5 Ton VIN for SF97?

[Andrmorr]

When you check the frame for the ser#...be sure and check high up on the frame rail almost on the top side... It's easier to hammer in a number on a flat surface than a vertical one...Mine is almost on top of the rail in 3/4 inch tall numbers... on the outside of the front left frame rail right beside the steering box, but I had to lift the mudflap up to see it at the very top of the frame rail, otherwise I would have thought the number was not there also.

The DMV and Insurance world use 17 digits for all their vehicle registration needs and don't like it when it isn't a normal 17 digit number. So, it will save you alot of hassle and explaining if you can get your VIN to equal 17 digits...I asked Gov Liquidations to add zeros in the middle of my VIN to add up to 17 digits and they did. It worked like a charm and has made life alot easier with getting the registrations and plates. Just use your registration number, then serial number, then add zeros in between the two to give you 17 digits.

Here's an example how to do it using 98G's pic above (post #13)... NL00PN 00 1001AA470... both numbers show up on the data plate which will satisfy the state trooper, but it all adds up to 17 digits which will satisfy the ins co. and the DMV computer...

If you're still not sure, post a pic of your data plate and we'll help you decipher what to submit...

 

[Gunzy]

When you check the frame for the ser#...be sure and check high up on the frame rail almost on the top side... It's easier to hammer in a number on a flat surface than a vertical one...Mine is almost on top of the rail in 3/4 inch tall numbers... on the outside of the front left frame rail right beside the steering box, but I had to lift the mudflap up to see it at the very top of the frame rail, otherwise I would have thought the number was not there also.

The DMV and Insurance world use 17 digits for all their vehicle registration needs and don't like it when it isn't a normal 17 digit number. So, it will save you alot of hassle and explaining if you can get your VIN to equal 17 digits...I asked Gov Liquidations to add zeros in the middle of my VIN to add up to 17 digits and they did. It worked like a charm and has made life alot easier with getting the registrations and plates. Just use your registration number, then serial number, then add zeros in between the two to give you 17 digits.

Here's an example how to do it using 98G's pic above (post #13)... NL00PN 00 1001AA470... both numbers show up on the data plate which will satisfy the state trooper, but it all adds up to 17 digits which will satisfy the ins co. and the DMV computer...

If you're still not sure, post a pic of your data plate and we'll help you decipher what to submit...

I wouldn't bet on that satisfying a trooper out on the road, as that number with all the "0"s is not on the truck anywhere like that. The impound on the truck and ensuing legal fees will be your responsibility not the troopers or judges. Oh, and adding the numbers (0) to the s/n on the data plate is then seen as VIN tampering and will cause more legal woes. JMO

 

[Andrmorr]

I wouldn't bet on that satisfying a trooper out on the road, as that number with all the "0"s is not on the truck anywhere like that. The impound on the truck and ensuing legal fees will be your responsibility not the troopers or judges. Oh, and adding the numbers (0) to the s/n on the data plate is then seen as VIN tampering and will cause more legal woes. JMO

No where was it said to add anything to the data plate. We are talking about creating a VIN for a vehicle that never had one before. The VIN will never be on the dataplate but both halves of it will. A trooper/judge will understand that the military vehicle did not come with a VIN from the GOV but was ASSIGNED one using the reg number/serial number that are on the data plate.

As in the example given above, the 2 zeros in the middle are just place holders that give a total of 17 digits.

 

[98G]

I'm with Gunzy on this one. They can force their system to accept a shorter VIN. They need to do so.


I had plates revoked once because the insurance company added zeros to make it fit their system, then the numbers on the proof of insurance didn't match the title and didn't match the data plate.

An explanation fixed it, but I'd suggest going to extremes to make sure your title and your dataplate are an exact match....

 

[Andrmorr]

It's no different than building a car/trailer from scratch...it never had a VIN so you apply for a VIN then stamp it into the vehicle to match the title...THEN it becomes VIN tampering once it is on the title/vehicle. These trucks came without a VIN and one was created...you COULD stamp the GL created VIN into the dataplate and it would be legal because it didn't have one until you had one assigned. The next owner could not, because the VIN had been set legally on the title YOU created.

 

[98G]

I still think the least risk is having them force their system to accept the existing number as it appears. I've done this a bunch, with no problems.

The only problem I had was when someone tried to add zeros to make it fit...

Just my opinion and my experience.

90% or more of the time you'd get a reasonable trooper who would see the obvious and there'd be no problem. All it would take though is that one guy and your truck would be impounded with the burden on you to show a title that exactly matches the stamped dataplate.

And stamping additional zeros onto the dataplate is a bad idea at best. They won't match, and will attract attention and make it look like you've been tampering with it which will raise suspicion.
In summary, it's their system that's fixated on the 17 digit requirement. Let them force their system to fit your truck instead of trying to make your truck fit their system.

 

[Andrmorr]

your example says the ins. co. changed the numbers FROM what was on the title...that is completely different than what I suggested.


The data plate does not have a VIN on it...it has a reg # and a serial number...so it is irrelevant to the VIN on the title...but if the VIN is both the reg#+Ser # then the data plate helps...you can add a line at the bottom that says VIN...stamp in what your title says and that will make it easy. That's why I suggested getting the VIN to say what you want since it matches the truck and it has 17 digits. I didn't make this up, it was suggested to me by DMV.
Whoever creates the VIN has to stamp it in...that's you...it's not tampering if you created it and stamped it the first time...and when both halves of the VIN are the reg AND the serial (and it's on the frame too), it's not tampering if it matches the title and you created it. Just like if you build a trailer and get a title and VIN created for it then stamp it in...

 

[Gunzy]

If a VIN needs to be created for ANY vehicle it will need to be done by a state/federal agency such as the DMV. GP/GL are not state/federal agencies. Here in my state they will take the shorter S/N-VINs as we have thousands of classic cars here and registared that do not have a 17 digit VIN. If Utah issues an "State issued VIN" it is not 17 digits either as I have friends who have scratch built cars and I have seen the VINs that are UTXXXXXX. I strongly recommend against ANY alteration of the S/N rather it be on paperwork or the vehicle. The only losers in this senario will be the vehicle owner as the state and law enforcement will have the final say and the cost of proof will fall upon the owner. Yes, you may win your case, but were the monitary loses worth it? I would rather spend my money on parts/maintenance than on a legal fight no matter how right I may think I am. Now, that being said, they are your trucks and in the end you can do as you wish.

 

[Andrmorr]

Who said alter the S/N?

 

[Tow4]

Save yourself a potential headache and just use the serial number from the data plate.

 

[98G]

In the above mentioned truck my title says 1001AA470, my insurance says 1001AA470, and the dataplate says 1001AA470 with some extraneous stuff preceeding it. (You and I know what the extraneous stuff is, but to DMV it's just noise) . There are no numbers on the frame....

DMV may vary state to state. My direct experience is only relevant to TX, AZ, OK, and MO. Looks like the OP has added his state and he's in WI. Probably best to get his info from someone local.

Adding digits probably works just fine. It did for Andy. I still think the least risk is to force DMV to make their system accept your truck's SN as-is. Opinions vary. Best practice probably varies state to state as well.

 

[Castle Bravo]

These are definitely all state specific issues. My state and my insurance company has no issue with less than 17 digit VINs.

 

[98G]

On a completely unrelated note, it's worth checking the frame and comparing numbers there (if any) with the numbers on the dataplate. I've seen 2 instances where cabs were switched around at rebuild and not only did the serial numbers not match, but the truck M number didn't match the build.

 

[Csm Davis]

Okay from a law enforcement perspective you should only use the S/N as it appears on the data plate/frame. Now I know for a fact that some do not have one or the other and some none, but please remember that GL/GP is responsible for getting you the correct number. If any of the state's will not take a short number the correct way to go is to have the state issue a Vin with a number they will accept. The S/N is the VIN in most states.

 

[Gunzy]

Adding ANYTHING to paper work or otherwise in Utah is considered "Altering", maybe it is different elsewhere but it is still altering on the S/N-VIN.

 

[painter paul]

This is a too young a computer software designer and too young a DMV clerk. They can envision anything being different than what they experience in the newer cars and trucks. Heck I have a truck with a 4 digit SN. All the clerk has to do is override the system to allow a less than 17 digit Vin. Way back when the Model A Fords were registered using the motor number. Me I would never add to or alter anything. The numbers on the vehicle whether they be motor number, SN, or any length Vin are what should be used to register a vehicle because its the manufacturers intended way of identifying that particular vehicle. Anything else could be interpreted as changing it and subject to impounding and criminal charges. Thanks, Paul. ( used car,truck dealer).

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

Just to throw this into the mix, My M931A2 has THREE data plates. The black plastic plate nearest the passenger door, a metal plate and a PMP plate. They ALL are different in denoting model number in the serial. As in black plate being 31/10001, metal plate being 32/10001 and the PMP plate being 33/10001 I used the black plastic plate. I assume this truck was a M931A2 before rebuild and winch controls and hydraulic stuff for a winch was added at rebuild(no winch though), so they changed the metal plate to 32/10001 How they arrived at a 33 is anyones guess, since that's not a tractor.

 

[Csm Davis]

Please post pictures of the plates