Western Massachusetts Tacomas

Why would having an aftermarket bumper matter though? I thought you just needed a bumper period, but doesn't have to be factory.

 

It shouldn't, people bolt up 4x4's as bumpers and it's fine as long as the plates are there and no sharp edges to get cut on

 

What’s changing with inspections?

 

They're supposedly going to be using cameras to see what the inspector sees

 

Just had my inspection done at Toyota, no questions asked, it passed small lift and bigger tires so it's not crazy

 

There's also new federal pedestrian crash safety regulations. Maybe it has something to do with that.

 

It could be the height of the bumper . It is just going to be a royal PITA from now on. The state is basically going to run the Aftermarket right out. If its not stock it won't be legal in the eyes of Mass. My exhaust was within the description of the MA law, but they still failed it, they said it needed to be past the axle, but the law says past the passenger compartment. I brought it to another shop and they said tit was too loud, but the turn down was legal. It all depends on what the shop wants to do. Like many other laws, it's depends on how they interpret it.

Edit: They didn't give me a hard time about my bumpers though. They may next year, since the truck is a little taller now

 

Well that would suck about the bumpers. Hell, I bought a welder so I could make some!! Say it aint so!

 

That should really only apply to new vehicles being produced by OEMs though. Hence the turd gens good awful front end

 

Yah they let me slide by this time on my exhaust and bumper. Just need ball joints and tie rods. But they said having a different bumper than oem will effect the airbag sensors...so come October will suck. Cameras in the bay, on the inspectors and they have to take a picture of the dash.

 

I’m going on today for an inspection haha. I’m due anyway

 

Don't wait until October!

 

Not really. They are accelerometers. The crumple zone will help absorb energy and make it a little nicer for you, but in general one you hit that acceleration threshold they deploy.

 

They charge me 20 bucks to fix an old broken Led license plate bulb and wire, But they did pass me.

I asked him about this coming October. They had the same thing to say about cameras and what not.

I told him I wanted to build off-road bumpers and they said that shouldn’t be a problem. It just sounds like they’re cracking down on small things that should cause a fail

Let’s hope he’s right

 

Also, this is so lame.

 

I'll talk to my local guy who co-owns the shop I bring my trucks to for inspections (no that they're really illegal or anything) and see what they have to say

 

It sounds like places are just arbitrarily failing people cause they don't know the laws and are afraid to lose their license. So they're erring on the side of caution an failing people just to cover their butts

 

Well there's a few laws that depending on who you ask, will yield you a different answer. Like my buddy had a statie come into his work and tell them tires sticking out was no longer an issue and showed them in his law book

 

According to MGL tires sticking out on anything with 4wd is legal. But the RMV regs differ and say no...

 

Right, which I don't understand why everyone can't get their stories straight and together