Are 1976 D100 cabs VIN marked/stamped? Cab swap?

I am looking to see what the appropriate way to restore my 1976 Warlock is.

We bought the truck from my Father-in-Law, it's really my Wife's truck, it has some sentimental value. The truck isn't in great shape, both cab corners are shot, the lower portion of the doors were poorly patched and it has a hacked aftermarket sunroof.

The easy solution would be to find a cleaner [one can dream of a rust-free] cab and just swap it. Are the truck cabs stamped/marked with a VIN like some certain areas of car chassis?

Obviously I am not looking for anything dishonest, I'll put a roof on it if I need to....but if swapping cabs is an "okay" thing to do, I'm interested! What's the verdict?

That is pretty murky territory. The cab has the truck Vin number on it. According to the State of IL, the title goes with the frame, and everything beyond it are replacement parts, but they like to affix a "new" vin number on a replacement cab.

The correct answer is to check with your state DMV and ask them their procedure for swapping a damaged cab. Its been done a lot over the years. Gene

Goody, get hold of you local State Troopers (and maybe DMV) and ask them the legalities in Texas. Theirs is the only blessing that matters. Let us know what you find out...

That's probably my best bet. I wasn't sure if this would be at a state-level, or higher.

Not sure there is any actual vin stamped in the cab of a 1976 truck.

Thought the vin plate is on the door and ECS offers the vin data sticker .

I would (have & will) just swap the cab and not worry about it.

There are thousands of re-cabbed trucks out there and more being done every day.

Ed

I wouldn’t worry about it. Take pictures for documentation. It’s not like you are trying to do anything unlawful. It’s much safer than trying to piece together a rusty cab. Just make sure your new cab had a title. Take it to dmv and explain everything and ask them which title they want you to use. Or just do it without asking. It’s not as big a deal as some of these guys rebodying rare muscle cars.

No. There is no VIN stamped on the cab on the 70's trucks.

Thanks for the feedback all. I will run the traps locally and see what turns up. Regardless, I need to find a donor roof.

What year cabs directly interchange? Is a standard bed cab the same as a step side?

If I remember correctly, 72-80 cabs are the same....and no difference between step side and regular. I'm not sure if an AC cab would be different like cars are, as far as the firewall goes?

On some of the 1970's trucks there was a sticker on the door jamb with the VIN number. Of course the actual VIN number was on the door as previously noted. I have no idea what years / models had the sticker on the jamb. Over time, most of those stickers have probably faded and peeled off.

On the differences between cabs, some trucks had the fuel tank in the cab. The early 1970's models had a different dash than the later 70's trucks. I think there were a few very minor changes to the fire wall when the dash was changed...but I may not be remembering that correctly. Someone told me the 1972's had an different sized window. (rear window or windshield??) Some of the cabs had a removable cover to access the transmission.

On the legality of the swap, I'd take "Poorboy's" advice and check with your local government officials. There are other states which require a new VIN number for a cab swap. It may not be a big deal to get the new VIN number...but I'd check with the state first. Then you can make a more informed decision.

72 to about 75.5 had a smaller rear window. I found out the hard way when I needed a window for my 75.

'78 the tag was on the driver side door.

I was rather surprised to find this out.

I use a title that matches whatever cab I use, just in case.
As others have said I would not worry about it.

Difference in cab floors also.

Small hump for 2wd autos & 3 on the tree, big hump for 4 speeds & 4x4's.

Ed

Lots of various changes in the cabs over the years. Best to get a cab of the same year as your truck. Yes they all will interchange though.
72-74 have an obvious rounded shape to the floor beside the seat when you open the door and look down. They also mounted the jack on that rounded hump on the passenger side.
72 cabs have a pipe welded to the cowl for the heater blower pipe, and use a spring clamp to hold a flex hose, and the 74 and newer cabs have a hole where a plastic moulded pipe fits in.
All rear window openings are the same. It is the glass and rubber that are different.
Several floor hump versions over the years. Small hump for 2wd automatics, medium removable hump for some 2wd manuals, large removable hump for 4wd and some 2wd manuals,
All firehall heater openings from 72-80 are the same size.

please post what you find out Goody. I have a truck that needs a new roof. a cab swap might be easier?? i'd like to know what considered legal by txdmv standards...

my truck has a little VIN sticker on in the doorjamb of the cab..but it also has VIN on the dash because it's a military truck.