Well It looks like I'll be moving to California next month when I get out of he Army. The truck is a 1975 with no cats and a 360 swap. How is California gonna handle that? Do I need to sell it?
cribbs74
12-14-2008, 01:55 PM
I'd sooner not go to California................. Seriously though, do some research and see if 1975 is exempt from smog checks. I am sure they have some loop holes.
CRMRAM
12-14-2008, 01:59 PM
Here ya go buddy, straight off hte DMV site.
Does my vehicle qualify for a smog exemption?
Smog inspections are required unless your vehicle is:
* Hybrid
* 1975 year model or older
* Diesel powered
* Electric
* Natural gas powered and has a Gross Vehicle Weight rating of 14,001 lbs. or more.
* Motorcycle
* Trailer
You barely made it :D
75 Power Wagon
12-14-2008, 01:59 PM
1975 is exempt from smog check. And thats the most recent year that is currently exempt from smog check also! They use to roll it forward for 30 years, but they stopped doing that at 1975.
Macho4x4Warlock
12-14-2008, 02:12 PM
'75 and down cars and trucks in California by law do not need to be emission tested and are exempt from biennial testing. Vehicles coming from out of state have to have a visual looking over of the truck. The VIN has to be verified by the DMV Inspector when registering. Make sure the driver's door opens correctly for the inspection. No emission, safety, brake or suspension test is required for vehicles coming into California from an other state that are older than 1976 "with proper ownership paper work" (current out of state license fees had been paid). The DMV inspector will look under the hood, and have you open the tail gate lift window. What he is looking for is unknown. Do not offer any addtional information unless asked!!!!!! Stand back and give him room to look over the upper part of the vehicle.
I have had two vehicles come into California, and the same visual tests were preformed.
The may be asked a question about the type of vehicle it is. Some other States list the Vehicle as a StaionWagon. Statement answer to the question should be ...... "It's a S U V".
Also there are some facts that have to be giving to CA DMV about your Military Service and where the vehicle has been. I don't know what exactly the questions are. I did not have to answer that type of question. You do need to register the Vehicles within 5 days. Some military excemptions are on the law books that concern the 5 day statis.
Hope that helps.
bherder
12-14-2008, 02:26 PM
My first suggestion would be, is to stay as FAR AWAY from Kalifornia as you possibly can. If you look up 'Shithole' in the dictionary, you'll see a map of Kalifornia. WHY anyone would want to live/move there is beyond me....
(Before anyone jumps on my case, I was born there, grew up there and lived there till I was 33 ... Nothing you can say, will change the fact that it is a KRAP-stinking-HOLE to live in. ESPECIALLY So. Kal. ....)
OK, this is going on 20 year-old info, but not all counties down there, even check for smog gear. "L.A. County" is vastly different than "Frog-Hollow County" ... (Hell, even Kern County is a different universe, and it's right next door)
Last time I lived there (Keep in mind, 20 years ago..) if your rig was 25+ years old, you were EXEMPT from 'smog testing', therefore, exempt....
Things may have changed in the meantime now, and I'm sure some poor soul who is still imprisioned there will set things straight.
However, I'm not sure if cat's were 'standard equipment' till ... (78'? - 79'?)
You may not even need any of that at all.
If worse comes to worse, you can always keep it registared 'out of state' ...
FTA Boy
12-14-2008, 02:46 PM
hmm thanks guys! I was thinking maybe 74 was the cut off and i Know CA is NUTS about engine swaps.
This brings me to my next question... how to get it there..
bherder
12-14-2008, 03:49 PM
hmm thanks guys! I was thinking maybe 74 was the cut off and i Know CA is NUTS about engine swaps.
This brings me to my next question... how to get it there..
Are you somewhere in North America?
I .... guess .... You could 'drive' it there .... (Although I think I'd take a left/right turn somewhere around Denver, and keep going)
Is it across the ocean somewhere? Fill the tank with jet fuel and fly it home.
:D :D :D
Macho4x4Warlock
12-14-2008, 05:14 PM
Don't worry about the engine swap. The DMV Vin inspector has a to much on his mind (simple VIN Check) to look what engine you have. 318 and 360 is non issue. Even if you had a '76 the 318 to 360 issue is non issue as long as the emission equipment is all there. Your truck is a '75. No issue. Go to AutoTrader Classics.com .. ( http://www.autotraderclassics.com/ ) .. there are some transport companys you can call for a quote. Or have someone (friend) drive it out to your California location. Buy a plane ride back for the delivery person.
FTA Boy
12-14-2008, 05:47 PM
well, I don't know if it's 1400 mile worthy. I guess I'll have to get some things checked out before i make that trip. What are some main points to get checked out??
Macho4x4Warlock
12-15-2008, 12:30 AM
What kind of regular driving did you do with the '75 RamCharger before this? Could you trust it on a 200 mile trip? Wheel bearings lubrication and differential fluid checks would be my top of the list. Battery life and alternator charging check next....... Are you going though the south route to CA? I would this time of year. Less stressfull driving with a no snow route.......... Good time of the year to move the vehicle with gas prices down (@10-15MPG x 1400miles).
