I bought a 91 cherokee a few months ago. After months of working on it today I found out that the VIN has been altered and it appears I have an 88.
Does anyone know what I have to do to make sure the cherokee is not stolen? - keep in mind Vin has been changed so I cannont find original vin
Do I need to turn the jeep into the police?
Is it illegal if I just keep my jeep as if I never found out?

 

All sorts of issues there, contact your DMV or local authority and explain the situation and go from there......or part it out if you want to go that route.

 

I would take the jeep to the police along with the person name number and addy that sold it to you. I take it you didn't get a title? What does the title say match or different? I would NOT continue to keep the vehicle in my possession!

 

I got a good title that matches the VIN

 

So the vin on the title matches the altered vin on the jeep? I would dump it quick.

 

The vin should be in about 10 different places on the cherokee. I found a vin tag on the unibody on my cherokee when I changed the front bumper.

 

any Idea where one is that is accessible. The dash and the engine compartment match the title

 

But they both have been tampered with?

 

The VIN # should be on the door sticker, under the hood, on the core support, and several other places. I wouldn't sell it, then you'd be responsible. I'd call the Police and have them come out and do a VIN search. IF it's stolen you don't want to be driving it and something happen and you get caught with it. JMO

 

X2. I couldnt of said it better. If it is stolen it is grand theft and cops come out guns drawn. Well here in Vegas thats how it is. So I would be calling the cops. You say you thought it was a 91 but you think it is a 88. One question for you. How many bolts hold your TB down and do you have a rad. cap?

 

Like everyone else said call the cops. If it does turn out to be stolen who ever is in possession of it at the time is responsible. Now if you turn it in then that's a different story.

 

While I don't know how it is you "...found out that the VIN has been altered...", if it actually has been altered, then like some guys have already said... call the police.

 

How do you know the VIN has been changed?

 

You need to come clean with the pd. Accepting stolen property is a crime. Let them know sooner then later to keep your self out of trouble. If the pd or state attorney doesn't get you your money back your state should have a victims fund to pay you for losses.

 

This?

If the dash and engine compartment match the title, which says it's for a 91, why do you think you have an 88 with a tampered VIN? Is there one VIN somewhere that doesn't match the others?