1HD-FTE, LX450 Swap. Impossible to Register due to Colorado Emissions Program
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- #22
Yeah its incredibly frustrating, this thing has virtually no visible exhaust. Even under full load, foot to the floor.
They ran it on the dyno, it passed every test they performed, and yet its still failed because their process and laws regarding EPA certifications or lack thereof.
My jaw hit the floor when he said it required an EPA certification. Then it hit the basment floor when he said I had to prove the engine was offered in the united states.
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- #23
If I recall its every three years. I think it depends on the age of the vehicle.
The main reason was, I didnt want to fork out the cash for catalytic converters, it didnt have any from the previous owner.
I especially didnt want to spend that when I was set on the diesel swap.
Either way this wouldve caught up to me, I mean more time is nice though.
hisandhers80s
SILVER Star
I found a picture of him and his crew.
Tell him to watch one episode oh “Landman” ….
He actually offered you a way out without spelling out loud.
Cummins R2.8 is a "US engine" which falls under a repower program.
What exactly did he tell you without saying it to your face?
Get a R2.8 in your 80 Series, come back to register the vehicle, leave with a Colorado title in hand, swap in your Toyota diesel engine and go on to live a happy life afterward.
Yes, it is way more costlier than you have imagined, but it may be the only way to do it "legally".
Cummins R2.8 is a "US engine" which falls under a repower program.
What exactly did he tell you without saying it to your face?
Get a R2.8 in your 80 Series, come back to register the vehicle, leave with a Colorado title in hand, swap in your Toyota diesel engine and go on to live a happy life afterward.
Yes, it is way more costlier than you have imagined, but it may be the only way to do it "legally".
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- #26
Thats definitely one way of looking at it, honestly id rather wrap it around a tree at about 45 mph versus going through all that.
Worst case scenario, I keep going for temp tag extensions at my local tag office until they stop, while I work out getting the hell out of the diesel emissions area.
I understand it is very painful.
A few years back there were some comments about diesel swaps (I forgot in which thread) and this idea of first swapping a Cummins in, pass the registration and title change from gas to diesel, then swap in your engine of choice came up.
It is much costlier and not the preferred route, but it may work.
You can sell the R2.8 after the registration is completed so in the end you won't lose a boat load of money just enough to piss you off.
A few years back there were some comments about diesel swaps (I forgot in which thread) and this idea of first swapping a Cummins in, pass the registration and title change from gas to diesel, then swap in your engine of choice came up.
It is much costlier and not the preferred route, but it may work.
You can sell the R2.8 after the registration is completed so in the end you won't lose a boat load of money just enough to piss you off.
When I resided in Colorado, I registered my Diesel Defender with an engine swap in South Dakota. This was quite some time ago, so it’s possible that this option may no longer be available, but it’s worth considering.
Any chance you do any legitimate business in other ꓘoloᴙado counties and would spend a significant amount of time there?
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- #31
Possibly. Looking at that route.
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- #33
Outside of the diesel emissions program area, so theres no mechanisms that prevent registration.
If you reside in the emissions program area, you have to get emissions tested, to get a swap emissions tested, it has to be approved by the emissions technical center.
You dont get the approval, you cant emissions test, cant emissions test, the clerk cant issue you a plate,tag, title or registration.
Thats where the process broke down for me.
Remind me, are you having issues ultimately getting ꓘoloᴙado TITLED, or just REGISTERED?
COS80
SILVER Star
What's probably worse is that big, red "do not test" stamp is surely accompanied by a flag in the system, so you'll never get it past this point, anywhere, without converting back to gas.
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- #36
Title was floated from the shady dealership I bought it from out of Alabama. The current title is a Tennessee title. I've already paid sales tax, and I believe I could get titled in Jefferson County Colorado, they wouldn't before because the stealership messed up signing it over to me, which that's been fixed.
I chose to hold off on getting a Colorado title until I knew I could get through emissions, and get it plated and registered.
Short answer, I believe I can get it titled, so ultimately i'm hung up on registering it.
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- #37
I believe if you can get out of the emissions program area, it wouldn't matter. I would like to think county DMV's wouldn't enforce a ruling from a program they don't operate in.
COS80
SILVER Star
I would think so. I meant "anywhere in the program area".
Colorado attorney here. Happy to chat privately if you think it would help.
Generally, I would register it in Georgia. I did a gas to diesel swap on a truck I had titled there and there was nothing required other than going to the dmv and telling them it’s now a diesel. I’d imagine you could even get it titled and registered as gas and then not care about anything else.
Big difference between registering a vehicle where you actually own property and setting up an LLC in a state that’s totally fake.
The sticky part here isn’t really Colorado regulations, but the interplay with federal law from the EPA. That and you’re one of probably ten people or less in the country caught in this situation, so not trying to be a jerk but the lawmakers just didn’t have you in mind when they set this stuff up.
Generally, I would register it in Georgia. I did a gas to diesel swap on a truck I had titled there and there was nothing required other than going to the dmv and telling them it’s now a diesel. I’d imagine you could even get it titled and registered as gas and then not care about anything else.
Big difference between registering a vehicle where you actually own property and setting up an LLC in a state that’s totally fake.
The sticky part here isn’t really Colorado regulations, but the interplay with federal law from the EPA. That and you’re one of probably ten people or less in the country caught in this situation, so not trying to be a jerk but the lawmakers just didn’t have you in mind when they set this stuff up.
You could buy a clean pre 76 fj55 and put your axles and motor in it. 75 and older is not monitored afaik emissions wise. This isnt the 1980s or 1970s, now most people drive efi vehicles that naturally burn clean. Most diesels also are common rail, which also burn cleaner. Its pretty much just a forced income stream for the county.