hey guys im trying to finish up my little wheeler here and i need to know whats gonna happen when i go to drive to the trail:D no really what i want to know is who gets away with plexi windshields and ghetto mudflaps-is it possible? Im gonna go get the vehical code book this week to get some info. i have no windshield or frame right now but might fix that this weekend:beer: also rubber sticks out, little fender left, and no doors. The problem is that i dont have a trailer and whos gonna insure a broke 18 year old with a very modified junk heap? maybe somebody has been through this before. c'mon unleash your knowledge guys:D:D thanks:skull:

-chris

Ok, here goes....

on the rubber sticking out, there will usually be a state law on how far they can stick outside the fenders and be legal. A lot of times, you can get away with more if your rig is classified as an antique, they have different laws. Most places that means your rig has to be older than 25 years or so. There is also a classsic designation i think in most places. The problem is that laws are different everywhere so when it comes down to it, you really have to search the books to find out if you are ok.

I believe plexi windsheilds are illegal. You have to have something DOT approved to see through. On the other hand, I think you can actually get away with no windsheild as long as you wear driving goggles (not the coolest looking things, but it might be the only way you can go)

As long as you have mud flaps that work, they can't really say anything about that.

As for insurance, you have to have it to drive on the street. Not on your rig, but you have to have a policy that covers damage to anyone you happen to smash up.

Basically, to know what you can and can't do, you will definately have to go and look at the codes for your area. They differ so much from state to state. You have fenders, mud flaps, bumper height, and many other things that all have differing codes. Just make sure it meets the codes where you plan to get it insured and registered (also a requirement to drive on the road)....

Here's a little info on the regulations in CA.

California Vehicle Code (http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/calawquery?codesection=veh&codebody)

I could not find the section that covers doors. From what I had heard in the past is that you must have a door sill to prevent anything from the floor of the cab from rolling out (this being how Jeeps and Samurais can get away with it).

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Windsheild regulation (http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=veh&group=26001-27000&file=26700-26712)
26700. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a passenger
vehicle, other than a motorcycle, and every bus, motortruck or truck
tractor, and every firetruck, fire engine or other fire apparatus,
whether publicly or privately owned, shall be equipped with an
adequate windshield.

26703. (a) No person shall replace any glazing materials used in
interior partitions, doors, windows, or openings in the roof in any
motor vehicle, in the outside windows, doors, interior partitions, or
openings in the roof of any camper, or in windows, doors, interior
partitions, or openings in the roof of any camper, or in windows,
doors, interior partitions, or openings in the roof of a trailer
coach capable of being towed with a fifth-wheel device, with any
glazing material other than safety glazing material.
--------------------------------------
Fenders and mudflaps regulations (http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=veh&group=27001-28000&file=27600-27607)
27600. No person shall operate any motor vehicle having three or
more wheels, any trailer, or semitrailer unless equipped with
fenders, covers, or devices, including flaps or splash aprons, or
unless the body of the vehicle or attachments thereto afford adequate
protection to effectively minimize the spray or splash of water or
mud to the rear of the vehicle and all such equipment or such body or
attachments thereto shall be at least as wide as the tire tread.
--------------------------------------
Insurance regulations (http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=veh&group=16001-17000&file=16430-16436)
16430. Proof of financial responsibility when required by this code
means proof of financial responsibility resulting from the ownership
or operation of a motor vehicle and arising by reason of personal
injury to, or death of, any one person, of at least fifteen thousand
dollars ($15,000), and, subject to the limit of fifteen thousand
dollars ($15,000) for each person injured or killed, of at least
thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) for the injury to, or the death of,
two or more persons in any one accident, and for damages to property
(in excess of five hundred dollars ($500)), of at least five
thousand dollars ($5,000) resulting from any one accident. Proof of
financial responsibility may be given in any manner authorized in
this chapter.

For the tires sticking out on the fenders, CA law states 1". So if they stick out more than that you could get popped, but around here, unlikely.

As for the mudflaps, yea you will be fine as long as you take it easy and don't piss anyone off. For the windshield, I say go with the plexiglass. The Vipers came stock in some yrears that way.

Dimtiri

Now for the common sense responses. If the vehicle looks totally thrashed they might hassle you because of that. Being young, they might also hassle you (it's BS, but true).

I know that Tim Hardy has run a lexan (I believe) windsheild on his Samurai in the past. I'm not aware of him getting hassled over it.

Typically you are supposed to keep the tire completely covered with a fender. If you don't, you are supposed to have a mudflap covering the tire from behind (not sure how close to the ground it is supposed to be). With that in mind, I have no flaps and my tires stick out 3 inches past the flare. I run 31x10.5's and the complete tire is visible from behind. I've been running like this for almost a year and have not been hassled about it.

If you don't have things rolling around on the floor, they might not hassle you about not having doors. I run no doors all the time, but have a Samurai (which many people mistaken for a Jeep) so I can run no doors legally.

As far as insurance, get it.

I would reccomend that you don't drive it on the street with out insurance! If you get pulled over with out, they can, and most likely will tow your rig.

You're an idiot if you drive that thing without insurance! In this state we have what is called a broadform. It covers the driver in any vehicle they drive. If you can't afford insurance, then you shouldn't be driving. What's gonna happen when you're limping your rig home from the trail and something lets go and you take out a soccer mom in a mini van full of kids?? :rolleyes:

Make sure you get at least liability insurance... getting a ticket is the least of your worries if you don't. A son of a co worker was getting pulled with a tow strap around a corner... with no power assist it swung wide and hit another car. He was in a world of hurt for the damages to the other car and some hospital bills. Plus if you are under 18 they may be able to come back on your parents and even take their house away.

I’ll pass on my first hand expeirence :D I racked up about $1500 in fix-it’s over the year and a half I drove this P.O.S. everyday. I looked into the laws, I knew I was in violation and accepted the consequences when I would get pulled over. Accepting that your doing something wrong and showing that attitude towards the officer will let you off with just a warning more than you’d think. But the best things you can do to kinda keep the 5oh’s off yer back is run mud flaps that cover the tires from behind completely (Get some of the trucker type that are disconnectable) and keep all the stupid little shit like lights and mirrors on the truck and functional while going to and from, give them as little as possible to be able to fuck with you.

I used to get pulled over even when I had my mudflaps on… They’ll still fuck with you. But everytime I took my truck to the police station exactly the way it was when I got a ticket and they signed it off.

Another trend I got into was removing my windshield, tail lights and mirrors when I got to the trail and leaving them in a friends tow rig. Then they could be nice and safe for the ride home :D

On a few occassions I just drove places without the damn windshield. Early in the morning or at night they can’t tell if it’s there or not anyhow. I even passed a few CHP while doing this :evil:

Good luck :flipoff2:

:beer:

thanks fer the info, really no need to convince me to get insurance that is a no-brainer of course. The question with that is what are some good companys that might deal with a modified vehicle or limited use? all the places i've checked with said I have to be at least 25 to get a limited use policy, which is a bitch. I will definitely run some sort of jumbo removable mud flaps and have all the lights, mirrors, etc functioning. I appreciate any info or experience you guys have.

-chris

I don't know if it's just Washington or if it's all over, but around here the hot rod guys get away with not having fenders at all. It's the Fair Weather Act. As long as it's not raining or wet on the ground, you are fine. Of course, don't take my word for it. That is just what the hot rod guys around here tell me.

The answer to your question- NO

Just got a mud flap ticket this weekend. That was an easy off

Just as long as you have mud flaps in the back you should be good, and your not full width so

Just as long as you have mud flaps in the back you should be good

My wife got a ticket last weekend. The CHP told her she needed fender flairs and mud flaps.:rolleyes: