what the cops will think in cali

[spdcrazy]

so i'm working on a trip to cali for the weekend after mothers day to see this girl. but i want to get my truck as legal as i can for the trip. being a chopped b2 i know i'll be looked at heavy by the red and blues so i would like to keep me as legal as i can so maybe i can make the whole trip without being pulled over.

its lifted 4in and will have 33 12.5's on it. so i think mudflaps will be a must. and i'm lacking a license plate light right now. and i got a turnsignal out becuase i somehow broke the housing on the front right light. but what else should i watch for?

i have no side mirrors, and i know i have to have one, but thats just it right. one is required? not two? and my tube half doors shouldn't give me a problem as long as i'm wearing my seat belt.

and whats the legality with having ppl in the back? i know in AZ its legal to have ppl in the back of the truck (but not ur dog) haha. but my "bed" is connected to the truck so is it really a truck? either way i think its prob not legal at all in cali but i would like to be knowledgeable before i jump in the snake pit.

thanks guys.

 

[hihoslvr]

Did you meet this girl on myspace? No, but seriously, I got away with one mirror (drivers side), on my old Toyota when I moved out here, maybe I just got lucky... And yeah, no passengers in the bed, unless you have seats and seat belts. Oh yeah, and lic. plate light is a good idea, and I think I've read on here, that the rule for tires is no more than half the tire can be exposed, as seen from the rear. good luck

 

[spdcrazy]

Did you meet this girl on myspace? No, but seriously, I got away with one mirror (drivers side), on my old Toyota when I moved out here, maybe I just got lucky... And yeah, no passengers in the bed, unless you have seats and seat belts. Oh yeah, and lic. plate light is a good idea, and I think I've read on here, that the rule for tires is no more than half the tire can be exposed, as seen from the rear. good luck

haha. nah i actually picked her up at a college party a few years ago. and just started getting back in touch with her... total hottie tho.

in AZ the law is nothing more than 17 in can show.. (i think) but either way i'll get it done. do you still live there?

 

[Speedwagon]

so i'm working on a trip to cali for the weekend after mothers day to see this girl. but i want to get my truck as legal as i can for the trip. being a chopped b2 i know i'll be looked at heavy by the red and blues so i would like to keep me as legal as i can so maybe i can make the whole trip without being pulled over.

its lifted 4in and will have 33 12.5's on it. so i think mudflaps will be a must. and i'm lacking a license plate light right now. and i got a turnsignal out becuase i somehow broke the housing on the front right light. but what else should i watch for?

i have no side mirrors, and i know i have to have one, but thats just it right. one is required? not two? and my tube half doors shouldn't give me a problem as long as i'm wearing my seat belt.

and whats the legality with having ppl in the back? i know in AZ its legal to have ppl in the back of the truck (but not ur dog) haha. but my "bed" is connected to the truck so is it really a truck? either way i think its prob not legal at all in cali but i would like to be knowledgeable before i jump in the snake pit.

thanks guys.

Is your truck plated, registered, and legal in Arizona? That is all you are concerned with. If you are legal in your state of residence, they can't do much to you, unless you are commiting a moving vehicle violation, or violating a federal law. At least, that's how I understand all the laws of the states, having lived in several different states with an IL plated car.

 

[MAKG]

The wheels must be COMPLETELY contained within the wheel wells (though an inch or two of excess width will be very hard to spot unless you're throwing mud or water all over). And you must have TWO license plates, operational turn signals, brake lights, headlights, and backup lights. Yo do need both mirrors.

You tend to get nailed for these things only when a local cop has a quota to fill (i.e., not the CHP), but it happens.

The kicker is that the truck can't APPEAR to have its safety compromised. With a chopped roof, it does. And speedwagon, driving an unsafe vehicle is a moving violation in all 50 states. Will you get nailed for this? Probably not unless you hurt someone, but no one can guarantee it.

If you have the original seats and seatbelts in your Bronco II, it's legal to have people in the back.

 

[bobbywalter]

well the stuff i see out there, you shouldnt have problems with 2 mirrors. but you have to have atleast 1. in cali you need two plates as well, but passing thru i cant see it being a problem, though it will give them a reason to pull you over and start writing tickets. iirc you run 2 plates alot on az anyway??? seems that always surprised me...only one here in mi. some sort of protective cage in back would go a ways toward looking the other way as well. if your not up on 38's you really wont stand out anyway


my tires are questionable there now as i have some full widths, but i would drive my truck anyway. it goes well, stops well...and has lights. but i would probably be fined for rust content.

 

[KELLY88]

Given your situation it might be easier to either rent a car or borrow a definite completely legal one from a friend or family member if possible. Plus a sedan would most likely save you a lot on gas on a long trip. I know its tough being a lifted truck owner and driving a car but sometimes sacrifices must be made.

 

[97BlackBetty]

Honor your states laws make your vehicle as "safe" as posible. I live in Michigan and my vehicle is registered in Illinois. Illinois laws are what count for my vehicle. Even when I got pulled over, the officer asked what the law in Illinois stated for a certain infraction. By Illinois law I was legal and was free to go. After the failure to Yield ticket.

 

[spdcrazy]

here in AZ we are only required one plate. on the back. and i dont' even think they give ya two unless you ask specifically. and its 'mostly' legal here but it just looks goofy to most ppl that are unaware. so i'm sure the eyes will be on me. and if they can find an excuse to pull me over, they will.

i'll make sure all my lights work, and that i have mudflaps. and i'll prob throw on a mirror on my door. but i'll call that good.

 

[truckman]

As long as your good in AZ your fine. I got pulled over a month or so back in Ohio in my buddy's old beater f-150 for the exhaust ending under the bed w/ turn downs. Well cop goes to write me a ticket and I'm like its legal in MI. He actually radioed it in. Comes back 5 min later and is like have a nice day, w/ the dirtiest look on his face.

 

[Slingblade]

As long as the vehicle is legal in the state its registered, there is nothing any other state can do to have you change it to meet their requirments. Its not like if you go to cali they are going to pull you over and check to see if you meet cali emmisions regs. if its not registered in cali.

Chris

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

As I understand it, technically you're supposed to follow the inspection/safety criteria for whatever area/state you're driving through. I find it humorous, however, that many bone stock vehicles right off a dealership lot do not meet all of those criteria.

Basically, if you're not driving like an idiot (although nobody would probably notice in comm...err... california...), and you meet the criteria for your home state where the vehicle is registered, there's not a whole lot they can do to you.

Besides, I don't think your rig generates the attention mine does... and aside from some odd looks, knock on wood, I haven't been bothered yet by the red an blue.

 

[MAKG]

Huh? What "bone stock" vehicles off the lot don't meet "many" (which?) of the criteria?

The only one I'm aware of is the front license plate holder, and the dealers break the law if they don't provide those.

And even if they didn't, it's OK to put the front license plate in the corner of the windshield. You got two license plates (in ANY state) unless your Ranger only has two wheels.

 

[Redneckryder]

Huh? What "bone stock" vehicles off the lot don't meet "many" (which?) of the criteria?

michigans bumper height laws--i believe--not certain---the stock fx4 f-250 breaks that one.

You got two license plates (in ANY state) unless your Ranger only has two wheels.

then the secratary of state needs to read that law cause i have never been issued 2!!!

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Huh? What "bone stock" vehicles off the lot don't meet "many" (which?) of the criteria?

The only one I'm aware of is the front license plate holder, and the dealers break the law if they don't provide those.

And even if they didn't, it's OK to put the front license plate in the corner of the windshield. You got two license plates (in ANY state) unless your Ranger only has two wheels.

Biggest one I know of is the mudflap law for PA... unless it was recently repealed, mudflaps are supposed to cover most of the tire, it has to reach or exceed a plane of 22.5* from the point where the tire contacts the road. How many new vehicles do you know of that have mudflaps, much less ones that cover that much?