******* RESOLVED ********
4th time the charm. found someone who sorta understood and agreed to vin update and title correction. Unbelievable that just finding the right person to move things along was all it took. I'll be happy when I get the physical paper title, A lot of worry and frustration finally moving behind me.
Howdy all,
I am trying to register my 55 in Oregon and unfortunately the outfit that I had do part of the steering upgrade drilled through the frame right where the primary VIN number was. (Guess I should have asked-Didn't even think about it)
Anyway the I.D. tag under the hood is not the VIN so the DMV is saying no go.
Any secondary locations that another VIN number might be??? I may have one of the nicest salvage FJ55's if I can't prove this is the vehicle I purchased....
mine is a 1969 model so might be outta luck then if Toyota changed/added locations in the 70's...
Also the frame number is stamped on the metal tag under the hood next to the motor.
Unfortunately one set of numbers on the title has two extra zero's. (other wise the numbers match)
Thanks a bunch Lil'John... Yeah nothing there on my '69. The tag riveted in the engine room says "FRAME NO" followed by the VIN. So that's good I think. The bummer is California DMV wants to see the vehicle in person. Huh - An 800 mile drive round trip just for that?? And still no promise they will correct the issue. (That they probably goofed up when the vehicle was new)
Supposedly I can find an Oregon State Trooper to fill out the form and verify the VIN. And then send that to Sacramento with my only copy of the title.... And hope it doesn't get lost in the mail or at the main DMV office. Not sure what Trooper would want to do that.
Thanks Scrapdaddy. You know I'll call the state police in the morning and see what they are willing to do. Edit: hey I also see you have the same amount of numbers in your vin.
I think it would be a total waste to not keep my clear title. I really don't have the financial resources to junk this one and gamble on another rig. (To only have a similar issue) I'm hoping someone will listen to reason and let me keep something that I have really worked hard on.
I'm certainly not gonna let this one go without a fight!!
Yeah Lil'John they didn't go to 18 digits till '81. (I think) before that it was up to the builder.
I just stuffed in a nice Wilwood brake cylinder to control my front calps.
Steering is getting there and really feels great behind the wheel. My tabs run out in July, hopefully that won't be the last time I drive her. Kinda stinks its on my shoulders to correct DMV errors of the past. Keeping my fingers crossed!
I had to place a ZERO in the spot where the DASH was to get it thru Cali DMV. You should have a door tag, engine bay tag and a stamped frame. If the stamp can be verified to be the same digits as the door tag and or engine bay tag, you could get it re-stamped at a new spot adjacent to the original per DMV directions/permission. you are going to have to get it to a DMV to get it verified if there is any discrepencies with the VIN. GL and keep us posted. maybe post some pics so we know what they're gunna be seeing- obscure the digits for the camera
Thanks Crusher. Yes will post pics with the plate I have. No door tag I see. But will really clean that area up to see if one is hiding.
No motor match as I have an F2 upgrade the PO did several years ago. (This newer motor runs so nice.... Best thing about this pig).
Will post pics shortly.
So here's a few images of the locations I mentioned:
1st is the current tag in the engine room. Full description says "frame no" followed by the FJ55 ect... Should be gold with that.
2nd is the door jam. Really cleaned it up and no data.
3rd is the new home of the Sag box...
Unfortunately no room to add the zeros as on my title. Talked with another Cali DMV rep and he said it's up to my state I reside in to update/correct the title number. He suggested trying more dmv's... So will give it another go and this time start working my way up to the managers. I have been reading up on the DMV code book so will have a little more info when I go in again.
May be just as hard to obtain a salvage title if that is my last resort to part out.
This is getting really old fast. Trying again next week. The real bad thing too is I'm now illegally driving it as any police officer that pulls me over can cite me for not registering a vehicle within 30 days.
Nope nothing there... Thinking maybe it was a sticker or missing as a result of body repair.
Even worse now is the fact that the tag in the pic above is enough to go on for a title. It's just at this point both states dmv's will not allow me to update and correct the frame number. Going to keep trying till I kill off any more possibilities.
I did not add any 0s, just omitted the dash and replaced it with a 0...the guy who did the PS job right screwed you- he should well have seen the number and relocated it
Thanks J Mack. Good idea btw.
Sadly though one dmv person said the frame number on the engine room tag is sufficient for a proper ID. Unfortunately the numbers don't match up. Those two zeros added by some idiot on my title from 1969 might be the death of my rig.
Hopefully I can recoup enough from parting out to buy another clean titled rig. Just don't want to get more depressed thinking that might be the only outcome.
Sadly though one dmv person said the frame number on the engine room tag is sufficient for a proper ID. Unfortunately the numbers don't match up. Those two zeros added by some idiot on my title from 1969 might be the death of my rig.
Thanks J. I'll pm and see what the key was to get titled. I'm hitting all the bolts with screw loose for the next week in the event I need to start breaking her up.
What would you sell the complete pig for if you kept all the new drive train parts you installed?
I'm looking for a shell for my second pig and don't need a title.
