New 72 FJ40 Inspection/Title Questions

[rage]

Hi all,

I just got a 72 FJ40, and live in VA. Question I had is around title and inspection/emissions. Its in good running condition and everything works as far as lights etc. Has anyone had any issue on getting them inspected in VA? I planned on using it during the winter, and for fun and such on the weekends. But I am new to it so I was not sure if I needed to get a standard inspection or put it in as an antique. Any insight/experience/tips out there?

Thanks,
Rage.

 

[Felix]

Hey Rage, I have my '75 FJ40 registered with antique tags. The benefits of the antique tags in VA are that you don't need to get any kind of inspection (no emissions, no safety) and the registration never expires. You pay once. That's it.

But by getting antique tags, your use of the truck is somewhat restricted. You can check out the DMV site, but it basically states that the vehicle cannot be your primary mode of transportation to and from work or school, and you may only drive it on one of the following conditions:

- after a repair in order to test the work
- to and from a parade, event, or other club activity
- or on the occasional pleasure drive, not to exceed 250 miles from your home

Practically speaking, you can drive your truck around town whenever you want, nice days, snow, weekends, trips to the beach,etc, you just can't drive it every day to work. Unless some cop is being a complete ass, the only situation in which you might be in trouble is driving by the same cop in the same place morning after morning such that he notices that you're driving that truck to work everyday. When you take it wheeling, it's a club event.

Hope that helps.

btw, where are you in VA?

 

[WES1977]

antique

I'll get you the links you need to prove to the cops that you don't need an inspection sticker. I carry copies of them, Cause they don't know the law.

As long as you don't use it for daily driving ie. work.


a little over half way down the page. http://www.vsp.state.va.us/safety.htm#Virginia
Are antique vehicles exempt from inspection and what are the restrictions?

For a vehicle to be defined as "antique," it must be 25 years old or older. If the vehicle is registered as an antique through the Department of Motor Vehicles, it is exempt from state inspection.


Restrictions: Antique motor vehicles shall not be used for general transportation purposes, including, but not limited to, daily travel to and from the owner’s place of employment. Such vehicle may be operated on the highway for participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, and similar events or for the purpose of testing their operation, obtaining repairs or maintenance, transportation to and from the events earlier described, and for occasional pleasure drives, not to exceed 250 miles from the residence of the owner.

http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/citizen/vehicles/antique.asp

I keep both copies now. A cop pulled me over told me I was joy riding and cannot travel more than 250 miles a year and he will give me a ticket next time he sees me in it.

 

[rage]

Thanks for the info, I've been torn on it and which way to go. During the winter it would be more or less daily driven for work and such but my commute is about 10-12 miles. So I guess its down to the gamble on if I pass the same cops or not all the time , I'd guess it wouldn't be an issue if it didn't stick out so much as being different.

Felix : I'm in Sterling, about 10 or so miles north of Dulles airport.

Thanks again for the info.

 

[kulangot]

Rage,

On a 72 FJ40 you don't have to get it smogged and there is not much in the way of smog gear anyway. On 9 of 72, the 1973 model year begins and that's when cruisers get smog devices like air injection pump, etc.

I've had a few 72's for this reason. Newest cruiser that has little or no OEM smog aside from CA models, they only have a PVC valve and a few vacuum lines.

The only smog is the basic part of the regular inspection where the inspector does a visual to check to make sure that you have all the OEM smog gear. This can be an issue on a newer truck but you should be OK.

As far as the tags go, I'd get the regular ones. Some people get away with it, but with your truck anything that could get you to fail inspection should probably be fixed anyway. VA is looking to change the law to make it really limited on how much you can drive with a Classic or Antique tag, it was thrown out this year but will back next. Make it safe, get a sticker.

-Stumbaugh

 

[Felix]

If you're going to daily drive it to work in the winter, even if it's for a just a couple months, I agree with Stumbaugh. Get the regular tags.

 

[rage]

With it being newly aquired, I am still finding issues with it So I ended up doing antique plates while I correct the things needed to get it to regular plates. So far seems like simple stuff but need to connect the horn, connect/find why parking brake doesn't work, find out why hazards don't blink. Those seem like the show stoppers for inspection so far.

Anyone have any suggestions aside from the manuals for basic mechanics instruction. I'm pretty new to things, and have done basic work but juding by things I am finding now that I have driven it a few times I'll be well on my way to becoming more mechanical as I try and fix them

Also I've read the FAQs and posts on the PS and disc brake conversions, anyone done either around here themselves or had it done?

Another question , is the CLCC still meeting? my wife and I would like to hook up with you guys, she has a new FJ Cruiser and has gone FJ crazy now that we got the 72.

Thanks again,
Rage

 

[kulangot]

The horn assembly on your 72 is problematic and can require some parts to fix that you may have trouble finding. Solution, rig up a door bell button in the side of the column.

The flashers probably just need the flasher module replaced, but you could have a bad switch. Again, easy to fix with parts from Autozone or even Wal-Mart.

The elec sys on your pre-73 is not as good as the later stuff, but is very simple to troubleshoot.

The ebrake could just need to be adjusted, you can see the adjuster sticking out towards the front of the truck. However, it probably needs to be rebuilt. Not a huge deal, just a little time consuming the first time you do it. You'll need the shoes, the adjusters, a little rubber seal and you'll also need the seal that keeps the oil from running out the back of the transfercase. I also like to replace the stake nut. All of this can be purchased from Toyota, Specter, 4x4connection, etc.

-Stumbaugh

 

[Felix]

Another question , is the CLCC still meeting? my wife and I would like to hook up with you guys, she has a new FJ Cruiser and has gone FJ crazy now that we got the 72.

Thanks again,
Rage

Yep, we meet on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:30 at Jack Taylor Toyota in Alexandria, VA. Meetings usually run about 45 minutes, after which we head across the street to Hops for beers.

Hope to see you at the next one!

 

[greytandy]

she has a new FJ Cruiser and has gone FJ crazy now that we got the 72.

Sounds kinda familiar.