I'm neck deep in a project in where I have drastically altered the structure of the original unibody. I was recently asked about insuring and licensing a modified/custom vehicle by someone who has had a problem with his custom bike after frame modifications. He tells me that I will not be able to simply start driving the car again, legally anyways.
The car is already in my name with out of date tags,(haven't driven for a couple of years).
My question is what are my legal requirements concerning safety, licence and insurance after substantial body modifications,(no powertrain, drivetrian,brakes or emissions issues as it is all original to vehicle, with no modifications planned)?
Thanks
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If at first you don't succeed, GET A BIGGER HAMMER!
That's a hard one to answer. If the car can pass a mechanical safety and the insurance knows its modified I would think its ok. Its just like doing a front suspension clip on an old hot rod. My friend licensed a kit car which was mostly home made, even had to get emissions exempt.
good question. i know about the the bike stuff, a couple of buddies went through it. if it don't have a manufacture's serial on it, get your wallet out. as for the car i would think if it is written in the appraisal pertaining to the alterations, ie, mustang 2 front or whatever, if you had a problem they might use it as an out being that is wasn't mentioned. i think you also would be putting pressure on the mechanic for the safety.
good question and good luck
If you are concerned with the work that you have done you can get a structural safety not 100 percent sure of the details but I know its required for marked insurance vehicles. PM parklane or fat Chuck one of them should be able to answer your questions.
If you are talking about the PT cruizer turned truck.. unless there are frame or suspension modifications I have not seen anything yet would concern me..also you are not finished yet It looked like you had good box bracing and the front doors and Cab look solid but maybe that is not what we are talking about ??? maybe we could be more specific or you can PM me but there are lots of guys here that are pretty good builders so just put it out with some pics so we can see just what we are talking about...anything can be overcome..except taxes...
You can have the structural integrity of your vehicle inspected and returned to the road. Drop by a body shop that does collision repairs. There is a form that needs to be filled out after an inspection. This is the same infoused to returned a BRANDED vehicle, from the wreckers, to the road. Start asking around and also check with a FRAME SHOP. Moght cost you a couple buck$ but is cheaper than losing the vehicle to the scrap yard.
the Kid
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In the words of Red Green "Remember, I'm pulling for you. We're all in this together".
Hey Chuck, It is the PT Truck. I have added to the sub frame and personally I have no issues with the structural strength, it is quite strong (possibly stronger?) after removing half of the roof and C pillars. Just concerned over any possible pitfalls and or legalities as we proceed. Operating on the premise of begging forgiveness here would be a little irresponsible. It sounds like I have options to make it road safe, and if it is inspected and found to be safe the insurance should be straight forward. Hope to drive the truck next year.
Thanks Guys
Very Helpful
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If at first you don't succeed, GET A BIGGER HAMMER!
From what I have seen so far I would not have any issues with feeling the vehicle is safe.. you may want to brace that box frame to the cab as an added measure ...
It may be all the ministry wants..but we all drive with our family's ,children and I am sure we and he would feel much better knowing it is safe..So we should keep our eye on that goal, every vehicle that gets built needs to be safe ..or we all suffer the consequences.. Besides an accident that somebody got hurt in (sure hope that never happens) it could make it much harder in the future for all of us to get built cars licensed..
MTO "a car has blue plates, a truck has black, and ALL trucks are commercial vehicles and licensed as such"
(black/blue colour of characters)
ANY POS with a box is a truck.... VW, subaru,rampage, ranchero, camino
bend over.
I had the car/truck for sale on here and sold the headaches to someone else.
If MTO decides to pull you over and your "truck" has car plates they can ream you so far your teeth will need fillings.
My work around was a removable hardtop\tonneau cover take pics of it installed to show its "still a car" if you get stopped.
Good luck, make some calls....
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Fords Rule ! If it ain't designed and manufactured in North America it sucks ! I don't do rice, pasta, fish and chips, sauerkraut, Ikea or other third world motor vehicle !
