Getting Through Delaware Inspection

[RWBeringer4x4]

Hey folks,

My 1975 FJ40 was delivered to me yesterday afternoon from Annapolis, MD. As soon as it is insured (hopefully today) I will need to get it registered in Delaware, and through Delaware's inspection. Unfortunately it looks like these two things have to happen at the same time.

These guys have a repuatation for reall hardasses for safety stuff. I'm planning on antiquing the vehicle but I foresee some issues:

1. It has a 350 V8 - power modifications technically disqualify
2. Dead E-brake
3. Chipped windshield
4. No lisence plate lights
5. 1972 350 V8 in a 1975 cruiser - strattling the whole emissions control era - not sure if this will cause issues when I go to smog it.

Has anyone had to get through this before?

Also -

Has anyone used one of those DIY windshield repair kits? Do they work?

Lastly -

Lisence Plate lights - I currently just have a mess of wires dangling out the ambulance door. I can only seem to find instructions for rewiring in the 78-79 model year landcruisers. Does anyone have tips for rewiring a 75?

Thanks all!

 

[FJmoneypit]

Delaware inspection

Also live in Wilmington
When I ran my 1/76 throught inspection I had no issues. They no longer do tail pipe sniffing since going to pcm monitoring. Chip in window can be addressed with kit if small, large would require replacement, especially if it obstructs driver view. They attempted to pressure test gas tank but did not have adapter to fit mine. E-brake is not an issue. License plate lights or lack of will fail you. Have bracket w/light (fuctional?) from set of barn doors I have. You can borrow if needed. The wiring is not an issue if still stock and still possible if not. Let me know, p.m. me and I will give you my cell number.

John

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

Thanks John, PM'ed you.

The chip is about the size of a dime, but it IS right in front of my face. Ultimately I'll probably replace by priority goes to getting her legal first!

Gas tank was replaced in 2008 so I suspect it would pass a pressure check.

I thought they check the e-brake during any post 1962(3?) inspection. Good to know it wont be a problem though.

 

[Shark56]

I'm down in Kent. They did do the sniff test. The variance is pretty high for the readings so if its running well you should'nt have problems. Chip won't be an issue, crack on the other hand will. Is your VIN on the drivers door frame. They have never even opened my hood on any of mine. You will need to get the license plate light.

If you have access to a test light or Volt meter you should be able to find a wire in the rear harness that will have power with light switch on. No power with it off. A boat place like Westmarine will have a replacement light for the license plate on boat trailers. You could use that as a license plate light.

I just went thru this about 3 weeks ago on my 70 with a 79 2f in it with no issues. Jeff

 

[Shark56]

And by the way. Good luck and we need Pictures!!

 

[FJmoneypit]

Pm replied to.

Let me know what you need or want to do. She will be on the road before you know it.

John

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

Pictures

And by the way. Good luck and we need Pictures!!

Wow Shark, you're hoarding Toyotas!

I don't have too many pictures yet, just a couple right after it was delivered. It looks WAY better in the pictures, in person, way more of a heap right now. That said, all it has is surface rust, solid metal all through the tub, at least from what I've seen so far! The only bad rust is in the hard top corners and the driver's side door.

Photos (should be) attached but I have no idea how that works!

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

Pm replied to.

Let me know what you need or want to do. She will be on the road before you know it.

John

John - responded to your PM.

 

[Shark56]

Nice. A decent body is hard to come by around here. Let us know how you make out with inspection. I have a line on quite a few parts if you need something. Jeff

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

Last Question for you Shark/MoneyPit -

Does DE require that you have your car inspected at the same time you get it tagged/title transfered to your name?

For example, could I get the LC a license plate and get the title transferred from the PO to me by just showing up with a title and bill of sale, or will I have to drive the FJ through inspection at the exact same time?

 

[Shark56]

Rick sorry for the late reply. Long day. You have to go through inspection prior to title change. I believe they will still issue a temp. permit that will cover you driving it to DMV, You just have to call DMV or go online. Once you get the inspection process approved, they don't issue the sheet of paper anymore, its all electronic. (Unless you ask for it). Then you go inside with your P.O. title and proof of insurance and they do the rest. Usually will issue you a tag a that time unless you get a special tag. They will have to see inspect the evhicle before they will issue a Title or Tag. H.T.H. Good luck, Jeff

 

[calsum2]

I have been registering my LC in DE for the past 12 years.....in the past they would do a tail pipe test and I would fail every time. But the guys in the lanes were always very cool and would rerun the test and tell me to lay on the gas..so it would pass.. I guess they would look at my LC and see that it was a work in progress and cut me a break.

Last year the guy asked me where my charcoal canister was and I shrugged my shoulders and acted dumb and he let it go. (plan on adding it back in anyway). Even though it was de smog
ed incorrectly it passed the tank pressure test.

Go for a two year registration.

Oh buy the way I don't have plate lights or even the proper plate bracket yet and the have never failed me for it.

However bad windshield or blades they will fail you every time.

At the end of the day even if you fail smog in DE with the age of the vehicle you can get a waiver if you can prove that you attempted to fix it and spent a X amount on the fix. Cant remember the dollar amount but it was low less than 200$

 

[calsum2]

Oh and they never have checked my E-brake

 

[mgoblue]

At the end of the day even if you fail smog in DE with the age of the vehicle you can get a waiver if you can prove that you attempted to fix it and spent a X amount on the fix. Cant remember the dollar amount but it was low less than 200$

I wish Virginia's waiver was that cheap, I'd keep worrying about my cars passing inspection/emissions, here it's almost $800 for the waiver; it's a damn racket.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

Thank you all for the replies! FJMoneypit stopped by last night and took a look at the rig - talk about helpful! We were able to track down the horn in one of the random boxes of parts the PO left me, and got it working just long enough to confirm it does, in fact "honk" before corrosion got the better of the relay/switch. So it looks like I'm off to find a horn relay.

It looks like I'm missing the wires that run from the license plate bracket wires to the connections in the rear of the tub (ground and hot). That said, we were able to confirm that I am at least getting 12V to the correct wire back there. Assuming the bulbs aren't dead, I should have working plate lights soon!

Bumper is (halfway) back on the truck - very bent - top 4 holes line up, bottom 4 are getting zip-tied until I come up with something better

Windshield crack is getting fixed Friday.

Other issues that have cropped up:

1. Leaking power steering fluid into the front frame cross member, just behind where the PS box is located.

2. Slow-ish oil leak - haven't located the source yet

3. T-Case not shifting to 4L hopefully just a rusty linkage issue.

BUT none of that will prevent me from getting through the GD inspection, so it is getting put off for the time being.

And mgoblue - sorry about your luck! I'd suggest moving to DE but your cruiser would just rust apart that much faster!

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

Just thought I would update you all - officially tagged and titled in the great state of Delaware. Thanks to everyone for the advice and late night wiring sessions to get it through so quickly!