Full Version : Lift laws in New England.
nexterra >>General >>Lift laws in New England.


shmittey- 01-28-2006
I was poking around for NH laws regarding inspections and safety for lifted vehicles and found this:

all states: http://www.offroaders.com/info/tech-corner/lift-laws.htm


New Hampshire: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/saf-c3200.html

Most likely everyone is aware of these but incase you have a question about something it is all covered here. Enjoy


New York: http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/forms/cr79.pdf

Maine: (broken down into specific components)
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/29...-Ach17sec0.html

RIXterra- 01-28-2006
Done and good idea..wink.gif

shmittey- 01-28-2006
If locals could dig up some other links for MA, CT, VT, RI that would be great. I was not having any luck with those states. thanks wink.gif

Rockaholic- 01-28-2006
If we can change the thread title - that might be good as well...

I can't find the MA page that dealt with the lift law...
I did find this total state listing from SEMA - which covers everything I remember about the MA lift laws PDF File...


But here is the pertainant information: it's been posted before in the Passing inspection thread
The maximum allowable mechanical lift (as well as what's acceptable in terms of bigger rubber) can be determined by this formula:

Maximum Lift = Wheelbase x Wheel Track divided by 2200

Where wheel track is the shortest distance between the centers of the tire treads on the same axle(in our case the rear axle), and where wheel base is the shortest distance between the center of the front and rear axles.

The overall height of the vehicle may not exceed 13' 6"

The only thing I can't find now is the reference to altering the bumper height by 2". The PDF shows the frame body alteration as not exceeding 2" more than OEM from vehicles up to 10,000lbs. But I definately remember reading that the bumper height in MA couldn't be altered more than 2".

So I'm going to say that must not be the case, since the PDF from SEMA doesn't mention anything about bumper height

shmittey- 01-28-2006
QUOTE (Rockaholic @ Jan 28 2006, 05:34 PM)
If we can change the thread title - that might be good as well...


I would if I could, Gene Help sad.gif

mudx4x4- 01-28-2006
For Massachusetts:


0 CMR: REGISTRY OF MOTOR VEHICLES
540 CMR 6.00: ALTERATION OF MOTOR VEHICLE HEIGHT
Section
6.01: Purpose
6.02: Scope and Applicability
6.03: Definitions
6.04: General Requirements
6.05: Maximum Combined Mechanical and Tire Lift
6.06: Violations
6.01: Purpose
(1) The purpose of 540 CMR 6.00 is to provide rules and regulations for
altering the height of four wheel drive motor vehicles by elevating or
lowering the chassis or body more than two inches above or below the
original manufacturer's height.

6.02: Scope and Applicability

(1) 540 CMR 6.00 is adopted by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles under
the authority of M.G.L. c.90 s. 31 and pursuant to the provisions of
M.G.L. c.90, s 7P to regulate alterations to the height of four wheel drive
vehicles with an original manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of not
over 10,000 operated on any way as defined in M.G.L. c. 90, s. 1.

6.03: Definitions

Four Wheel Drive Motor Vehicles: Any vehicle that is capable of
providing torque to all four wheels.

Mechanical Lift: Modification to the chassis, suspension or body by any
means exclusive of tires, rims, and load, affecting the height of four wheel
drive motor vehicles.

Original Equipment: Any items of motor vehicle equipment, including
tires, which are installed in or on a motor vehicle, or available by option
for the particular vehicle from the original manufacturer at the time of its
delivery to the first purchaser.

Original Manufacturer: Any person engaged in the manufacture or
assembly of motor vehicles for delivery to the first purchaser.

Original Manufacturer's Height: The highest distance inclusive of the
largest tires and highest suspension available as standard or optional
equipment for the particular vehicle from the original manufacturer. The
distance shall be measured between the lowest edge of the center line of
the operator's door, or to the lowest point where the door would meet the
body on vehicles without doors, or to the lowest point on the floor panel
directly below the operator's position on vehicles designed without doors,
and the level surface on which the unladen vehicle rests, as determined by
the Registrar.

Reconstructed Motor Vehicle: Any four wheel drive motor vehicle
constructed or ass3embled principally with used parts or components.

Wheel Base: The shortest distance between the center of the front and
rear axles.

Wheel Track: The shortest distance between the centers of the tire treads
on the same axle. On vehicles having different axle widths, the
measurement shall be made on the widest one.

6.04: General Requirements

(1) No motor vehicle shall be altered or modified in any way that may
cause the vehicle body or chassis to come in contact with the roadway,
expose the fuel tank to damage from collision, or cause the tires to come
in contact with the body, chassis, or steering components under normal
operation. The horizontal plane, front to rear, shall not differ more than
two inches.

(2) Alterations or modifications to the original braking, steering, or
suspension system, which result in the impairment of the safe operation of
the motor vehicle, are prohibited. All replacement parts and equipment
used shall be designed and capable to perform the function or purpose for
which it is intended and shall be equal or greater in strength and durability
than the original parts provided by the original manufacturer.

(3) The wheel track may be increased by the use of tires and rims for a
maximum total increase of four inches beyond the original manufacturer's
specification. The use of spacers to increase the wheel track is prohibited.
Fractions shall be excluded in all measurements and final calculations.
6.05 Maximum Combined Mechanical and Tire Lift

(1) The maximum mechanical lift for four wheel drive motor vehicles
shall be calculated by multiplying the wheel base times the wheel track,
and dividing the product by a safety factor of 2200:
i.e., 92" w/b x 58" w/t = 5336/2200 = 2" (maximum mechanical lift).
The outside diameter of the largest tire size available from the original
manufacturer as standard or optional equipment for the particular motor
vehicle may also be increased up to an amount equal to the maximum
mechanical lift calculated.

(2) The maximum combined mechanical and tire lift shall be no greater
than the sum of the maximum mechanical lift and increased tire size
calculated for the particular vehicle.

(3) Reconstructed motor vehicles shall be limited to the maximum
combined lift allowed for the particular chassis used, in accordance with
the applicable provisions of 540 CMR 6.05 (1) and (2), i.e. a vehicle
having a 65" track, 105" wheel base, and an original manufacturer's door
height of 21" is allowed a maximum combined lift of four inches above
the original manufacturer's door height. Accordingly, the lower edge of
the door, door edge line or floor panel, as stipulated in the general
requirements of 540 CMR 6.00, of any unladen body mounted on such
chassis may not exceed 25" above the level surface upon which the
vehicle rests.

(4) In doubtful cases, or in any case where the original manufacturer's
specified height is not known or available, or where a motor vehicle is
assembled without using a particular body and/or chassis (i.e. homemade),
the Registrar shall determine the allowable maximum height and may
issue a permit authorizing the operation thereof.

(5) The Registrar shall periodically provide the specifications of the
approved maximum altered heights.

6.06: Violations

(1) Due to the slight variances in production tolerances, violations must
be in excess of one inch beyond the Registrar's specifications of approved
maximum altered heights.

(2) The Registrar, in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 90, s22,
shall suspend the registration of any motor vehicle equipped, altered or
modified in violation of 540 CMR 6.00, and shall refuse to register any
motor vehicle that the Registrar has reason to believe is equipped, altered
or modified in violation of 540 CMR 6.00.



REGULATORY AUTHORITY
540 CMR 6.00: M.G.L. c.90, ss1, 7P and 31

RIXterra- 01-28-2006
QUOTE (shmittey @ Jan 28 2006, 06:29 PM)
QUOTE (Rockaholic @ Jan 28 2006, 05:34 PM)
If we can change the thread title - that might be good as well...


I would if I could, Gene Help sad.gif

Better?

shmittey- 01-28-2006
Thanks biggrin.gif

Daggerdoggie- 01-28-2006
Mike, thanks for digging up that information. Interesting reading. wink.gif

RIXterra- 01-28-2006
How's this?

http://www.offroaders.com/info/tech-corner/lift-laws.htm

NHX- 01-30-2006
Thanks for all you guys efforts in getting that info.

Stormy- 02-01-2006
Just passing along some info... A buddy of mine is a MA trooper. They all go by this rule of thumb... "2"up, to 2" down" for all vehicles...

RIXterra- 02-01-2006
Oh man I gotta stay outta Mass then.. blink.gif

Stormy- 02-01-2006
QUOTE (RIXterra @ Feb 1 2006, 10:19 PM)
Oh man I gotta stay outta Mass then.. blink.gif

It's why I moved to NH... and still they don't know their own laws sad.gif

mudx4x4- 02-01-2006
QUOTE (RIXterra @ Feb 1 2006, 10:19 PM)
Oh man I gotta stay outta Mass then.. blink.gif

yea, mass sucks, but then i see all these lifted jeeps and fords that are 2ft taller than the X, but i dont see them getting pulled over

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