VIN question

Is there a way to verify the VIN of a flattie if the VIN tag is missing? Should I give up and keep looking?

Background:
I have been looking for a flatfender project for a while now. Today I went to look at a '46 CJ-2A with a supposedly clear title, when I tried to verify that the VIN on the title matched the plate on the firewall I found that there was a body tag on the firewall right below 4 empty screw holes where I was expecting to find the serial# tag. I was somewhat disappointed because this appeared to be a viable project at a reasonable price but not if I can't get it registered and tagged.

 

Should be numbers on the frame. Either a tag on the front frame horns or stamped in the frame. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable on flatty's will chime in. Buddy went through this when he bought an early 2a from an estate. Got it home and found the title didn't match the vin tag.

 

The boidy tag number is supposed to match the ID tag number, altho is a few instances it does not.You can not be sure if the unmatched ones are due to parts swapping or were that way from the factory. The factory mismatches were only off by a few numbers from what I have seen. Also the engine number is not the VIN number even though a bunch of states have used the engine number for a VIN , screwing up the paperwork on the jeep if it ever goes to a different state.

Frame tag is on left front frame horn, if you find two small holes about 2 inches apart you found where it was. Replacement plates for all three locations are available, if you have a valid VIN. The correct number should be CJ2A xxxxxx and if you check the serial number sites you can find if it is the correct range for th year.

From what I have seen OK is one of the easier places to title a jeep, if you have a friendly title clerk.

Good luck.

 

It is Very common to find a flatty that obviously doesn't have the original tag and title with it. These jeeps were considered throw away vehicles that sometimes were never titled or licensed; and it seems that every state had there own way of dealing with VIN and title issues. It probably doesnt help that a tub from 42 will basically bolt right on to a 75 frame. Upgrades, changes, and rusted out bodies have all greatly complicated things as parts have been swapped out over the last 60 years. When trying to get one licensed, it is very helpful to either find a clerk that understands old cars or dont offer any information that they may use against you. If it is a project that you intend to have for long term, your state may have a process like we do in Washington, where you can get it registered in your name for three years. If noone can show ownership of it after three years you then can apply for a tile in your name. We also have an "assembled" vehicle route where you can have the State Patrol inspect your car and check for stolen parts. You give them all of your reciepts for all the parts you bought and they assign a new Vin number and tag to the vehicle. This route just muddies the water further when someone in the future mat try to track down VIN numbers.

 

If you have a 2A and a good clear title with a 2A # then I wouldn't worry about it. NewVIN tags can be gotten. If the project looks good and the owner has had it for a while and seams honest I'd go for it and get a replacement tag. Check over on the 2A page for When the body #'s started being off from the vins. Was the body # close to the VIN on the title? IT should be for a 46.

 

Thanks to all for all the good information and prompt feedback. This was part of my concern, I couldn't exactly put my finger on it but I got kind of a squirrelly vibe from this guy. He claimed to have owned this Jeep for about 3 years or so and never got it titled in his name, however the last "legitimate" owner signed the title and dated it in '99. Also, from my research on the 2A website I found that a VIN # may legitimately vary from the body tag # by as much as + or - 1500. The difference between this title and body number was greater than that.

I've been looking for a while now, I think I would be better off to keep looking.

Thanks again.

 

When someone is looking for a old Jeep, I always ask three questions to start with:
1. Is the wife on-board with the project and does she understand how big of a project this can become?
2. How much rust is in it, and do you own a welder?
3. Does it have a title?
Everything else can be worked out with the help of the great folks on this site!

 

Maybe you could get it for a better price if you let the owner that this was a hangup. Perhaps it would be useful for parts too. In Texas you can get a bonded title for a vehicle such as this.