I just picked up a 91 blazer with a good body and I'm going to swap the body with my 85 Jimmy body. When I do that can I legally take the vin plate off the 85 and put it on the 91 body, or do I register it as a 91 even though it's on an 85 chassis?
CK5
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Body swap question
- Thread starter 85 Jimmy
- Start date
I don't know the legal answer but I swapped an 87 frame under my 91 body and it's titled/tagged as the 91. I imagine it'd be easier to tag the body because the that's what the tag office will see in the parking lot, plus the explanation of the 85 chassis vs 91 would probably complicate things.
Legally 
, I imagine the specifics will vary state by state, but IIRC in my state you would be required to use the newer body and then be required to meet any requirements for the year vehicle (emissions, saftey etc.)
Now that is not to say that plenty of people have done exactly what you are thinking of (swapping body) and have just switched the vin from the old body to the new body and never had an issue. Is it legal, no, has it been done, more then likely.
, I imagine the specifics will vary state by state, but IIRC in my state you would be required to use the newer body and then be required to meet any requirements for the year vehicle (emissions, saftey etc.) Now that is not to say that plenty of people have done exactly what you are thinking of (swapping body) and have just switched the vin from the old body to the new body and never had an issue. Is it legal, no, has it been done, more then likely.
Desert Rat
Fetch the comfy chair
Every state is different but generally you can't remove the VIN plate from the body without having problems. Later model frames had the VIN that came with the body stamped on the frame. Earlier model frames had a different number that looked nothing like the VIN. I had a couple of 74's that I ended up swapping bodies on and the frame number was completely different. Check the frame about mid-point on either side and see if there is a number stamped either on the inside of the frame rail or on the outside and see if it is the VIN number. If the frames have the VIN number on them, then you might have an issue with a knowedgable cop. However, I was reading the MS Vehicle Code and it just says that registration is based upon the VIN so the DMV would most likely just check the VIN plate on the dash. If it looks like it has been messed with, they might give you a hassle.
Just fyi, the frame has the vin on top of the rail under the pass front floor pan, without a body lift it would be pretty hard to see/read. The number stamped on the vertical side of the rail is a part number.
X2 I recently completly stripped my 86 frame and the only place the vin is located is where NVRENUF stated. That being said the vin on my frame, from being blasted and stripped and recoated with multiple layers is no longer visible what so ever.
Desert Rat
Fetch the comfy chair
My 74's only had the part number. Somebody said they started putting the VIN on the frames later but do you know what year?
I dont know what the law says in your state, but in NC the vehicle is registered as the frame and the body doesnt matter. When I satarted looking for a body to use for a swap I found one at a junkyard with no title and called the DMV to ask how I would need to go about titling it and the woman said you title the frame and put whatever body you want on it. So when I get done my Blazer will be titled as a 76 but will have an 88 body.
fmstruck
1/2 ton status
Here in NE, it's just the opposite. I have always titled everything to match the VIN tag on the dash and never worried about the frame. One truck I have is a '79 K20 chassis with a '77 C30 body. It's titled and registered as a '77 C30 and no one has ever hassled me.
Well here in Nebraska, I have registered a pickup to a VIN number that I had a title to and just drove it. They don't care much about 30 year old Chevy pickups.
Martin
Martin
Desert Rat
Fetch the comfy chair
I wish it were that way in California. I would yank my 76 body and drop it on a 74 frame and never need smog again.
