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tube rear and street legal?

troutbum

troutbum

cubi-kill
Location
SLC
Anyone done it? If so, did you use skins to get it to pass? Pics?

This is not a DD, trailered to the trail, but I would like to be able to drive to local trails and cruise to moab and drive to work occasionally. Possible?
 
U

utahxjer

Well-Known Member
troutbum said:
Anyone done it? If so, did you use skins to get it to pass? Pics?

This is not a DD, trailered to the trail, but I would like to be able to drive to local trails and cruise to moab and drive to work occasionally. Possible?
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You could probably get someone to pass it for you, but if a cop saw you you'd probably still get a ticket. I think I remember Von getting a ticket this time last year (UT4WDA Rodeo)
 
95jeepgrndchke

95jeepgrndchke

Senior Member
Location
In the ZJ
My friend has a tube rear yota that he drives around, with no skins. I think all you have to do is have a lighted licesnse plate, taillights and mud flaps, but im not sure he uses his for a DD so we will see. Plus i just thought about Von is building a tube rear parts truck for RL so ask him he might know the regs.
 
cyberduke

cyberduke

Hairy Bagel
Location
S. Jordan
By tubed rear, are you talking suspension and everything?

As I understand it, suspension mods less moderate lifts are illegal for street use. This would include SOA'a, changing of suspension mount points, leafs to coils, etc. Several folks around the valley got the lift law changed a few years ago so there was a lot of discussion about what was legal and what wasn't.

Even if you get it to pass, (i.e. know somebody) and a cop that knows what he's doing pulls you over, you could get a ticket or even have the bloody thing impounded.

I believe that Von has had some encounters w/ the Highway Patrol when he had is pickup. He may have more info.

-Earl
 
troutbum

troutbum

cubi-kill
Location
SLC
cyberduke said:
As I understand it, suspension mods less moderate lifts are illegal for street use. This would include SOA'a, changing of suspension mount points, leafs to coils, etc.
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If that is the case I have not been legal for a long time. I am more concerned with visual and keeping the cops away.
 
RockMonkey

RockMonkey

Suddenly Enthusiastic
95jeepgrndchke said:
As far as the ZJ goes im legal, but my lifestyle is what you could call illegal :D
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Your lifestyle is not technically illegal, you just can't get married in this state. I beleive you can get married in Hawaii, and be legally recognized as a married couple.


:rofl:
 
V

Vonski

nothing to see here...
Location
Payson, Utah
utahxjer said:
You could probably get someone to pass it for you, but if a cop saw you you'd probably still get a ticket. I think I remember Von getting a ticket this time last year (UT4WDA Rodeo)
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Surprisingly enough, I never got a ticket for anything but tire coverage violations. They never said anything about the tubing (exo cage or tubed out rear). They gave me a big thumbs up on having big 'ol mud flaps though. :)

Bottom line is this... I had been pushing my luck and it was running out. Luckily, my rig wasn't a daily driver and I tried to be as inconspicuous as possible when driving to the trails and Moab. :rolleyes:.

There are those "gray areas" of the vehicle safety laws that don't cover all of the mods people are doing these days, and they can be subjective. I can see an officer just using his own judgement in deeming your rig unsafe and give you a ticket or send you to have it inspected by the UHP (even if there isn't a specific law on the books. Sure, you could maybe try to fight it, but you'd be at a real disadvantage.

I'm sure we've got some law enforcement guys on RME... thats who we should be asking.
 
95jeepgrndchke

95jeepgrndchke

Senior Member
Location
In the ZJ
RockMonkey said:
Your lifestyle is not technically illegal, you just can't get married in this state. I beleive you can get married in Hawaii, and be legally recognized as a married couple.


:rofl:
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:rofl: No I said my lifestyle not yours you silly goose :D
 
V

Vonski

nothing to see here...
Location
Payson, Utah
95jeepgrndchke said:
My friend has a tube rear yota that he drives around, with no skins. I think all you have to do is have a lighted licesnse plate, taillights and mud flaps, but im not sure he uses his for a DD so we will see. Plus i just thought about Von is building a tube rear parts truck for RL so ask him he might know the regs.
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We are infact working on our "parts runner" Toyota pickup and the bed has been removed, replaced with tubing. However, it has been designed to be "legal", meaning that there will be proper tire coverage and mudflaps.
 
V

Vonski

nothing to see here...
Location
Payson, Utah
utahxjer said:
Ask me a specific and I'll look it up in my Utah State Code Book.
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"Specific" questions/answers about alot of these issues just don't exist, thats the problem. Sure, tire coverage, mud flaps, bumper/tail light/license plate specs are all there, but they aren't going to cover whether or not a certain sheet metal/tubing configuration is acceptable. I'm by no means complaining about these "gray areas". I'm glad that many these mods aren't "mainstream" enough for them to focus on making specific laws. It makes it more difficult to determine whether or not you should be ticketed. Uh oh... did I say that out loud?... :eek: -_-
 
Rusted

Rusted

Let's Ride!
Supporting Member
Location
Sandy
You can find most of the answers on utah.gov. But like mentioned before there is lots of gray areas, but when you are a yahoo driving around a "big 4by4" you may be held at a disadvantage

Prohibitions (ie Tire coverage and Lift Laws)

Bumpers

Mudguards

PS. I do not offer any warranty either expressed or written on the info above. I just pass it along freely ( and keep a copy of the lift law in my glove box just in case it comes down to the tape measure)
 
chuck

chuck

Registered User
Location
slc,ut
Well I am not a UHP Officer but I have been doing State Inspection for sometime now. I have see most of everything come my way.
A tubed-rear end should be fine as long as you do it in a safe manner. You will need these thing for the rear to comply with the safety program.
1. A rear bumper that is 3-4'' in hight and that extends the whole axle-width. It also must be at least 2'' from the frame.
2. lights-- stop,turn,running and reflective side-markers
3. Mudflaps that cover the whole tire width and hight.
but this is what i say and this will change on who you ask. The best thing I can tell you to do is to check with the Utah Highway Patrol( safety devision )
 
V

Vonski

nothing to see here...
Location
Payson, Utah
rusted said:
PS. I do not offer any warranty either expressed or written on the info above. I just pass it along freely ( and keep a copy of the lift law in my glove box just in case it comes down to the tape measure)
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Anything expressed or implied on RME is legally binding, dammit. Didn't you read the user agreement when you registered? :rolleyes: :D
 
troutbum

troutbum

cubi-kill
Location
SLC
from links above
(1) A person may not operate on any highway within the state a motor vehicle that is mechanically altered or changed:

(b) in any manner that may impair the safe operation of the vehicle;

(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.
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These seem like they would be the toughest. Does (b) mean no booger welds? or that my cage should have x bracing? ;)

As for 2- that seems tough, if you tube it out your going to want to dove tail the rear. :(
 
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