Missing VIN

[andrewMcF]

So the 109 I bought is missing the VIN plate off of the firewall, I was wondering where else I can find the VIN or any other identifying numbers... and if anyone has gone through the process of registering a vehicle in this situation...

Thanks,
Andrew

[Dave_F]

I think that there is one stamped into the right side front spring hanger. It is near the top of the spring hanger plate although you may need to get a wire brush in their to clean up any paint or rust to see it.

[andrewMcF]

Thanks, it was there and nothing a little wire wheel couldn't fix! Now how can I tell what year it is with the VIN if that's possible...

Thanks,
Andrew

[Rob]

Hi Andrew

Try this link - it will give you a lot of detail based upon the rover VIN.
http://www.clifton.nl/index.html?calvin.html

Hope this helps, Rob

[Dave_F]

Thanks, it was there and nothing a little wire wheel couldn't fix! Now how can I tell what year it is with the VIN if that's possible...

Thanks,
Andrew

The VIN will only give you a date range, not the actual date of manufacture. I still am unclear whether or not mine is a 1984 or 1985 (last year of Series 3). If your truck is a x-military you may have better success with the contract number, which should be on the seat box plate (Con No.). THis is the number used by the military when they ordered the truck from Land Rover. It is a two digit number followed by two letters, then two numbers. Mine for example is 77KC63. The letters are what we are after as this usually will give us a good indication of the year the military recieved the units. These would have also been used for the military plate number.
Let me know what you find (if in fact it is xmod) and I should be able to search my records and narrow it down for you.

If it is not a x-mod truck then your only alternative may be to spend about $100.cdn and order up a Heritage certificate from the UK.

Cheers,

Dave

[andrewMcF]

I have the VIN so now I need ICBC to do a Vehicle Records search and then go from there... it's $7 bucks and a letter according to there site...

http://www.icbc.com/cs/Satellite?c=ICBC ... 5925939954

I am certain that it is not a xMoD so that won't help, but once the record search is done I'll have all I need I believe...

Thanks!

[Dave_F]

I have the VIN so now I need ICBC to do a Vehicle Records search and then go from there... it's $7 bucks and a letter according to there site...

http://www.icbc.com/cs/Satellite?c=ICBC ... 5925939954

I am certain that it is not a xMoD so that won't help, but once the record search is done I'll have all I need I believe...

Thanks!

Is there no plate on the side of the seat box?

Unless the vehicle was purchased through a dealer here in Canada or the US, they will not have any information. Mine was registered as 1983, but this was only done because the purchaser was able to "cheat" the system due to vagueness of Land Rover VIN's. ICBC will only show previous registration and this probably will not accurately reflect the actual build year.

Does your 109 have a rectangular rear crossmember (bumper) or does it angle up on either side? Another tell-tale sign of a military version is the lack of headlight surrounds, and sometimes your rear spring hangers will have three holes for adjustment as opposed to the 2 hole civilian version. As well does your front bumper have the little bumper over-riders on it?

If you have any pics of it I could probably tell you if it is xmod or civilian. Remember to that civilian built trucks also were used in the military...just to confuse you some more...lol

Cheers,

Dave

[DaveB]

Wise Owl/Rocky Mountain sold VIN plate blanks for years. Might want to contact them and see if they still have any. Then pick up a set of stamps at Princess Auto and stamp away...

You will still have to go through the ICBC procedure, but any licensing and testing, including aircare will be looking for a seatbox or firewall VIN plate so it really simplifies things if you get a new one.

Dave

[ANDYD]

On my 11a the VIN plate was missing, it was a pain everytime I went through the Aircare! The Aircare guy would search all over for it (even though I would tell him "its never had one", then he would scratch his head for 10 mins not knowing what to do, then he would call his supervisor out and he would scratch his head for 10 mins then he would call the depot Manager who would come and have a look and finally say, just process with the number from the paperwork!
It was a bit like trying to get a Land Rover part from Canadian Tire :shock:

Then I did what Dave suggested, a blank plate from Wise Owl for $6, I stamped the numbers onto it and pot-riveted it to the seat base.

No problem after that...

Andy

[Roverworks]

Hmmm…Andrew…prior to stamping a plate you better get the title/registration in hand. If you stamp a plate and then go to ICBC to submit registration and there is already a truck in the system with that registration # you could have a red face (at the least). Just make sure the paper work is OK before you proceed..

[ANDYD]

Good point Alan,

I guess I should clarify, I did have my BC registration with the VIN number, I was just missing my VIN plate from the vehicle...

Andy

[andrewMcF]

Ya I'm afraid there is no plate to be found, I'm going to go through the red tape and then I get a new plate for it...

Andrew

[Rob]

You might be able to find some info that will give you an idea about your rover's year by looking at some of the componenets. Look for date of manufacture stamps on the wheels, axle casings and drive shafts as well as on the radiator and distributor (I have seen examples of these on some of my series rovers but I cannot guarantee that you will find any of these tell tales on your rover and also they might not be original components).

If you believe your rover is a pre-1962 or post 1979 go to this webpage as there is specific information about model year that can be decifered from the VIN (unfortunately that info is NOT available for the 1962 to 1979 rover VINs)
http://www.lrfaq.org/FAQ.3.Chassis_Numbers.html

This web page will give you an idea of what your 109 is or what it was supposed to be (i.e. 281xxxxxx - 285xxxxxx: would make it a Series IIA 109 inch diesel station wagon) http://www.glencoyne.co.uk/chassis.htm

Otherwise, you could search the for sale ads and EBay - look at vehicles years and VINs and see if yours falls near them (would give you an idea of you rover's age as the numbers are sequential).

Hope this helps.

Regards, Rob

[andrewMcF]

My truck fits in this range...
261xxxxxx - 265xxxxxx: Series IIA 109 inch petrol station wagon

The single wiper motor indicates that's it's at least a 67... I believe.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_TTfL08X-4xs/Ss2Du ... vers12.JPG

She's rough... but she's mine.

[ANDYD]

Rough! Never, she is a thing of beauty!

better to spend your money on the inside and leave the outside as is..

Andy