FJ62 w/SBC Engine Safety Inspection

[frankenfj]

Hey Everyone -

Recently acquired a 1988 FJ62. It's a beast. Frame up restoration, SBC, NV4500 5 speed. Title is pretty straight forward, got the ID|OD inspection done, going to get the title over the next week.

It currently has straight pipes - I'm going to get cats added in any case. I could add EGR and EVAP and even a Smog/AIR pump which would catch it up with the 1988 FJ62 equipment.

I'm tempted to go the route of a historic plate while I work out the details.

Highway Patrol rep suggested I attempt to go the route of securing a Specially Constructed Vehicle Title. I'd rather not go down that path, I doubt I'd succeed anyway.

Any advice? Feel free to DM me.

Thanks!

 

[2fpower]

How about title it in another county. Not all of Missouri gives a rat's ass.

 

[frankenfj]

How about title it in another county. Not all of Missouri gives a rat's ass.

View attachment 2596317

No emissions check, but the safety check requires visual confirmation of emissions equipment - and it gets even trickier with the swapped engine from another make.

 

[toyotology]

Or maybe try a different highway patrol office?

 

[1MAC]

Move to a free state. It’s a 34 year old vehicle and they expect you to have all original emissions equipment?

 

[frankenfj]

There's inconsistent interpretation of the regulation.

The hardline interpretation sees a non-Toyota engine in a configuration (V8) that was never offered in the chassis and can't be approved.

Another interpretation is that the configuration was found in other newer, cleaner vehicles and is fine.

I'm probably going to get historic plates for now, but ultimately I want to be able to drive it more freely.

 

[1MAC]

You might have better luck asking around in the Gateway Cruisers section- it's for people in the St. Louis area. TAC is mostly KC area folks.

MO- Gateway Cruisers

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[toyotology]

There's inconsistent interpretation of the regulation.

The hardline interpretation sees a non-Toyota engine in a configuration (V8) that was never offered in the chassis and can't be approved.

Another interpretation is that the configuration was found in other newer, cleaner vehicles and is fine.

I'm probably going to get historic plates for now, but ultimately I want to be able to drive it more freely.

In my experience with historic tags, when I have used the state issued tags I have never been asked to show my mileage log. The only time I was asked was when I was pulled over in my ‘85 Toyota pickup with “year of manufacture” tags (plates from 1985). The hwy patrol thought I was driving on expired plates. After showing registration and explaining why I had brown plates from ‘85, he researched and came back asking for my log. I didn’t have one. He then said they didn’t have any fines specified on the books for not keeping a mileage log and gave me a warning. But all of the other cars/vans that I have registered with state issued historic tags, I have never been asked to prove mileage. Just my .02

 

[kc_chevota]

I also have 3 vehicles with historic tags, and was only asked for my log once when I got stopped for a headlight out. I didn't have it and was given a verbal warning

 

[rhah]

Hey Everyone -

Recently acquired a 1988 FJ62. It's a beast. Frame up restoration, SBC, NV4500 5 speed. Title is pretty straight forward, got the ID|OD inspection done, going to get the title over the next week.

It currently has straight pipes - I'm going to get cats added in any case. I could add EGR and EVAP and even a Smog/AIR pump which would catch it up with the 1988 FJ62 equipment.

I'm tempted to go the route of a historic plate while I work out the details.

Highway Patrol rep suggested I attempt to go the route of securing a Specially Constructed Vehicle Title. I'd rather not go down that path, I doubt I'd succeed anyway.

Any advice? Feel free to DM me.

Thanks!

In Kansas

if you have swapped out axles, motor, trans, oversized tires, basically anything but a stock car you void your right to an antique/classic car tag.

they got real picky with antique tags at the last classic car show, the hot rods were not “stock” anymore and they handed out 30-40 illegal tag tickets because the cars were not stock.

but it’s the only time I have seen or herd of this issue

 

[BILT4ME]

In Kansas

if you have swapped out axles, motor, trans, oversized tires, basically anything but a stock car you void your right to an antique/classic car tag.

they got real picky with antique tags at the last classic car show, the hot rods were not “stock” anymore and they handed out 30-40 illegal tag tickets because the cars were not stock.

but it’s the only time I have seen or herd of this issue

I haven't heard of them handing out tickets at a car show before.

However, when we registered our son's 1970 GMC K2500, the guy at the inspection place took 30 minutes going over it verifying that the engine was correct, it had the correct exhaust manifolds, the VIN on the frame matched the one on the cab, all parts LOOKED original.

He gave us the clearance for it to be antique tags and apparently it's becoming more of a big deal.