STREET LEGAL ON 40's? WHO'S GOT EM?

[mierdota]

I'm pretty sure technically, you can be street-legal with full hydro steering if your pump is the style that has a "return to center" feature. My brother went through a lot of research and stuff on this, he was going to keep his FJ-40 legal when he built it up, and so he got that return to center pump, but with full-width dually axles he decided he didn't want super-wide fender flares in order to cover his tires, so he never registered it as street-legal.

im sure there are ways around it but last time i talked to tyler he said he wasnt going to be driving it on the street anymore. If he sees this post i guess he'll just have to set us straight

 

[planman]

As I understand it, mine would be legal in Utah if I ran wide Xenon flat flares and rear quick detach mudflaps that slid onto my rear bumper ends:

 

[UNSTUCK]

Well, I think that settles the question of what size tires look best on a JK. JK's sould just come with 40's. I guess MT doesn't have tire coverage laws?

 

[planman]

Well, I think that settles the question of what size tires look best on a JK. JK's sould just come with 40's. I guess MT doesn't have tire coverage laws?

We do...but they are rarely enforced.

In Montana, the rear tires are supposed to be covered to the edge of the tread from 12 o'clock back.

There aren't supposed to be more than 20" from the ground of the rear tires uncovered by mudflaps and/or fenders.

However, we have no safety or emissions inspections.

So, the law doesn't get enforced unless you get pulled over for some other violation (i.e. speeding) or if you are causing problems with your uncovered tires (throwing sand, rocks, slushy snow, etc.).

The front tires do not have to be covered at all.

I am in the middle of finishing the build of the rear bumper/tire carrier and will add quick release mud flaps.

I have a set of wide Xenon flares to run during the winter.

The edge of my frame rail on the driver side is around 21" from the floor. My belly pan is probably around 19-20" from the floor.

 

[Rot Box]

Cool until now I have never been jealous of a Jeep before! Nice rig :greg:

 

[spencevans]

Lift law fwiw:

41-6a-1631. Prohibitions.
(1) A person may not operate on a highway a motor vehicle that is mechanically altered or changed:
(a) in any way that may under normal operation:
(i) cause the motor vehicle body or chassis to come in contact with the roadway;
(ii) expose the fuel tank to damage from collision; or
(iii) cause the wheels to come in contact with the body;
(b) in any manner that may impair the safe operation of the vehicle;
(c) so that any part of the vehicle other than tires, rims, and mudguards are less than three inches above the ground;
(d) to a frame height of more than 24 inches for a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 4,500 pounds;
(e) to a frame height of more than 26 inches for a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 4,500 pounds and less than 7,500 pounds;
(f) to a frame height of more than 28 inches for a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 7,500 pounds;
(g) by stacking or attaching vehicle frames (one from on top of or beneath another frame); or
(h) so that the lowest portion of the body floor is raised more than three inches above the top of the frame.
(2) If the wheel track is increased beyond the O.E.M. specification, the top 50% of the tires shall be covered by the original fenders, by rubber, or other flexible fender extenders under any loading condition.

I don't know that there is an actual law about hyrdo steering, without some more research I'm under the impression its a 'beadlock' type deal. Illegal at inspection...

Some where it also states if your door plate is missing on your vehicle, it will be considered 4500lbs, which means you can go to a 26" frame height. I need to drill out my door plate.

But honestly, I don't think I will ever have a desire to run 40" tires unless I get a Unimog.

 

[Rusted]

As I understand it, mine would be legal in Utah if I ran wide Xenon flat flares and rear quick detach mudflaps that slid onto my rear bumper ends:

Front bumper would be a fail and the rear bumper may throw a question but you would probably slide on that one. Aftermarket bumpers have to be as wide as the wheel track (center of tire to center of tire)

 

[mierdota]

As I understand it, mine would be legal in Utah if I ran wide Xenon flat flares and rear quick detach mudflaps that slid onto my rear bumper ends:

your jk is beautiful i like it what is that cage like? how do you like it?

 

[planman]

your jk is beautiful i like it what is that cage like? how do you like it?

Thanks.

It is a River Raider weld-in cage.

It works, but if I were to do it over again, I would do a Poly Performance weld-in or a Rock Hard bolt-in.

The design of the River Raider cage required me to remove the rear seat head rests. Not a huge deal because I don't wheel with rear seat passengers, but I would like to have the option.

 

[planman]

Front bumper would be a fail and the rear bumper may throw a question but you would probably slide on that one. Aftermarket bumpers have to be as wide as the wheel track (center of tire to center of tire)

So everyone with a stubby front bumper in Utah won't pass inspection?

I thought I had seen several street legal rigs with stubbies.

 

[Caleb]

So everyone with a stubby front bumper in Utah won't pass inspection?

I thought I had seen several street legal rigs with stubbies.

That's correct. You may have seen many registered rigs with stubby bumpers but they aren't legal and most likely wont pass inspection. (By the law they shouldn't pass, but sometimes, depending on where you get it inspected, they get them to pass) Also, the bumper needs to be 4" tall, so tube bumpers won't technically pass either.

 

[sixb]

Here is one of my favorite jeeps on 40s and street legal.
http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showpost.php?p=678836&postcount=75