I recently bought a 1980 Toyota 4x4 and was curious about the VIN, so I pulled the title out from the guy I purchased it from and it had "RN37037XXX" as the VIN, after researching that number I found out it was the Model Number. When I went outside to get the VIN number off the dash it wast there, I checked the firewall still no plate. The only plate I found was on the drivers side door jam which read the same "RN" number out was labeled as the Vehicle Identification Number. From reading all the forums on here and others, they all say the plate should be located on the firewall, but I can't find it anywhere. Is there ANY other way to find the 17 digit VIN or is the "RN" number going to suffice for registering this vehicle? I also read on the other forums that the chassis will have a number too, will that help my cause?

 

truck was prolly stolen at one point in time, im j/k btw haha

 

17 digit VIN wasnt introduced untill 81


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Also compared the chassis number with Vehicle Identification Number in the drivers side door and they both match. So if the 17 digit VIN wasn't introduced til 1981 is it safe to say the Florida will recognise the "RN" number and accept it as my VIN?

 

they pretty much have to , any make or model of the same vintage would be in the same situation as you


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So it's safe to say the number I have is the real VIN

 

If it says it on the title it may be some sort of constructed vin. Mine is DMV.......ca

There also should be vin numbers all over the frame, and the crossmember behind the transfer case, you could see if they match up.

You're going to want to be totally sure your truck is not stolen before you do any real work, it could get taken away from you and given to its rightful owner

 

Welcome Sirsmitty, I live in Milton, Glad to see another Florida boy on here... Good luck with the truck..

 

So how am I supposed to verify that this truck is not stolen? Will the DMV be able to find out for me?

 

Yes dmv will know..

 

Its not that hard man your vin is the RN...... I have a 80 too and theres no problem with getting it registered or recognized by dmv. Just make sure all the numbers match (door jam, engine bay, frame)

 

x2, make sure the one on your frame is good, glad to see flordia people, really need to get a flordia group together, anyways back on topic....

 

mine is the same way! no problem.