ok, I'm new to the whole off-road/modifictaion world.  I've never owned a vehicle I felt comfortable "modifying".  I hear allot about some of the modifications making the Sammi's no longer street legal.  Does anyone have any direction on what these are specifically and why?  I mean, I hear stuff about carbs, and exhaust systems, and some other engine mods.

I'm in Texas if that matters.  Do the 88 Sammi's have an onboard computer that has to be checked for emmissions here in Texas?  Are Carb.  on an 88 vehicle non street legal in Texas? 

Can anyone shed some light before I get this project vehicle and find out I can't run it down the road...


(Also as a side note...If I purchase a vehicle that hasn't been registered or inspected in some time since it's been sitting on a dear lease, is it more trouble to get is inspected/registered?)

I know of no reason that you cant run carbs on a 88 sami . Some of the counties in texas are checking emissions,....not where I live though ! My M/T tires on my 96 tracker stick out of the side walls approximately 3" and I have had no problems with the law. Texas law has been quite nice to off roaders. Just give it time though, if the state can find a way to make $$$ from this they will!

Well in Dallas, there is an emmissions check with inspections, but I don't know what years it covers.

most states including california (shock) consider anything 20 years or older antique and ecxempt.  call dmv and check it out