Hawaii Recon Information, Q&A Thread

I guess you have 2 ways of going about it.

1. You could go in without it, and if they say you need it (and you got time), you could go back another time with them on.
2. You could go in with them, and ask if you need them. They either could say say (just cause lazy), or say no. You do risk them saying yes and having them listed.

I went with them on, asked if I really needed them, was told no, then pulled them off later. Because I didn't need them, they were not listed on my recon paperwork. If "flares" were listed on the paperwork, then technically I would need them if ever pulled over, and would definitely need them when getting safety. Possibly at the very least (for recon) you may want to get some aftermarket flaps that cover more of the wheel so that will not be a recon issue.. I was happy that I had a nice enough guy that went back outside to look after I asked. I am also happy that I don't need them as I would have been the guy to leave them on so I or my wife would never have to worry about getting pulled over in town or wherever and worry about getting a ticket just because flares...

 

Just got back from recon. They want me to add front marker/reflector lights on the front and a OEM hood latch. That's no biggie. They also want the supervisor to talk to me about my engine/trans/axle swap as they don't really know how to handle it. I'd of thought I wasn't the first person to show up with all this stuff done to my vehicle.

 

Do they have some other system for follow up appts or do you have to schedule another appointment at the 'back of the line'?

Just called for an appointment..... May 16. Ouch!

 

They have separate follow up appointments with a much shorter time schedule. I've heard of people calling again to get an earlier appt. too.


They apparently don't have a clue as to how I'm supposed to get recon with an engine and axle swap. Something about my truck may be off balance and overloading the axles with the extra weight of the engine and other mods. I think I might go nuts on these idiots for being so incompetent.

 

Have any lawyer friends?

 

maybe

I might try to expose them with the action line if they can't give me a good reason for the hassle.

 

From all the times I've read the now-outdated laws, you should pass as long as everything is secured and not half-assed.

It's so vague in some areas that you should get the benefit of the doubt.

 

Those outdated laws are the current laws according to the Sup down at recon. If you are going, follow that doc to the T. http://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/files/2012/12/HAR19-134.pdf

All I have to do is get a certified weight cert from one of the DOT scales showing the total weight and weight balance of my vehicle. It's funny that the inspector couldn't tell me that even after I asked if that is what I was supposed to do.

 

I have the same tire size and wheel size as Raycie. I just passed my recon today. No garden edging at all. My sidewalls stick outside the flares but they don't consider that since the sidewall doesn't make contact with the ground. They are looking where the threads are compared to the flares.

My stock mud flaps would have failed but thanks to Raycie, I was able to use his wider mud flaps to pass.

 

Where is the best place to get an alignment on a lifted truck? I have a land cruiser and tacoma I need to get aligned for recon. I'm in Hawaii Kai.

This thread is great.

Thanks,

 

Island Break and alignment or Scotty's comes highly recommended. I went to Firestone Kaneohe and with stock UCA and 2.5" lift they pretty much got me in specs.

 

I am supposed to submit design plans to the director of motor vehicle safety that have been approved by a professional engineer. That is way to expensive for me to do.

I'm hoping that they will accept letters from parts manufacturers in place of the engineers approved plans, but that is a long shot. If they don't take the letter's I'm probably going to sell the 4runner as I can't afford to let it sit and there isn't really anywhere to wheel a unregistered vehicle.
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wow that sucks...sounds like they are give you the whole 10ft pole.

You might have a pretty good case if you want to take them to court..i'd be a bit of a money pit, but if you win, you'd be opening the door wide open.

 

Want to donate some $?

One of my friends said the PE's he has delt with usually charge $115-150 and hr. If I can find one that will look at some drawings and sign them, I might be good. But, I have a feeling recon will come up with something else for me to do or just out right tell me too bad.

 

I wonder if someone over on pirate4x4 is a PE who'd be willing to help? Just a thought.

 

Tried that, seems no one wants to touch that subject.

 

^ man I hope it works out for you.....


On another note, I got my alignment done last week, then called recon for an appt. June is my appt.

I asked about the alignment being within 30day window and they said its no problem cause the backlog isnt my fault so the alignement paper will be fine even tho it will be 2.5months by the time the appt rolls around.

 

More recon inspectors to be hired and now longer hours of operation should help with the backlog.

http://www.kitv.com/news/State-s-new-safety-check-system-more-strict-on-modified-cars/25226376

 

Meann, soo they pass air bags now. I think as long as it a bol on type and no modded fram where added welding should pass.

 

Quick question. Do u still need recon for rims or is that overlooked?