. no matter what anybody thinks is ok, someone from the government must get involved.

P.S. take my advice do this before you spend any money on the vehicle. in other words make sure you have clean vehicles.

highdesertranger
 

Scottserado

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Do you have titles for both trucks? I wouldn't see a big problem if you did.
if you want to swap VIN's you need to go to the proper authorities and do it right and legal. you CAN NOT just swap VIN's willy nilly. no matter what anybody thinks is ok, someone from the government must get involved.

P.S. take my advice do this before you spend any money on the vehicle. in other words make sure you have clean vehicles.

highdesertranger
so I don’t have any papers for the truck I’m swapping it to but I know the people who I bought it off of and the man who owned it died so I’d just go to state police?
 

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