South American FJ43 VIN questions

[slowcredit]

So - In June of last year I bought my SA Imported 1977 FJ43. It's been great. A fair amount of general/engine maint (tires/brakes/carb/belts/hoses/electrical/etc), but generally been really happy with it.

The NC DMV, not so much so.

Got notice back in Feb that the License and Theft Bureau needed to inspect it. Set it up and the inspector was not happy with just the door jamb and frame VINs (which match). Have a good title out of New Jersey from importer with same VIN.

The inspector felt sure there should be another vin plate somewhere and left it to me to find it. I could not and made the mistake of letting it slide. DMV just mailed me back the NJ Title and refunded my registration.

So - first question - did SA 77's have another VIN plate(other than door/frame)? Front firewall? Mine doesn't. Bought one of these repro's with correct info off ebay (see attached - no idea if it's the right one for SA 43's/year). Thinking about attaching to firewall and trying again with DMV, but hate to go to jail over VIN craziness. . .

Alternate option is to post a title bond and then it's registered with a NC Vehicle ID. Would like to keep it all original, but would like staying out of jail more. . .

Hoping I can come up with some sort of definitive evidence regarding SA 43's and VIN plates - then I'll have a better idea which way to go.


Sorry for long winded post and thanks in advance for any advice/insight/experience with NC DMV / SA 43's.


Thanks!

Slow

 

[Mark Jennings]

If you go to Spector off Road web-site, it describes where US & Non-US VIN plates go. And it shows for your year, one on the door frame, one in the engine compartment (right front fender) and the chassis stamp…

Good luck….let us know how it turns out.

 

[Catman76]

My 78 BJ40 only has a frame stamp. Our state police in WV had to see it. That's all it took for title and registration here. I have no vin anywhere

 

[B y r o n]

You might want to contact an auto theft unit of your local PD. They would know where any hidden VIN numbers are located on vehicles. A document from them stating that everything is right and nothing out of line could help you get the registration you are after.

 

[bryce112]

Check the passenger side (right side) fender. Should be on the fender beneath the battery tray.

 

[youngmanchego]

Just purchased a 73’ SA 43. Stalking pre-resto FJCO builds it appears Toyota switched vin plates several times in the 70s. I have one plate of the inside of the passenger fender next to the battery tray. It tells me it’s a 43, gives me an engine number and that’s about it. The engine plate matches and the frame number matches all the Colombian paperwork (that literally goes back to the day of import in 1/30/73). At some point maybe around 75 the 43 plates went to the firewall and is more detailed. I have no clue when they started putting one in the door frame. However, that is all the ID plates that I know of. There are two (at least on later trucks it seems) plus an engine stamp and a frame stamp.

I haven’t seen an SA truck w a door jam plate but I’m sure it’s my ignorance not your truck’s exceptionality. There seems to be no rhyme of reason to this kinda stuff on SA trucks (though w time I hope it gets elucidated).

Ask your importer for the original Colombian paperwork. They will have it, they have to bc of Colombian law. It’s pretty fun regardless of whether or not it’s helpful. Nonetheless it should help your case because it will reiterate that the truck is the same truck imported to Colombia in (edit) 1977. Hope this helps. Sorry they’re being a pain. Maybe your inspector is getting a divorce.