Headlight covers
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 0
From: Haysville, KS
One that comes to mind are clear turn signals. I've seen them come from the factory with clear lenses and clear bulbs. Here in Kansas, that's not allowed. Simple fix is to replace the clear bulb with an amber, but many folks don't know they can't be clear (white).
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
AFAIK this stuff is regulated by the NHTSA... got this from Ralph (81-F-150-Explorer) some time ago:
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations
The one to pay attention is FMVSS No, 108:
Regulations Section | Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
81-85 & 93-95 Mazda RX7's came factory equipped with tail light covers.
The earlier models had very lightly tinted covers, with the reflector made into it. The later models had a much darker tint. I know of several people who have been hassled by cops over these *factory* installed covers. Showing them the DOT certification doesn't always work, either. At least, not till a judge gets involved......
That said, there's no way I would attempt to use these after market headlight/tail light covers on a *street* driven vehicle. Show vehicle is a different story......
The earlier models had very lightly tinted covers, with the reflector made into it. The later models had a much darker tint. I know of several people who have been hassled by cops over these *factory* installed covers. Showing them the DOT certification doesn't always work, either. At least, not till a judge gets involved......
That said, there's no way I would attempt to use these after market headlight/tail light covers on a *street* driven vehicle. Show vehicle is a different story......
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 6
From: Georgia
TITLE 49, UNITED STATES CODE CHAPTER 301 MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY
SUBCHAPTER I GENERAL
Sec. 30101. Purpose and policy.
Sec. 30102. Definitions.
Sec. 30103. Relationship to other laws.
UNIFORMITY OF REGULATIONS The Secretary of Transportation may not prescribe a safety regulation related to a motor vehicle subject to subchapter II of chapter 105 of this title that differs from a motor vehicle safety standard prescribed under this chapter. However, the Secretary may prescribe, for a motor vehicle operated by a carrier subject to subchapter II of chapter 105, a safety regulation that imposes a higher standard of performance after manufacture than that required by an applicable standard in effect at the time of manufacture.
PREEMPTION
When a motor vehicle safety standard is in effect under this chapter, a State or a political subdivision of a State may prescribe or continue in effect a standard applicable to the same aspect of performance of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment only if the standard is identical to the standard prescribed under this chapter. However, the United States Government, a State, or a political subdivision of a State may prescribe a standard for a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment obtained for its own use that imposes a higher performance requirement than that required by the otherwise applicable standard under this chapter.
A State may enforce a standard that is identical to a standard prescribed under this chapter.
SUBCHAPTER I GENERAL
Sec. 30101. Purpose and policy.
Sec. 30102. Definitions.
Sec. 30103. Relationship to other laws.
UNIFORMITY OF REGULATIONS The Secretary of Transportation may not prescribe a safety regulation related to a motor vehicle subject to subchapter II of chapter 105 of this title that differs from a motor vehicle safety standard prescribed under this chapter. However, the Secretary may prescribe, for a motor vehicle operated by a carrier subject to subchapter II of chapter 105, a safety regulation that imposes a higher standard of performance after manufacture than that required by an applicable standard in effect at the time of manufacture.
PREEMPTION
When a motor vehicle safety standard is in effect under this chapter, a State or a political subdivision of a State may prescribe or continue in effect a standard applicable to the same aspect of performance of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment only if the standard is identical to the standard prescribed under this chapter. However, the United States Government, a State, or a political subdivision of a State may prescribe a standard for a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment obtained for its own use that imposes a higher performance requirement than that required by the otherwise applicable standard under this chapter.
A State may enforce a standard that is identical to a standard prescribed under this chapter.
On the clear rear lights, I find it hard to believe a car manufacturer would ship vehicles with clear lenses and clear bulbs.
It's such an clear violation.
Not saying they haven't, but it's very strange, since they aren't legal anywhere.
Personally, I think uniform national standards are a good thing, especially given how mobile we are.
81-85 & 93-95 Mazda RX7's came factory equipped with tail light covers.
The earlier models had very lightly tinted covers, with the reflector made into it. The later models had a much darker tint. I know of several people who have been hassled by cops over these *factory* installed covers. Showing them the DOT certification doesn't always work, either. At least, not till a judge gets involved......
The earlier models had very lightly tinted covers, with the reflector made into it. The later models had a much darker tint. I know of several people who have been hassled by cops over these *factory* installed covers. Showing them the DOT certification doesn't always work, either. At least, not till a judge gets involved......
Also, just because all the components meet the standards, doesn't mean the assembly does. HID retrofit kits are a good example. Most of the kits will say the bulbs, etc are DOT certified, and they may well be, but there's absolutely no way to install an HID bulb in to a housing made for halogen bulbs and have them be legal.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 6
From: Georgia
They've always been illegal.
The only legal conversion is replacing the complete assembly as bulbs, reflectors and lenses are designed to work as a unit. HID and Halogen bulbs have different light characteristics and it's impossible to have one work correctly with reflectors and/or lenses designed for the other.
I verified this by calling the NHTSA office of the chief counsel who wrote the interpretation and asking very specific questions about various scenarios.
Here's the information as published in the Federal Register.
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2005...f/05-21725.pdf
I did suggest that they consider writing a simpler and to the point statement but haven't seen anything.
Prior to that even complete HID assemblies were illegal, but SEMA pushed for a reinterpretation which the above is.
Here's a C&P of the SEMA announcement (I can't find it on sema.org): SEMA: Law: Legal HID Retrofit
Unfortunately, a lot of people read it wrong and thought all HID kits were now legal.
Another bit of trivia, the NHTSA doesn't recognize "for off-road use only" for headlamps, so that's not a way around.
The only legal conversion is replacing the complete assembly as bulbs, reflectors and lenses are designed to work as a unit. HID and Halogen bulbs have different light characteristics and it's impossible to have one work correctly with reflectors and/or lenses designed for the other.
I verified this by calling the NHTSA office of the chief counsel who wrote the interpretation and asking very specific questions about various scenarios.
Here's the information as published in the Federal Register.
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2005...f/05-21725.pdf
I did suggest that they consider writing a simpler and to the point statement but haven't seen anything.
Prior to that even complete HID assemblies were illegal, but SEMA pushed for a reinterpretation which the above is.
Here's a C&P of the SEMA announcement (I can't find it on sema.org): SEMA: Law: Legal HID Retrofit
Unfortunately, a lot of people read it wrong and thought all HID kits were now legal.
Another bit of trivia, the NHTSA doesn't recognize "for off-road use only" for headlamps, so that's not a way around.
The NHTSA has also determined that a commonly used disclaimer “for off-road use only” has no legal meaning and is not recognized by the agency as the manufacturer, importer and retailer are not in a position to control use once a product has been sold. Any equipment offered for sale which is covered by FMVSS No. 108 (headlamps, taillamps, side markers, etc.) must comply with the standard.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
For example, murder is illegal, and Tennessee cannot have a law saying it's OK to murder up to 3 people in any 12-contiguous-month period.
For example, the NHTSA says rear tail marker lamps must be visible from at least a distance of 200 feet, states cannot make laws making it more restrictive (say, 100 feet).
The above numbers are used for example purposes only, the real numbers are in FMVSS 108 someplace).
Gary, you need to be clear... such devices are not, by themselves, illegal. But operating a vehicle on the public streets & highways with such devices installed *is* illegal.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 639
Likes: 2
I know where you guys are coming from and thanks for the concern. Sorry I was kind of a dick about it.
Honestly I'd rather have clear ones but I haven't seen them made. I want them to improve aeros. The big headlight scoops do no favors in the MPG department.
Hardtruck, thanks for the lead.
Honestly I'd rather have clear ones but I haven't seen them made. I want them to improve aeros. The big headlight scoops do no favors in the MPG department.
Hardtruck, thanks for the lead.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 0
From: Haysville, KS
Evidently state law can trump federal. Some states have 'legal' marijuana while federal law clearly say no.
A law is only a law if it's enforced..
But then I'm just a small town cop and deal with average things; DUI, Domestic Battery, New and Interesting Drugs (google 25i - I was the first cop south of Salina to have to deal with it, or so I'm told..)
But I digress..
A law is only a law if it's enforced..
But then I'm just a small town cop and deal with average things; DUI, Domestic Battery, New and Interesting Drugs (google 25i - I was the first cop south of Salina to have to deal with it, or so I'm told..)
But I digress..
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 6
From: Georgia
I can't imagine headlight covers would help aerodynamics enough to make a change in MPG.
Like my Series Land Rovers, the bullnose Fords are pretty much like driving a billboard when it comes to aerodynamics.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
So exactly what makes the Charger 500 different? There are two main features you want to look for. At the front the grill is pushed out flush with the edge of the hood and front fenders rather than being recessed back several inches. In the rear the back window is slanted and installed flush with the rear sail panels on the roof. These two chances make the 69 Charger much more aerodynamic.
Ad if you look at the changes Ford made for the '87 trucks you can see that they were chasing aero. Otherwise, why would anyone make changes that made the truck so UGLY!
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia