Where to go for safety inspections

[waynehartwig]

I took my rig down yesterday to try to get it safety/im - registration is due today. I put some stock springs and a 2" budget boost under it first.

They bagged on everything! No rear sway bar, doesn't have full width bumpers, tie rod is bent, no rear track bar, triangulated suspension not DOT approved, Rubicon's long arm kit not being DOT approved, only three control arms up front... what else? Obviously my turn down exhaust, but I knew that had to be fixed and planned on it. The guy said there was no way he could pass it and understood it was probably better than stock, but he still wasn't going to put his name on it and suggested taking it to the UHP and letting them have at it. The tire/flare/mud flap thing he said he would look the other way on, as there was only about 2" out the side and maybe 4" of mud flap coverage needed. Oh, and don't forget about the maximum frame height under the drivers seat.

My question is this guy being a bit anal or is this for real? Do you have to have a rear sway bar? Anyone know someone not so anal that will pass this thing (pm me on that if you wish)? I've already paid the registration fees and I'm half tempted to keep getting temporaries until I move. How many temporaries can you get?

Turns out I'm moving to Spokane in 2 months or less, and they don't have safety and I don't think IM either. I think Seattle is the place in WA with a IM program.

 

[AINT SKEERED]

My sister has driven with expired plates for a year now. I give her crap about it all the time because I dont think its right. However in your case I wouldnt worry about it until after you move.

 

[spencurai]

That guy sounds like he is a moron. I have never heard of needing DOT approval for lift kits so I am pretty sure he is blowing smoke. You just need to take it pretty much anywhere else or just keep on with the temp tags until you go to washington.

 

[Herzog]

Man... the UHP sure have their hands far up those inspection guy's asses. :sick:

 

[DevinB]

Two months left? Don't bother registering it. Get temporaries or just drive around and pray you don't get pulled over.

 

[BIGOXJ]

we have worked on enough jeep to have a idea what is safe. i think that guy went a little to far. any questions please e mail me

 

[troutbum]

The problem is the law is so vague that they don't have to have a reason to fail you.

Prohibitions.
(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;

The burden of proving 'safe operation' in the minds of the inspector is rediculous.
it is bad law.

I am dreading trying to get my new rig inspected.

 

[waynehartwig]

I don't think he's a moron, he is a fellow rock crawler and I've had other work done by him. His prices and service has always been great, which is the reason I keep going back. One of the other inspectors was recently fined $500 and their boss stuck it to him, stating it was his fault and he could pay the fine. So I'm leaning towards paranoid...or anal...not a moron.

I understand that I have my rig pretty well modified. Not much in the suspension is stock any more. Axles are the only thing, actually... But I don't feal it is unsafe to operate on the highway. If I thought it was, I wouldn't drive it - ya know? But anyway.....

 

[SAMI]

i'll tell you what, an unsafe vehicle for the highway would be a samurai with a prototype YJ kit(8" lift) and the same companies OTT steering(hysteer w/ grade5 bolts) setup... THAT'S unsafe... who would drive such a thing?:greg:

i say drive on it for 2 months... i've made it 4 months now on the 37's under my 4runner... but the UHP finally caught up to me.. 2 of them.. ..

-Jason

 

[Meat_]

If you do drive it unregeistered DO NOT get on an interstate, the ticket in most towns is around $45, the ticket on the freeway (from UHP) is $250. Most cops will not even bother you until it's more than 1 month out....

Why are you moving?

 

[Brett]

i'll tell you what, an unsafe vehicle for the highway would be a samurai with a prototype YJ kit(8" lift) and the same companies OTT steering(hysteer w/ grade5 bolts) setup... THAT'S unsafe... who would drive such a thing?:greg:

i say drive on it for 2 months... i've made it 4 months now on the 37's under my 4runner... but the UHP finally caught up to me.. 2 of them.. ..

-Jason

Those guys get me all the time.....last time in cuffs!

 

[DevinB]

Most cops will not even bother you until it's more than 1 month out....

I've been pulled over twice for being around two weeks expired. Just warnings both times though...

 

[waynehartwig]

Why are you moving?

Wife is a postal inspector and she might be getting transfered to Spokane end of Oct first of Nov.

 

[JeeperG]

I think they are only allowing one temp tag a year now?

 

[ALF]

I think they are only allowing one temp tag a year now?

yup 1, 2 week temp a year...But my Sister in law has gone since april with expired AZ plates and hasn't been pulled over yet I'm dreading the day she finally does and I have to listen to the Bitching

 

[waynehartwig]

I think they are only allowing one temp tag a year now?

That sucks if that is true... They were very willing to give me the one I have. Didn't question it all...In fact, I only asked for one for a few days, and he gave me two weeks. I thought he was being generous, but maybe not. California it's like pulling teeth to get a daily permit, let alone anything longer.

 

[DevinB]

yup 1, 2 week temp a year...But my Sister in law has gone since april with expired AZ plates and hasn't been pulled over yet I'm dreading the day she finally does and I have to listen to the Bitching

I'm pretty sure they won't ever pull her over. [potential bs] They don't have jurisdiction over another state's expired plates. [/potential bs] I had a friend with Montana plates that had expired years previous, no one ever bothered him. I could be wrong though...

Devin

 

[SAMI]

I'm pretty sure they won't ever pull her over. [potential bs] They don't have jurisdiction over another state's expired plates. [/potential bs] I had a friend with Montana plates that had expired years previous, no one ever bothered him. I could be wrong though...

Devin

are you kidding? i highly doubt that this is true... if someone is cruisin around in Utah with say, no taillight... think they'll get a ticket in Utah, despite the fact they're registered in a different state? you bet they will.... a cop isn't going to let anyone go, just because the vehicle is from a different state... makes no sense..

so, potential BS was right...

-Jason

 

[DevinB]

My reasoning is that a taillight that's burnt out is a physical and potentially hazardous issue, and a ticket would be justified. An expired tag from another state is more of a book keeping and taxes sort of thing, which poses no hazard and wouldn't really warrant being pulled over. Does that make sense? Utah wouldn't have jurisdiction over another state's registration.

 

[ALF]

My reasoning is that a taillight that's burnt out is a physical and potentially hazardous issue, and a ticket would be justified. An expired tag from another state is more of a book keeping and taxes sort of thing, which poses no hazard and wouldn't really warrant being pulled over. Does that make sense? Utah wouldn't have jurisdiction over another state's registration.

she's been back in Utah for a year and a half now so Technically they do have juriisdiction..right???