I have a guy in the Sacramento area that wants to buy my truck. His biggest concern is making sure it's good to go as far as SMOG testing goes.

I dont believe my truck was a CA emissions truck, as it didn't have anything in the way of a catalytic converter on the stock exhaust system.

How can I verify for him whether my truck will be good to go in Cali?

Thanks,
Chad

 

The '98 12 valves (mine at least) came with a cat. converter. It also had an EGR system that wasn't required in other states. As to whether a non-Cali. truck that old can be registered here, I suspect DMV would have to be consulted.

 

The potential purchaser is looking into the DMV area.

Can you tell me what the EGR stuff looks like? Or where I might find it if it is even there?

I assume the cat would've been as obvious as it is on a gas motor'd rig. Mine had only the huge freakin' muffler. No other bulgy thing, and no o2 sensor. Not sure if it would have had that or not...

Give me a call if you can spare a minute! I can have you walk me through a thing or two.

(541) 501-3545

Thanks,
Chad

 

Third post down as an egrr'ed 12valve

 

OK, thanks for the pic. Mine DOES NOT have any of that stuff.

Does that mean it can be bought by a Californian?

 

98 and newer require smog if outfitted with cirtain components . i have 01 and knock on wood no smog notice yet i belive this is currently o7 up dodge 98 and up chevy and ford

 

Any info on what components they're looking for?

I found a catalyst number on the timing cover tag, but no other equipment that I can call emission related on the truck.

I is confused!

Thanks everybody!

 

If it was not an original cal. truck it wont have the egr you can take your vin # to dmv and they will confirm what is required

 

ALL `98 and newer diesel trucks get smogged every 2 nd year. they are inspected for smog equipment as installed at the factory. some have cats and some do not. some have egr and some do not. there`s no reason your truck cannot be sold in cal.

 

Before I made a blanket statement like that I would get it in writing from the Smog station.

Easy for us to spout off, we aren't the ones trying to get a License plate.

 

I don't think you will have a problem with the lack of cat/EGR if the truck was indeed originally built without them.

More problematic will be any modifications made to the intake system, fuel delivery system and how the truck does on the snap test. California is likely to require a CARB EO decal for any changes from stock on the intake, exhaust or fuel delivery. They are not likely to pass a BHAF. They may not be able to visually detect some changes to your fuel system, but if there is too much smoke at full throttle (snap test) that's how you will get nailed.

Unfortunately, the only way you are going to be sure is to take the vehicle to a CA smog station.

Best of luck. This state is a PITA!

 

Well, I'm about to say screw it. The guy is claiming that he will need to install a cat, which can only come with a new $1400 exhaust system. LOL!!!
He shot me such a ridiculous low ball offer that I will most likely not sell to anyone from your great state!
I understand that things are different in various places, but it's not up to me to make it affordable to the buyer. He wants an old 12 valve in excellent shape. Why would he want one of those if he is just going to choke it down and make it anemic? For the money, he should be looking at a common rail and have a much more comfortable truck.
Sorry to rant, but CA is a joke.

And I also think he might be exaggerating just a wee bit on what the state will really require. Guess we'll see. I'm gonna call DMV tomorrow and see if I get the same answers.

 

Yota, I do believe you have to bring it to Cali specs to import it. I know at least you used to have to, and it wouldn't be easy to add everything.

That being said, technically you would need a kitty for it to be legally sold in any state, not many look for one though.

I am sure we could find you a kitty laying around somewhere for a song if you really wanted one.

 

If the truck did not come with a cat then it does not have to have one added.

If I were the seller I wouldn't bother with the California customer--especially not the one he is apparently dealing with.

That being said, California cannot require that a vehicle be brought up to its standards to be imported. Those in the armed services would take a beating for starters (and yes, many keep their home state registration, but there are many who also move here and take up CA registration). For a while CA was just adding a fee onto the registration of out of state vehicles. The courts gave them a spanking for that one. I know because the wife got a check from the state refunding that fee from when she had paid it years before on her grandparents car which she inherited from Illinois. I think it boils down to being part of the commerce clause. I'm no lawyer though, and have no desire to be one.

Modifications from stock are what CA can nail you on. Any mods that increase power are considered increases in pollution. Exhaust mods after the cat are legal though. Intake mods I am not sure on where the limit may be. Anything on the engine itself is pretty much off limits though.

CA is a royal PITA. I am currently working on finding a way to make a living somewhere else. As soon as I get that nailed down I am outta here.

 

Yeah. I'm done with that guy. And it didn't come with a cat! I'm sure as hell not going to put one on it.