[Bulldog33]

Look up Defender Traders down in San Diego, they can walk you through the process. They’ve taken numerous diesel Defenders through the registration process and can give you a better idea what’s required as well as what to expect cost wise.

Thank you!

 

[Bulldog33]

What a nightmare.
I feel for the prospective Defender buyers. I wished there was a roundabout way, legally.
My CA title finally showed up yesterday. I am thankful everything worked out.

How did you get yours registered?

 

[Bulldog33]

How did you get yours registered?

I see all your posts, but I am still confused about getting past the CARB requirements

 

[CPTLOU]

From all the feedback, I am surmising because of the Active-duty military exemption.
I just will not be able to sell it to someone in CA ( which I have no interest in doing anyhow).
Aside from that, I couldn't tell you. I am going by the outlined course of action as it applied to me.
I am sure one of the know it alls can clarify.

Good luck.

 

[andino]

Anyone use Defender Traders recently? If so, how was your experience with them? Also any unexpected costs working with them? I'm beginning to think about searching for a 110 but live in CA so getting one regged here would be ideal but I could figure out an out of state reg as well.

 

[Raquen]

Brett at Defender traders is awesome. He is you best bet to get a defender through Carb, He is very efficient and moves several through every month. The certification will cost you $10k

 

[andino]

Awesome thanks. Planning to reach out to him and ask some general questions. Did you work with him to get your truck through CARB?

 

[Raquen]

Awesome thanks. Planning to reach out to him and ask some general questions. Did you work with him to get your truck through CARB?

I worked with him on another project. easy to work with, give him a call

 

[andino]

I worked with him on another project. easy to work with, give him a call

Thanks, will definately be reaching out to them!

 

[ScottS]

When I looked on Defender Traders Website they say that the starting cost is $14,000 not $10,000

 

[andino]

Same, I figured the costs have gone up or something. Either way, there's not many options for a CA plate so it is what it is sadly.

 

[ScottS]

It seems like 14,000 is a lot of money, particularly in the case of a 300, which has emission controls from Europe similar to what would be in a Diesel sold in CA like a VW TDI. Not to mention the fact that they have done this exact same thing over and over. Clearly taking advantage of the situation.

 

[Raquen]

It seems like 14,000 is a lot of money, particularly in the case of a 300, which has emission controls from Europe similar to what would be in a Diesel sold in CA like a VW TDI. Not to mention the fact that they have done this exact same thing over and over. Clearly taking advantage of the situation.

I am not surprised prices have gone up. It is a bit of a monopoly, G&K is the only facility that BAR sources for the required CARB certification. Defender Traders will facilitate the process for you, the expense is from G&K and there is no other option. You don't have to use Defender traders, but G&K is still your only option and you may need to show up for a few in person fixes/asks from them.

You could also look into the out of state commercial registration option...

 

[andino]

If only CARB or CA BAR would appoint another certifier or whatever G&K are. That'd prob help a lot to drive costs down. But alas, that's not the current situation. I've considered just doing an out of state reg for now but still not sure if that's the route I'd like to take. Guess I'll make that call once I find a 110 to purchase and verify if its possible for that example to be reg'd in CA even.

 

[Davis]

If it were me, and if I were in CA, I would do CARB and not wait. Everything there gets more expensive and more regulated. I would rather bite the bullet now and be grandfathered in, then wait and have more stringent regulations in the future. Food for thought, if nothing else.

The days of skirting emissions are getting fewer and farther between.

 

[andino]

If it were me, and if I were in CA, I would do CARB and not wait. Everything there gets more expensive and more regulated. I would rather bite the bullet now and be grandfathered in, then wait and have more stringent regulations in the future. Food for thought, if nothing else.

The days of skirting emissions are getting fewer and farther between.

Yes 100% agreed. Probably worth it just to bite the bullet when the time comes.

 

[Jymmiejamz]

So what exactly is Defender Traders doing that you couldn’t do yourself by going to G&K directly?

 

[CPTLOU]

Before you do,
Do a bit of reading on G&K.
Not exactly great news. They seem to ask for $ upfront, like $5k. And they offer no guarantee that it will meet CARB certification.
And there is NO refund.

Word to the wise.

1993 110 Tdi owner , legally registered.

 

[Raquen]

So what exactly is Defender Traders doing that you couldn’t do yourself by going to G&K directly?

They have the whole process smoothed out and have a full service defender shop and can make any adjustment needed that G&K might flag. Give Brett a call at Defender traders, he can go over the whole process with you. You totally can do it yourself but the whole process usually takes about 3 months and it depends on how close you are and how much time you have to go back and forth with G&K.

 

[Jymmiejamz]

They have the whole process smoothed out and have a full service defender shop and can make any adjustment needed that G&K might flag. Give Brett a call at Defender traders, he can go over the whole process with you. You totally can do it yourself but the whole process usually takes about 3 months and it depends on how close you are and how much time you have to go back and forth with G&K.

That makes sense. We’ve had a couple of our LS swaps go through G&K, but we fit California compliant catalysts and utilize all of the GM evaporative emissions equipment, so no changes have been required.