My New 2016 Prado - Legal In SA?

[kimcam Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close kimcam]

Hi all,

I have just upgraded from a 2004 Prado to a shiny 2016 model - yay! I acquired it from a private seller in Cairns, who had (it appears) spent a lot of time and money fitting it out with lots of extras. Hopefully it will soon be on its way via truck to SA.

As this vehicle was registered in Queensland, however, I am required to submit it for a 'Vehicle Identification Inspection' at Regency Park before I submit my application for registration.

My concern is that they 265/70/R17 tyres currently fitted may not be legal, as they are more than 15mm larger than the specified 265/65/R17 tyres (27mm larger in fact). The suspension has also been lifted by 50mm, so I don't think that I use the clause in that section.

Does anyone have any experience with an identification inspection? Are they only going to look at the VIN/Engine numbers, or do they look at other roadworthy aspects of the vehicle?

Thanks



Cam

[Atherton Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Atherton]

I'm pretty sure it's 15mm in height so a 27mm increase in diameter is under that (or that's the regs in qld anyway)

[Guest Close Guest]

[120D4D Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 120D4D]

In my limited experience of Regency during an identification inspection they wouldn't know how to read the sidewall of the tyre to determine if the sizing has changed!!

My case was a caravan, but I wasted my time beforehand checking all the bulbs, tyre pressures, chains, hand and electric brakes etc. They only looked at the VIN, didnt understand how to interpret what they saw, asked a silly question and then signed-off anyway...

[kimcam Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close kimcam]

Thanks for the replies.

A quick check of VIN etc is hopefully all they will do, otherwise I'll be up for a new set of tyres. This may not necessarily a bad thing, as I can't see that a set of muddies is going to be all that practical in SA, but I would like to avoid multiple trips to Regency if at all possible.

I had already checked out the SA.GOV.AU site which appears to confirm that if you already have a 50mm lift, then max tyre diameter increase allowed is 15mm.

Cam

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

https://www.pradopoint.com.au/forum/...ft-regulations

Is this still current?

Qld is 75mm total lift suspension and tyres (max 50mm + max 25mm) so you can go +50mm diameter on tyres alone.

[Guest Close Guest]

My experience with Regency is somewhat more, I've taken quite a few cars thru there 15+ and they get quite intricate sometimes. They may find it, they may not.
When my Prado went thru (HID headlights attracted the Popo and then they got me for HID, tint and tyre size) Regency also picked the 265/70 and said I'd have to change them back to manufacturers specs which was the 65 series... Unluckily for them but luckily for me, I had already organised a second compliance plate and allowed tyre size change thru an engineer. So got away with it.
Whether you do or not is the question.
A rego change inspection will simply be done thru the minor inspection station and they may not pick it, however they did on a couple of the cars i took thru there though.
Other thing to watch is will your insurance cover you if your tyres aren't legal in a major crash?

[kimcam Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close kimcam]

Hmmm more things to worry about. HID lights and window tint, both of which have been done. No easy way to undo those things prior to an inspection .

What happens if they find something that they don't like? Do they issue a defect notice, or just send you away and tell you to come back when it is sorted to their liking?

[Guest Close Guest]

"If" they pick it, and choose to question it. (Notice the "If") You will either be sent away to rectify, or in some cases where the item is a breach of ADR (HID/TINT etc) you may be sent around the corner to Regency inspection station proper to go completely over the pits. Where everything is checked. We have a Camaro going thru currently and its needed roll cage removed, complete custom Diff and rear disc brakes engineered for it, Fuel cell removed and fuel tank fitted. Custom tailshaft etc, (Its got like 800Hp). Its going from a street/drag car back to street. Its had 2 visits already, 3rd soon. You may be lucky, you may not. Don't know till you try.

[Guest Close Guest]

"If" they pick it, and choose to question it. (Notice the "If") You will either be sent away to rectify, or in some cases where the item is a breach of ADR (HID/TINT etc) you may be sent around the corner to Regency inspection station proper to go completely over the pits. Where everything is checked. You may be lucky, you may not. Don't know till you try.

[Atherton Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Atherton]

Just book it in for around 4:30 friday afternoon mate and she'll be all sweet

[kimcam Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close kimcam]

Not exactly filling me with confidence. Might try my luck at Lonsdale (it's closer) and roll the dice. Don't have too many options. Anyone ever tried to convert HID back to standard?

[juz Member Find all posts View Profile Close juz]

Just book it in for around 4:30 friday afternoon mate and she'll be all sweet

yeah, that, haha.

[Guest Close Guest]

Ive had a 445 pm booking once, still picked some issues on one vehicle.. HID changing back is easy, swap globes and as long as they havent butchered the wiring plug standard harness back in. They saw the HID ballast on mine still bolted in, and told me to remove them and represent the vehicle. I had tools so did it there and then. (Id changed back to standard headlight globes but left ballast in as it required battery to be removed to get to them)

[Atherton Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Atherton]

Yeah, I would imagine a lot will depend on the leniency of the inspecting officer. I've found a big thing with this sort of inspection is to make sure the major things look okay so they don't go looking futhur. If you roll in with 33's and a 3 inch lift they'll bend you over, but keep the main things discreet or stock and they'll not be too interested in looking closer. If you're worried about the lift I've seen multiple kits of stock suspension go for around 100 bucks on gumtree- just do the old switcheroo before you go over