Can a TJ VIN be used on TJ Unlimited build?

Mike_H said:
So…how about when I do a frame swap and the vin stamped in the frame doesn’t match the dash plaque? The new fenders I got have a vin sticker on them…that won’t match the dash. Are they illegal too?
Click to expand...
To be completely legal, you have to have a legit bill of sale for every part that affects the integrity of the VIN. We all ignore it basically because we aren't trying to cheat anyone and are just trying to fix, repair, and upgrade for our own uses. We are the minority though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: psrivats
hear said:
I assumed the LS swap had it's own way of handing cam/crank timing,
Click to expand...

My brain kicked the LS swap part out and I got focused on the PCM.

hear said:
but he said he was planning to use the PCM off the 98 so the shift control etc won't be a factor. Upon re-reading, it's not clear which computer he was going to retain. I quit. :)
Click to expand...

Now I'm lost as to why the Jeep PCM needs involved at all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Artsifrtsi, hear and Apparition
mrblaine said:
To be completely legal, you have to have a legit bill of sale for every part that affects the integrity of the VIN. We all ignore it basically because we aren't trying to cheat anyone and are just trying to fix, repair, and upgrade for our own uses. We are the minority though.
Click to expand...

This . You are doing a "repair" (like a frame swap for rust abatement) so move as much of the VIN stuff off of the 98 onto the frame and tub and keep some simple documentation of the process.
 
Blackjack said:
This . You are doing a "repair" (like a frame swap for rust abatement) so move as much of the VIN stuff off of the 98 onto the frame and tub and keep some simple documentation of the process.
Click to expand...

Except he wants to use the frame and cab off the lj. At that point all you are doing is swapping vin and plates onto another jeep. That is a big no no
 
  • Like
Reactions: Artsifrtsi and lBasket
@myjeep3 - do I have this correct:
  • Frame: LJ1
  • Tub: LJ2
  • Dash, interior, and drivetrain less engine: TJ1
  • Engine: GM (Truck1?)
So you're combining 4 vehicles into 1 and want to use the VIN on the dash of the one that doesn't match either the frame or tub VINs?
 
  • Like
Reactions: lBasket and Rickyd
deadbeat son said:
@myjeep3 - do I have this correct:
  • Frame: LJ1
  • Tub: LJ2
  • Dash, interior, and drivetrain less engine: TJ1
  • Engine: GM (Truck1?)
So you're combining 4 vehicles into 1 and want to use the VIN on the dash of the one that doesn't match either the frame or tub VINs?
Click to expand...

If I do a motor swap on my 97 TJ-6, what VIN do I use? There are at this point no stock arrangements or configurations as it came from the factory with 2 1/2 exceptions.
Different fenders
Different hood
Different frame
Different cage
Different doors
Different t-case
Different axles
Different hard top and soft top

The only parts that are stock as it currently sits are the engine, transmission, and emissions, (sorta). What VIN do I register it with?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Blackjack
mrblaine said:
If I do a motor swap on my 97 TJ-6, what VIN do I use? There are at this point no stock arrangements or configurations as it came from the factory with 2 1/2 exceptions.
Different fenders
Different hood
Different frame
Different cage
Different doors
Different t-case
Different axles
Different hard top and soft top

The only parts that are stock as it currently sits are the engine, transmission, and emissions, (sorta). What VIN do I register it with?
Click to expand...

The most advantageous
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: Modoc Guy, lBasket and Blackjack
deadbeat son said:
@myjeep3 - do I have this correct:
  • Frame: LJ1
  • Tub: LJ2
  • Dash, interior, and drivetrain less engine: TJ1
  • Engine: GM (Truck1?)
So you're combining 4 vehicles into 1 and want to use the VIN on the dash of the one that doesn't match either the frame or tub VINs?
Click to expand...

Is the VIN actually on the dash? I thought it was on the tub (firewall) and just displayed through a slot on the dash?

I've never had the dash off, obviously.
 
mrblaine said:
If I do a motor swap on my 97 TJ-6, what VIN do I use? There are at this point no stock arrangements or configurations as it came from the factory with 2 1/2 exceptions.
Different fenders
Different hood
Different frame
Different cage
Different doors
Different t-case
Different axles
Different hard top and soft top

The only parts that are stock as it currently sits are the engine, transmission, and emissions, (sorta). What VIN do I register it with?
Click to expand...

The same one you always have would be my choice :D
 
mrblaine said:
If I do a motor swap on my 97 TJ-6, what VIN do I use? There are at this point no stock arrangements or configurations as it came from the factory with 2 1/2 exceptions.
Different fenders
Different hood
Different frame
Different cage
Different doors
Different t-case
Different axles
Different hard top and soft top

The only parts that are stock as it currently sits are the engine, transmission, and emissions, (sorta). What VIN do I register it with?
Click to expand...
I don't know.

freedom_in_4low said:
Is the VIN actually on the dash? I thought it was on the tub (firewall) and just displayed through a slot on the dash?

I've never had the dash off, obviously.
Click to expand...
In the interior swap threads I've seen, it appeared to be on the dash and presented a dilemma when folks were swapping dashes for a different color.
 
deadbeat son said:
I don't know.


In the interior swap threads I've seen, it appeared to be on the dash and presented a dilemma when folks were swapping dashes for a different color.
Click to expand...

All those examples are straw man arguments. If they mattered in the slightest then mechanics and bodymen would need to worry about it. Like i was saying,it is the frame and main body structure(tub,cab,etc that matters.

The vin is indeed on the dash not tub for some reason so i guess it could be argued that the dash not the tub is the defining body part on the tj 🤔
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: myjeep3
Rickyd said:
1) if the frame and tub are from the lj then you'll want to use the lj vin to avoid a reconstructed title. Swapping vins is illegal and you're putting yourself at the mercy of whatever law enforcement ever runs your tags and knows the difference between a tj and lj.

2) the trans and tcase don't need a computer at all. The pcm would only be for running your stock dash. The LS will be run by a gm computer. Even here in smog nazi CA i don't need my vin to match the pcm vin. Your results may vary.

3) the only way i would feel comfortable registering it as a 98 would be to stretch the 98 frame(without disturbing its vin)and only use the lj tub.i would put the 98 dash shell with its vin on it
Click to expand...
@2) Good to know that the jeep pcm is just for dash and lights. What do people use for dash and lighting for LS swap? I may go that route and remove all the jeep wiring.

@3) I like that idea of extending the 98 frame and use the LJ tub. Will look more into that.
 
zackcj7 said:
The main VIN plate yes. But it is also on the driver's door jam, front crossmember and frame IIRC
Click to expand...

When I rebuilt the TJ I believe the door jam vin was destroyed, and I dont remember seeing a vin on the frame as it was completely stripped and POR15ed
 
Rickyd said:
All those examples are straw man arguments. If they mattered in the slightest then mechanics and bodymen would need to worry about it. Like i was saying,it is the frame and main body structure(tub,cab,etc that matters.

The vin is indeed on the dash not tub for some reason so i guess it could be argued that the dash not the tub is the defining body part on the tj 🤔
Click to expand...

Isn't the VIN also stamped into the tub somewhere?
 
Rickyd said:
All those examples are straw man arguments. If they mattered in the slightest then mechanics and bodymen would need to worry about it. Like i was saying,it is the frame and main body structure(tub,cab,etc that matters.

The vin is indeed on the dash not tub for some reason so i guess it could be argued that the dash not the tub is the defining body part on the tj 🤔
Click to expand...

The VIN is typically in the places mentioned above, grill tag, under seat tag, door jamb sticker, dash tag, and stamped into the frame. All but the frame are able to be easily removed and replaced.
 
Top Bottom
Back