Registering a Fed 79 FJ55 in CA?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

R

rrFletch

Joined
Dec 17, 2018
Threads
1
Messages
4
Location
Southern California
Anyone have any info about if its possible to make a car exempt from smog in CA? Or some way to get around this (legally)?

My neighbor has a '79 FJ55 that he will sell me but its not currently registered in CA (from Idaho). Its missing a bunch of emissions control equipment as well (original owner in Idaho ripped a bunch out). It misses the 76 cutoff for emissions but are there any options for this? Historic vehicle registration or something like that? I just moved here from out of state so this emissions stuff is pretty confusing. It would break my heart to have to let this thing go because of something like this.
 
That’s a shame. They’ll just have to send it back to Idaho. I happen to have a place to stairs it....
 
Thanks guys. Whelp, Im off to the classifieds forum to post a wanted ad for a pre-1975 pig. Ive been a few years without one and Im having withdrawals.
 
In CA 1975 is the magic year, anything newer=SMOG testing.

Dyno
 
archie73 said:
That’s a shame. They’ll just have to send it back to Idaho. I happen to have a place to stairs it....
Click to expand...
Let me know if you are interested. I dont think the owner would be wiling to do delivery or anything but if you want to come out here and pickup, I can give you the info.
 
At least in AZ only the two major metropolitan areas require emission and a classic vehicle.options in those. Bad part is AZ has suck with 67+ emissions since they did away with the rolling twenty year emissions. So what kind of shape is the 79 FJ55 in?
 
I’m always interested. Unfortunately, California isn’t in my range. Thanks tho
 
rrFletch said:
Anyone have any info about if its possible to make a car exempt from smog in CA? Or some way to get around this (legally)?

My neighbor has a '79 FJ55 that he will sell me but its not currently registered in CA (from Idaho). Its missing a bunch of emissions control equipment as well (original owner in Idaho ripped a bunch out). It misses the 76 cutoff for emissions but are there any options for this? Historic vehicle registration or something like that? I just moved here from out of state so this emissions stuff is pretty confusing. It would break my heart to have to let this thing go because of something like this.
Click to expand...


I would Contact @65swb45 / Mark's off road ,

his shop is in Burbank , & he is very knowledgeable when it comes to this topic , not to mention he Will most Likley have any Smog parts u

might find yourself needing to comply if need be .
 
How common are the parts between a 79 and pre 75 FJ55? Might be easier to get a 75 or earlier basket case project and replace the entire body on it with the good parts from the 79. Technically you would be restoring a pre-75 vehicle. In the long run that's the best solution otherwise you'll be going through the same emissions headache every two years for as long as you own the vehicle.
 
ducktapeguy said:
How common are the parts between a 79 and pre 75 FJ55? Might be easier to get a 75 or earlier basket case project and replace the entire body on it with the good parts from the 79. Technically you would be restoring a pre-75 vehicle. In the long run that's the best solution otherwise you'll be going through the same emissions headache every two years for as long as you own the vehicle.
Click to expand...

That could be a option. The 40 series that redesigned the frame in 79. Because I sure the 60 series was in the design stage at least by 79 possible the body is close to 75. I know early they were other changes like fenders and not sure if that effected the frame.
 
I’m thinking swap the entire body onto a different frame. A.K.A frame swap. I’m not familiar enough with 55 series to know what year had major changes, but if the body mounts line up it should be fairly simple.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom