I am looking at buying a 1998 Cherokee. I own an 06 LJ and have owned several other Jeeps. In 1998 did they make some XJs with California emissions ready and some with out? Just wondering before I buy one from out of state. Any guidance and direction appreciated.

 

Yes but they looked the same , the only way to know is to check the under hood sticker .

 

Thanks. I am assuming it is similar to the LJs and TJs I have owned. The sticker needs to say something specifically about "California Regulations".

 

The sticker on the firewall will confirm for sure but I seem to notice that when you have CA Emissions
in a '97 to '00 XJ you see what I circled in the engine bay shot.
Operative words "see to notice".
LOL.

 

I wouldn't worry if it has CA emissions or not. People move from out of state all the time. I originally bought mine in Colorado, moved to California, registered no problem. Pretty sure buying and transporting from out of state is the same.

 

What he said!! As long as you pass the smog check once it's here.

From: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/upload...3/ffvr29-1.pdf

"If you are a California resident and acquire a new car, truck, or motorcycle from another state, it must be certified to meet California smog laws to be registered in California. This includes certain diesel-powered vehicles. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) cannot accept an application to register a vehicle in California that does not qualify for registration (California Health and Safety Code §§43150 – 43156).

What Is Considered a New Vehicle? California considers any vehicle with less than 7,500 miles on the odometer at the time of purchase or trade by a California resident or business, to be a new vehicle. This is true whether or not the vehicle has been registered in another state."

You can find more info here: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/h...vehicle-htvr9/

 

So that barn find 40 year old low mile, (5000 mile) car is considered new to the gestapo state, and thus if not california smog equiped, you cant have it here.

No age limit, only mileage limit? bad news, so sad.

 

The other document I linked says:

"Caution: Unless the vehicle was originally manufactured to meet California emission standards or the owner or vehicle qualifies for an exemption, California law prohibits California residents or businesses from bringing into California or registering in California, a motor vehicle which is less than 2 years old and has less than 7,500 miles on the odometer at the time of purchase, trade, or acquisition. Refer to the Statement of Facts California Non-Certified Vehicle (REG 256F) form for exemptions." (emphasis added).

 

Well that changes the story, much better. a time and mile limit rather than no time limit. thank goodness!
Of course your odds of having your catalyst stolen likely go up in california.

If you do need a new cat, in California you will need to buy one of the very pricey California special cats, even if putting on an older non california spec car. they check the cat part number at smog test time, Dont install your cat upside down, else they cant read the numbers, and may fail you. happened to a bud of mkne and his subaru. cat part numbers were ul against the floor board, could not be seen. the smog shop gave him two options, 1. cut hole in floor to see numbers, 2. remove cat and turn it around, (it is welded into place) he went to another shop which passed him anyway. For older cars, that didnt have a california cat, there is no number to read, so they wave it. But if it is replaced, it must be ulgraded to the california cat. his car was an older one so they didnt need to record it, BUT the shop knew it was a new one cause he failed the test and them came back with the new cat, so that triggered them into demanding to see the part number. he went to other shop that did not know he had it revently replaced, so they didnt bother to check for numbers, under assumption he still had the original cat.

Once your car is is replrted into the smog system as having a new california cat, you cant legally go back to an original 49 state cat, and they will catch that at smog test time.
lots of hoops to jump thru.

Cat theft at all time high and to replace it you must buy the expensive special california cat, and they made it illegal for retailers, junk yards to sell a used cat. thus some folks are stuck with having to replace stolen cats, the cost exceeding the worth of the car sometimes. Hurts the poor the most.

 

https://www.californiacartags.com/re...rom-out-of-sta