If you do a frame swap, you will need to get a salvage title for your car. Make sure you take photos and document everything with either a frame swap or rail replacement.
get new rails or find a frame??
- Thread starter That 4 door guy
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pontiacgp said:
Yes there are, they are placed where they aren't easily seen. Only the DMV can decode the frame numbers and if they don't atch the VIN you could be in big trouble. But this depends how strict your state is with this. Just check with the DMV first and take photos to be on the safe side.
Being from the same state (even the same area) as the op, I can assure you the DMV doesn't give a rat's *ss about if the frame is original. Changing the frame doesn't mean the car needs a salvage title, either. Been in the body shop biz for a long time, replaced many frames. Insurance companies that "total" cars (because they cost more to fix than worth, no matter the damage) are the ones that need salvage titles.
The only time you can get into trouble is if you remove the vin tag from the dash. They have special rivets. You don't have the rivets, busted.
Of all the cars i've had, never once has the DMV even walked outside to look at them. Only time that happens is with "out of state inspection". Even then, they only look at the vin and check mileage against the title.
The only time you can get into trouble is if you remove the vin tag from the dash. They have special rivets. You don't have the rivets, busted.
Of all the cars i've had, never once has the DMV even walked outside to look at them. Only time that happens is with "out of state inspection". Even then, they only look at the vin and check mileage against the title.
Clone TIE Pilot said:
The frames were mass produced and were not specific for any car other than a G body. We're talking before computers and I'd like to know where these numbers were placed on the frame cause I have worked with dozens of frames building race cars and I never noticed any serial numbers on a frame. The frame I have under my car came from another G body and I went over that whole frame to upgrade any weak spots and boxed it, there were no numbers on that frame.
Clone TIE Pilot said:
The frames absolutely cannot be tied to a VIN. Nor will any DNV go searching for "Hidden numbers" that have to be decoded.
I've had several "inspections" in Ohio for Salvage, out of state, etc....they half way look at the VIN on the dash, and that's it. Didn't even ask what was repaired, nothing. Your local office may be different, I dunno.
One of the inspections was on a Safari with a tuned port V8...they didn't even open the hood.
I would not think twice about changing the frame or any other part...Heck, I'm considering putting an Astro on a 4x4 one ton frame and registering it as a station wagon.
One of the inspections was on a Safari with a tuned port V8...they didn't even open the hood.
I would not think twice about changing the frame or any other part...Heck, I'm considering putting an Astro on a 4x4 one ton frame and registering it as a station wagon.
woah. thanks for all the posts. i found a few on craigslist and went to check em out but they were worse off than my car. then one idiot tried to tell me a 84 caprice coupe frame would work if i fabbed the mounts to fit bwahaha i maybe some dumb but im not a effin moron 
but i atleast want to drive her maybe one or two more years before i decide to do said project, but it is in my top priority to get what i need now so i can spend the time on rehabbing the frame in such... thanks for all the input. and since were on the subject of under the car, all my trans fluid leaked out. my jack was stolen so i havent been able to get under her. but it looks like its at the tail of the trans. anybody else had this problem? and no i havent been driving her like that. but it looks like a crime scene under her haha
but i atleast want to drive her maybe one or two more years before i decide to do said project, but it is in my top priority to get what i need now so i can spend the time on rehabbing the frame in such... thanks for all the input. and since were on the subject of under the car, all my trans fluid leaked out. my jack was stolen so i havent been able to get under her. but it looks like its at the tail of the trans. anybody else had this problem? and no i havent been driving her like that. but it looks like a crime scene under her haha
I did remove the frame from my cutlass ......
like Blake said it`s a big job!
id inspect the frame closely before getting into this type of work ....
those rear rails are quite easy to fix ...most of the time it was the only place that rusted.....
like Blake said it`s a big job!
id inspect the frame closely before getting into this type of work ....
those rear rails are quite easy to fix ...most of the time it was the only place that rusted.....
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