street legal, necessary in NC?

vinny

Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2012
Location
Phoenix, Az (for now)
I'll be moving to Raleigh next month. I've been trying to sell my sami to cover some of the expenses of moving and to prevent my wife from having to pull a trailer. I haven't gotten any bites locally. Not really a big problem if it doesn't sell, I just got it and would love to keep it.

Here in AZ to wheel you pretty much need tags and insurance. We have no inspection. For the most part no one cares about modifications. You'll occasionally hear someone pulled over for mud flaps, but even then they typically are let go if the paperwork checks out and the driver isn't a jerk to the officer. I've driven this to work a few times, PD doesn't even look at me as they pass.

When I lived in PA this would be a huge problem and no where near street legal.

My first question, for the wheeling out there will i need registration and inspection? This would be towed to and from the trail.

My second question, from what you can see in these pics what would it take to get this street legal for NC? It passed Arizona emissions, all the steering is heims that are tight, the lights all work (turn signals behind the grill), has good brakes, and 4 point harnesses (no 3 point seat belts).

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First off, Welcome to the board.

To answer your first question, some places require tags and insurance to wheel, but those are mostly light wheeling, state maintained dirt roads, more for the scenic wheeling crowd. Most private trails, and Uwharrie National Forest do not require tags or insurance on your rig, if you wanna drive it to work though, obviously youll need tags and insurance.

NC Inspection is pretty simple, that would pass no problem, I am not sure about the harnesses actually passing or not... but youll quickly learn its all about who you know and you happened to pick the right place to start. If its a problem, youll make friends with someone who can solve that problem. :D
 
URE can be done w/o being street legal but it's easier if you are. You're supposed to be legal to be on the service roads that connect the trails.
 
yeah i dont see you having any real issues getting that inspected....and like the others said, most places dont require tags or insurance to ride, just whatever the pass costs for the day

-on a side note, in that last picture, are you on a dyno?....cool samurai by the way though
 
thanks! It's a neat little rig.

the dyno is for the state emissions testing. On obd2 cars they plug them in to a computer and vacuum test the gas cap. Older vehicles get run through the gears to test what comes out of the tailpipe. The pic doesn't include the collector over the tailpipe yet. here is a video of it actively being tested. At the end the tech said he didn't like my shifter. The infamous mystery shifter gave him trouble trying to find fifth. His shifts were so rough I was worried he was going to pop it off the roller! They only chock the front tires, no straps!

 
3 things they may get ya on is no front bumper, no license plate light and your rear taillights are supposed to be able to be side from side of vehicle.. but most places probably would not care :)
 
Thanks! All of those are easy fixes. I was planning to add recessed markers in the rear 1/4 panels and a plate light because you technically need them here. Although I personally know a lot of rigs that don'e have any side markers or plate lights, they never get stopped. A stock front bumper should bolt right on...I just gotta find one.

I was worried it was going to be like PA and I would need to get the tires under the fenders. They are notorious for ticketing uncovered tires.
 
tire coverage is not a concern in NC. Things I've been dinged for over the years are missing cat, missing heat stove ductwork into the factory air snorkel from exhaust manifold (missing factory emissions equip.), non-functioning turn signal or high beam indicators on dash, leaking gear oil into brake drum, headlights pointed too high, bald tires, torn rubber on windshield wiper, missing rear/side marker lights, no horn. As mentioned before, a lot of it is who you know and where you go. Looking thru my list, I'm pretty sure I've passed with most of those items at some other time/places.
 
That would pass in VA as well as long as you don't drive in the rain unless its an emergency, no flares means rooster-tails and the po-po will get you for that. No bumpers are required in VA believe it or not but take your doors off your XJ and see how fast you get pulled over for a warning LOL!
 
Might as well tag and insure it. It'd be dirt cheap for that jewel.
 
Definitely get a tag light and some type of drivers side and rear view mirrors. Could be a cheap bike mirror...just have something. I've been pulled for both.
 
Pa sounds like a shithole,lol

Should pass with no problem with tag light and mirriors , I would tag it , makes life easier for sure , and,you get to cruise around to test repairs and mods on backroads .


Nice rig welcome to nc

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