Is It Legal to Modify a Wrangler with Big Tires?
2 Answers
Modifying a Wrangler with big tires is not legal. The legal modification range for a Wrangler is as follows: Exterior modifications: You can apply to the vehicle management office to change the body color. Any color can be used except for the three colors designated for firefighting, engineering rescue, and national administrative law enforcement. Interior modifications: Installing navigation systems, dash cams, or parking sensors counts as modifications. For the interior, seats cannot be removed, and the internal structure cannot be altered. The structural characteristics registered with the vehicle management office cannot be changed without authorization. Replacing the engine and chassis: If the engine or chassis is damaged, they can be replaced, but the vehicle information must be updated with the vehicle management office. Roof racks and side steps: Adding these accessories to an SUV can enhance its off-road appeal, but they must be removed during the annual inspection.
As an experienced off-roader, let me talk about modifying Jeep Wrangler's bigfoot wheels. In mainland China, wheel modifications aren't completely banned, but strict compliance with traffic regulations is required. I've modified my wheels too for better off-road performance and style, but size can't be increased arbitrarily. For example, exceeding a certain percentage increase in diameter would violate regulations. The law requires wheel size changes to stay within reasonable limits, generally no more than about 10% of the factory specifications. Annual inspections strictly check wheel size - if it exceeds standards, your vehicle won't pass and you'll waste money reverting the modification. Once I ignored this rule and oversized wheels increased braking distance, nearly causing an accident, plus I got fined 500 RMB by traffic police. Insurance is another pitfall - unregistered modifications may lead to claim denials after accidents, resulting in heavy losses. For fellow enthusiasts considering modifications, I suggest first checking local DMV standards, finding reputable shops for safe modifications, then completing registration procedures. While the off-road spirit is valuable, legality and safety must come first.
