Headlight covers
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 639
Likes: 2
I'm not concerned about the legality, there are ways around that. I've seen indication these pop off for night driving. They are readily available for newer trucks and were obviously made at one time for the bullnose.
Supposedly GT Styling has a set that says it fits 80-86, part number GT0922S, but I can only find generic images. I'm not shelling out $50 without seeing what I'm getting.
Supposedly GT Styling has a set that says it fits 80-86, part number GT0922S, but I can only find generic images. I'm not shelling out $50 without seeing what I'm getting.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 6
From: Georgia
Here's an old thread on the topic. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...hts-legal.html
Just one correction to it, state law is irrelevant. All state lighting regulations are superseded by NHTSA regulations. If the NHTSA says it's illegal it's illegal in all 50 states.
The NHTSA states that anything that changes the photometry of lighting is illegal. There's no way "around" it.
That said, just like with any law, local enforcement can vary.
Just one correction to it, state law is irrelevant. All state lighting regulations are superseded by NHTSA regulations. If the NHTSA says it's illegal it's illegal in all 50 states.
The NHTSA states that anything that changes the photometry of lighting is illegal. There's no way "around" it.
That said, just like with any law, local enforcement can vary.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 0
From: Haysville, KS
There are ways around that? I just love that mindset. Keeps me employed..
There are only a few 'you shall' mandates in law enforcement so enforcement will be up to the the individual officer. That said, they are still illegal and you are taking a chance if you install them. They make for a great interdiction stop. Got more than a few DUI and drug arrests on similar things..
There are only a few 'you shall' mandates in law enforcement so enforcement will be up to the the individual officer. That said, they are still illegal and you are taking a chance if you install them. They make for a great interdiction stop. Got more than a few DUI and drug arrests on similar things..
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 0
From: Haysville, KS
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Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,949
Likes: 2,718
From: Virginia
Feel free to do what you want. I just thought I would warn you. I had a friend that had a set on a mustang, the police pulled him over for it. He willingly pulled them off right then and they let him go.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
KSC said what I was thinking. My neighbor is a police officer and he said they like the blue-dot tail lights and headlight covers as they give them the excuse they need to stop someone. They are illegal but by themselves they aren't blatant enough for him to pull someone over. But if that someone is the least bit suspicious they have the reason - and appreciate it.
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Great thread full of legal advice 
My mercedes has tinted taillights from the factory. I see many vehicles up here with tinted and smoked out lights, and if some cop is bored and wants to pull you over for it then such will be the luck of your day.
LMC truck sells them (they have just about everything, in decent price and quality)
Go to LMC truck website, check the catalogue page 82, they cost 49.95
Ive bought many items from LMC, I can attest that the quality is decent, regardless of what you may read. They only show a pic for the 90's ones, but if you contact them I'm sure they can help you out.
My mercedes has tinted taillights from the factory. I see many vehicles up here with tinted and smoked out lights, and if some cop is bored and wants to pull you over for it then such will be the luck of your day.
LMC truck sells them (they have just about everything, in decent price and quality)
Go to LMC truck website, check the catalogue page 82, they cost 49.95
Ive bought many items from LMC, I can attest that the quality is decent, regardless of what you may read. They only show a pic for the 90's ones, but if you contact them I'm sure they can help you out.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 0
From: Haysville, KS
Just remember; Just because you can buy it doesn't make it legal. There are several factory installed options I can think of that are illegal, as well as items sold by parts stores.
Yeah I know; more unsolicited legal advice...
Good think I'm not a lawyer or I'd have to charge for this..
Yeah I know; more unsolicited legal advice...
Good think I'm not a lawyer or I'd have to charge for this..
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 6
From: Georgia
It's more for others who might be considering the same thing, that they know it's illegal and there isn't a way around it.
My experience over the last 20 years on automotive mailing lists and forums is that people who decide they know a way around laws are going to do what they want regardless.
Parts stores pretty much goes without saying, but I'm surprised about factory installed.
When it comes to lighting, if it's not compliant the NHTSA has the authority to force the seller, in this case the factory I suppose, to buy back the non-conforming lights and pay the owner the cost of replacing them with lighting that meets the FVMSS 108 standards. A pretty good incentive to make sure they do it right.
I think a lot of companies that sell things like HID conversions aren't aware of the potential cost to them. Not to mention the importers of the HID kits that have just been shut down by the NHTSA.
My experience over the last 20 years on automotive mailing lists and forums is that people who decide they know a way around laws are going to do what they want regardless.
When it comes to lighting, if it's not compliant the NHTSA has the authority to force the seller, in this case the factory I suppose, to buy back the non-conforming lights and pay the owner the cost of replacing them with lighting that meets the FVMSS 108 standards. A pretty good incentive to make sure they do it right.
I think a lot of companies that sell things like HID conversions aren't aware of the potential cost to them. Not to mention the importers of the HID kits that have just been shut down by the NHTSA.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
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From: Northeast, OK
Tom - You have excellent points. FTE prides itself on providing accurate information instead of being the good-ole-boy forum where you can read or say anything. We want people to be able to count on what they find here. In fact, so much so that I've been asked to correct mistakes in what I posted so posterity can rely on what's said here. And, I don't mind doing that.
So we have an obligation to tell someone the truth regardless of what s/he wants to hear. IOW, you are free to do whatever it is you want to do, but we want you, and everyone that comes after you, to know what is right and safe.
So we have an obligation to tell someone the truth regardless of what s/he wants to hear. IOW, you are free to do whatever it is you want to do, but we want you, and everyone that comes after you, to know what is right and safe.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 0
From: Haysville, KS
The issue with some factory installed items is that they may be legal in the state the factory is in, while in other states they are not. Kansas has some odd laws in that regard, not to mention possible local ordinances
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Any specific examples you could share with us?