Customer Support
Cab & Glider Sales
Specialty Sales
cab.glider@daimler.com
To: US & Canada Freightliner and Western Star Dealers
- Dealer Principal
- Parts Manager
- Sales Manager
- Glider Sales Personnel
Federal EPA Regulation: Gliders with Rebuilt, Reused or Remanufactured engines.
This may assist dealers with information related to using older EPA engines in a Glider Kit.
There are two primary Federal ruling government bodies involved. First is the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); second is the IRS as related to possible F.E.T.
(Federal Excise Tax) exemptions. This letter will concentrate on Federal EPA. For more
details of F.E.T. and possible exemption see www.irs.gov Ruling 91-27.
FEDERAL EPA
Gliders are governed by NHTSA as identified via the control VIN. Further details can be found at:
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/interps and related sites.
Gliders are identified by the 4th character in VIN; always an “X” on Daimler branded models.
The glider body and frame contains the newly assigned Glider ID. Glider ID is stamped with the
model year they are created not that of the donor VIN being replaced.
Completion of the glider and compliance with all Federal, State and local regulations is the
responsibility of the final assembler (final OE) usually the customer. Consult your legal advice and
or IRS and tax consultants for clarifications. Gliders as built by the manufacture may contain up
to, but not more than, one major component from the manufacturing plant of Engine or Rear Axle
as required to not constitute a newly manufactured vehicle and all compliances implied.
A glider order and subsequent completion (final assembly) does require a “Donor Vehicle” VIN. In
general a like Class 6-8 Diesel, any brand that the Customer or Dealer possesses, has clear title
to and is or will no longer be in service. The donor Serial Number VIN and or Title in many states
is actually required on the new Glider title and registrations forms. A Donor VIN may allow you to
re-build or re-use older EPA technology when replacing a worn vehicle, minor wreck or
replacement vehicle, with same or newer EPA (cleaner) engine than the original donor. i.e.
A replacement of a 2004 EPA vehicle cannot use a 1998 EPA engine. State regulations may be
in addition to Federal regulations; similar to California CARB restrictions to the federal ruling as
related to EPA. State regulation compliance is the responsibility of the final assembler / Title
Owner for the state the glider will be registered.
THE EPA RULING
You may search the internet at www.epa.gov “Laws and Regulations”.
Including: EPA Section 40 CFR Part 89.130 and 86.004-40 Re: EPA420-F-02-235.
Primarily as applied to Gliders with rebuilt, reused and/or remanufactured engines is as follows
below (attachment) for reference. Please check Federal, State and local regulations often for
exemptions and changes. Daimler Trucks North America LLC does not and can not guarantee
compliance as by definition we are not the final assembler. Not every situation is covered here
and suggest you consult DTNA and other sources for exceptions. When we install a
remanufactured engine in a glider kit per dealer request, it’s with the full understanding the dealer
Daimler Trucks North America LLC
cab.glider@daimler.com e-mail
or customer has a donor vehicle VIN that qualifies him for that EPA year and has considered all
federal, state and local regulations.
Usage of remanufactured engines, reused and rebuilt engines in replacement vehicles and
Gliders is Controlled by EPA Section 40 CFR Part 89.130 and 86.004-40 , Re: EPA420-F-02-235.
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