SO FHP pulled me over

TRAINHORNMAN · #1 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 11:08 AM

Didnt kno there was a rule on head lights..
but i got pulled over cuz my truck was "too high"?

didnt kno they had a rule on that. I thought there was a rule on tire size which was 49 inches and NO more..he said it was wrong

Saw the 2 cops with lights flashing pulled over in a parking lot just talking to eachother. saw they look at me and my truck, I see the cop head lights behind me, i told my gf..watch these a holes pull me over...

and what do u kno they pulled me over.. 2 black officers .1 male one female.. Said i my headlights were sitting at 61 inch at middle of headlight and the law was 54?

I just got a ticket for failure to show license, he let me go after he kept sayin hes gonna ticket me.)(being a hole) i told him im an explorer with a fire department and he was like ok i dont care..

Sooo i have been thinking of gettin 4 hellas and using them as my healights (high and low beam by law) and disconnecting the original headlights..

does any one else have suggestions?

tjc transport · #2 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 11:44 AM

the first thing i would suggest is you read your states motor vehicle laws.

here in new jersey the law is center of the headlights no more than 48 inches off the ground.

and the headlights must be dot approved. hella's are off road driving lights,and not legal for on road use

TRAINHORNMAN · #3 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 11:46 AM

ah, yes, i have read the rules but forgot about the DOT part..im gonna re read them again

TRAINHORNMAN · #4 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 12:48 PM

All of the Hella products listed on this website and in our catalogs have SAE/DOT approval for highway use unless otherwise specified.
This means that they are ready to install and use without any further approval or inspections needed.

just read that...but in the laws i didnt see anythihg about headlight bein DOT approved

Ford_Six · #5 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 02:18 PM

I have seen people use plow lights with turn signals moutned below the bumper as headlights. This was really common at the tail end of the "monster truck" craze in the early 90s.

TRAINHORNMAN · #6 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 02:44 PM

i dont want it to look ugly either..im thinkin the hellas might work..

TRAINHORNMAN · #7 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 03:15 PM

so i saw this:

what do u think?

ruschejj · #8 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 04:09 PM

Well, I'm an old fart. I think it would be smarter to make sure your truck is legal, headlights, bumper height, etc... Then probably should lower it. If you are in an accident, whether it's your fault or not, you are a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Your ride is nice, I like it, and I don't mean to offend you. It's just the way I am wired.

The headlights in the bumper do look nice though. I would get more creative with covering the factory lights than that picture shows.

fonefiddy · #9 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 04:14 AM

I'm kinda in the same boat as ruchejj, You need this 12" of lift for what? Are You a heavy off roader?

mistakenID · #10 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 06:46 AM

Another thing to remember! DOT regs are the minimum standards set, states can add to but not detract from the regs so it doesn't matter what the DOT says as long as states meet the minimums, each state is free to add what ever they feel is necessary.

There are quite a few vehicle regs in my own state I don't agree with but there's not much a guy can do about it.

senix · #11 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 02:12 PM

I would lower the truck a bit so that you could maintain and use the factory lights.

mudmaker · #12 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRAINHORNMAN

so i saw this:

what do u think?

I guess it works, but I think a nice buckstop bumper with (4) 6" recessed lights would look much nicer.
like this:

FORDF250HDXLT · #13 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudmaker

I guess it works, but I think a nice buckstop bumper with (4) 6" recessed lights would look much nicer.
like this:

yup.thats the way to go if it makes you legal again.plus safer id think.

TRAINHORNMAN · #14 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 10:46 AM

thats very true..but i dont have money for that bumper

Beechkid · #15 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 11:52 AM

A couple of things come to mind...

In Calif, headlights must remain within 6" of oem height and there are max & mins as well. I'm surprised you weren't aware of this (even though you may not be from calif)since as a FD reserve, you probably have 4x4 vehicles that are raised for additional clearance and have the headlights converted to reds and the headlights relocated to the bumber or just under....similar to most utility company vehicles.

But the most critical issue I see here is the fact that you stated to the officer you were associated with the FD. To use an affilliation such as that for the purposes stated is, well, not right and your department probably has a policy such as most do prohibiting such comments. From both a personnel policy position and public relations, it can come back to bite you in the future- maybe not on this event but in the future. In most circumstances, law enforcement staff will determine your affilliation with public safety agencies through a variety of means. When comments are introduced as you did, it clearly places a new light on the situation, one which does not work in anyones interest. the officers must now ensure that what ever action they are taking is consistant and aboveboard because of the potential favortism and comments forwarded to their command- possibly even by their own partner or another unit who may be observing the situation- or even a citizen.

It can also bite you as in several cases I have had law enforcement officers not issue a citation but notify through appropriate channels the comments made such as yours (I'm a FD member) back through to the individuals agency command- whether you are looking at this from a pr, present position of future employment standpoint, it does not show well. Just look at this as a lesson learned.