I have a 54 3100 with no title. There is a plate on the door jamb with a serial number on it. I did a title search under that number but the state of Texas could not find anything. The motor that is in it is not the original one. What number would be used for the VIN as I'm going to have to go the bonded title route. Thanks,
Dmv Do you mind sending me the numbers off the vin plate. I will get our dispatcher to do an indepth search to see if she can find out anything. Check all the numbers carefully to make sure you have them correct. These are often difficult to read. An easy way to to make a pencil impression on these old vin tags. Let me know and i'll get it checked through Texas DMV. Man it's great to have access to these files. The Boops Dad
Boopster, Thanks for the offer. The serial number on the door jamb is H54K025210 I was told that they normally use the number on the motor for the VIN but since this is not the original, I wondered what to use for the VIN. Thanks for any help you can give.
Dmv Sorry, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles shows this number to be out of the system to long and is no longer in the computer database. You will need to get the DMV to do a manual title search. Might take a few weeks or go the bonded route. You can also go the salvage title route. Or a builders title. Which ever is easier and or faster if time is a factor. But if you are going to stay with that number, make SURE it is clear becasue DMV will notify the previous owner of your intent to get a title and you would be surprised at the people who want them back if they think they can make some money off of it. My truck had not been registered for 8 years and was still in the database. I think after 15 years it is removed, would have to check. Hope this helps. I have no way of doing any other type of search. If I can help any of you guys out in this area let me know. The Boops Dad with the cool cop car
Most states did use the engine number to title these trucks. Once the original engine is gone and you do not have any old title or registration documents, you will not be able to do a title search on the vehicle. The number on the door post plate is a body serial number. There is no VIN # and no numbers are stamped on the frame. VIN's started in the early 60's. In Oregon I had to have DMV assign a VIN#, but I did have a old Washington title. Oregon ended up using the serial number as the VIN but only after a state police officer spent an hour or so looking for a frame stamp. No amount of talking, or shop manuals, would convice him that there was no frame numbers and that the number on the old title was an engine number. Good luck, and remember DMV is just trying to make sure the truck wasn't stolen at some point, which should be a good thing for us truck owners.
Texas DMV Texas must be a little different. I purchased my 53 from the original owner and even received the original title that was old and falling apart. The number on the post matched exactly with the number on the title. I never checked the engine number. I know that on all new vehicles (4 wheelers, motorcylces, cars and trucks) the vin is on the frame, dash and other places. I work with Texas DMV daily in Texas but am unaware of the particulars of how other states may vary. It is interesting though that when I run a vehicle it often comes up with the previous owners w/addresses, color, lein holder w/address, if the vehicle is stolen, age, insurance company w/address and other info that some are not aware is displayed. BTW - I hear Oregon is very pretty this time of year. The Boops Dad
Boops Dad, don't know if you are being funny but in western Oregon we are well into the rainy season, which is every season except summer. But growing up a webfoot moss-back, I love it here. The rain makes it green and beautiful. Evergreen forests, moss and ferns. I believe western Oregon supplies the bulk of the fresh cut Christmas Trees for the country. In Portland we are a hour from the ocean, 45 minutes to snow covered mountains and 2 hours to the high desert. But keep it a secret . . .
No, not being funny Here in Texas the trees are at the tip top of the beauty cycle, colors of every shade. Me and my folks used to drive and look at their beauty. I had been told that as beautiful as the Texas trees are that they don't compare to the tree colors further up north. I guess it could have been a tall tale, kinda like some people tell about Texas, you know ... porky pine eggs, jack rabbits the size of dogs, and the such. no, wasn't funnin. I'd love to see that part of the county some day... I have said for years that i'd like to find a spot up there and get lost from the rat race. The Boops Dad
Titles , Texas & Oregon FWIW ; When our trucks were new , the engine was the most expensive part so the engine serial number was most commonly used although some dealers used the VIN , not many did . There is NO VIN on the frame of a GM truck in the AD and prior years . You should _always_ use the VIN stamped in the tag on the driver's side doorpost as Cops , esp. young ones , will give you greif otherwise . Adding the VIN to the left frame rail on the horizontal part near the steering box is wise as that's where the DMV and Law enforcement will look for it , you will need to remove the inner fender panel to do this and never , EVER admit to -anyone- having added your own VIN ~ let is get a bit rusty then clean it up and re-paint most of the frame in that area before taking it in for VIN verification ........ Oregon is incredibly beautiful & green but Texas is also very beautiful , esp. the desert in West texas..... I do believe the biggest Jacalopes come from Texas....
door post vs engine number Allbeit nice for a reccomendation to use the cab number and start stamping numbers on the frame, what does the law say? I am trying to sell a truck with the engine numbers on the title. The title is in my name and the number on the title matches the motor perfectly. Where can I get the actual document? I have a request for TxDot to help me by email, but I would like to get this deal done some time this year. Thanks for the help
Every state is different I guess by your reference to TxDot, you're in Texas. You say the title is in your name. Does that mean that you have the original title in your possession? If you do, you shouldn't have a problem in selling it. However, when you say "where can I get the original document" does that mean that it is titled in your name, but you can't produce the original title and need to get a copy of the original title in your name?
In this case , leave it be . if the next owner decides to change the engine , he'll have to take the truck down to the DMV and have them update the title , he'll need a recipt for the new engine and they'll want to inspect the truck , maybe they'll use the VIN at that time , one can never tell . So , DO NOTHING now as you're selling it and it is 100 % legal as-is . BTW : ' The Law ' frowns on you stamping your own VIN on the frame , even if it's the same one on the title . -Nate
