If one were to take an old f-450(with a clear title), take the cab and bed off, chop the frame, and put something like a ranger or explorer body on it, would you still be able to register/insure it as a f-450? Or register/insure it at all?

The only reason I ask is because the lift laws in NJ are pretty limiting, and on vehicles that have a GVWR of 10,000 or above (like an f-450) they have self inspection, meaning you can make it as big as you want for the most part (IIRC,feel free to correct me if i am wrong).

 

thats something you'd prolly need to talk to the local DOT about. i am not sure how they do it up there, but here in GA you can tag/insure anything as long as you have the title. they dont do any sort of inspection so its pretty easy to get around. the problem i think you are going to run into is that you will be taggin and insureing the body of the vehicle more or less. meaning if you take a ranger chassis and slapped an F450 body on it you would tag/insure it as a F450. the way the DOT here explained it was, if something happens to it and the cops have to go looking for it, they will be looking for the body, not checking under everyones truck to see if the frame VIN matches what they are after.

i am sure NJ is way different, thats why i say talking to someone who works up there or who has been there, done that is you best bet

-cutts-

 

Same here in texas cutts. that sounds sweet if you can pull it off.

 

New Jerseys self inspecting laws are not that easy.
the self inspecting part is a legal loophole that only applies to diesel powered trucks commercially registered for a weight in between 10,000 lbs and 17,999 lbs. anything lower has to go through an inspection station, and anything registered higher than 18,000 lbs must be inspected under federal regulations. all gas powered vehicles must be inspected, no matter what they are registered for.

also, a vehicle that is classed as self inspecting in New Jersey is still bound by all the laws of the state, and if ordered into a roadside inspection stop, and fails the roadside inspection, will either be put out of service, or impounded, and not allowed to move under its own power until it is properly repaired and reinspected.

also the New Jersey lift laws go by modifications to the suspension. so if you put a ranger body on a F450 frame, it is still considered a ranger with a modified suspension, and will need to be tilt tested.

 

> but here in GA you can tag/insure anything as long as you have the title.

It goes by the body not frame or drivetrain in GA for registering a motor vehicle. I got conflicting advice and then looked it up myself. I know this because I was going to do a conversion (Aerostar on a 70s frame and 390 motor) and skipped it because it was not 25 yoa yet for the emissions though the frame and motor was 70s.