Driving in NSW with a Lift Kit ??

i saw a 6" lift on a Patrol the other day and wondered the stability of the vehicle. I think it makes sense to limit to 50mm. Michael

oldbaz

that ruling is already in effect in nsw now...........went to check out prices for my lift kit about 8 months ago and the suspension bloke in Grafton told me that then.

50 mm in height is correct,cheers.

Looks like it is a new development, not some existing rule.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,25790506-29277,00.html

A copy of the release follows.

It doesn’t say whether this rule is retrospective or not, but reading the statement tends to suggest it will be and it will definitely have insurance implications. Implicit in all insurance contracts is that the vehicle is in a ‘road-worthy’ condition. If it doesn’t meet these requirements then it won’t be deemed to be road-worthy.

My understanding (and please correct if wrong) is that this will relate to a change in height of the vehicle versus the original manufacturers specifications. If the lift doesn’t change this, but was added because of accessories adding weight to the vehicle, than it should be okay….(?)

Lift Rules - Minsiterial Statement

Good luck out there……

Big trouble brewing in NSW by the look of it .

“Vehicles raised above the 5 centimetre limit will only be granted conditional registration for use under specified conditions like competing in an off road competition,” Mr Daley said.

"Car Hoons" Ministerial Release

In New Zealand you have to have vehicles 'over the pits' every six months for a "Warrant Of Fitness" (WOF) check. It has come to my attention that they are now checking the load rating on tyres on each axle. If you have different ratings on the same axle you will fail the test ! Does not matter that the ratings are above the minimum for the vehicle - they have to be the same on each side of the axle. I guess they are meaning that they are looking for the same level of flexibility in the tyre side walls for stability purposes. I would also note that both Australia and New Zealand try to have the same standards in both countries so what ever happens 'here' is likely to be followed 'over there' shortly after !

KK

Hmmmm .... Just read Mr Daleys' comments.

Obviously dont know much do he ???

Gunna be a lot of 4wd owning, 40yr old and over "hoons" - in NSW by the looks of things ... Im even going to be twice the hoon most people will be, coz both mine are 2" over factory specs when empty.

Wonder if the clown understands that in the case of "proper" 4wds tthe weight ratio is balanced by all the extra fuel tanks, barwork, etc., and vehicles are probably more stable than factory specs ... and of course - keeping tyres narrow by law - adds to the instability issue.

Another ... you "will" all have unfettered, electronic overides on your vehicles supporter - I think ... who cant see past the toyota brochures supplied to govt purchasing contracts.

Tis' good to see the NSW government is as always across the big issues!

Forget about the hospitals, the schools, the railways and any other basic service.

If I was a cynic I'd say any smoke screen is a good smoke screen when you aren't actually doing anything useful.

I'd imagine any decent 4wd shop will be looking at making an alliance with one of the local engineers so that the vehicle leaves their fitting bay with not only the new suspension but all the relevant paperwork ticked too.

Geoff

I just heard on thr ABC that it will not be retrospective.

Dave

Its about time too,Would imagine a lot of sellers would be sweating on a verdict considering they could be stuck with a lot of 4-6 inch lift kits..

Cheers

I have a 50 mm lift and when the vehicle is loaded it sits at the standard height.
I think that this legislation will cause a lot of problems for all.
As usual a knee jerk reaction from the RTA.

The way I read it is, that they are after the Hoons with low rider suspensions that are next to no springs at all.

The Gents with their LC, Prado, Pajero, Patrol etc with a 2"-3" (50-75 mm) lift in a well maintained vehicle will just slip beneath the radar undetected, lets face it, they will need a reason to check your vehicle in the first place, don't give them that reason.

And yes as long as you have the receipts for your lift that proves the date of fitting then you are in no way illegal before July 2009.

Storm in a tea cup I think.

Could I suggest some correspondance:

Michael Daley MP

Or an email:
office@daley.minister.nsw.gov.au

Might not.......one install some kinda inflatable air bags with an on board compressor, to raise or lower the lift spec at will.

Drive around the city street among mr plod at normal suspension body height and ehn offroad and needing clearance you hit the butons on the dash to inflate and lift?

I seem to recall having that feature on a Ford Fairlane back in the mid 80's!

I had the back jacked way up for looks and massive over steer when I attracted the attention of plod who did a U turn and followed me - and pulled me over!

By the time we stopped - the car was normal height.

Guy scratched his head, said he thought I was sporting a illegal jacked up rear suspension, but on inspection it appeared to be normal.

Told him it was just the lines of the car - from certain angles it created a bit of an "optical delusion" ;o)

He said - I guess so and left, without any warning or tickets!

Later I just inflated it again - the gauge and raise lower buttons were on a small bracket below the dash - the compressor in the boot.

Was great when carrying heavy stuff in the boot for eliminating a saggy bum, & conversely when out with the hoon mates for looking the part with the jacked rear!

I could even adjust the spotlights level on the run bye the air adjustable suspension....

Lots of good points - and all by air bag shock absorbers & compressor.

Some guys just had the air bag adjustable shocks - plumbed to a tyre valve sstem on the rear bumper and raised them at the servo, with the tyre fill connector (i.e. no on board air compressor).

On the fly adjustment was a bit of a luxury back then.

Can't see why it won't work for 4wd's - lets face it your not gonna get stopped if it looks normal, and when you need that extra lift you hit a button - what could be simpler than that!

Cheers