Reading Time: 7 minutes
Who doesn’t like vanilla ice cream? All blandly white, calm and inoffensive… and maybe just a little too vanilla-ish, right? Like practically every single mass produced automobile that rolls off a production line somewhere that has huge mass appeal. But what does vanilla ice cream have to do with vehicle modification?
Luckily there are people who say, “Screw the masses! We want M&Ms, Oreos, nuts and whatever other tasty stuff fits in our bowl!” And the same goes for their cars – a simple tune-up or spoiler just doesn’t cut it – bring on the full bazooka of bazinga-ness. Shiny wheels, huge exhausts, specialized body kits, suspensions, and earth tremor loud audio systems get their gas pumping.
In this post I look at whether their really is a cheapest state for vehicle modification, I show you a short guide to modifying your car, and we look at a couple of states and their laws on this subject
Looking to retire in comfort without breaking the bank? Discover the most affordable places to spend your golden years in our featured article, “Cheapest Place to Retire in the United States.” Uncover where your retirement savings will flourish and how Nationwide Auto Transportation can ease your move to these budget-friendly havens.
Vehicle Modification | How to Modify your Car and add Accessories
You have finally bought the car you have always wanted, straight from a dealer in another state, and had it shipped home. Read our blog on why this is a good idea. Although this is the car you have dreamt about, it is not quite your dream car… yet. It just needs a few tweaks, a little modification and some accessories, then it will be perfect.
Modifying and improving your car’s aesthetics and performance can be as easy as adding new tires, new seat covers, and new lights. It can also be a heck of a lot more complicated. There are endless cool ways to customize your car, it depends on your budget and how good and creative your chosen auto shop is.
Different modifications enhance performance, fuel economy, and aesthetics. Are you doing this for fun or for practical purposes? Why not incorporate a bit of both – but always make sure you lean to the more fun side of things….it is a lot more, well, fun.
But before you choose your car interior modification shop, here are a few more interesting facts that will help car upgrades for beginners.
The Kinds of Modifications Made to Cars
When it comes to cool things to do to your car exterior, or interior, there are three basic categories.
- Modifications to improve performance – are designed to enhance the drive characteristics, performance, and power of a car. Look at some of the modifications done most often to improve the performance of vehicles.
- Upgrading the brakes
- Upgraded transmission
- An engine that is supercharged
- Upgraded suspension
- Exhaust system with free flow
- Change the air filter
- Vehicle modification that improve functionality of the vehicle – are designed to make your driving experience as pleasant, safe and fun as possible. These include:
- Climate control
- Cell phone usage while driving
- GPS navigation system
- Park-assist sensors
- Car lights for the new generation
- Storage racks for roofs
- Use of hand controls
Vehicle Modification can be Fun
- Aesthetic Vehicle Modifications – The process of changing the appearance of a vehicle is referred to as cosmetic or aesthetic modification. It can start with a specialist paint job, designer seat covers, dynamic lights, new pedals… or basically anything cool (or not so cool in some cases) that will make your beauty look better.. Here is a list of the top cosmetic modifications accessories people love most.
- Bumpers front and rear
- Vented roofs
- The paint job
- Neon underbody lights
- Tinted windows
Modifying your car with these accessories can enhance the overall aesthetics and performance of your car. Another essential accessory is a well-stocked and up to date medical kit. Research and make sure that your chosen accessories are exactly what you want. You can’t easily go back and take stuff off.
Remember, what is cool now, may not be that cool in a few years. Sometimes replacing cheap, cosmetic car mods can cost more than you wanted to spend to begin with. If you find a great auto shop or customizer, who happens to be in another state, NAT will gladly, and reasonably, ship your baby there and back so that she can get her pimp on. Read our blog article to find our more about shipping a car interstate.
How to Modify a Car Legally: A Mini Guide to Lawful Vehicle Modification
There are two ends of the vehicle modification scale. On the one end we have the guys and girls who only want to add a little bling and personality to their car. On the other end, like way on the other end, there are the people who are consumed by modifying their car – to make it a bespoke set of wheels that turns heads everywhere it goes.
That being said, vehicle modifications can take many forms, ranging between simple modifications such as window tinting and LED lighting to more complex suspension and frame modifications. Vehicle modification laws and regulations exist for a number of reasons, including ensuring driver safety by reducing vehicle-related distractions and reducing harmful vehicle emissions.
The following items can be considered vehicle modifications by different states:
- Decibel limits, mufflers and baffle requirements, and whether they are required
- The decibel limits of sound systems based on time and location
- Frame and suspension modifications like ‘low-riders’ or lifted 4x4s
- Your vehicle lights must adhere to quite a few specifications like: where are they located, brightness limits, LED lighting, and limits on color
- Window tinting limits and permitted tint types
If you plan a trip out of state, make sure any vehicle modifications to your car comply with the laws and regulations of any state in which the vehicle will be driven. Violations of these laws will result in fines and penalties. Let’s look at three completely different states and some of their laws. But before we get there, consider reading about shipping a non-running vehicle, if that is possible?
Vehicle Modifications in Alabama
It does not matter if you just purchased a new car, just moved to Alabama or just passing through, it is imperative you double-check whether your modifications are street legal on Alabama roads.
Sounds and noise
Changing the sounds your vehicle makes, either by using the stereo system or by installing a muffler, is a popular way to customize it. However, Alabama does have some laws that you are required to follow when making these modifications:
- Mufflers
- There must always be mufflers on all vehicles
- Mufflers that have been modified can’t produce high or unusual levels of noise
- The exhaust system cannot have bypasses or cutouts
- Mufflers must have baffles to reduce noise
- Sound systems (Mobile, AL)
- 6 – 9 PM Sound levels less than 80 decibels on public streets
- 9 – 6 AM Sound levels less than 75 decibels on public streets
- Sound should not be heard further than 25 ft from a moving vehicle
- 6 – 10 MPA levels in residential areas are limited to 85 decibels
- 10PM – 6PM No louder than 50 decibels
| Hint: Make sure you follow any local laws that might be more stringent than state laws regarding moving violations and traffic tickets. |
Florida vehicle modification laws
Florida requires you to follow the laws and regulations when you modify a street-legal vehicle. Whether you are moving to Florida or live there, it is important that you know what you can, and probably more important, can’t do..
Sounds and noise
All vehicles in Florida must adhere to sound levels set by both the sound systems and the mufflers. This includes:
- 86 decibels is the maximum noise limit for vehicles manufactured from January 1, 1973 to January 1, 1975
- For vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1975, the maximum decibel level is 83.
Lights and windows
I had this vivid image that Life is like driving a car with a darkened front window with nothing to show you the way, but your rearview mirrors…and I think it is also for that exact reason that there are laws on the amount of tinting and darkening you can add to your car windows.
- Lights
- Only emergency vehicles are allowed to use red or blue lights
- Only turn signals on passenger vehicles are allowed to flash
- Two fog lamps and two spotlights are legal
- Window tinting
- The vehicle manufacturer may provide a non-reflective tint on windshields above AS-1 line
- There must be a minimum of 28% light transmission through the front side windows
- Windows on the back and sides must let more than 15% light in
- A reflection of more than 25% on the front or back windows is not allowed
- Tinted rear windows require side mirrors
- DMV stickers certifying legal tint levels are required on driver door jambs.
Cheapest State for Vehicle Modifications | Ship Your Car Anywhere | No State Too Far for NAT
In your quest for the ultimate vehicle modifications, don’t let geographical boundaries limit your choices. Nationwide Auto Transportation is your premier partner, ensuring that no matter where you find the perfect service for your car mods, we can ship your vehicle there with ease and reliability. From classic cars to recreational vehicles, and even boats or heavy-duty machinery, our expertise in safe, efficient transport is unmatched.
Our commitment to excellence isn’t just a promise—it’s a standard we live by, reflected in the glowing reviews and testimonials from our satisfied customers. We pride ourselves on being more than a service; we’re a key part of your vehicle’s journey and transformation.
As a fully registered entity with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association, our dedication to your vehicle’s safety and your peace of mind is absolute. We invite you to check our ratings on the Better Business Bureau and see for yourself why Nationwide Auto Transportation is the go-to choice for vehicle shipping across the country.
Are you ready to upgrade your vehicle and enjoy the enhancements no matter where you are? Click here to secure your free shipping quote and take the first step towards an effortless and exciting vehicle modification journey. With Nationwide Auto Transportation, the best in vehicle upgrades is never out of reach. Let’s make it happen together.
