VA registration question

[voltron88x]

Hey guys, need some help.

I've had my '74 Cruiser registered as an antique the past few years but recently the Man has been hassling me cause I drive it a fair amount (specifically the Vienna Police Department, who apparently have nothing better to do than hassle high-risk criminal antique car owners). I don’t mind registering it like a normal vehicle (despite the officers’ presuppositions that I’m a nefarious, evil law abuser) but I was always was under the impression that it would be required to pass an emissions test – which I'm pretty sure that these cars won’t pass and which I’m not interested in spending thousands of dollars to redo the whole system to today's standards. The most recent police office told me it wouldn’t be subject to today’s standards though. Is this true? I’ve even read where it seems any car over 25 years old and with 10,000+ lbs. gross weight rating are exempt. Do FJ40's fit that bill? Has anyone else registered there’s as an everyday car? Any issues? Can someone set me straight here?

Thanks all,
Keith

*I had my original 2F engine replaced with a slightly newer 2F a few years ago. My original one that crapped out didn’t have any smog equipment but the newer 2F did, which was not installed on the engine. Is this an issue?

[fjman]

You shouldn't need an emmissions test due to age. If it were newer (why do I know this....?) you can jack up the GVW to make it exempt as well. I believe 13K lbs was the magic number. It would seem I have a very pudgy 60....

[Felix]

My '75 FJ40 has regular tags. No emissions test. Just the safety inspection.

[voltron88x]

Originally Posted by Felix

My '75 FJ40 has regular tags. No emissions test. Just the safety inspection.

Great news! Thanks Felix.

[Felix]

You might want to stick around while they're doing the safety inspection. I had to show the guy how to turn the wipers on.

I was lucky my horn worked. It only works maybe one out of ten tries.

[voltron88x]

Originally Posted by Felix

You might want to stick around while they're doing the safety inspection. I had to show the guy how to turn the wipers on.

I was lucky my horn worked. It only works maybe one out of ten tries.

Haha yeah...I was planning on it.

I have a little better odds on the horn at about 3 out 5 times

[voltron88x]

Originally Posted by fjman

You shouldn't need an emmissions test due to age. If it were newer (why do I know this....?) you can jack up the GVW to make it exempt as well. I believe 13K lbs was the magic number. It would seem I have a very pudgy 60....

Is the gross vehicle weight rating on an FJ40 13K lbs. also?

[colangut]

They do a visual inspection of the emissions gear when you get your safety inspection. So, you have to have all of the stuff that your car came with in theory to pass. They do not do an inspection to see that all of this gear works, but they visually inspect that it is there and it looks like it's hooked up. Sometimes, they can be really picky.

Here is the sticking point, it's pretty much up to the guy who inspects the car. If he knows what he's doing and he cares, you can have hassles. If he could care less and just wants to get paid for the inspection then you are in luck.

Go see Chris Johnson at the James Madison Shell. He won't pass your car unless it's legal, but he can tell you what you need to know to make it legal. He's a profession inspector with like 25+ years of professional experience. Not all inspectors and not all cops know the rules. He does.

You can't change the GVW anymore, that stopped working a few years ago.

Technically, you are supposed to have the smog gear for the newer motor, I doubt that would be enforced. It's also a felony for a mechanic or shop to remove the smog gear so many shops won't work on your rig if you have missing smog equipment or intend to keep it that way. From the VA DEQ Webpage:

"Tampering: Adjusting, negating, or removing pollution control equipment on a motor vehicle."

Go here for more info:

Virginia DEQ - Air Quality Home - Office of Air Regulatory Development - State Implementation Plan

The more you know about the rules are, the better off you are.

Best thing to do is to make it legal with used parts. They don't have to work, but they need to be there. Find someone parting out a cruiser and buy it all en mass. Very easy to bolt it all back on.

[voltron88x]

I passed safety inspection! Now I just need to register it with the DMV. Thanks guys for your help.

[colangut]

That's outstanding. Hopefully you'll pass next year.