Titling a Custom Vehicle Question...

[TBigLug]

So, the next project is starting since I'm almost done with Heather's. Does anybody know anything about getting a custom built vehicle titled?

It's going to be an 80's or 90's crewcab mounted on a deuce frame with a flatbed. I'll have a title for the cab but I know if I get pulled over the cop's not going to buy that it's a '93 Chevy 3500 2WD.

So, here's my conundrum (sp?). Has anyone ever gone through the process of getting a title for a custom built truck? It'll be a little differant than mounting a Ford body on a Chevy truck frame. They wouldn't think twice about that unless they really did some digging into the mechanicals. I figure it would have to go through a lengthy inspection process.

I'm curious because I can go one of two ways for this build. I can do it on the cheap if I'm not going to put it on the road. But I can't get over the thought of slapping on a 10K plate and cruising around town to deliver hay, haul trailers or just watch people stare.

Lemme know what you know or what you're been thinking.

[TBigLug]

Well, I found this...

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/BFS-72__09-03__83315_7.pdf

Does anybody know where I can look up all the vehicle requirements? Copy of the Michigan Vehicle Code maybe.

[TBigLug]

Found an abbreviated version...

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/vehicle_equipment_requirements_8583_7.pdf

[blazentrout]

A custom title=rebuilt title=asembeled title can be a real pain in the ass. ever thing must work including the emergancy brake. not sure on smog but must likely you will have to '93 or newer smog equipment on it.you will need records on every thing along with sierial(sp) #'s on all majior parts. on top of it as the builder  "YOU" are legaly responsible for the truck for the next 7 years no matter what happens or who owns it. getting insurance will be a pain and cost you more as it would be a '09 or '10 model. whats my little brother does rebuilds wrecks for a living and has told me a couple of times get a cab with  a title  and keep johny law out of it as much as possible. what the gvwr on the cab? if its 10,001lbs or more i would just put the cab on it and not worrie about it.

[TBigLug]

The cab's GVW wouldn't be very high. I'll be using either say a '86 Chevy C30 cab or a '93 Chevy C1500. Either way the GVW will be way less than 10,000 lbs. But, the truck will be plated as a farm truck over 10,000 lbs.

[blazentrout]

If you are going to plate it as a  farm truck, as long as the cab has a title, i would not get the state involed. the only issue i could see would be with the wiegh master if he got pissy.  i also remembering my bother saying something about a 50% rule on doner parts,but i can't remember exactly what it was.
gvwr= gross veichuler(sp) weight rating, this means how much the truck can haul on the truck it self
gvw=what the truck weighs.
the "R" is the key when building a big truck as most of the lift law crap stops at a 10,001 gvwr. but you got the right idea with the  weight plates. show use pics when you get it done, it sounds cool

[TBigLug]

Here's another question. If I did end up getting a custom/ assembled title, will I need a catalytic convertor since it would technically be a 2009? (or 2010-2011 given my speed of accumulating parts ) If you get a chance see what your brother remembers about the 50% thing. The only parts from the M35 would be frame, T-case, driveshafts, axles and wheels. I wonder if it'd be 50% by number or 50% by weight....

[blazentrout]

Ok  i had a chance to ask him some questions, on the cats- he is of the opion that it would need what ever emisions  that were on the newest part aka the motor or the body. so cats would be most likely( but who said you could not take them off later). the 50% rule applies to black title's- which are cars/trucks that are deamed to be scrap. if i under stood correctly ther is a list on the title of what major parts that apear to be  salvageable. what the deal was that there were people building scrap titled cars and only changing  like a cab on the truck and geeting a new assembled title so the state wanted to put a stop to it and came up with that rule.
now salvage titles are a whole differnet animal and dont fall under the 50% rule. is this clear as mud. also figure an inspection will cost you a $100 plus dollars. he also to document all the parts you buy and photo copy the recipts so you got 2 records and take pics of the parts and any #'s that are on them.

[TBigLug]

That helps. Gives me something else to consider while I build this thing. If all goes acording to plan, the title for the truck cab will be a clear title. I'll probably end up buying a whole running driving truck for the parts I need.

[Swampthing]

unless... you have a good friend in a police department who is willing to sign the paper work for you..lol

[TBigLug]

  I've got one or two that may be able to help...