So I after smashing my front end i had to make a choice:

repair, or replace.

ive decided to repair. but the prospect of having to spend money on something new, and having to get my hands dirty, has wetted my appetite: why not spend money AND get my hands dirty? this truck is getting a overhual, looking to do a street machine but i dont mind getting it messy.

Chassis is rock solid. I want to build the engine but also have to keep emissions in mind. Will the Magnum engines drop in or should i play with the LA? Ive been thinking abotu taking the VIN tags off of a non-emissions donor and re-registering, if you know what i mean. might also do a transmission rebuild - which would be my first one - just to avoid having to do it down the road.

budget is around 2000. Ill be painting it myself with the tremclad special (comes out pretty nice to be honest).

bring on the ideas.

 

What happened to your truck?

 

nohin to bad just hit a tree. depending on shipping, after new grille, fender, bumper, a headlight, and radiator, i could end up spending over 600 dollars. i paid 1500 and already put some money into it on other things. so it was really time to decide if i was gonna fix it for good or sell.

 

Man I hear you on that.

 

Something to consider, I know certain places it is a federal offense to mess with the vin tags. You would have to replace the vin plate up by the windshield as well and I'm not sure a person can match the rivits used by the auto manufacturer. I would do some serious research before proceeding.

 

when ever i got to the dmv they never look at my vin tags on my car or even if i get pulled over so from my experience there isnt going to be anyone looking at them

 

i know its illegal. im just not sure anyone will ever check or know. unless the cop or wheover knows that differences between the 91 and 88 dash nothing will ever happen. plus if ive owned 2 of the same truck, one as a parts truck (which is the case) whose to say i didnt just change the dash on them and that meant to keep things honest i had to also swap the VIN tags.

 

Thats what I would do. Where I'm orginaly from (TX) the go by the fram year.

 

Ah the thoughts of old. I recall when the vin tags were on the drivers door and all a person had to do was swap doors. Now don't get me wrong here, I'm not saying you shouldn't swap tags. However in my experience, granted that has been mostly with cars as I used to run demolition derby and had lots of chances to yank dashes out. But I have not to date found a vin tag attached to a dash. They are normally attached to a flange that is attached to the bulkhead or fire wall if you prefer. I believe this is the case with my dodge as well. I believe they did this to make it harder to swap tags, which is why I commented ealier about matching rivits. I could be wrong, but you may want to look closely to see if indeed your tags are attached to the dash.

 

mine is on the dash.