Registering out of state vehicle in California

[gasser78]

Hi guys was wondering if you guys know how easy it would be to register an out of state truck pre 1975 with and engine swap. I know pre 75 doesn't require a smog but being the truck is out of state wouldn't it require a trip to the chp. Basically I'm interested in finding an fj45 but it has a v8 in it.

thanks
Alex

 

[whitey45]

Pre 75 can have any engine, ca doesn’t care as long as it’s smog exempt. It may require a vin verification or brake and light inspection, but it can have any engine. Only issue coming in is if it’s out of country, Aussie rig? Or South America? Then it can get tricky here!

 

[badsamaritan]

I brought my 1969 FJ40 with a LS swap into CA from Washington state about 4 years ago. I re-titled it in CA at the local AAA office, and they only required a VIN check. Like Whitey45 said, as long as your pre-75 your pretty safe.

 

[gasser78]

Awesome thanks for the info guys

 

[Mighty690]

My 1991 JDM HDJ-81 with a Pennsylvania title went through Brawley,CA DMV without too much difficulty. Local AAA told me they don't do titles on out-of-state transfers. FWIW. (I shouldn't have sold that 81. And FJ-45s are cool!)