California registration experience.

[maxtor]

Maxtor

In your situation I would try to register it historic since the form 97 says it is an 1989, Sacramento will reject the application based on my last conversation with them. If that happens just PNO it until next year. If you need to move it you can just get a trip, or moving, permit to move it provided it is insured.

Another option is to mount a camper in the bed and register it as a motor home.

Yes, you are exactly right. If they deny the registration, I will do a non-op on it for a year.
I have heard about the camper bed option, but I think they want the camper bolted to the bed of the truck, and I don't want to alter the bed any, so I will just wait for the History Certification.
Thanks for all your good ideas.

 

[maxtor]

What rpm is the transmission shifting at?

What rpm is the engine governor set at?

I have run into several of these truck in which the shift points are not set correctly.

The correct way to drive a properly set up Allison is to bring the rpm up to 200 below governed and hold it there. If you do not do this the transmission can shift early and into an rpm that is below the engines torque curve causing lugging and sluggish performance. Allison has an operators manual that you should read.

I didn't check. I will check that out next time I drive it on the street.
I guess you can't expect to much performance from a 22,000 lb. truck.
It is a tad bit slower than our supercharged Corvette.

 

[11BC2]

My truck is a 1991 or 92...we are debating exactly which year.
Truck will be used for non commercial, private, driving.
The commercial officer I have been dealing with is very knowledgeable, friendly, and willing to help.

 

[armytruck63]

My truck is a 1991 or 92...we are debating exactly which year.
Truck will be used for non commercial, private, driving.
The commercial officer I have been dealing with is very knowledgeable, friendly, and willing to help.

Do give thanks to the nice officer and let us know his name and location.

 

[jesusgatos]

There's a very good thread about registering military vehicles in CA that you should find and read. Covers all this stuff.

It is not historic yet. You have to wait until next year before the computer will accept it, this is per the historic vehicle registration unit in Sacramento.

We just registered a 1989 M923A2 historical last week? Sure hope Sacramento doesn't kick it back!

My plan, per Queen Commercial Officer that I'm working with:
1. Remove lead rear axle.
2. Remove weight data tag and retain.
3. Get air brakes recert'ed for less weight.

No special license, endorsement, CA number, BIT inspection necessary.
Might have to maintain a log book if driven over certain hours/miles per day/trip.

Remove one of the rear axles why?

CHP.
I will keep everyone posted as everything is being documented.
2 axles is the key.

Key to what?

My 5 ton is registered Historical, but I had to get a commercial insurance policy because of the weight. It runs approx. $ 850 a year from State Farm.

Same here.

The only thing that 2 axles does is eliminate the CDL requirement if the GVW is under 26,000 lbs.

Also lets you exceed the 55mph speed limit for trucks with three or more axles.

You will still have commercial truck that is not CARB compliant.

The truck will still be subject to all the requirements for a commercial of its weight class.

Unfortunately California no longer registers trucks for non commercial use due to people abusing the provision.

Registering these vehicles as historical or motorhomes is only way around that.

 

[Gunzy]

Fist question, what year is your truck?

Second what do you intend to use it for?

Third what agency is this commercial officer with?
The issues with this plan are

1 you will need commercial insurance which is very expensive, one year for the current vehicle will probably run what you paid for it.

2 you will need to register with CARB and due to the fact that the engine is not a 2010 or newer you will be limited to 1,000 miles per year, may get raised to 5,000 miles per year. This is a couple of other exemptions for contractors.

3 if he is talking about a log book then you will still need a CDL and you are using it commercially.

4 the bit inspection is for a commercial vehicle. It is a pain in the ass to get one of these trucks to pass because if the wedge brakes.

5 the registration is going to be expensive due to the weight fees.

6 you will need to stop at every scale.

7 I do not think it is legal to remove the GVW tag from the vehicle. California is a declared weight state so the tag is not relevant but they probably will scale you and if you are over the fines are huge and they can be retro to the day you first registered the vehicle.

I stand by my previous post.

 

[MyothersanM1]

Here's the Historical Vehicle code section if you decide to go that route. This is how I have my M818 registered. Just remember, if one person looks at it and admires it, that's a car show. Your vehicle is "historic" because it has served in our nation's rich military history and is now being phased out. There is also no mileage restriction per the code and, as stated previous in this thread, the vehicle will be CARB exempt. DO get that CDL B. You don't want something catastrophic to happen and not have that credential behind you...think: lawyers.


V C Section 5004 Vehicles of Historic Value

Vehicles of Historic Value

5004. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, any owner of a vehicle described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) which is operated or moved over the highway primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition or other similar purpose shall, upon application in the manner and at the time prescribed by the department, be issued special identification plates for the vehicle:
(1) A motor vehicle with an engine of 16 or more cylinders manufactured prior to 1965.
(2) A motor vehicle manufactured in the year 1922 or prior thereto.
(3) A vehicle which was manufactured after 1922, is at least 25 years old, and is of historic interest.
(b) The special identification plates assigned to motor vehicles with an engine of 16 or more cylinders manufactured prior to 1965 and to any motor vehicle manufactured in the year 1922 and prior thereto shall run in a separate numerical series, commencing with "Horseless Carriage No. 1".
The special identification plates assigned to vehicles specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) shall run in a separate numerical series, commencing with "Historical Vehicle No. 1".
Each series of plates shall have different and distinguishing colors.
(c) A fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) shall be charged for the initial issuance of the special identification plates. Such plates shall be permanent and shall not be required to be replaced. If such special identification plates become damaged or unserviceable in any manner, replacement for the plates may be obtained from the department upon proper application and upon payment of such fee as is provided for in Section 9265.
(d) All funds received by the department in payment for such identification plates or the replacement thereof shall be deposited in the California Environmental License Plate Fund.
(e) These vehicles shall not be exempt from the equipment provisions of Sections 26709, 27150, and 27600.
(f) As used in this section, a vehicle is of historic interest if it is collected, restored, maintained, and operated by a collector or hobbyist principally for purposes of exhibition and historic vehicle club activities.

Amended Ch. 918, Stats. 1984. Effective January 1, 1985.

 

[jesusgatos]

Would suggest finding that other thread and reading-up on the differences in verbiage related to historical vehicles according to the DMV vs the vehicle codes that the occifers are enforcing.

 

[MyothersanM1]

Would suggest finding that other thread and reading-up on the differences in verbiage related to historical vehicles according to the DMV vs the vehicle codes that the occifers are enforcing.

Thanks, Jesse. Therein lies the problem with code sections. You may have LEO's and DMV clerks that interpret the verbiage differently from the next and the differences vary region to region. Basically a PITA.

 

[maxtor]

Thanks for this information.

 

[jesusgatos]

Thanks, Jesse. Therein lies the problem with code sections. You may have LEO's and DMV clerks that interpret the verbiage differently from the next and the differences vary region to region. Basically a PITA.

Like someone posted in that other thread, the only verbiage that matters is what's in the codebook that the LEO's use to enforce the laws. Read-up on that stuff and figure out what you're comfortable with. We're registering most of our vehicles historical.

 

[quickfarms]

The Leo's enforce the vehicle code. All you need to do is have a copy of the pertinent sections with you.

Be nice to them and do not talk yourself into a ticket.

The DMV form does not exactly reflect the wording of the vehicle code.

 

[Rifleman]

I agree with Quickfarms and Jesusgato, make photo copy's of ALL California code sections that apply to you while driving your truck on the streets and highways of California, and carry them with you all the time. That way if you every get stopped, you will be able to show the codes to the LEO, and believe me, what some LEO don't know about current codes they are charged with enforcing could fill a book. I live east of you, in a free state, and due to the fact i have my truck registered as historic, non commercial, having copy's of the current ADOT codes has already saved me from getting a ticket for driving my truck without a CDL and per the ADOT codes, what i was doing is completely legal. In my case the LEO had never stopped a large former military truck and dealt with a driver driving it as a historic vehicle without a CDL. As Quickfarms said, be very nice and kind to them, show them the DOT codes, and in my case, this LEO learned something that day, and it saved me from a BIG ticket. In my book, that's a win win for everyone!

 

[California 6 wheel]

Be aware that once go historical it will be hard to go back to com, or motor home. Local PD will not give you any crap! but the CHP will impound your truck if you have no proof that your on the way to an event. I had hassel with are wounderful DMV CA and paid 600.00 for comm, plates CHP tag the truck in door jam and frame. got insured thru progressive 420.00 a year 100,000 coverage. and you do not need CLD to drive. Get your self a Military jacket and cap in camo color the cops will not even look at you.
Good luck

 

[maxtor]

All great advice. Thanks

 

[quickfarms]

Be aware that once go historical it will be hard to go back to com, or motor home. Local PD will not give you any crap! but the CHP will impound your truck if you have no proof that your on the way to an event. I had hassel with are wounderful DMV CA and paid 600.00 for comm, plates CHP tag the truck in door jam and frame. got insured thru progressive 420.00 a year 100,000 coverage. and you do not need CLD to drive. Get your self a Military jacket and cap in camo color the cops will not even look at you.
Good luck

There is no issue going from historic to commercial or house car, motor home, if you have the correct paperwork. The issue tends to be going from commercial to historic.

I have not had any issue with the CHP, even during a level 1 inspection, I just told them where I was going, they never asked for any proof. I have had to explain it to the local Leo's.

$600 for commercial registration is about right for 26,000 lbs. You will also need CA or DOT numbers and you will need a lot more insurance for them, either 750k or a million depending on GVW.

Why is the CHP tagging the door jamb and frame? Do you not have a form 97 or title?

In California you need a class b CDL to drive a 3 axle vehicle over 6,000 lbs. Read VC 12804.9 for what vehicles you are allowed to drive with a class c license.

 

[Motiracer38]

Lots of good information in here, I hope not too much mis-information. My plan is to drop an axle, build a box and register it as a motorhome to get around the CDL, CARB, and hopefully de-rate it for cheaper insurance. This won't be happening for a little bit and the truck just sits for now. I haven't even gotten around to getting the SF-97 from GL. Would it be best to PNO it now or is there any penalty for waiting a couple years? I suppose back fees may start accumulating, but it's not even in their system yet.

 

[jesusgatos]

There are lots of reasons to drop an axle, but why is that a part of your plan? You know that you don't have to remove an axle to register it as a motorhome, right?

 

[Blendmaster2002]

The thread linked below has more information on the subjects in this thread, I started it to help make the information easy to find in one location on the site for everyone and be factual as possible. We (other members and I in California, some have posted in this thread) try to keep the info up to date and factual and based on our experience's etc. may help the original Poster and others reading this thread with similar questions, problems etc..

California Title Registration Diesel Smog Law and GL loadout info for M35 Deuce 5 Ton
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showth...out-info-for-M35-Deuce-5-Ton&referrerid=19939

Hope this helps.

 

[Motiracer38]

There are a few reasons, most of them I'll get flak for, lol. I'm looking to get away from a CDL, reduce the rolling resistance to increase MPG, drop a little weight, reduce tire wear from scrub, and make it easier to air ride it. I view the M923A2 as a cheap, low mileage AWD medium duty truck to build a motorhome on and could care less about keeping it original. My end use will be driving 2-6 hours on the highway towing a prerunner in a box trailer, and using 4wd only in the last 1/2mile or so to keep if it gets sandy or muddy. Pismo for example is a 3hr drive on the 101 and about 1.5mi on sand. No current class C motorhome could tow 10K and have 4wd.