Thoughts on starting a 40 series VIN registry

[FARMAN33]

I have wondered about my past 40s from time to time and a registry would really be helpful. I am thinking VIN#, years of ownership, state of ownership, and a picture.
Should be searchable by vin so format should be uniform. Just some thoughts. I searched and found some dead end threads on this.

 

[JohnnyC]

ALOT of cruisers...however would be very cool

I would be interested to have the engine number if it hadnt been replaced as well as color if known

 

[FARMAN33]

Yes, chassis and engine #s. The mind reels with all the potential information this could provide. I could account for maybe 4 or 5 chassis vins over the past 20 years.

 

[JohnnyC]

there was this list that got started:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/508972-how-many-fj40s-represented-mud-31.html

there was also one set-up as a Poll...and had years broken down..cant seem to find that one however...anybody know where that poll went?

 

[subzali]

Check out the Stickies for a thread on engine serial #s...

 

[JohnnyC]

Check out the Stickies for a thread on engine serial #s...

need something like that for the F's

 

[FARMAN33]

My thinking behind using the vin is that we all have documentation laying around ( old insurance, repair receipts ) and such from past 40s we have owned and currently own. My goal would be for someone 5 - 10 years from now access a vin registry thread searchable by vin and have any past ownership by MUD members. Think about how many times you wish you could get into a PO's head about this modification or that.

 

[Pistorman]

This would be awesome!

 

[FARMAN33]

With many of our 40's being passed on and on and on, I think this would be a valuable resource for sellers AND buyers if the former has done responsible work and the latter has cash to spend on thoughtful former ownership.

So I am thinking Year / Model:
Vin #
Engine #
(if stock)
Years of ownership:
Picture


Thoughts? Additions? Deletions?

 

[Poser]

What happens when the user decides to edit their post, removing all info/pictures?

 

[JohnnyC]

the register that we use in the 25 section is in one post at the top...there is a seperate thread for "The Count" that has pictures...see links:

Count Thread: https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj25-owners-group/272360-count-fj25s.html

Register: https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj25-owners-group/438862-fj2x-registry.html

fj45 register: https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj45-owners-club/138672-fj45-registry.html

 

[FARMAN33]

What happens when the user decides to edit their post, removing all info/pictures?

Reminds me... I need to buy another star.
We are all on the "honor system" here.

 

[FJsnoozer]

we could also list the Vin number of random parts that we own in case anyone needs to build a number s matching

 

[1911]

I think it's a good idea and would participate, but you've got all those folks who can't tolerate a photo of their license plate; somehow I don't think they'll be keen to post up VIN numbers.

 

[FARMAN33]

We will offer free tin foil hats to anyone who submits.


Good point.

 

[4thHorseman]

I think it should be put as a database and not via posts. And then only tracked as someone new enters the same vin at a later date. Putting in the vin would show you years and states the car has been entered in/as.

 

[SliderJack]

I've been giving this some thought. I'm a software engineer and an FJ40 owner. I could build a web site where people could register their vehicles and put as little or as much information as they like, including pictures. They could specify what information they want public and we could have a verification process as well.

People could use the site to find a vehicle history for a particular vin they submit, or people could visit the site to browse vehicles--all 78 FJ40s that were 416 color. We could have a 4 sale section, stolen section, etc.

It would be a bit of work, and wouldn't be done overnight, but if it would be useful it could be a way I could contribute back to the community.

While a custom site could provide a lot of features, we might be able to get by with modifying the Ih8mud vbGarage. The forum software has a garage add on. We might be able to just add a VIN field and be done. Or there might be some add-ons, hacks, available or custom development that could be done to make the garage itself a little more useful. In that case, it might just take some research and make a proposal to Woody or whomever.

 

[FARMAN33]

All great ideas. My post was just to get juices flowing. A database linkable to MUD would be ideal, however I am barely computer litterate to post here. This also addresses previous privacy concerns as well as shady flipper deletions.

 

[Pierps]

Sliderjack, that would be awesome. A database would be way better than a thread for sure. I would think the owners of this site would be interested in integrating this into a section of this site, too. It could be a big traffic draw and would help maintain this site's position as the premier toyota 4x4 resource! Man, what I wouldn't give to know the history of my rig!!

 

[SliderJack]

It has potential. I'm not sure what percentage would register and what the liklihood of a previous owner would be motivated to submit info.

If you wanted historical info for your vehicle, would carfax be a good option?

What's the downside of publishing your VIN? VINs are technically already known since they're sequential, right?

I could see a possible downside of publishing a physical address associated with a vehicle. That would be up to the owner.