California registration for a Hemi Gladiator

[Gohmerphyle]

Is there any way to legally register a Gladiator in California with a V8 ? Has anyone done it ? Even bring a used one in from another state ?

I did it. You can’t do any out of state transfers before the swap, they always get smogged. I started with a Jeep Gladiator I purchased in and registered in CA. Then I did the swap. New gasoline powered vehicles have 8 years before they need to be re-smogged or unless sold or transferred.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/smog-inspections/

-Rob

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[Hootbro]

I did it. You can’t do any out of state transfers before the swap, they always get smogged. I started with a Jeep Gladiator I purchased in and registered in CA. Then I did the swap. New gasoline powered vehicles have 8 years before they need to be re-smogged or unless sold or transferred.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/smog-inspections/

-Rob

So are you legal or just have a hall pass until it has to get smog checked in 8 years?

 

[Gohmerphyle]

So are you legal or just have a hall pass until it has to get smog checked in 8 years?

It’s a hall-pass. I had a friend who went thru all the work to make his car legal and two years later he got a letter revoking (because of a rule change ) his status and because they flagged his VIN there was nothing he could do but sell it out of state or put everything back to stock. I will see what my options are in 8 years.

 

[CrazyCooter]

It’s a hall-pass. I had a friend who went thru all the work to make his car legal and two years later he got a letter revoking (because of a rule change ) his status and because they flagged his VIN there was nothing he could do but sell it out of state or put everything back to stock. I will see what my options are in 8 years.

By then, there may be some CARB legal kit/tuning that might make you legal?

 

[JTGuy]

All my research has put any swap on the back burner. If I want a Gladiator with a 392 I'll just have to buy a Wrangler 392 and convert it to a Gladiator,,,LOL. After my conversation with a CARB person on the phone today I found out that the rules for the swap just make it almost impossible.

 

[PuddleJumper]

All my research has put any swap on the back burner. If I want a Gladiator with a 392 I'll just have to buy a Wrangler 392 and convert it to a Gladiator,,,LOL. After my conversation with a CARB person on the phone today I found out that the rules for the swap just make it almost impossible.

probably easier to buy an AMW branded gladiator.

 

[JTGuy]

An AMW branded 6.4 Hemi does not come with a California CARB sticker. I have spoken with AMW about it.

 

[sharpsicle]

probably easier to buy an AMW branded gladiator.

AMW isn't considered a factory offering. They're conversions. You'll come up against the same issues.

 

[Gohmerphyle]

Then there is this option. https://www.dirtlegal.com/

 

[PuddleJumper]

AMW isn't considered a factory offering. They're conversions. You'll come up against the same issues.

They have all the necessary paperwork and documentation ready to go tho. easier starting point imo at least. Seen multiple IG accounts who have AMW swapped jeep registered in Cali, so there is a way.

 

[MaximusTX]

Is there any way to legally register a Gladiator in California with a V8 ? Has anyone done it ? Even bring a used one in from another state ?

I lived in CA for 30 years. The DMV doesn't have anything to do with the engine swaps. You have to go through a Referee Center and have it inspected and get a BAR Label Affixed to it. Once the Referee passes it then you can get it smogged and then go to the DMV and get it registered. Your best bet for any questions would be to contact your local referee center.

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[sharpsicle]

They have all the necessary paperwork and documentation ready to go tho. easier starting point imo at least. Seen multiple IG accounts who have AMW swapped jeep registered in Cali, so there is a way.

I don't think anyone has said it's not possible. Just difficult to the point of being prohibitive for most.

 

[PuddleJumper]

I don't think anyone has said it's not possible. Just difficult to the point of being prohibitive for most.

yeah, i know, just saying its probably the easiest point to start from if your dead set on a 392 glady.

 

[Gohmerphyle]

They have all the necessary paperwork and documentation ready to go tho. easier starting point imo at least. Seen multiple IG accounts who have AMW swapped jeep registered in Cali, so there is a way.

Yep, you buy the donor vehicle registered in Cali, send it to AMW (or some other place) for a swap. I was told over a year ago that a 392 Gladiator factory tuned swap was days away from approval. Similarly, Stark Futures can’t even get their electric VARG offroad motorcycle approved for over 2 years now for CA.

 

[JeepOfTheseus]

Seen multiple IG accounts who have AMW swapped jeep registered in Cali, so there is a way.

Assuming these are JTs, as noted above...you have 8 years till it becomes a "real" problem (i.e. you have to smog it to get registration). So they can be "registered", but not necessarily CARB/SMOG legal. If they piss off the wrong cop, they could get sent to the ref and be forced to swap it back.

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