The illegal dash swap.
 

I read on another forum about a '94 dash fitting an '86 Comanche. I also read about some who've replaced the entire dash with a '97+, modern dash. I went to the junkyard (a pull-n-pay) and found exactly what I needed- tan dash that was in great condition. Took me a little under an hour to remove because I believe in keeping everything else (wire clips, mounting surfaces, etc.) intact for the next person that needs parts from the vehicle. Brought it up to the counter to pay and they told me that what I had done was a FEDERAL OFFENSE because I had removed the vin from the vehicle and that they couldn't sell me the part.


So how is anyone supposed to replace their worn, sun-faded, cracked dash? The assembly is attached to the VIN plate with rivets. I feel like this is total BS, but after some research, in any state, messing with the VIN is extremely illegal.

Cut the rivets off at pull and pay, find an employee that doesn't care, and buy that sucker. IMO what they don't know wont hurt them...as long as your original VIN is in place you should be just fine.

It isn't a federal offense. The vehicle title is located in several other locations. Take side cutters, cut rivets, throw vin plate back in vehicle.

You got fed a line of crap. I have in the past replaced many new and used dash assemblies and this has never been an issue. Cut off the old vin plate if used part and put yours in it's place. If new dash remove original plate and rivet to the new dash. It's that simple and not against any laws.

That really sucks, really.
Bad luck meeting up with a nazi behind the counter, self appointed to be self important and save the world from federal mayhem. Perhaps the counter toad should have been proactive and pre secured all the vin tags of all the vehicles in the inventory. You think in that junk yard they could be more accommodating to the customer. Our local parts recycler has been very service oriented and I've never had to suffer that BS. Always helped to locate parts and offered removal in tough situations.
I think with your time investment a discussion with the manager is required. A simple removal of the tag with courteous assistance should have finished the discussion. It really pisses me when customers are mistreated. Hope you get your good dash.

I'd have popped the rivets and VIN off and duct-taped the VIN back to the donor car.

If you spent that long pulling the dash, they should've at least given you the option to pop the vin off and leave it in the car.
Not a good way to treat someone who just spent an hour out there so he can pay them money...

swapped a few dashboards around in my MJ and have never had an issue.. as stated, sounds like the counter guy was being an uptight dick-wad.

Bad counter guy been reading to many books. As above find another counter guy that looks like he has been around.

A buddy parting his XJ out sold me the dash- in better shape than the one I found at LKQ Auto Salvage off Federal Blvd. in Denver. I've since found another Pull-N-Pay to take my business to. In a casual conversation with a retired police officer, he said it would be more lawful to maintain the correct VIN, even if it involves removal to swap it. As long as you're not trying to falsify the VIN.

LKQ hires idiots. I wouldn't expect the temp to hires they use to know what the hell they were doing or what they were even looking at. It's a corporate owned junkyard with locations all over the country and I believe they also bought out Keystone. Glad you found another place to go to.

The guy sounds like a douche for sure. Maybe he wanted it, but was to lazy to pull it off himself lol all junkyards suck these days. Most of them you can even walk around to find things you need or just discovered you wanted/ needed ( onces you see it in the yard ) personally I think it stupid business
Either way bummer

As stated, if you remove that VIN and replace with your VIN upon installation, it is not illegal. Just remove the VIN before purchace.

The vin is also stamped on the engine, transmission, frame sections and sometimes etched in the glass and elsewhere. They have no problems selling those. The problem you have is a non LEO acting as one without the certification or knoledge. Its not illegal. Bring the same guy a used catalytic converter from the yard and see if he will sell you that!