VIN problems

[burnhedge]

So I recently purchased a 81 GMC Sierra 3500. Called the insurance company to get it covered so I can get my inspection n tags. They told me my vin wasn't valid.

The first 3 digits are 1GD. Obviously the D makes no sense. The rest of the vin checks out completely. The numbers on the title and truck match and if someone altered the truck they did a darn fine job.

I've been researching all day and the only similar issue I have found is a guy with a 3500 that has a extra long frame. His vin starts 1GB. My truck was a state truck used to spread salt and appears to have heavier spring packs than stock, and the diff housing looks different from any other 14 bolt I've seen. Is it possible GM changed the 3rd digit on Commercial trucks or special orders? Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Keith Seymore]

Attached is a link to the GM issued VIN card decode:

http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/techinfo/73-91VIN/1981truck.pdf

You are right - there is no option for a "D" in the third position (or a "B" for that matter).

I would take a picture of the stamped VIN tag on the dash: if it reads "1GD" then it doesn't matter what the VIN decoders say. If the truck and title match then I'd go to the insurance company and tell them you are very sorry but - that's the VIN.

If they don't like it then I'd take my business elsewhere.

K

 

[chengny]

Get a VIN Verification/Inspection done. I have had to do it many times.

It needs to be done a lot; for example when buying an unregistered vehicle from out of state, one with no bill of sale or one with a hazy (i.e. inappropriate) VIN.

Not long ago - in a situation similar to your's - my son bought a late model Jeep (from my best friend) that had a truly screwed up VIN on the title - it was only 7 characters long. Somehow the DMV issued a registration and plates but when he went to get it inspected, the state computer network wouldn't accept a 7 digit VIN. We had to do a VIN verification and then re-register it using the real VIN code.

In NH this process is free and can be done any law enforcement officer, car dealer or licensed inspection station. Apparently in Kansas it costs $20 and can only be done by certain designated law enforcement agents:


Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Inspections are required in Kansas if:

1. A vehicle has a title from a state other than Kansas or a foreign country;

2. A vehicle has been assembled, reconstructed, reconstituted, or restored from one or more vehicles;

3. The proper identification number of a vehicle is in doubt.

This inspection must be completed before the Kansas Department of Revenue will issue a license tag or title for the vehicle.

The VIN inspections are conducted by trained law enforcement personnel employed by the Patrol or designated law enforcement agencies across the state. The majority of these inspections are conducted at a fixed location in each county, but in special circumstances inspections may be done at the location the vehicle is being stored.

To arrange for a VIN inspection of your vehicle, contact the appropriate Troop location (listed below) for information on inspection hours and locations.

State Motor Vehicle Enforcement Coordinator
Lieutenant Brian Basore
122 S.W. 7th
Topeka, KS 66603
785-296-6800

Troop A Motor Vehicle Enforcement
Technical Trooper Dave Albers
913-780-6058

Troop B Motor Vehicle Enforcement
Technical Trooper Josh MacEwan
785-296-3102

Troop C Motor Vehicle Enforcement
Technical Trooper Rodney Osland
785-827-3065

Troop D Motor Vehicle Enforcement
Technical Trooper Wayne Dotts
785-625-3518

Troop E Motor Vehicle Enforcement
Technical Trooper Jeff Knobbe
620-276-3201

Troop F Motor Vehicle Enforcement
Technical Trooper Raul Carrillo
316-744-0451

Troop H Motor Vehicle Enforcement
Technical Trooper John Keene
620-431-2100


VIN Inspection Locations




Allen - AL
Anderson - AN
Atchison - AT
Barber - BA
Barton - BT
Bourbon - BB
Brown - BR
Butler - BU
Chase - CS
Chautauqua - CQ
Cherokee - CK
Cheyenne - CN
Clark - CA
Clay - CY
Cloud - CD
Coffey - CF
Comanche - CM
Cowley - CL
Crawford - CR
Decatur - DC
Dickinson - DK
Doniphan - DP
Douglas - DG
Edwards - ED
Elk - EK
Ellis - EL
Ellsworth - EW
Finney - FI
Ford - FO
Franklin - FR
Geary - GE
Gove - GO
Graham - GH
Grant - GT
Gray - GY
Greeley - GL
Greenwood - GW
Hamilton - HM
Harper - HP
Harvey - HV
Haskell - HS
Hodgeman - HG
Jackson - JA
Jefferson - JF
Jewell - JW
Johnson - JO
Kearny - KE
Kingman - KM
Kiowa - KW
Labette - LB
Lane - LE
Leavenworth - LV
Lincoln - LC
Linn - LN
Logan - LG
Lyon - LY
Marion - MN
Marshall - MS
McPherson - MP
Meade - ME
Miami - MI
Mitchell - MC
Montgomery - MG
Morris - MR
Morton - MT
Nemaha - NM
Neosho - NO
Ness - NS
Norton - NT
Osage - OS
Osborne - OB
Ottawa - OT
Pawnee - PN
Phillips - PL
Pottawatomie - PT
Pratt - PR
Rawlins - RA
Reno - RN
Republic - RP
Rice - RC
Riley - RL
Rooks - RO
Rush - RH
Russell - RS
Saline - SA
Scott - SC
Sedgwick - SG
Seward - SW
Shawnee - SN
Sheridan - SD
Sherman - SH
Smith - SM
Stafford - SF
Stanton - ST
Stevens - SV
Sumner - SU
Thomas - TH
Trego - TR
Wabaunsee - WB
Wallace - WA
Washington - WS
Wichita - WH
Wilson - WL
Woodson - WO
Wyandotte - WY

 

[RetroC10Sport]

We also have a VIN decoding post that is very thorough.

http://www.gmsquarebody.com/forum/showpost.php?p=112315&postcount=10

Third digit as D means GMC cab/chassis.

 

[chengny]

Third digit as D means GMC cab/chassis.

Makes sense; I'm seeing the 3rd character as a B (1981) or D (1982) indicating "incomplete vehicle". Wouldn't a Cab Chassis set-up be considered the best example of an incomplete vehicle?

 

[burnhedge]

Third digit as D means GMC cab/chassis.[/QUOTE]

I didn't even think of that. Thanks

I looked through vin info for hours and couldn't find any reference to the "D" in question. Should have came here first.

 

[RetroC10Sport]

B is a Chevrolet cab/chassis and yeah, that would be the epitome of an incomplete vehicle.

 

[74propu]

Nathan where in Kansas are you
where I got out of the navy I moved back to Kansas I had a 1952 chevy 3100 truck and the inspector in Olatha tried to in pound my truck for a missing rivet in the new vin tag (rebuild title) that the state of north Carolina had me put in the door post with just pop rivet had to call the hp officer that watched me put it in and he had to tell them that is the way thay did it and a rivet could have come out just have me put it back in infront of them and all will be good . Kansas insp sucks have your ducks in a row they can in pound it for any little thing they find wrong then you go through hell to get it back so if you can have them come to your house to do the insp then they cant take it

 

[burnhedge]

I'm out in the country close to Fort Scott.
I don't think that would happen here. Mostly a farming community. I've had several old trucks inspected with no problems.

Olathe now that's another story. I used to work construction all over the KC area. Olathe was absolutely ridiculous about fining people for nonsense. I won't even drive through that town these days.

 

[farmerchris]

i live in Fort Scott,and you have to go to the the courthouse here to get inspected. once they look at it and verify it is an orginal vin tag,insurance company will have to accept it.

 

[farmerchris]

actually its the sheriff office that does it, usually at the courthouse

 

[burnhedge]

I got my insurance company to cover it today. Planned on taking it into town for inspection Monday but this weather has me so far behind on things I'll probably have to put it off awhile.

 

[Keith Seymore]

We also have a VIN decoding post that is very thorough.

http://www.gmsquarebody.com/forum/showpost.php?p=112315&postcount=10

Third digit as D means GMC cab/chassis.

Thank you Retro.

It's a shame when the factory documentation is not correct. I've had some of those VIN cards have bad plant info, too. They are proving to be not very reliable.

K