1986 M939 registration in Indiana

[hellpounder]

Edit edit edit: It's an M934, so looks like registering as an RV may be an option.

Edit edit: The current owner already filed for an SF-97, has a VIN and a regular title. Not sure how it would need to be registered.

Edit: found a form detailing instructions. I think I'm covered.

I'm about to purchase an '86 M939 series. I live in Indiana. I've been trying to figure out what all I need to do to register it, and not even the BMV is quite sure. From what I've read, there is an $18 fee for registering a military vehicle. Some places say I can only register it at the central office in Indy, and parking looks almost non-existent there. It's a Montana title, so that's another factor. Would someone mind sharing their experiences so that I'm better prepared? Thanks a bunch.

 

[98G]

I'm sure @Jbulach will have useful and relevant information.

 

[hellpounder]

I'm sure @Jbulach will have useful and relevant information.

Really appreciate it.

 

[cbrTodd]

Indiana resident here. If you have a signed Montana title from the previous owner, they will need a VIN inspection to go along with it. Either the BMV or a law enforcement officer can do that inspection. You can only bypass that if it has an Indiana title already.

When I had my truck title changed to an RV title, I had to get an Indiana title first and then do the 'body change' form to change it from a truck to an RV. I had to have a sheriff deputy come out and verify I had converted it to an RV and sign the form to take to the BMV. It was a simple process when I did that, but that was 11 years ago. Hopefully it isn't more complicated now.

As far as registering it as a military vehicle where you don't have to display normal plates, I know you have to stencil numbers on the truck and take pictures to send in. I believe this has to happen after you have a 'normal' registration. I have not done it myself but others who have can speak up to provide guidance.

 

[hellpounder]

Indiana resident here. If you have a signed Montana title from the previous owner, they will need a VIN inspection to go along with it. Either the BMV or a law enforcement officer can do that inspection. You can only bypass that if it has an Indiana title already.

When I had my truck title changed to an RV title, I had to get an Indiana title first and then do the 'body change' form to change it from a truck to an RV. I had to have a sheriff deputy come out and verify I had converted it to an RV and sign the form to take to the BMV. It was a simple process when I did that, but that was 11 years ago. Hopefully it isn't more complicated now.

As far as registering it as a military vehicle where you don't have to display normal plates, I know you have to stencil numbers on the truck and take pictures to send in. I believe this has to happen after you have a 'normal' registration. I have not done it myself but others who have can speak up to provide guidance.

Thanks a ton for the details. I intend to use a regular plate, so if that bypasses the need for the stenciling and all that, that would be great. We'll see.

When you say "convert to RV', did you actually do a conversion, or was it just a necessary step?

 

[cbrTodd]

Thanks a ton for the details. I intend to use a regular plate, so if that bypasses the need for the stenciling and all that, that would be great. We'll see.

When you say "convert to RV', did you actually do a conversion, or was it just a necessary step?

I actually converted my truck into an RV. I have 100% confidence that if a law enforcement officer ever stops me and questions that, I can open up the back door and clear up any confusion.

My Build Thread: M909 Recreational Vehicle

As I mentioned in my new member introduction thread, my first military vehicle was my M109A3. Mid way through the rust repair on the van body itself, which was desperately needed prior to my intended camper conversion, I purchased an M923A2 from GovLiquidation and changed my plans a bit. I...

www.steelsoldiers.com

If you intend to display a normal license plate and have a valid Montana 'truck' title, the only thing stopping you from transferring it to an Indiana truck title and plate is the VIN inspection, which is for any out of state title. It should not be a difficult transaction at all, provided you bring them the signed title, the VIN inspection form, and proof of insurance.

There is the debate about whether you need a CDL in Indiana. The way I read the Indiana CDL manual, if it isn't used for ANY commercial purposes, a CDL isn't needed. I know others disagree with that statement. Indiana does not have a non-commercial class of license for vehicles that would be class B or class A in commercial operation. So there isn't an 'easy' option to get a heavier class of license here. But of all the folks I know here who have or used to have trucks with GVWR above 26k lbs, none have ever been hassled by law enforcement about driving a bigger truck for personal reasons. Your results may vary, of course!

 

[hellpounder]

Thanks for all of the details. I just finished reading through your build thread, really appreciate the detail you put into it, I'll make sure to do the same once I've gotten everything started.

Since this is technically already RV-ready, I can probably just get straight to registering it as such. Looks like, per the fee chart, $30 to register as an RV, $300+ fee for it weighing over 30,000lbs, and then 7% tax on the sale price. Think I'm going to shoot for the new blackout plates they rolled out, which is another $40, I think. I'll update this thread once it's registered. I'm supposed to get the money from the bank tomorrow to pick it up, and can hopefully get that done at a reasonable enough time that I can register it after I pick it up, same day.

 

[hellpounder]

Picked up the truck on Monday, went to the BMV in Liberty Tuesday. They had no idea what to do with it. After about 2 hours of them trying to research and call around, they took some pictures and sent it to the Indy HQ. The lady I was working with most said she's hoping they will be able to do an on-paper conversion to an RV, and then I should be able to register it as an RV, but she has to wait to hear back. I got a call today, and she said HQ wanted interior pictures as well, so I emailed them over. Waiting to hear back again.

 

[Jbulach]

Really appreciate it.

Sorry I didn’t get back sooner, I think Todd pretty well has it covered and I know nothing about the RV aspect, but suspect they want to see proof of certain RV fixtures installed that are somewhere in “their rules”. I would guess something along the lines of a bed and bathroom facilities??? My trucks are just titled as “Body type TK” which should just be a “truck”. The only issue I remember having was it took a few different employees to figure out how to deal with a VIN less than 17 digits, but they got it handled. Even harder was Progressive Commercial Insurance, they ended up adding ten number 1’s to my VIN on their policy, which I’m not thrilled about.

 

[hellpounder]

Sorry I didn’t get back sooner, I think Todd pretty well has it covered and I know nothing about the RV aspect, but suspect they want to see proof of certain RV fixtures installed that are somewhere in “their rules”. I would guess something along the lines of a bed and bathroom facilities??? My trucks are just titled as “Body type TK” which should just be a “truck”. The only issue I remember having was it took a few different employees to figure out how to deal with a VIN less than 17 digits, but they got it handled. Even harder was Progressive Commercial Insurance, they ended up adding ten number 1’s to my VIN on their policy, which I’m not thrilled about.

No worries at all, thanks a bunch for responding.

I do not have anything besides HVAC and shore power with lights, 10 outlets, and a 5000w breaker panel, so I hope they don't try to press on that more. Surprisingly, the VIN digit count has been the least of my problems. I'm not surprised to hear that about Progressive. I use them for my other vehicles, but ended up going with Hagerty for the M934. I am paying $33/mo, so I can't complain. The process was pretty easy, and they accepted the VIN just fine.

I emailed the lady I had been speaking with at the BMV Friday, but didn't hear anything. I called their 800 number later that day [since you basically can't find the number for branches] and the lady I spoke with said the only notes on my account were saying they were wanting pictures of the interior, which I had sent. She said they have up to 21 days to process this, and I explained that I am trying to get this done before Thanksgiving - my Toyota Pickup caught fire a couple weeks ago due to the alternator overcharging and is going to be $2000 and a 2 month wait time to fix, and my only other car right now is a RWD sports car that doesn't have all season tires, and it's supposed to snow a good amount on Thanksgiving, I won't be able to see my family otherwise.

She told me that I can pay $25 for a "speed title", but couldn't process that over the phone, only in person. I went to the Connersville branch and explained the situation. They told me that I needed to just do an on-paper conversion to an RV, and printed off the form and told me to go to another branch that's open on Saturday. I fill out what I can and go up there this morning. I'm reading the body conversion form as I'm waiting, and at the bottom there is a section for an officer to verify the VIN, which I already have a paper for, but now I notice that it mentions the officer also has to confirm that the body conversion is completed and accurate. I know they aren't going to accept this, so I drive back home, call the police back out, they look at it, confirm, sign, form should be complete. Take it back to the BMV, explain the situation to this branch, and after some back and forth, and research, they accepted my documentation and told me that I should be able to come back in Monday and finish titling it. Police have been very chill, understanding, and supportive of it, thankfully.

I'll hopefully be making a last post on Monday. Wish me luck, friends.

 

[hellpounder]

Went to the Connersville branch this morning, and luckily got the lady I worked with last time I was there. She, and who I assume was the branch manager, helped me finish registration. It's legal, I got my temp tag, my registration, and it's good until 2027. I opted for the blackout plates and paid about $120 today. Hope this helps out someone else one day.

 

[hellpounder]

One of the main BMV offices called me today and told me they revoked my registration, because it does not meet the requirements of an RV - they said it requires a bed, electricity, a kitchen, bathroom, and water, and currently it does not have a bed, kitchen, bathroom or water. They said I will have to register it as a large truck, which, I would have been okay with from the beginning, but it wasn't presented as an option. They said since so much documentation was submitted already, I shouldn't have to provide more, and that they can process everything to get it registered as a large truck - however, there is going to be a fee difference, and I will need to go in and pay that difference. They said they would call me back when they were finished. That sounded like it would have been brief, but I waited the rest of the afternoon and evening and didn't hear anything.

Going to try calling them in the morning to see if I can get this resolved tomorrow. Will update again v.v'

 

[hellpounder]

Late to updating, but I was able to work with the lady from the main office on Wednesday, and she expedited the process for me. I paid $380 something for the weight. She processed it over the phone so this could go quicker, then she called the closest branch open to have them go ahead and start processing, so that all I had to do was just show up and get my temp tags. I have been driving fully registered as a truck without issue.

 

[cbrTodd]

I'm glad to hear that they finally got it straightened out, even if it did take multiple visits and phone calls to do what should have only taken a single visit. I've said it before, handing the Indiana BMV an out of state title is a lot like handing Superman a big old chunk of Kryptonite. It shouldn't be that way, but somehow it still is...

 

[hellpounder]

I'm glad to hear that they finally got it straightened out, even if it did take multiple visits and phone calls to do what should have only taken a single visit. I've said it before, handing the Indiana BMV an out of state title is a lot like handing Superman a big old chunk of Kryptonite. It shouldn't be that way, but somehow it still is...

Thanks, friend. Yeah, about 5 phone calls and 6 trips, but it's hopefully done. Thanks for all the advice.