New here, looking for advice on how to procede.

[Budget63]

Hey guys,

I have been lurking on here for a couple of months, and finally picked up a '63 C10 from a friend. It was a donor truck for a customer's project at his shop. They didn't have a use for it anymore and it was more or less a fairly complete truck in need of reassembly. So yes, my truck is a collection of parts that were deemed "not good enough to use for a build". I made a hasty decision and bought the truck with no paper work(I know, I know, bad idea). My friend told me that the truck had been in his possession for a year or two and that his cousin had owned it before him. Both of them had purchased it without a title, and that by this point it should be out of the dmv system, and that it would be as easy as going down to the dmv, and applying for a title.

Not the case, haha. I went to the dmv, gave them the plate number and the name of the guy I bought it from, and they told me "That is not the name of the person we have on file as the last registered owner". Of course due to privacy laws they couldn't tell me who it was. The roof on my cab is rusted through above the windshield, so I want to replace that anyway.

I don't want to part it out and give up on the project! I have been looking around at cabs for sale on Craigslist, and have found a few, but they are 64's and 65's (so i would also need new doors). I know the frames are different on 60-62's(narrower, correct?) than 63-66's, but will an earlier cab bolt right up?

This is all new to me and feels a little shady, but from what people have been telling me it isn't that out of the ordinary to get a different cab and register the truck with the vin tag on the door pillar (assuming you buy it from the legal owner). Anyone with any experience doing anything like this?

[DPowers]

I think you have yourself a potential mess there. I would part it out and then find a legal vehicle. My 2 cents.

[AcampoDave]

I used a '63 frame under my '66 no problems. As for DMV...if I don't get things done the first time I will go back and use a different DMV or a different employee at least and many times things will work out., The trick is finding the right employee who doesn't have a stick up their hind quarters and mad love for the government machine. Find one who doesn't see you as the enemy and your off to a good start. You live in CA too so I'm sure you know what I mean.

[64shortbox]

I sent you a private message about using lien services in California. Kind of long explanation but I've used lien services on several cars I bought without title.

[spacedebris]

changing the cab wont do you any good with DMV anyway. Unlike modern trucks that have the vin in the cab, this era truck has the vin on the frame, so changing cab's wont help with the DMV.

As long as it has not been reported stolen, you can go through the lien process to claim the truck. But be prepared to work for it. Unless you have a particular attachment or have too much money in it to walk away from, then I'd agree with DPowers and say just part it out and find another and save yourself the headache.

[jtrichard]

shortbox has it right do a lien sale its easy .....dont just put a different cab on as some day someone might want to check the frame # then you will have a BIG problem ..... here in calif if there is no record at DMV its real easy but it looks like you have found out that it is still on file so do a lien sale and start your build .... and we NEED lots of pics

[Budget63]

Thanks for the input guys! Will a lien sale still work if there are fees owed by the owner on file at the dmv? I have pics on my computer, I guess i need to sign up for photo bucket or something? What do you guys use to host pics?

So far:
1963 C10 Long bed stepside $450
1960-66 Long bed fleetside bed $400 (delivered from the bay area)
350 long block $175
Tow truck ride $110 to my place.
I also bought a disk brake front clip from a '71 and up, that I guess I don't need after all for $200

Ty

[jtrichard]

its been awhile since i did one but i think it clears up back fees call a lien service and ask the questions ... some of the answers might be in the PM from shortbox

[Budget63]

I actually pm'd him about it, but haven't heard back yet. Great, I will call around tomorrow! This is really great news if this will work!

[1963c-10]

If you go with a 60-63 cab, you will not need a 64-66 cab and doors. Are the 63 doors still good?