California Jeep Life

JK_Jimmy

New member
Hey everyone I'll be making my cross country trip from phila to San Diego on Sunday this week. I was curious about the different laws and regs out in Cali for jeeps. I've heard you need to run mudflaps. Is there anything I must know or look out for? Thanks.
 
Hey everyone I'll be making my cross country trip from phila to San Diego on Sunday this week. I was curious about the different laws and regs out in Cali for jeeps. I've heard you need to run mudflaps. Is there anything I must know or look out for? Thanks.

Just the smog laws really. They do bitch about mudflaps if you catch the wrong copper.

Are you moving or visiting ?
 
Where in Philly? (city or more rural area?0 CA has some pretty strict requirements, so if you can meet CA reqs, you should be pretty much set for any place in the US. I think someone posted on a similar post around here about wheel coverage been the bigger issue over mudflaps. As mentioned really depends on the officer in some areas.
 
Philly to Cali! Welcome.

As Piginajeep said, smog laws are strict so when you go to register your rig that'll be an unknown. As far as mudflaps and such, yes they are required but usually only the highway sharks (CHP) sweat that law, or city motorcycle cops.

It is just a "fix it ticket" which means you can correct it and get out signed off.
 
Where in Philly? (city or more rural area?0 CA has some pretty strict requirements, so if you can meet CA reqs, you should be pretty much set for any place in the US. I think someone posted on a similar post around here about wheel coverage been the bigger issue over mudflaps. As mentioned really depends on the officer in some areas.

He is moving to California not to Philly.
 
CHP usually stresses about mudflaps and tinted windows. To be honest most LEO's like jeeps so I never really have problems
 
How is it with driving on the beaches. I'm talking more about the secluded ones with just little dirt roads leading to them. Looks like there might be a lot of nice beaches along highway 5 with no activity. I'm just basing this off what I see on google maps.
 
ops, yep what was said for Cali. here it is luck of the draw as far as tire coverage and mudflaps. I actually got a warning for tire coverage even though I was using fugly huge mudflaps.

The warning ticket included a shotload of items beadlocks, frame to ground height, headlight to ground height, tire coverage, exhaust, you name it, the officer went to town. Luckily warning only and not a fix it ticket.

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This is how I was driving the Jeep then, (since then I removed the tall lift and have 2" lift now, and 44's and went to 42's and running Hummer beadlocks (they have a DOT stamp lol).

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lowering in progress pic.
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Some info that may help. I normally have these print outs with me to back me up if the cop just goes to crazy.


http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vc.htm

and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Highway Safety Desk Book:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/inju...skbk.html#PMVI

Additional info:

Frame and floor height:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc24008_5.htm

Fenders and mudguards:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc27600.htm

headlamps:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc24400.htm

Cornering lamps on fenders:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc25107.htm
 
Coming from PA myself... it is much easier to run your rig out here. Just make sure your exhaust is CA smog ready. The only beach in Cali to run is Pismo... 35% front side windows tint... every thing else is gravy... you gotta be really doing some shit for the cops to notice you out here... they have bigger fish to fry.
 
Coming from PA myself... it is much easier to run your rig out here. Just make sure your exhaust is CA smog ready. The only beach in Cali to run is Pismo... 35% front side windows tint... every thing else is gravy... you gotta be really doing some shit for the cops to notice you out here... they have bigger fish to fry.

Translation, don't be a douche bag and you'll be fine
 
Depending on how many miles on the Jeep you may not have smog issues, though you will still have to get it inspected. I was out of state for a few years and when I moved back to LA County I had over 45,000 miles on a car bought out of state. Had non-California intake and exhaust, didn't come with the evaporative canister and it was noted at registration so I was good until I sold it. Best part, new owner didn't have to change anything either. Adding anything new after you are there and each new component has to meet CARBs requirements.
 
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