How to Convert a Single-Player Car Mod to a FiveM Add-On

A huge amount of GTA V car content was made for single-player as replace mods. To use one on a server you need it as an add-on — and converting is doable, though quality varies wildly by source model.

Why conversion is needed

Replace mods overwrite a base car and can't coexist with others. Add-ons spawn under their own name and stack freely — the right format for any server, as covered in add-on vs replace.

If you'd rather not do it by hand, our partner GTA5 Mods Convertor automates the replace-to-add-on process and saves you the meta-editing rabbit hole.

1. Give it a unique model name

The core of conversion is renaming the model and its files to something unique, then building the meta around that name so it no longer clobbers a base vehicle.

2. Build the resource structure

Create a proper stream folder for the model/textures and a data folder for the meta files, then write an fxmanifest.lua declaring them — the same anatomy from our custom car guide.

3. Fix the meta references

Update vehicles.meta, carvariations.meta, carcols.meta and handling.meta so every reference points to your new model name. Mismatches here cause invisible or untextured cars.

4. Test thoroughly

Converted models are where collision, LOD and texture bugs hide. Run through our vehicle error checklist before trusting it on a live server.

The honest trade-off

Conversion is time-consuming and a poorly made source model will never perform well, no matter how clean your conversion is. When time matters, professionally built add-on cars drop in optimized and ready — no conversion required.