New CJ7 VIN and the DMV - Street Rod Registration

  • Hey all - Haven't had a jeep for about 10 years, but looking to get back into it. Looking to buy a CJ7 as a project and one I'm looking at has a replacement alum. tub. It has the original VIN plate re-attached near the steering wheel and a current PA title matching the VIN plate. Any thoughts on how much of a PITA it's going to be to get through the DE DMV? I'm sure I'll have to go through the line with the Troopers, but last time I did that, they were able to find a matching VIN on the frame of a old F250 Ford truck that I restored. This time, I'm not thinking there's going to be anything that can be seen on the frame.


    Other than the VIN, I'm sure I'm going to have to jump through hoops on some other things. The rear lights are recessed, but that should be an easy temp fix if needed. Tires are too wide by a couple of inches, but I'm sure I can find something to fit.


    Outside of the VIN - Thinking about going Street rod registration - Anyone have any opinions one way or another? This will likely just be a weekend rig for tooling around town and doing light trails up at AOAA or down in VA. I'm OK with the driving restrictions part of the Street Rod since I get the feeling they're not too strict.


    Thanks for any help or advice. Looking forward to attending a few events with the club.

  • the vin shouldnt be an issue if u go through the regular lane. As long as they can see it at the base if the windshield they wont look any further.


    Make sure the horn, wipers and lights (license plate light too) work. U will need red side markers in rear and yellow in front with reflectors greater the 3 sq-in.


    Mud flaps r a good idea now too. They forced me to put them on after 15 years if not needing them. I zip tied welcolm mats to the bumper.


    They will sniff the tail pipe so u might need it tuned?


    For an antique tag it needs to be near stock looking. If u get it through once its tge inly time u have to go to the dmv but there r driving reatructions.

  • Thanks for the input guys!


    I'm hoping I don't have to go the Montana route. I almost did that for my trailer I just purchased, but read about weird enforcement rules the State caps can/will use. I'll use that as a last resort option and with how much I'll drive this, it will probably be fine. On a side note - If anyone needs help moving a jeep, I got you! LOL


    Still hoping to use the Street Rod method. While looking around, there was a guy in lower DE selling an LS swapped YJ. He mentioned he ended up getting the Street Rod tags because he was having a hard time getting the Fuel Injected LS to pass and would have to get a special rune loaded just for passing every two years. The Street Rod tags allowed him to skip that, but of course does that the driving restrictions. I think I'm OK with those.


    For the VIN - The tag above the Windshield wiper motor is missing. I'm hoping it's in a box somewhere of spare parts he has, or I guess there are reproduction alternatives I can use before heading to the DMV.


    I'll make sure to post about my experience here in case it comes up during future searches. I haven't been able to find much via my poor Google Foo skills.

  • Separate question for the group - Do they ever check the e-brake during inspection? This one isn't working. They don't check it on my manual Tacoma, but thinking that may have been because they're not used to those being manual? May install a line like break instead?

  • I've never had them check the ebrake, mine wasn't even connected for years (switched to disc brakes) and was sold twice before it was finally hooked up.

    Jerry / Whatevah

    2020 Gladiator Mojave - 35" Kenda Klever R/Ts, LoD aluminum side steps, Zroadz bed rack, Quadratec QRC winch bumper, Superwinch EPi 9.0, Kleinn on-board air, fire truck airhorn, lots of lights, Yaesu ham radio with GPS tracker, SnailArmor tailgate panel

    Gone- 2012 JK Rubicon with stuff. Long gone- Long-arm 2001 Cherokee with stuff.

  • if u get the wrong inspector they might check the e-brake. Its rare but it has happened. When they tell u to put it in "park"....just say it is and dont mention that its a stick.

Participate now!

Don’t have an account yet? Register yourself now and be a part of our community!