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Jeep guys out there

hickslawns

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Ohio
Roadblock. The new Jeep is out of commission. Whoever swapped the old body for a fiberglass body never swapped the VIN tags. I bought it in Indiana. To transfer to Ohio title they need to verify the VIN. WIthout a VIN tag I can't get this done. There is so much to this story I am not going to type it all. Long story short- I found a partial VIN on the frame. It matches the title. I had to schedule an appointment at the salvage inspection location in Troy. They are bringing in a specialist to look for "hidden" serial numbers on the frame. Not sure where this will take me. Best case: he finds full VIN number. They order a new VIN tag. I go back to Troy and they install the new tag when it arrives. Then I can go back to the Lima office and get title transferred and get plates. Worst case? I don't know. There are still ways to get it titled, but it is quite a process that involves the clerk of courts, some fees, more inspections. . . Basically a pain in the butt.
 

hickslawns

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Ohio
Damn Phil, that blows! Did you call the previous owner?

Yes. He has been super cool. Pretty sure he has sellers remorse. He offered to buy it back if needed. He isn't sure how he would since he spent the money already. He did say he'd figure it out. It truly is not his fault. If I lived in IN the thing would have been smooth sailing. No questions asked. Giles is right though. For what I'm into this one. . . It is worth an extra headache or two.

A "specialist"? Whats that gonna cost you?

Just a little more than a Private First Class? lmao

Shouldn't cost me anything extra as I understand it. I believe the "specialist" is also an employee of the state.
 

5Cent

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North Central Ohio
Hate to hear it Phil, but not a big deal, this happens all the time.

If it gets to sticky point, just don't title it and build it as a mudder/trailer queen :)
 

hickslawns

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Ohio
Hate to hear it Phil, but not a big deal, this happens all the time.

If it gets to sticky point, just don't title it and build it as a mudder/trailer queen :)

I will say this: The guy I bought it from has been awesome. He and I have been texting. He is willing to drive to Ohio to sign anything the state needs. He has offered to buy it back. This guy is truly a stand up guy. In a worst case scenario, I can use the fiberglass tub on the 82 CJ5 I bought first. I can swap the axles so it has the widetrack Dana 44's on it. Throw the new tires and aftermarket rims on there. I have lots of options. Heck, I could turn two into one and still be rolling. I could sell it back to the guy I bought it off of. Pretty fortunate position to be in.
 

hickslawns

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40,344
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Ohio
Fuggin underachievers lol
I finished 9.5yrs in the guard at E4. I'm with Dustin. Army doesn't hand out promotions like stars on the bulletin board you AF guys got. Lmao

Kidding of course. There were some worthless e5, e6, and a few worthless e7 in our units. I just had an NCO in charge of getting guys to school who was useless. He dropped the ball multiple times to get me into PLDC. Then my time was up. So I reenlisted. Then there wasn't a slot available. Screw them. I had more guys working for me than my motor Sargent had. It didn't matter. Small units only have so many e5 slots in the motor pool. So I ETS as a Specialist.
 

MK111

"Happy Hunting Grounds in the Sky"
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SW Ohio
Those State salvage inspectors are a real pain in the ass and don't shit from apple butter.
My son, nephew and myself have done almost 20 salvage rebuilds in the past 15 yrs.
My 1st rebuilt was Olds Cutlass that needed new hood and front fenders. Got new parts in and body shop removed the new part number sticker to paint. The Cutlass was registered as a Insurance Co. high risk vehicle so part number must stay on. The damn salvage inspector almost seized completed car had to talk my way out of it since I was 1st time rebuilder. But I was put in the computor records as a offender and all vehicles in the future would be seized for offenses.
My 2nd rebuild was a Ford Excersion that was a easy fix. Took it in but refused because of blood splatters into the head liner. I said there is no blood there, they showed to me and I goes that's fly crap spots. They never heard of fly crap before so I explained it was fly shit. But the rejection form was already filed and no way out. So I had to get it detailed and bring it back 6 weeks later for another appointment.
3rd rebuild was a 1 yr old Ford Taurus station wagon. I was a easy front fender and door replacement with only 567 miles. Must have been the Insurance policy if you wreck a new car you are given a new car replacement. Well the damn salvage inspector almost seized the car since I'm was in the records for a offense because in his opinion there wasn't enough damage for a salvage. Luckly I had taken all the before salvage yard sale pictures with me and after reviewing them he goes 'lucky you'.

So have your ass covered with records before you get there as they want to push their power around.
 
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hickslawns

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Ohio
Had my "salvage inspection" Wednesday. They could find no VIN numbers outside of the partial one above the passenger rear axle on top of the frame. It is partial but matches the title. They asked about engine, interior, etc., and whether original or not. I knew the engine and axles were not original. Uncertain on interior. They made some calls. Told me to get a notarized bill of sale from the guy I bought it off of. Once they receive the bill of sale they will order new VIN tags. Once the tags arrive they call me and schedule a time for them to install the new VIN tags. After this I transfer title and get plates. Really didn't give me any issues. They know many of these Jeeps receive fiberglass bodies and are often modified. They were really cool about it. In fact, I had some issues with the Jeep starting the day of inspection. We hooked a tow strap to another truck and pull started it to load on trailer. Upon unloading, I dumped the clutch as rolling backwards off trailer ramps so I could drive it into their inspection bay. After the inspection I needed to load it again. With a slight incline from the inspection bay downhill into the parking lot, three of the pushed me out the door and into the parking lot. I dumped the clutch again, who fired, and I loaded it onto the trailer. I must say they went above and beyond their job duties by push starting me. Lol. Nothing to complain about at all.
 

MK111

"Happy Hunting Grounds in the Sky"
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SW Ohio
Good to hear Phil. That won't happen in the Cinci area. Those guys are above getting their hands dirty.
 

hickslawns

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Ohio
Good to hear Phil. That won't happen in the Cinci area. Those guys are above getting their hands dirty.
The one in Findlay sucks. The guy there is a total dick. Troy location I have been to twice. They have been very nice to deal with and fair.
 

hickslawns

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So the 78 Jeep has had starting issues. Swapped starter solenoid and she worked great for half a dozen starts. Took it to Troy this morning to get VIN tags installed so I can title it. Go to back out of their bay and it won't crank. Jumped screw driver across solenoid and it cranks. No fire. Hopefully a splash of gas is all she needs. If so this $12.99 gas can from Meier and some gas will get her loaded back onto my trailer. If not? I dunno. Maybe I'll find a Harbor Freight to buy a piece of garbage winch to pull it up onto trailer. This could get interesting.