Can someone explain reconstruction and how it applies to modding thirdgens?

Are there online info resources?

 

In regards to what, exactly? ForumsHawaii has a forum pertaining to Recon and everything about it, there's a few cops that moderate that site and they might know some of hte lwas regardign recon, but I think recon isn't per make and model, but more of a genaral thing. I'm probably wrong, though, wouldn't be the first time. Shawn, do you know anything?
I think rim diameter changes, dropping it to the ground, engien work or swaps and other big things require it, as well as aftermarket exhaust - so I need Recon, technically! Sucks, but at leas mine looks stock, so I should sneak under most RADAR's for a long time, and mine is a stock relacement CARB-exempt set-up anyway.

 

Just some quick things I remember.

Exhaust- If exhaust is modified in any way then recon is needed. You need to get an affidavit from an exhaust shop saying that the exhaust system is sound & safe. When you go for recon, you actually don't get a sticker for exhaust but still get the recon papers.......lame huh.

Rims & tires- rim size can be changed just one size up or down. ex.-from 15" rims you can go either 14" or 16" & not need recon. Tire sizes I'm not too sure on. Also, tires must be within the fenders & if not, fender flares are needed.

Suspension- lifted or dropped, every inspector has something different to say about how high or low you can go. Has something to do with bumper or license plate height (I think it's called the bumper height law?). You will need an affidavit for the suspension components & also an alignment with the papers specifying that the car is within specs. All this must be current within thirty days when you go for recon.

There's alot more but I just don't remember. These were just the common ones.

Here's a link to the rules. Happy reading.
BS reconstruction rules & regulations!

 

Wow, the regs are dated 1984. Guess George Orwell was right, heh. Most of them are common sense and seemed aimed at 1950's hot rods. I know there's a ton of vehicles on the road with loud exhaust, big wheels and body kits that have not done what recon requires. Don't see much in there to concern Third genners, unless someone goes wild with a pro-street setup. I mean, who's gonna know there's a 400 CI stroker and three-stage NOS under the hood... I can see where the regs would be used by cops to hassle little cars and stop 'em for a search...

Thanks for the links, I was doing research how to register a replicar, say an aftermarket 1956 D-Jag 'glass body on tube frame with all new components, and have it registered as a '56 and not an '04, for obvious reasons...

 

I was told that the bottom of the front plate must be 12" off the ground while mounted on the bumper. This was straight from the little cop booklet.

I suppose you could get a couple more inches by redrilling the mounting holes and moving the plate up, and you'd still be 100% legal. As long as it's mounted to the bumper and 12" off the ground at curb height- you're good.

I think I've heard the 1" wheel rule also. Since 3rd gens came with 14"- 16" stock, (were firehawks 17's?) anyone can go to 17" or 18"s without problems.

A cop also has to know some VERY specific information to cite you for your exhaust. 95%+ of the time, they will drop it if you fight it (in court, of course).

Also, as far as I know, if you alter the exterior to look like a different model year (not sure about trim level) than it needs recon. Don't quote me on this last paragraph, though....

Scott

 

Yeah I've had a lot of run-in's with recon. If you drive an import or a lowered truck then you're a target. If you drive a domestic then you can get away with anything you want, the cops will love you. So we're all safe YAY!!! hahahaha. Well all of us except Revlimit hahahaha (sorry Chris!). I've never been hassled about my 91Z even though its way out of spec. But when I used to have my minitruck I paid way over $1000 in equipment violation related tickets in a one year period. It also has a lot to do with where you go. If you are out of spec then you want to stay out of Waikiki and Downtown and Waipahu.

Technically you are supposed to get recon if you do ANY modification to your car beyond stock (this is right out of one of the recon inspectors mouth). One of the things that makes recon so weird is that there are so many grey areas. Not only are there grey areas in the way the law was written, there are also a lot of grey areas in the way that it is applied (at the recon station) and enforced (by the police). Take that statement above for example, you need recon if you do ANY modification. That could mean you need recon for aftermarket exhaust, but technically speaking that could also mean you need recon if you change your liscence plate frame. IMO it has become a catch all law that gives the police the ability to profile car enthusiasts. I dont agree with recon in its current form, but I actually do support the original reason for creating the recon law. Originally it was intended to track and control the stolen car parts black market. So if Joe Blow bought some aftermarket exhaust, he would go get recon and they would record the serial # or whatever of the part. Then if the part got stolen and reported to the police, the stolen part # gets blacklisted at the recon station. Then the part is sold on the black market and whoever buys it installs it on their car ans goes to get recon. The red flag goes up after they match up the numbers with the blacklist and they take legal action on the buyer (get him to rat out the seller). Nowadays they dont even bother with recording any numbers. It has become a way for the state to make money. They changed the law to include all these grey areas and now the inspectors have the power to pass or fail people at their own descretion. Keep in mind you still have to pay the $$ to get inspected, even if they fail you. So now they can fail anyone whenever they want and keep the $$. I know guys that have gone for recon, failed, gone back the next day without changing anything, and then passed. I know other guys that have gone and been failed every time, while someone else with the same car with the same exact mods (verified) has been passed. Its a joke. I say screw recon. I consider it a Hot Rod tax. You gotta pay to play. The more wild you go, the more likely you are to pay.

Here are the recon stipulations that I can remember off the top of my head:
All mods require an affadavit from the manufacturer or shop that installed (everything, intake, exhaust, wheels)
Wheels can only be +/- 1.5" than stock (yes thats right 1.5 hahaha)
Bottom of front and rear plate needs to be 12" off the ground
Bottom of front headlights need to be 22" off the ground
Aftermarket air intakes need to be secured
Doors must have a handle, shaved handles is illegal
Truck must have a bumper, rollpans (even welded) are illegal
Suspension must have at least 2" of travel (they changed this recently to allow coilovers, so check up on it)
Must have amber reflectors in the turn signals, and red reflectors in the taillights
No limits on power adders (yay!!)

Recon is not impossible to get, but it sure is a pain. My friend with the 10 sec Supra can somehow get recon so I know I probably could too. But I choose not to because I dont support the current recon law.

 

I totally agree with Shawn on supporting recon. I believe we do need recon but the rules & the way it is run must be redone. It's such a f****** joke it's not funny! Like I said earlier, I had my safety check license & even then I was confused about what could & couldn't be done. And when I called to get an answer, everyone had something different to say........ I wanna find that sticker that some people use to put on their cars, you know the one that looks like a recon sticker but if you go up close it says "F*** Recon!"

 

So if I build a 1920 Model T kit car, it will have to go through recon, huh? It won't have an old VIN, so is it then registered as a new car...

 

I've seen only two recon stickers in eight years. That should tell you how much people support it. I've seen zillions of times in which it was needed. My co-worker autocrosses his Chevy S-10, runs really good times, too. He put on some drop spindles, flipped his axle and put drop blocks on it, rims off of an Xtreme (I hate that stupid truck...), Flowmasters (Even though it's just a little four-banger) after market tails and headlights, and Corbeau racing seats w/ harness. Does he need recon? Heck yeah, but he refuses to get it. He tries to avoid certain areas of town becasue of it, but he drives pretty mild-mannered on the street to not draw attention to himself. Only at the track does he get crazy. His truck looks like a MIDGET next to a Silverado...

 

No, if the car is older then you dont need recon. I dont know the age cutoff date cuz I'm not really into the older stuff. But if thats your thing then you're in luck. You can get away with anything.

 

Yeah, like I said earlier, they made a street rod class. I can't find the updated rules on that. Go figure lol! And like I said earlier also, the cutoff date was in the 40s or 50s. If the rumors that I heard are correct, then there is a new muscle car class that goes all the way up to the late 60s or possibly early 70s. This means that all cars that fall within these years are exempt from recon.

But as far as kit cars go, I'm not sure how you register those or if they are even legal in this state. But do you know how many kit cars there are out there lol! ex-cobras, 32 Fords, 34 Fords, etc. etc. (As long as it's a domestic, recon seems to be more lenient with rules. They don't like imports lol! Talk about being car racist. hehe.)

Once again, rules are never concrete in this safety check & reconstruction area in Hawaii