I have recently bought what is supposed to be a 1980 toyota with a modified body, the only vin is on the frame. I am trying to identify exactly what it is. The # on the frame is RN37~028747. I have checked the forums for some sort of identification with no luck. Anyone have any insight? Thanks BAM

 

I don't think that the year can be drawn from the frame VIN #. It is a cut off version of the VIN number, with different #'s added to the suffix.

For example if your VIN was JT4RN62D9G0021564, the frame VIN would read RN61-0021564.

R = R-series engine (22R or R-E)
N = Hilux/Tacoma/4Runner/Hilux Surf Code
61 = vehicle wheel base (not sure what 61 is, so far 60= long wheel base, and 37= short wheel base)

That RN37 is Toyota speak for:

08/78 - 07/80 Truck, 20R, short WB, 4X4

I think the rest of the #'s after the RN _ _ are just the sequential production numbers, which doesn't help you determine the year.

The 10th didgit in the vehicle VIN indicates the year. For the example I used, 10th digit G= 1986

Do you have a pink slip to the vehicle? It should let you know the original VIN and year first sold. If you get that, here's the decoder for the 10th digit of the VIN

Digit 10 - Model Year

A = 1980
B = 1981
C = 1982
D = 1983
E = 1984
F = 1985
G = 1986
H = 1987
J = 1988
K = 1989
L = 1990

That thing looks like an...umm...interesting build if it did start as a toyota lol so good luck!

EDIT: Here is a good layout of all the other VIN decodings, I haven't been able to locate frame VIN decoding charts, so if anyone has please post them!

 

start with BJ70 .. might be a toyota frame .. but the body has definatly been changed



.

 

I am 99.9% certain it is all toyota less the body which is obvious. The guy i got it from has a title for it but he had to transfer it to his name so it will be a week or so until i will get it. He said that it is a 1980 toyota pickup and it has a 22R motor in it.

 

Google says RN37 is 1980 Toyota 4X4 short wheel base

The last digits are the vehicle production number. State Patrol can easily tell you what the full vin is from your frame number.

 

I am still confused about the frame vin saying RN37. What does the 37 mean?

 

Oh so in a week or so there will be no mystery.

Problem solved.

 

Hey thats a good idea Trainwreck! See guys I'm not that much of a goober, I was on to something!

Edit: Oh you don't even have the pink yet?? :

 

37 is a designation given by Toyota it means: 4X4 short wheel base.

 

You posted that right before i posted my last question, thanks. Does anyone know if i will be able to tag the vehicle in the NC and be able to use the frame vin to identify it?

 

Your to quick!

 

I know I sometimes come across like I know something about Toyotas. Well it's all my evil plan, I just really know how to use GOOGLE !!!!!!

 

Where did you find that information? I know that 60 is short wheel base, are there any other variations??

 

LOL probably NOT. I don't know the laws in your state. BUT here in washinton they like to know where the body came from.

If you don't have to have it inspected you might get away with it.

Personally I like to know if what I'm driving is made half out of a stolen vehicle or not.


Keep in mind most of the time nobody gets caught, messed with, ticketed, or the like even if it is a totally legal truck. But Insurance companies get weird if you get in an accident.

 

Is there a correct term for a toyota/samurai cross??? Everyones so touchy about being 'politically correct' and all so I don't want to offend anyone trying to tell you what you have there

 

There are a bunch of different designations depending on a lot of factors.

LandCruiser has one set of designations.

And different year Toyotas use different ones too.

That RN37 is Toyota speak for:

08/78 - 07/80 Truck, 20R, short WB, 4X4



"Toyota RN37" into the Google search. I took that information off a couple web sites that came up.

 

Yeah, i understand what you mean about the insurance issue. The title is legit i just dont have the numbers off of it. I am going to try to call on monday and get some more info on it.

 

So the seller has the money and the pink slip?? stop me where I'm wrong (I hope I'm wrong)....

Nice googling train, I'll add that to the first post for decoding

 

JUNK it's all classified as Junk.

As in:

HEY dude, did you fix your junk so we can go wheelin tomorrow?

Damn I broke my junk in the rock garden last weekend.

Hey yo, your sister is wild. My junk will never be the same

it's universal

)

 

^^^