How to "prove" to the inspection mechanic no airbags on 9000 gvwr

I've got a 97 C3500 Cheyenne CCLB.

When I got it at 183k, from a metal building construction company, the vinyl steering wheel was ugly and disgusting. So at the U-Pull-It junk yard I found a leather (or leather-like) GMT400 wheel, maybe out of a Suburban, I forget, with the airbag center/horn button and put it on.

For the annual Virginia safety inspection I've been going to the same guy for like 15 years. I've got 3 cars and the 2 year emissions test is a separate visit so I see the guy 3-6 times a year, and he knows that I maintain my cars and don't bring him junk.

He must have been on vacation or something because new guy inspected the C3500 on Friday. It failed for the cracked windshield which I wasn't sure of anyway, so no problem. But the guy also says my airbag light doesn't come on with the ignition. I told him the truck isn't wired for airbags and the only reason it has one is that I found a nice steering wheel in the junk yard and swapped it in. Of course he doesn't buy it, and the other mechanic "checks" by shining a flashlight onto the instrument cluster and sees the stencil for the AIR BAG light and by that determines that the truck is supposed to have air bags. The guy wasn't a jerk about it, and, really, it looks exactly like a truck would look if it had an airbag fault and somebody pulled the bulb to try to hide it. Also, it's one of the major items on the list to check, so the guy's just trying to do his job and is not being rude about it.

I can't find any "official" DOT type stickers anywhere that mention air bag, except the one sticker on the right side of the radiator support (that I also sourced from a junk yard Suburban due to mine being bent and halfway rusted out) that says "AIR BAG (if equipped)" which doesn't help.

The owner's manual says nothing about specific models.

The only thing I could find is the 1997 sales brochure, on the Options list
Air bags driver and front passenger; includes passenger-side suppression switch. Standard on Cheyenne trim, footnote 6
Footnote 6 says: Air bags not included in Regular Cab and Extended Cab models with GVWR at or above 8,600 lbs. or in Crew-Cab models.

This explains why it doesn't have air bags, but in my opinion doesn't exactly qualify as 'official documentation'.

Any suggestions on where the info on which trucks did/did not have factory air bags would be 'officially' documented?

Thanks!
James

I found this, which is a little more official, and from that it looks like mandatory regulations didn't start until 1998, and even in 1998 had the 8600 lbs exception. But is still a web page.
http://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle+Shoppers/Air+Bags/General+FAQ#2

I'll bet there's an official Virginia inspection regulations book somewhere that mechanics study from to pass the test that would mention it.

Maybe on the glove box there is a RPO code that list airbags as not equipped?


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Easiest thing would be to wait for your other guy to come back. Otherwise they could look for the airbag module, wiring, crash sensor, etc. None of that will be present. Or you could wade through FMVSS 208 and find the actual section that applies. Your choice.

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You shouldnt have to prove. Airbags are an exception on 8600 gvw vehicles a good inspector would know what years does that pertain to.

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Thanks for the replies. I do think the weight rating is the key. I didn't mention it because I didn't realize it was a factor. Got to get the windshield replaced and hopefully the regular guy is back to work by then when I go back for a 2nd try.