Frame number dilemma

powerwagontim · Post by **powerwagontim** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 7:21 pm

Hi Guys,
So I am "restoring" the 51 M37. It was originally a winch truck which at some point had the original winch replaced with a winch off a Duece. A very sloppy install which entailed cutting the frame off just forward of the front spring mount. I bought Ed Andersons parts truck mostly for the correct winch, and the frame. Now yesterday I found another frame locally that is in beautiful shape, absolutely no rust and still OD all over. It is drom a newer B1 series truck. So here is the question. I consider the truck I am restoring to be the 51. If I put a 1960 frame under it for example, then the truck is technically a 1960. But that makes it a B1, which the truck isnt. What if I was to cut the serial number off the 51 frame, and weld it over the replacement frame's serial number? It seems better than trying to grind off the vin and stamp the 51 vin onto the frame. Any other thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks,
Tim

m-37Bruce · Post by **m-37Bruce** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 8:35 pm

Hey Tim,
I would do none of that, your rig is still a 51 with a donor frame, clear & simple.
Moving VIN #'s is a bad idea, only get you in trouble, I'm sure?
JMHO,

Tom P · Post by **Tom P** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 1:05 am

Hi Tim,
Bruce is pretty much correct.

If you cut the 51 frame number weld it close to the 60's,not over it.
Keep it titled,as a 51,but carry a bill of sale or copy of the 60 title in the truck also.
Just my opinion,
TGP

MSeriesRebuild · Post by **MSeriesRebuild** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 10:21 am

Cutting & welding of any kind to change a VIN# is not smart at all. Reason, your story even though it would be true in your case would not fly with any state's DMV inspectors if they paid attention. You may as well realize up front with all the stories they hear about such issues & the stolen vehicle situations that are out there today, trying a scheme like this should be a no - no in anybody's eyes. It isn't worth the hassle it will cause you or your family members if & when it was to be sold at a later time or if you had insurance issues to ever come up for any reason. With the current administration we have in Washington, there is absolutely no telling what issues could come up in regards to these trucks at anytime, anything out of the ordinary could bring fast issues your way, don't run the risk as none of us know what could arise. Today isn't the world we used to live in, to think authorities will go for this story, well save yourself the grief, it won't fly.

powerwagontim · Post by **powerwagontim** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 5:58 pm

Thanks Guys,
OK, no tampering with the Vin Number, you kind of verified what I kind of already knew. Vermont doesnt title vehicles that old, but they will verify the vin when I register it. I will contact them and see what the process will be.
Thanks again,
Tim

Post by **Cal_Gary** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 5:51 am

I concur with all of the above. I did a cab swap and the replacement cab included the VIN plate on the glove box door. My Title still has the frame number VIN and I intend to continue using it. The door VIN plate will be replaced eventually and the replacement plate will have the frame VIN on it, to keep everything legit, even though I know I replaced the cab. Same numbers issue but not as difficult as your frame number issue-don't make any of the numbering look altered or you could have legal issues.
Gary

powerwagontim · Post by **powerwagontim** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:54 pm

Well, I got the answer today.
I had to go to the Vermont DMV today to register my Daughter's car. After getting through that, I asked the Clerk about the swapped frame issue. She said to register it with the data tag on the glove box, and no problem if the frame number didnt match. So, thats the rest of the story. Other states may be different, so dont take this as gospel in the other 49!
Thanks,
Tim

vtdeucedriver · Post by **vtdeucedriver** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 3:36 pm

powerwagontim wrote:Well, I got the answer today.
I had to go to the Vermont DMV today to register my Daughter's car. After getting through that, I asked the Clerk about the swapped frame issue. She said to register it with the data tag on the glove box, and no problem if the frame number didnt match. So, thats the rest of the story. Other states may be different, so dont take this as gospel in the other 49!
Thanks,
Tim

Crap tim, I just got to this tonight. I could have told you what you just found out. My truck is a 51 but the frame had a lot of wore out bushings at the springs and needs to be sandblasted. When I priced out all the bushings George was parting out a 53 with a very MINT frame and it was cheaper then the bushings that I needed so I bought it!!!!! I still have the 51 frame and I eventually might do something with it, as I have the axles off the 53.

The other local frame of the B1, is that in Hinesburg????
my e mail
vtdeucedriver@yahoo.com

powerwagontim · Post by **powerwagontim** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 5:17 pm

The other local frame of the B1, is that in Hinesburg????

Not any more! it is sitting in front of my shop.
I have meant to ask you, what is the reason for the red fenders on your truck? The guy I got the frame from has an M37 with pink fenders (faded red) that he is going to fix up soon.
Thanks,
Tim

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 2:58 am

I believe the red fenders denoted an EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) truck.

You can always spot an EOD man. They're the guys with a size 54 jacket and a size 2 hat.

powerwagontim · Post by **powerwagontim** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 3:17 am

Thanks Lifer. I will tell the guy that has it, because he has no idea either. He thought someone had just stylized the truck. When I saw the pic of Vtduecedriver's truck I knew it was too much of a coincidence.
Thanks,
Tim

vtdeucedriver · Post by **vtdeucedriver** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:50 pm

powerwagontim wrote:
The other local frame of the B1, is that in Hinesburg????
Not any more! it is sitting in front of my shop.
I have meant to ask you, what is the reason for the red fenders on your truck? The guy I got the frame from has an M37 with pink fenders (faded red) that he is going to fix up soon.
Thanks,
Tim

Was it one of Girox bros?????? They used to have a junk yard that had like 8 of them. He sold the land and was scrapping everything years ago to clean it up. They were pretty well picked over. They were free but you HAD to take them ALL!!!!! Some had bodies and others were bare frames. I never did take any pics. This would be about 97. I wonder where they went.

Yep, red fenders is EOD. That does not mean tho that the other M37 was a EOD truck. But I would not mind seeing pics.

powerwagontim · Post by **powerwagontim** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:57 pm

I know the Giroux boys well, David Giroux is who did the painting on my cab. They are a great bunch of guys.
My frame came from a guy who ended up with the Giroux trucks, but this frame was from George M.
I will take some pics of the pink fendered truck next time I am there.
Tim

vtdeucedriver · Post by **vtdeucedriver** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 4:53 pm

Frame number dilemma

Frame number dilemma

Personally