Fender Tag and Dash VIN Tag

[Odin]

Who do you guys like for making replacement Fender Tags? (A.G. Backeast, MMC Detroit, etc.)
Also, do I have to remove and replace the dash VIN tag if I replace the dash pad?

I bought a 71 Challenger a year ago. The dash pad is cracked like the Grand Canyon and the fender tag is missing. The dash VIN tag matches the numbers on the cowl and radiator mount and body. I also found the build sheet under the rear seat springs, which also matches all the numbers. There were some changes made by prior owner(s) including replacing the flat hood with an RT hood , swapping out the original 318 with a 440, and removing the vinyl roof. When compared to the build sheet, most or all of the other codes match items still on or in the car. I should receive my new steel-core dash pad from DashPad Pros soon so I am wondering what to do with the VIN or if I need to do anything at all. I also want to make replacement Fender Tags with the original codes to match the build sheet.

All input is valued, but please no comments about how replacement fender tags are counterfeit and similar. I will make them to match the build sheet so they should be exactly the same as what originally came on the car.

 

[Avalanche]

A. G. Will make a good tag.
You will need to remove the vin from the old dash and install it on the new one.
Make sure you get the right rivits so it looks original.

 

[sixpactogo]

1st..........If your car doesn't have the original engine, transmission and the vinyl roof removed along with the adding the 440 and R/T hood, why is a fender tag important? It is wrong anyway. As far as the VIN.... Yes, you will have to drill out the rosette rivets (1/8" drill bit) and re-install your VIN tag on you new dash pad. You will need two new rosette rivets to accomplish this. In my opinion, there are always ways to spend you money but I wouldn't waste it on a fender tag unless you are putting everything back to factory specs.

 

[mmissile]

Best to grind the backs of the rivets off, so there's no chance of spinning the rivet on the face of the VIN tag.

 

[AUSTA]

Dave at ECS carries the rivets & new transfer for the dash VIN i used backeast to replace a extremely rusted tag
I dont know if he has replaced his letter H punch as it is slightly damaged & visible on the new tag
ECS also makes a door VIN sticker that is very difficult to pick from an original if the original has flaked.

 

[Adam]

mmissile is correct, use a dremel to grind the rivets from the back side. A drill bit will spin the rivets and chew up the tag, then you are screwed.

I have also used the ECS dry rub transfer of the Pentastar and Chrysler logo. If you need to repaint the dash tag (If I recall correctly) the logo is gray, and the tag is a low sheen, but not flat black. The paint must be applied thin and correctly. I would use a hardened paint and good spray gun. Stay away from rattle cans.

 

[HooToTheCore]

Don't drill, grind or cut the dash vin plate rivets. They can be reused and guarantee originality. Buy some regular stainless steel 1/8 inch diameter pop rivets. Get a pop rivet gun.

Take a small drill bit and, from the top (vin plate side), tap out the pop rivet nails in the center of the original rivets. From the back side, gently crimp the rivets so that they can be removed through the old dash (they do not have to go through the vin plate, just the dash. Do not crush the rivets as you want a pop rivet nail from the stainless rivets to pull into the backside of the original rivet. To prevent crushing the rivets, you can slide a nail or drill bit into the rivet while you are crimping the bulge.

I had to work the crimping of the original rivets for a while to get them to tap out of the original dash. After removing the plate and rivets, place the plate and push the original rivets through the new dash, slide a nail, removed from a stainless rivet, up through the original rosette rivets and use the pop rivet gun to pull and snap the nail. Do this for both.

The original rivets are steel. Aluminum pop rivet nails will not work, they won't be strong enough, you must use nails from stainless rivets.