2WD VIN #, but J-300 is 4WD

[coloshadow]

I was decoding my VIN # of 3306E10xxx, and the "33" describes a J300 2WD. The truck is 4WD and looks factory. What other chassis numbers and where are they, I should check to see if they correspond with the VIN?
Thanks

[KaiserMan]

IIRC on the top of the passangers frame rail around the front tire area. There is a stamping on the *I think* LR frame rail somewhere.

[Tonka J200]

Also- Converting a solid axle 2WD truck to 4WD is a pretty straight-forward bolt together job, so it wouldn't be a big surprise that it's been changed. But then again, swapping the VIN plates on early J-series is even easier!

[Oakknoll]

Or maybe someone swapped the cab?

[coloshadow]

Gonna check tomorrow for a chassis number and see what the verdict is. Thanks for the help and input.

[coloshadow]

Allright. Briefly looked for other vin numbers on the chassis, but didn't see any. After looking at my paper work the title and my insurance card VIN numbers don't match.

Title VIN #: 3306E10xxx ("J-300" 2WD w/ 5000 GVW")

Insurance Card #: 3406X10xxx (J-3600 "J-300" 4WD w/ 6000 GVW)

My guess is they either switched VIN plates or cab. The guy I got it from that did some body work/paint never registered it.
I didn't have a VIN inspection and just had a signed over title when I registered the truck. The insurance company got that VIN I guess from the previous owner history database and came up with the "340" VIN.

What do y'all think about that. Probably ought to straighten this up in case I ever have to make an insurance claim. But part of me doesn't want to open up a can of worms either.

I'll look for other numbers on the truck, but any other suggestions on number locations would be appreciated.

Thanks

[joe]

You owe it to the next owner to get your paperwork straightened out "before" you ever try to sell it. Common frame number locations are the top of the frame loops over the driver or pass side rear wheels Front frame horns just behind the bumper. If you find anything you'll just find the sequential serial number part of the VIN (last six digits). You won't find the entire VIN.
Swapping cabs or VIN plates though highly illegal(constitutes fraud) is common in smog states where before a certain year vehicles are exempt from smog regs.
Does the title VIN at least match the VIN plate? If that doesn't match shame on you for even buying it.

[coloshadow]

VIN Plate matches the Title. Looked again for some numbers with no luck. Can't see top of frame loops over rear wheels because of the truck bed and looked at front frame horn the best I could with a flashlight as well as the rest of the frame I could see without a mirror. What part of the front frame horn is typical for numbers? Should I pull the bumper or the bed? Specific frame location would be ideal as I can't seem to find any numbers.

I have no intention to sell the truck and it's not my daily driver. I just would like to know if the chassis matches the body so I know the validity of the title I have and if I need to deal with the DMV. Fortunately AR and especially where I live should be fairly painless.

It's 4WD and the cab and title VIN # says it's 2WD. Maybe an axle swap or maybe not. Original paint does match on both the cab and the bed, which leads me to believe either the interior VIN tag or a matching cab and/or bed were swapped.

Thanks for any help..

[Kenall]

Originally Posted by coloshadow

VIN Plate matches the Title. Looked again for some numbers with no luck. Can't see top of frame loops over rear wheels because of the truck bed and looked at front frame horn the best I could with a flashlight as well as the rest of the frame I could see without a mirror. What part of the front frame horn is typical for numbers? Should I pull the bumper or the bed? Specific frame location would be ideal as I can't seem to find any numbers.

I have no intention to sell the truck and it's not my daily driver. I just would like to know if the chassis matches the body so I know the validity of the title I have and if I need to deal with the DMV. Fortunately AR and especially where I live should be fairly painless.

It's 4WD and the cab and title VIN # says it's 2WD. Maybe an axle swap or maybe not. Original paint does match on both the cab and the bed, which leads me to believe either the interior VIN tag or a matching cab and/or bed were swapped.

Thanks for any help..

VIN matches title!!!..leav it..tell any buyers that you 'converted' it to 4wD.

[coloshadow]

You're right. I'll probably call insurance company and tell them they have the wrong VIN # on the policy and have them put the correct one.

Thanks

[joe]

Originally Posted by coloshadow

What part of the front frame horn is typical for numbers? Should I pull the bumper or the bed? Specific frame location would be ideal as I can't seem to find any numbers.

If the ser # is on the front frame horn it'll be on TOP as it would be on the rear wheel frame loops. you'll find neither with a casual wave of a flashlight or mirror on a 45 year old rig. you'll have to do some scrubbing with at least a wire brush and maybe a scaler depending on where the rig has lived.

[Tad]

From a '72 J2000
Right front frame rail just above the axle/tie rod area.