Info please for Va.

[whjeep]

Just moved to Virginia, and looking to build another XJ. Talking with some locals here and was told how strict, the state is. Has anyone had any experience or hassles, in s.w. va.? Any info will be appreciated.

 

[oefvet0910]

The lift laws in va go off weight of the rig, and yes some areas are strict about it. the state cops are the worst! I live in eastern VA and I have seen Staties pull plates and tow rigs because they are too high.

 

[Shorty]

Just moved to Virginia, and looking to build another XJ. Talking with some locals here and was told how strict, the state is. Has anyone had any experience or hassles, in s.w. va.? Any info will be appreciated.

what are you looking to build? If it's something that will be daily driven (or could be if needed), you shouldn't have much problem-- it definitely depends on how it looks, though. If you slap together some sched.40 pipe and some boogered up ghetto-fab stuff, you'll never get anywhere.

The laws concerning safety equipment can be interpreted as "if it came with it, it's gotta work" and "if it didn't come with it, it's gotta look, fit, and function as if it did come with it."

From that point, you can modify a lot of stuff that doesn't detract from the factory safety equipment and it shouldn't preclude passing a safety inspection.

As a case in point-- these doors pass every stipulation in the inspection book:

 

[xjtrailrider]

I have no issues in Roanoke or surrounding areas. I drive my rig to the trails, no trailer queen in my driveway.

5.5" lift, 35's

 

[hadfield4wd]

I drove this. Hydro assist 44/9 36's. eventually I broke the glass out with no problems

 

[beastlydumass]

ok so about va's uncovered tire policy that you cant have more than 4in of uncovered tire and must have a light at the most extream edge? and the bumper hight laws? im going to be moving to norflok in june and dont want to have to mod stuff just to drive. its still going to be a florida registered jeep but the dam va comman laws is what im worried about.

 

[xjtrailrider]

ok so about va's uncovered tire policy that you cant have more than 4in of uncovered tire and must have a light at the most extream edge? and the bumper hight laws? im going to be moving to norflok in june and dont want to have to mod stuff just to drive. its still going to be a florida registered jeep but the dam va comman laws is what im worried about.

On the east and northern parts of VA it will be a issue, here in the mountains, cops don't care unless you are acting stupid.

 

[xjtrailrider]

I drove this. Hydro assist 44/9 36's. eventually I broke the glass out with no problems

I miss wheelin with you Matt, you need another trail rig oke-poke:!

 

[beastlydumass]

so wats the best advise to try and avoid as many tickets and attention?

 

[whjeep]

Thanks for the advice, when I lived in Tenn. my 89 was up on 35's with a rustys 6.5" kit.just not wanting to run into any trouble, now that I am living in Va.

 

[Ghost]

Thanks for the advice, when I lived in Tenn. my 89 was up on 35's with a rustys 6.5" kit.just not wanting to run into any trouble, now that I am living in Va.

Shorty, xjtrailrider, and haffield are very knowledgable and know the ins and outs imho. Listen to them and they will steer you right.

 

[Shorty]

http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Safety.shtm#InspectionProgram

if you've got a couple minutes of unused time..........

 

[xjtrailrider]

http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Safety.shtm#InspectionProgram

if you've got a couple minutes of unused time..........

Or constipated LOL! :read:

 

[whjeep]

http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Safety.shtm#InspectionProgram

if you've got a couple minutes of unused time..........

Yeah I looked through that.:compwork:

 

[shortxjdoug]

I drove this. Hydro assist 44/9 36's. eventually I broke the glass out with no problems

it was so pretty

sorry for the thread hijack

 

[hadfield4wd]

so wats the best advise to try and avoid as many tickets and attention?

Be smart. Don't drive like an idiot. Don't draw attention to yourself. I was actually pulled over a couple times and never got a ticket. One time my hi lift was blocking my plate. One the dude pulled me over to check my inspection. One dude pulled me over because he liked the jeep and wanted to ask me questions. Keep in mind I didn't even have windows. I had snap ins.

 

[whjeep]

I have actually been looking for my old xj, with no luck.

 

[TRCM]

Beware, in VA, they do not consider your jeep a truck, even though the firewall sticker says it is one.

They consider it a stationwagon or 4 dr sedan, depending on who registers it, and as such, the lift laws are very strict.

I had a 79 Dodge Ramcharger 4x4 that I had to get registered as a RamCharger, because from the factory, it was too tall for a stationwagon, which is what it was registered as because 1) it had a back seat, and 2) you can not stack a load in it higher than the roof of the cab.

Had a friend with a Bronco who got a ticket in a stock bronco with 31's on it, and he got his re-registered as a Bronco, and they threw the ticket out.

 

[beastlydumass]

so ill be moving to Norfolk in june and looking for a good group to roll with for the next 3yrs. still not sure about this hole common wealth law and having florida registration. am I going to have to fall under any of va inspection laws?

 

[Shorty]

If you are in the Military, you will not have to register here unless you take up permanent residence here-- something to be avoided if you like not paying state income taxes or have a vehicle that's questionable for safety inspection. The only setback is that the bases around here require the Virginia inspection to get passed the gate even with out of state tags.

If you can't pass the inspection, you might consider a little econo-box to commute to the base (assuming Military) and rock the Heep with Florida tags when off base.