How to Properly Install and Pack Car Packs for Your FiveM Server

How to Properly Install and Pack Car Packs for Your FiveM Server
Streamline your FiveM server by packing vehicles into a single resource for better optimization and performance.

Author: Goodleaf Hosting

Installing car packs properly on your FiveM server can significantly improve performance by reducing the number of individual resources being streamed. Instead of having hundreds of folders for different vehicles, you can organize them under one resource folder. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up a car pack.

Why Use a Car Pack?

Packing vehicles into one resource folder:

• Improves Optimization: Reduces server load by minimizing the number of resources.
• Simplifies Management: Keeps everything organized for easier updates and edits.

Step 1: Start with a Template

Download a pre-made car pack template to save time and ensure proper structure.

Important Note: You cannot pack cars that are encrypted. Encrypted cars typically include a .fxap file in their folder, indicating they cannot be modified or packed.

Step 2: Set Up the Data Folder

1. Create a Folder for the Vehicle:
   Inside the data folder of your car pack template, create a new folder named after the spawn code of the vehicle. For example, if the car’s spawn name is st185, create a folder named st185.

2. Place .meta Files in the Folder:
   Add all the .meta files for the vehicle (such as vehicles.meta, carvariations.meta, and handling.meta) into this folder.

Why? This keeps the metadata organized and easily accessible for future edits, like adjusting handling.

Step 3: Set Up the Stream Folder

1. Create a Folder for Streaming Files:
   Inside the stream folder of your car pack template, create another folder with the same spawn code as the data folder (e.g., st185).

2. Add Streaming Files:
   Place all .yft, .ytd, and other streaming files for the vehicle in this folder. These are the files responsible for the car model and textures.

Why? Organizing the stream files into spawn-code-specific folders makes it easier to update or edit files, such as adding new liveries.

Step 4: Update the fxmanifest.lua

The template’s fxmanifest.lua is preconfigured to automatically load all .meta files in the data folder. There’s no need to specify each file manually.

Adding More Cars:

• Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for each additional vehicle.
• Ensure that each vehicle has matching folders in both the data and stream directories.

Step 5: Add Cars to QBCore

1. Update the Vehicle List:

   • Navigate to your qb-core > shared > vehicles.lua file.
   • Add each car to the list using its spawn name, price, category, and any other required details.

   Example:

   ['st185'] = {
       ['name'] = 'Toyota Celica ST185',
       ['brand'] = 'Toyota',
       ['model'] = 'st185',
       ['price'] = 50000,
       ['category'] = 'sports',
       ['hash'] = `st185`,
       ['shop'] = 'pdm',
   },
   

2. Ensure Spawn Names Match:
   The spawn name in vehicles.lua must match the name in the vehicles.meta file and the folder name in both the data and stream directories. If they don’t match, the vehicle may not spawn correctly or be unusable in the garage or with /admincar.

Optional Tools to Simplify the Process

1. ZeroDream Mod Tool:

   • A tool to quickly convert cars from gta5mods.com into FiveM-ready files.
   • Saves time by eliminating the need for OpenIV conversions.

   Click here to access ZeroDream Mod Tool

2. Handling Editor:

   • A dedicated editor for adjusting vehicle handling in FiveM.
   • Perfect for setting proper handling values to balance performance.

   Click here to access Handling Editor

Step 6: Test Your Car Pack

1. Start your FiveM server and spawn each car using its spawn code.
2. Verify the following:
   • Cars load without texture or model issues.
   • Handling, metadata, and liveries work as expected.

Common Issues and Fixes:

• Car Won’t Spawn: Double-check that the spawn name matches across all files and folders.
• Textures Missing: Verify that all .ytd files are present in the stream folder.

Conclusion

Packing vehicles into a single resource folder improves server optimization and simplifies management. By following this guide, you can create organized and efficient car packs, making it easier to manage your custom vehicles while providing an excellent experience for your players.

Looking for a high-performance hosting solution? Goodleaf Hosting ensures your FiveM server runs smoothly, even with resource-heavy car packs. Start optimizing your server today!