Modifying vehicles in Ireland.

Bluefoam

... is it possible?

I drive a Jeep at the moment & have raised the suspension, added bigger tyres etc... and did the same in the past with an FJ Cruiser. I realise that when I move back to the wet rock that is Ireland I'll need to find something a bit more friendly to the world/environment, but will I have any scope to modify the vehicle?

Thinking maybe a Jeep Renegade or a pickup of some kind?

Will the NCT kill the idea, or is it possible to lightly modify cars?

ironclaw

Its possible, but the issue is insurance. You'll need to declare them and they'll (likely) nail you to the wall for it. We live in a country where remaping is 'extreme' modification. Seriously, having a non-stock exhaust could void your insurance if not declared. The car should be stock unless otherwise stated. Ignorance isn't an excuse either so saying you bought it like that won't fly.

Sucks really

Cheensbo

You can modify away for the most part, NCT and CVRT have some restrictions but they're a lot lighter than most other countries tbh.

The likes of an external cage would probably cause issues but if you are talking about some rock sliders, a lift kit, winch bumper & lights everywhere etc - its most likely to be no issue at all come testing time.

Wibbs

Cheensbo wrote: »

You can modify away for the most part, NCT and CVRT have some restrictions but they're a lot lighter than most other countries tbh.

True dat. Compared to somewhere like France it's a free for all. However as IC points out, the NCT isn't your problem, the Irish insurance market is. Check with brokers first before you add mods.

Bluefoam

Thanks guys... Sounds like the big issue would be the suspension... I can live without metal bumpers & allot of other stuff is just bolt-on. Auxiliary lights can be covered for normal driving & I presume roof racks are okay. The way I've done things so far is just to improve the stance of the car & make it useful for offroading, but I stay away from anything that requires regearing or performance mods.

For instance, my jeep has 3.73 gear ratio and I've added 33" tyres... to add 35's I'd need to regear and maybe even change the front axel... I'm really not interested in going that far, the car is capable as it is.

Cheensbo

You'd be fine with an axle swap, tbh there would be no way of them saying it's non-standard in the testing process, all they would be checking is that everything is properly mounted and that all connections are bushed/jointed correctly and not degraded.

Suspension changes are not a problem at all, doubt there's even a maximum lift tbh, it's very unregulated.

Auxiliary lights are fine once they don't come on with normal lightin switches, they don't have to be covered but you can't have them tied into dipped/main beams (you can put a secondary switch in line to knock them off the circuit for the test anyway)

I know of pajeros passing without arb's fitted, but it would be wise to fit them for test time / road use.

Cheensbo

Wibbs wrote: »

True dat. Compared to somewhere like France it's a free for all. .

Australia and nz are the same, every mod has to be signed off by an engineer or the police will lift it on first sight.

They'r fond of the "shoe test' down them parts too, a lot of machinery would disappear off our roads overnight if any significant regulations came in on modifications like they have in other countries. We are blessed, in a sense.

Bluefoam

Cheensbo wrote: »

Australia and nz are the same, every mod has to be signed off by an engineer or the police will lift it on first sight.

They'r fond of the "shoe test' down them parts too, a lot of machinery would disappear off our roads overnight if any significant regulations came in on modifications like they have in other countries. We are blessed, in a sense.

TBH, this time around I had the mods done by the main dealer & it's fully documented & warrantied as new... In the past I had my registration rejected due to mods... the main issue was the roof rack which had to be removed for the inspection... But there are ways of dealing with those things here. I did get a steel bumper this time, but it's got a plastic front, so is apparently fine.