FiveM Vehicle Resource Template

A ready-to-use starter template for creating FiveM vehicle resources. Includes all required meta files with documented fields and realistic default values.

Quick Start

1. Click "Use this template" on GitHub (or clone/download this repo).
2. Rename the folder to your vehicle's resource name (e.g., 2024lamborghini).
3. Replace placeholder names — find and replace yourcar and YOURCAR in all meta files with your vehicle's model name.
4. Add your model files — drop your .yft, .ytd, and .ydr files into the stream/ folder.
5. Edit the meta files to match your vehicle's properties (handling, colors, mods, etc.).
6. Update fxmanifest.lua with your author name, description, and version.
7. Drop the folder into your server's resources/ directory.
8. Add ensure yourcar to your server.cfg.
9. Restart the server and spawn with /spawn yourcar (or your admin menu).

Skip the manual setup — use FiveMRides Converter to auto-generate everything from a raw vehicle ZIP.

File Structure

yourcar/
  fxmanifest.lua          # Resource manifest — tells FiveM what files to load
  data/
    vehicles.meta          # Vehicle identity, type, class, seats, flags
    handling.meta          # Physics, engine, braking, suspension, traction
    carcols.meta           # Mod kit slots and emergency light definitions
    carvariations.meta     # Paint colors, wheel options, livery links
  stream/
    yourcar.yft            # 3D model (main)
    yourcar_hi.yft         # 3D model (high-detail)
    yourcar.ytd            # Texture dictionary
    yourcar+hi.ytd         # Texture dictionary (high-detail, if separate)

Meta File Reference

vehicles.meta

Defines what the vehicle is — its name, type, class, and display properties.

Field	Description
modelName	Must match your .yft filename (no extension)
txdName	Must match your .ytd filename (no extension)
handlingId	Must match handlingName in handling.meta (UPPERCASE)
gameName	Display name in spawn menus
type	VEHICLE_TYPE_CAR, _BIKE, _BOAT, _HELI, _PLANE, etc.
vehicleClass	VC_SPORT, VC_SUPER, VC_SEDAN, VC_SUV, VC_EMERGENCY, etc.
wheelType	VWT_SPORT, VWT_MUSCLE, VWT_SUV, VWT_OFFROAD, etc.
plateType	VPT_FRONT_AND_BACK_PLATES, VPT_BACK_ONLY, VPT_NONE
flags	FLAG_SPORTS, FLAG_HAS_LIVERY, FLAG_IS_INTRANSIENT, etc.

handling.meta

Controls how the vehicle drives — physics, power, grip, and suspension.

Field	Description	Typical Range
fMass	Vehicle weight in kg	1200 - 3500
fInitialDriveForce	Engine power multiplier	0.20 - 0.45
fInitialDriveMaxFlatVel	Top speed in km/h	150 - 340
fBrakeForce	Braking power	0.5 - 1.2
fTractionCurveMax	Maximum tire grip	2.0 - 2.8
fSuspensionForce	Suspension stiffness	1.5 - 3.5
fSteeringLock	Steering angle in degrees	35 - 45
fHandBrakeForce	Handbrake strength	0.5 - 1.5
vecCentreOfMassOffset	Center of mass offset (X, Y, Z)	Adjust Z lower for stability

carcols.meta

Defines mod kit slots (spoiler, bumpers, hood, etc.) and emergency light patterns.

Mod ID	Slot
0	Spoiler
1	Front Bumper
2	Rear Bumper
3	Side Skirt
4	Exhaust
6	Grille
7	Hood
8	Fender
10	Roof
48	Livery

Use a unique mod kit id value above 50000 to avoid base game conflicts.

carvariations.meta

Defines default spawn colors, linked mod kits, and optional liveries.

Field	Description
modelName	Must match vehicles.meta modelName
colors	Array of color combos (primary, secondary, pearl, wheel, interior, dash)
kits	Links to mod kit ID from carcols.meta
liveries	Named livery list (requires FLAG_HAS_LIVERY in vehicles.meta)
sirenSettings	Emergency light settings ID from carcols.meta (emergency vehicles only)

Common Mistakes

• Name mismatch — modelName, txdName, handlingId, and your stream filenames must all match. This is the number one cause of invisible vehicles.
• Missing _hi model — If your vehicle has a _hi.yft (high-detail LOD), it must be in the stream/ folder or the game will show the vehicle with no detail up close.
• Duplicate mod kit IDs — If two resources use the same carcols.meta kit ID, one will silently override the other. Always use unique IDs above 50000.
• Handling not loading — handlingId in vehicles.meta is case-sensitive and must match handlingName in handling.meta exactly.
• Vehicle spawns but falls through ground — Usually a collision model (.ybn) issue, or the _hi.yft is missing/corrupt.
• No textures / pink vehicle — txdName does not match the .ytd filename, or the .ytd is missing from stream/.
• Emergency lights not working — You need both the <Lights> section in carcols.meta and <sirenSettings> in carvariations.meta pointing to the same ID.
• Oversized textures — FiveM caps vehicle textures at 1024px (512px for RGBA). Larger textures waste VRAM with no visual benefit.

Useful Links

• FiveMRides Converter — Auto-generate a complete FiveM resource from a raw vehicle ZIP
• FiveM Vehicle Validator — Validate your resource files for common errors
• FiveMRides Optimizer — Optimize textures and models before deploying to your server
• FiveMRides Guides — Tutorials and documentation for FiveM vehicle development
• FiveM Documentation — Official data file reference
• GTA V Vehicle Color IDs — Color palette reference for carvariations.meta

License

MIT License. See LICENSE for details.