Taking a Bumpside to Germany?

[SoCalExile]

Looks like I'm on orders to Germany. I thought I read on here that our trucks are illegal there due to the brake lights and turn signals not being seperated.

Is that true? Is there anything else that keeps our trucks from being street legal there?

[nadams]

Look up Florian on here, I believe he brought a bump to Germany recently and may be able to answer all your questions.

[SoCalExile]

I sent him a PM.

I know I would have to separate the turn signals from the brake lights in some way. How can I wire that? Not to mention mount it?

[Helge71]

Hi,

getting the truck street legal here is not that difficult. It depends a bit what kind of license plate you want to get for your truck. ('normal' civil plate or some kind of US military plate, ...)
However, you do not have to seperate the rear indicators from the brake light. The only change to the light system you have to make if you want a normal, civil license plate is to change the headlights from sealed beam to European style H4 inserts and disconnect the parking light from the forward indicators and re-route them to the headlight inserts (no amber parking lights allowed). Leagal headlight inserts with little parking light bulbs are readily available over here. If your truck is not already equipped so, you will need to install a hazard flasher unit. The only thing to change on the taillights is putting some little red cats eyes below the lenses (required by law... ), as you can see on the photo below.
On my truck I also had to change the license plate light as the one fitted did partly obstruct the plate...

If you have any questions regarding driving your bumpside over here you are wlecome to PM me.

The major drawback with the truck is see over here are the gas prices...and maybe finding suitable parking space in the cities...otherwise I really enjoy driving the truck around our backroads and use it for what it was built for: Hauling stuff around and being relaible.

Helge

[SoCalExile]

Thanks for the info.

LMCtruck.com sells some upgrades, including clear front parking light lenses: http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fb/full.aspx?Page=59 Will those work with clear bulbs?

It also has glasspack mufflers, which I realize will probably have to go for a quieter muffler. The exhaust is kind of loud behind a 400ci motor and sets off car alarms if I rev it hard.

I also read that a spare tire is required, is that true?

There are a couple rust spots that are just cosmetic problems.

Thanks again,

Dan.

[fonfixer]

Its been a couple of years since i was there in military, but best i can remember rust is ok along as you don't have trim falling off or duct and bailing wire holding things together. Have fun with the freulines!

[KRob]

If you are going over on orders you don't have to worry about anything as long as it runs well. When it arrives it will be inspected by the US auto inspectors so that it can be deemed safe to drive....ie all the lights work, its not leaking, your tires are good. ect. Then you will receive a German licence plate that the US owns. You do not have to convert your car to German standards if you are in the US system.

The only time you would have to convert anything if you brought it over here is if you were living on the economy....ie not on orders, not working for uncle sam.

Our trucks are worth quit a bit over here because the Germans cant get them easily, so you might think about bringing it over and selling it. On the other hand remember the autobahn (freeway) the cruising speed is 80mph, so our bumps may not be the best.

[KRob]

Oh another thing, if you come over on orders once you get your truck registered into the system, you will get a fuel card. The card works on post and at certain off post fuel stations this card allows you to buy fuel at American prices....its AAFES run so they still screw you but its better then German prices.

Hope it all helps....by the way where you going to?

[KRob]

One more post....i should read all the posts twice before i start answering.....yes you will need a spare tire, and yes you will probably need to get the muffler changed. I would probably take care of all of that in the states before you come over here because it will be more spendy here.

[SoCalExile]

One more post....i should read all the posts twice before i start answering.....yes you will need a spare tire, and yes you will probably need to get the muffler changed. I would probably take care of all of that in the states before you come over here because it will be more spendy here.

Thanks. I definetly plan to do the changes beforehand if I take it. I just wish these muffler companies would list expected decibel levels.

Does the TUV or the military publish a list of inspectable items?

Also, have you known anyone to have issues with the shipping company damaging your car?

[SoCalExile]

Thanks for the info. We're still looking at options. Not sure what we'll do yet. The problem with taking it isn't just the stuff I'd have to do with it, it's also the potential for it to get damaged in shipment and it getting banged up in the narrow streets too.

[fireguywtc]

I saw a couple of bumps during my two years there and several other older American cars owned by troops. None had any troubles afaik. They all register theirs through the US forces Europe and you can keep your vehicle American spec. don't worry about the roads around there, they are not that bad. The only thing you truck will be bad at there is going fast on the autobahn and the gas milage. Even with the gas on base or buying gas tickets it is still more expensive then the states.