Hi everyone. I came to this post since I have been asked about the legal issues of changing side markers, tail lamps, etc, in the Supercrew forum.

I'm not sure if you care or not, but all the light modifications you make to your rear tail lamps, front side markers, front headlamps, with the APC or "ALTEZZA" style lamps are ILLEGAL in all states.

If you go to this web site, fmvss108.tripod.com, you will find out why they are illegal, and why APC has recalled all their tail lamps. This site can answer all you lighting questions from the front of your rig to the rear, and is supported by FMVSS and NHTSA. They even have NHTSA reps email addresses to answer questions that you have concerning the lighting issues.

I know some of you won't care about legal issues and that is fine, but for those of you who have questions on whats legal and whats not, check the site out.

Take care, and drive safely.
Az





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white w/harvest gold trim,2001 supercrew 4x4,5.4, w/duraliner and magnaflow exhaust, superchip.
Next: K&N FIPK

 

az,
could you relist the site address. Cannot get anywhere with fmvss108.tripod.com.

thanks

 

I'll try it again, sometimes different search engines will find it if you put in just fmvss108.tripod. Try this http://fmvss108.tripod.com/

Hopefully that will work. I guess Hawaii and the west coast are still awake to be surfing the web.

Az

 

One thing Az didn't mention is that you need to investigate the laws in your individual state. The individual state laws cannot be less restrictive, but they can be more restrictive. Researching will let you know the punishments if you are cited and found guilty. The links to many states are not listed on the link provided.

 

I read somewhere here that if the light assembly (rear, front, side, etc.) has the "DOT Approved" legend on it then you're good to go in all 50 states. Isn't this true? DOT laws apply in all 50 states, right???

 

Screwcop brought up a great point that I forgot to mention, a lot of states dmv info is not listed on the fmvss108 website. Just call your local PD and they can tell you what your state laws say. It will not be less than the federal law as screwcop mentioned, but possibly more restrictive.

Alf and Captainoblivious, check out the fmvss108 site, it can tell you why the Altezza light on Lexus IS300 are legal, and how DOT works. If you can't access the site, respond back here, and I'll explain it as best I can. Your questions are well answered in the website.

Az

 

I got it now. Very interesting. If it's not this it's that.

I wish I knew more about statistics and stuff like that in order to determine if not having the red reflector on the taillamps will increase (and if so, how badly) the rate of accidents related to this.

I look at the good side of all this. If I don't get the altezzas that's another 150 bucks I can save for my supercharger.

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2000 Silver XLT 4.6 Extended Cab

SO FAR:
- ARE Z-series Color Matched Cap (for the Rotties...)
- Flowmaster 40 Series with Edelbrock Oval Tips
- Airaid Intake System
- Sony, Lanzar, Profile, Polk, Kenwood, 500W Sound System
- Closer to the Ground 3" front and & 5" rear
- Clear Corner Lenses

WISH LIST:
- 20" AFX Avalanche rims with 275/45/20 Tires
- Street Scene Color Matched Mirrors
- SVT Bumber Cover
- Supercharger (when Whipple has one for the 4.6)

[This message has been edited by Alf (edited 02-07-2001).]

 

Okay, you say all the lights are illegal in all states? Maybe I am readind something wrong. I checked out the Texas code and it says the front lights must emit an amber or white lights. I know a police officer from San Antonio was here on this board that provided a link to the same thing. Basically, I thought the front clears were okay in Texas. And, do not see anything- the way I read it that changes my view. az2528, Thanks. I think I will not get the rear "Altezzas" right now.

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1997 F-150 XL, 4.2L 5spd
Mods: 16x8 Centerline wheels, 285/60/16 Goodyear Eagle GT IIs, Flowmaster, K&N, tint, alarm, billet grille, clear corners, carpet, Kenwood CD w/Infinity speakers, 60/40 seats, and a 5hp "Ford Racing" sticker on the back window.

 

Hi Alf, I'm glad your saving your $$$, and supercharger is much cooler than lights, and it will make you go faster Concerning the accident question, that will be tough to find, but if you really want to check with the local PD or your Highway patrol, they might help. The major issue though is the insurance company's and civil suits that could come from illegal lighting.

Look at it this way, You get hit from the rear, any you have the illegal lenses on your rig. Local PD or highway patrol takes a report and find and document you have illegal rear tail lamps. Maybe they find it a contributing factor, maybe they dont. BUT, now your insurance company and the dumbass who hit you insurance company see's you had illegal lights..Can you see what might happen next..Civil law suits are where the big $$$ is...You don't want this to happen to you or your friends. This reason is probably the best reason not to change the lighting equip your rig comes with from the factory.

Kirby, I took a look at Texas vehicle code and found section 547.325a and b. It refers to reflectors. The reflectors which are in your front side markers are what this section is talking about.

If you change your front side markers to clear, are you removing the refletor also?? If so, that's were the legal issue comes. I just took a look at my 1/25 scale f150 model truck Ford sent me for free (dont ask me why, it showed up two weeks ago and my wife thought I bought something else from Ford) anyways I noticed the front markers are yellow and are part of the lighting unit. If you change this to white, you have removed your front reflector, which it looks like violates section 547.325.

But since I'm not a Texas cop, I might be reading the section wrong, so I would check with a local cop.

Take care
Az

 

Okay. I'll talk to local PD. Thanks for the quick response!

 

AZ2528,

I do see the point and I'd hate to have to go to court just for a stupid set of lights. It's always good to learn something everyday. Thanks.

Now, how do I go about getting one of those scale trucks??

 

Damn, now one of my planned mods are in question! Maybe, a ? instead.

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Crew Coach



2001 F150 4x2 Lariat Supercrew, Oxford White w/silver two-tone, 5.4L, 3.55LS, Captain's Chairs, Towing Pkg, 6-CD, Bed Extender, Westin SS Nerf Bars, Line-X sprayed-in bedliner, EGR deflector, Stull billet grill, Husky custom liners, ARE LSII with Sport Wing, Ford locking gas cap, wheel & spare locks by McGard

Other planned mods: AirForce 1 air induction, Flowmaster Delta 50 Series, cobra hood, Stillen air dam w/driving lights, speaker upgrades, amp, crystal clear lenses, etc., etc., etc.

 

yup... California motor vehicle code (2001) says front side marker / turn signals can be clear(white) or amber. I think I'll believe that!

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-JonC-
*Silver 2000 4x2 F150 Supercab
*4.6L Triton V8
*BFG 285/75/16 AT KO's
*16 x 8 Panther Custom 108's
*K&N GenII FIPK
*Custom Cat-back w/ Flowmaster 50 Series
*Fabtech 6.5" "Ultimate" suspension lift
*Smittybilt nerf bars
*Extang Black Max soft tonneau
*Stull billet grille
*Clear corners


[This message has been edited by JonC (edited 02-07-2001).]

 

IN TEXAS 547.325 REFLECTORS REQUIRED....

THEY ARE ONLY REQUIRED ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE.......MOSTLY FOR WHEN YOU ARE PARKED TO ALERT OTHER DRIVERS A OBJECT IS AHEAD OF THEM......547.325. Reflectors Required


(a) Except as provided by Subchapter F, a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer shall be equipped with at least two red reflectors on the rear of the vehicle. A red reflector may be included as a part of a taillamp.


(b) A reflector shall be:


(1) mounted at a height from 15 to 60 inches; and


(2) visible at night at all distances:


(A) from 100 to 600 feet when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps; or


(B) from 100 to 350 feet when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps if the vehicle was manufactured or assembled before January 1, 1972.

Dave

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1998 F-150, SC/Flairside,oxford white 4x2,4.6,auto,3.55s,nerf bars,cls 111 towing,bed liner w/mat,Eagle polished wheels 16x10 w/Yokahama Geolandars 315/75/16s,all plastics guards/bug shields,air raid/k & n filter, superchipped, duals out the back corners, flow master 3 chamber, snug top lid, f-150 online sticker back window-honk if you see me!!! Fabtech 3 1/2 lift,3" spindles, 3" body lift=9 1/2 inches of lift, lift lips.coverking dash cover, Lumi Logo's (front and rear), clear front corner lenses, muth mirrors,dash mounted CB, (TX Chapter requirement,lol),personalized license plates, Superlift traction bars,Image tail light covers (painted).and it still fits in the garage, yeahhhhhh

San Antonio
DWESSELS89@AOL.COM

 

The clear fronts still have a reflector, however it's white. (at least mine still has one.. not sure about the euro-clears) If Clear or amber is OK, then they're legal. Not sure about the rears... I think I'm going to wait for the APCs with the red reflector for the 2-bulb setup...

-Joe-