BUMPERS in California

[Stevel Knievel]

Does anyone know if this stubby bumper is Legal in California ?

My REAR Factory Mopar Bumper damaged the body of my Jeep !
I always thought bumpers were there to protect the car's body (to some extent) - Guess I was wrong, Lesson Learned

Since the big bulky Mopar bumper was very close to the body...
When I reversed into some low lying boulders, they pushed the bumper up and into my Jeep (See Photos)

So, I came up with a plan... to minimize my rear bumper as much as possible

I saw a nice stubby rear bump @ rustysoffroad.com
Xtreme Trail Stubby Rear Bumper - JL Wrangler
SKU: RJB-9966-JL-SENSOR

Also, part of the plan is to install
Rear Fascia Cover Kit - JL Wrangler to Protect the edges of the body
SKU: RA-7788-JL

Although, it got me thinking again...

Will this "Stubby Rear Bumper" be considered "Legal" in my state of California ?

Anyone know the answer to this ?

Sponsored

 

[kah.mun.rah]

Technically most Jeep mods are not legal but I have been running front stubby bumpers on 3 different Wranglers in CA for the past 15 years and have never had an issue with them with law enforcement or the DMV.

btw, uptravel of the stock rear steel bumper is an issue but rather than replacing the bumper and leaving the corners exposed, they do make aftermarket supports to limit the uptravel: https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-...hcPZLFQngyWU_D8abqvqtInXPgyWupSSo7GbcK0xK7ykd

 

[2nd 392]

Don’t worry about it being legal. The only thing Ca cares about is emissions, but they are anal about them. Look at illegal poke, the only ones I see mud flaps scabbed on are extreme BroDozers. Non DOT 3’rd light ring - including me for a while. Front plates required, my 15 GC SRT doesn’t have one, no place for it….. but don’t even think about a non CARB approved performance part or tune down to a different tube with an air filter on the end. Automatic flunk, even if it can pass the tailpipe test.

 

[ScotM]

Technically most Jeep mods are not legal but I have been running front stubby bumpers on 3 different Wranglers in CA for the past 15 years and have never had an issue with them with law enforcement or the DMV.

btw, uptravel of the stock rear steel bumper is an issue but rather than replacing the bumper and leaving the corners exposed, they do make aftermarket supports to limit the uptravel: https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-...hcPZLFQngyWU_D8abqvqtInXPgyWupSSo7GbcK0xK7ykd

I bought that, super strong

 

[Terrymo]

Remember these t-bar “bumpers”? I think Jeeps in CA mostly get a pass on mods compared to other modified vehicles.

 

[SadRobot]

They don't even care if you have a license plate here in California. A stubby bumper should be fine.

 

[21JLURDG]

btw, uptravel of the stock rear steel bumper is an issue but rather than replacing the bumper and leaving the corners exposed, they do make aftermarket supports to limit the uptravel: https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-...hcPZLFQngyWU_D8abqvqtInXPgyWupSSo7GbcK0xK7ykd

I have these and they help, but don't completely eliminate the problem. They do offer some upward travel resistance, but I've come down off rocks hard enough with them to still push the bumper into the body. MetalCloak themselves stipulate they are not designed to keep the bumper from hitting the body. They're for reinforcement when adding a lot of weight pushing down.

I like my OE steel bumper and want to keep it. I might one day pull the bumper off and trim an inch or two from the top lip so the gap is bigger and less likely to make contact.

 

[JINO]

Ca does not give a crap about bumpers.
Just pass the smog and you're good.

I've seen trucks coal roll, not sure how they're getting away with that.

I've never had a front plate, and always had windshield tint.

I know 1 person, ever, who was told to remove their tint on their driver and passenger window. That was decades ago.

 

[Zandcwhite]

Technically most Jeep mods are not legal but I have been running front stubby bumpers on 3 different Wranglers in CA for the past 15 years and have never had an issue with them with law enforcement or the DMV.

What mods are illegal? Actual vehicle codes? Even non-dot mods like headlight bulbs don't apply to the consumer. Those are regulations for commercial vehicles and manufacturers which aren't enforceable on us the end user. You haven't gotten a ticket as there's almost nothing in the vehicle code for them to ticket you for.

 

[Nokones]

Even non-dot mods like headlight bulbs don't apply to the consumer. Those are regulations for commercial vehicles and manufacturers which aren't enforceable on us the end user. You haven't gotten a ticket as there's almost nothing in the vehicle code for them to ticket you for.

That is incorrect statement. In California, if any driver that operates a vehicle on a public highway with any unapproved device, can be cited, regardless of who the vehicle registered owner is. And this especially includes lighting devices and has been in affect before the 70s.

 

[Terrymo]

What mods are illegal? Actual vehicle codes? Even non-dot mods like headlight bulbs don't apply to the consumer. Those are regulations for commercial vehicles and manufacturers which aren't enforceable on us the end user. You haven't gotten a ticket as there's almost nothing in the vehicle code for them to ticket you for.

This sounds like another DOT vs vehicle code debate like beadlocks. You can get cited for anything. Just because Deputy Downer wrote the ticket doesn’t mean it will hold up in court or that the ticket was justified.

 

[Tredsdert]

Remember these t-bar “bumpers”? I think Jeeps in CA mostly get a pass on mods compared to other modified vehicles.

And that right there was my initial idea for my rear bumper. Still want to do it someday, maybe this year if I get bored. I've already got it planned out, dock tie-down points pretty much fit the bill for size and shape, also super duper strong.

 

[Terrymo]

And that right there was my initial idea for my rear bumper. Still want to do it someday, maybe this year if I get bored. I've already got it planned out, dock tie-down points pretty much fit the bill for size and shape, also super duper strong.

Saw this the other day and thought of your front bumper

 

[c20040215]

As long as it identifies itself as stock, you should be fine.

 

[jaymz]

Section 28071 - Front bumper and rear bumper required equipment for passenger vehicle
Every passenger vehicle registered in this state shall be equipped with a front bumper and with a rear bumper. As used in this section, "bumper" means any device designed and intended by a manufacturer to prevent the front or rear of the body of the vehicle from coming into contact with any other motor vehicle. This section shall not apply to any passenger vehicle that is required to be equipped with an energy absorption system pursuant to either state or federal law, or to any passenger vehicle which was not equipped with a front or rear bumper, or both, at the time that it was first sold and registered under the laws of this or any other state or foreign jurisdiction.

Ca. Veh. Code § 28071

Amended by Stats. 1973, Ch. 451.

Sponsored