VIN label

520 Views 2 Replies 2 Participants Last post by aitch, 7 mo ago

aitch

I wasn't quite sure where to place this post, so I picked "Chassis", but if a Moderator thinks it better suited for another category, please feel free to relocate the post.

I finally got around to addressing a missing tag/ label on the Sonoma. For some reason, the P.O. (or another party) removed the VIN label from the edge of the driver's door, and it bugged me enough to actually rectify its absence. My research indicates that this is not a 'part' available from the dealers any more. I did some web research, and found a company that is licensed (and apparently the only one) to reproduce (select) factory labels for GM, Ford, & Chrysler. Here's the link for anyone interested: ECS Automotive Concepts - Late Model Replacement VIN Door Decals. You need to provide them with validation information (for fraud prevention, obviously) and fork over a mere $125 for a replacement VIN label.

I didn't feel like parting with that sum for a label, so I decided to get resourceful and see if I could replicate one myself. I grabbed a logo from the web, found a couple of photos online of GM truck (S10) labels from '03 (for reference), did some more research and verification for my specific truck, and cranked this out. It helped immensely that I have all of the original paperwork from when the truck was sold, so I already had most of the necessary information on hand.

The 1st photo shows what was left on the door, and the 2nd one is a draft of the reproduction. It is printed on plain white paper and the corners are chamfered as an approximation. The final label will most likely be on (gloss) photo paper, with the correct radiused corners, clear coated for protection, and adhered with 3M permanent spray adhesive. It seems to be a reasonable solution for only a few hours of time. Critical ID numbers have been redacted to protect the "innocent"!

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oldeerslayer

· #2 · 7 mo ago

That tag is there simply for the air pressure info. The official vin tag is on the dash in front of the drivers left arm. Right at the windshield glass.
Most trucks have a paper tag on the firewall, also. It's not a legal vin tag, but is a good way to double check the vin hasn't been tampered with.
If you alter the metal dash tag :

U.S. Code section 18 USC 511 declares that anyone who “knowingly removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters an identification number for a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part” can face as much as five years in prison and a $10,000 fine

Here in Wisconsin, in 2017, the legislature passed a bill clarifying that altering other labels containing the vin are not subject to the laws about vin tag alteration. Since those tags purpose was to provide info on a specific part of the automobile (like air pressure) but were not intended to legally identify the vehicle. Even though they're made in such a way as to destroy them if anyone attempts to remove or alter them.
You might want to give your State cops a call to be safe. In states like NJ or the Peoples Republic of Calipornia, where 100's of car are stolen every day they might be a little more OCD about altering paper tags. Particularly Cali where just about everything is either illegal or causes cancer. Buying a box of ammo there requires more paperwork than buying a gun in most other places.

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aitch

Discussion Starter · #3 · 7 mo ago

oldeerslayer said:
That tag is there simply for the air pressure info. The official vin tag is on the dash in front of the drivers left arm. Right at the windshield glass.
Most trucks have a paper tag on the firewall, also. It's not a legal vin tag, but is a good way to double check the vin hasn't been tampered with.
If you alter the metal dash tag :

Here in Wisconsin, in 2017, the legislature passed a bill clarifying that altering other labels containing the vin are not subject to the laws about vin tag alteration. Since those tags purpose was to provide info on a specific part of the automobile (like air pressure) but were not intended to legally identify the vehicle. Even though they're made in such a way as to destroy them if anyone attempts to remove or alter them.
You might want to give your State cops a call to be safe. In states like NJ or the Peoples Republic of Calipornia, where 100's of car are stolen every day they might be a little more OCD about altering paper tags. Particularly Cali where just about everything is either illegal or causes cancer. Buying a box of ammo there requires more paperwork than buying a gun in most other places.

Thanks Oldeeslayer. I was definitely aware that screwing with the (metal) VIN tag in any fashion can be "problematic" (at the least!). As usual, your insight and references are appreciated. I did notice in the U.S. Code you cited, that there are actually a couple of specific exceptions to the law. Interestingly, the (VA) State Code addresses the vehicle Inspection sticker with a rather explicit and lengthy section. It seems they are pretty fussy about those. I'll add all of this to the 'good to know' knowledge base, and (thankfully) none of this negatively impacts the replacement decal for this specific situation.

To complete my due diligence on this topic, I called the District HQ for the State Police (VA), and explained the situation about replacing the door sticker/ decal. It's not an issue here, as the state is specifically concerned with the 'official' VIN tag at the dash, the engine, transmission, and the frame, The trooper confirmed that the door decal was 'supplemental', and there were no legal issues involved. And, of course & for the record, I made contemporaneous notes of the call, with time, date, contact person, and full context of the discussion.

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