Resources & Server Setup

Add-on vs replace vehicles: what is the difference?

Add-on and replace are the two ways of putting a custom vehicle into GTA V. A replace mod reuses the file names of an existing car, so the custom model takes over that car everywhere it appears. An add-on mod introduces a new model name with its own meta files, so it exists alongside the original vehicles and is spawned by its own name. FiveM supports both through the stream folder, and add-on is the usual choice for servers because nothing in the base game is lost.

Side-by-side comparison

	Add-on	Replace
Spawn name	New, chosen by the mod author	The stock car's name (see the GTA 5 vehicle spawn names)
Stock vehicle	Unchanged	No longer available in its original form
Meta files needed	vehicles.meta, usually handling and carvariations	None; inherits the stock car's data
Appears in traffic	Only if added to population data	Wherever the stock car appeared
How many you can add	Limited by memory, not by a list	One per stock vehicle
Typical download	A dlc.rpf	Loose .yft and .ytd files

How each works in FiveM

Both end up as files in a stream folder. The difference is what the files are called and what accompanies them.

A replace resource streams files with stock names, for example police.yft, police_hi.yft and police.ytd. Streamed files override base game files of the same name, so the manifest needs nothing beyond its two required lines. The car keeps the original's handling, sound, colours and seat layout unless you also supply metas that redefine them.

An add-on resource streams files with a new name and ships the meta files that register it, each declared with a data_file line. The new spawn name exists only while the resource is started.

text

# Replace: stock names, no metas
police-replace/
  fxmanifest.lua
  stream/
    police.yft
    police_hi.yft
    police.ytd

# Add-on: new name plus metas
mycar/
  fxmanifest.lua
  data/
    vehicles.meta
    handling.meta
    carvariations.meta
  stream/
    mycar.yft
    mycar_hi.yft
    mycar.ytd

Need this file for a car that came without one? The Vehicles.meta Generator writes it from a spawn name. Open the Vehicles.meta Generator

Which one to choose

Choose add-on for almost everything on a roleplay or freeroam server: dealership cars, imports, extra emergency vehicles. Players keep every stock vehicle, and scripts can refer to the new car by a name that means only that car.
Choose replace when the goal is to change what an existing name looks like: reskinning the default police fleet so that every script and spawn point that already uses police picks up the new model with no configuration changes.
Convert between them by renaming. A replace mod becomes an add-on once its files are renamed and given their own metas; the Vehicles.meta Generator writes those from a spawn name. Converting a replace car to an add-on is the step-by-step version.

Both kinds cost the same memory per car. A replace vehicle with 4K textures strains the streaming budget exactly as an add-on does, and more often, since replaced traffic cars appear everywhere.

Common problems

Replace car has stock handling that does not suit it: add a handling.meta with the stock handlingName and adjusted values.
Replace car has misplaced wheels, lights or passengers: the new model's dimensions differ from the stock car whose vehicles.meta entry and layout it inherits.
Add-on car will not spawn: its metas are not loaded. See invalid model.
Two replace mods for the same car: only one set of files with a given name can be used. Remove one or convert it to an add-on.

The converter accepts both kinds of gta5-mods.com download; see the add-on and replace pages for what to expect from each, and the compatibility guide for mods that need extra work.

Frequently asked questions

Is add-on or replace better for a FiveM server?

Add-on is better in most cases because every stock vehicle stays available and each custom car has its own spawn name. Replace is useful when you deliberately want an existing name, such as the default police car, to use a new model.

Can I turn a replace mod into an add-on?

Yes. Rename the model and texture files to a new unique name and add a vehicles.meta, carvariations.meta and optionally a handling.meta that use the same name.

Do replace vehicles need meta files in FiveM?

No. Placing the renamed model and texture files in the stream folder is enough. Meta files are only needed if you want to change the stock car's handling or other data.

Vehicles.meta Generatorvehicles.meta, carvariations.meta, display-name script and manifest from one spawn name.Vehicle Spawn CodesSearchable GTA V car spawn codes: spawn names and model hashes.

dlc.rpfThe single-player add-on archive that has to be unpacked before FiveM can use it.Spawn Name & Model HashThe name you type to spawn a car, and the number the game turns it into.vehicles.metaRegisters the vehicle: model name, textures, handling ID, audio, layout and class.stream folderThe folder whose models and textures are streamed to players automatically.Streaming BudgetThe memory available for loading models and textures as players move around.

More in Resources & Server Setup: fxmanifest.lua, fx_version 'cerulean', data_file, server.cfg (ensure / start)

Skip the manual work

Paste a gta5-mods.com vehicle link and get a FiveM-ready resource with the manifest and metas in place. 3 free conversions, no signup.

3 conversions free, no account needed
2 more free if you leave an email
After that: $15 once for unlimited conversions and the Pro tools. No subscription, 14-day refund policy

Convert a mod free Compare plans from $15 Or get Unlimited now: $15, one-time

All wiki terms Guides Tools FAQ