Hi folks

I know I’m new to the site, but I’ve been around... just not on this site. Sorry wish I was sooner, I have found my way and I’m here now. Now this is going to be lengthy, and I’m sorry for that. It may even be unsettling – but you should be aware of these things. :shaking:

About me: I’m just a guy that loves building trucks in my spare time; I have a 96 bronco with an SAS. I have no secret agenda; I love this sport and want to ensure it last for a very long time. I also would like to see us become a united and stronger voice. Power in numbers! I’m also not an expert in the world of legality and politics; in fact it is my hope that someone amongst us has these strengths and can help were needed. One more thing, obviously I want to see the 4x4preservation.com site grow, but its in no why meant to complete in any way with pirate4x4.

Ok lets start:

We’ve been having some issues with lift laws or actually the lack of lift laws but being discriminated against because we are so called “Monster Trucks!” and we are apparently unsafe for the road, even though we pass a MVI and no law is broken… Anyway it’s been a fight so we established the 4x4 Preservation (4x4preservation.com (http://4x4preservation.com))

Though the site was developed to help our members in the New Brunswick area, it has come apparent that many others around the world are experiencing similar issues with lift laws or with law officials not understanding the acts and laws they up hold.

In our search for answers and meetings with officials we became aware of the AAMVA’s Task Force for Excessively Raised Vehicles and their model legislation to address the concerns of lifted trucks. I’ll post a link to their Final approved Model Legislation in a bit.

Please notice below the folks that make up part of the task force, you’ll notice SEMA is part of the task force and supports the legislation.

Also I want to show you that in 2004 the Task Force Model legislation of that time was adopted by some states. I'm sure there were others, but I wasn't really looking for this just came across on the SEMA siteit so I'm posting it.

“Back in 2004

2004 Successes: Florida, Illinois, Missouri Bumper Heights

Florida and Missouri legislation to add new sections to the law relating to maximum bumper heights for motor vehicles died in the respective legislatures. The Illinois bill, which prohibits operation of any vehicle, regardless of size, with a front bumper height that exceeds 28 inches or a rear bumper in excess of 30 inches was signed into law. The bill is consistent with the model legislation currently endorsed by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), which SEMA supports.”

Task Force

The TASK Force is made up of people from these area and fields of expertise. So you can trust this has some weight behind it.


Members of the Task Force
Chair Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
Florida Highway Patrol
Virginia State Police
Maryland State Police
Automotive Manufacturers Equipment Compliance Agency
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Specialized Equipment Market Association (SEMA)
American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators

Guests:
U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Automotive Manufacturers Equipment Compliance Agency
RCD Suspension (Chair, SEMA Suspension Task Force)

Excerpt from AAMVA memo

“There are two aspects to the proposed model legislation which include: (a) Excessively Raised Vehicle Safety Act, and (b) Regulation Concerning Excessively Raised Vehicles. The model legislation, if adopted by a jurisdiction, would allow the original ride height on passenger vehicles to be raised to a certain extent but within specific limits. These limitations would specifically restrict the size of oversize replacement tires, maximum bumper heights and frame heights. There are also provisions within the proposed model legislation addressing modifications, which could affect characteristics and maximum tolerances and dimensions of the braking, lighting, suspension, steering and fuel systems of raised vehicles. The proposed model legislation can be incorporated into a periodic inspection program or augment out-of-service criteria to assist make an objective determination about whether a raised vehicle should pass or fail a cursory roadside inspection.
In summary, the proposed model legislation is intended to assist jurisdictions who have an interest in refining current statutes or introduce new standards for regulating the excessive ride height of raised vehicles equipped with after-market body/suspension lift kits and/or oversize replacement tires. This proposed legislation has been reviewed and approved by the AAMVA Legal Services Discipline as required by the International Standing Committee Administrative procedures.”

Ok so here is the Final Approved Legislation (http://4x4preservation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=280) Its a lot to read, in to understand it you'll have to read it a few times. I found it best to get the measuring tape out and go to my truck and see what the effects are. You'll be surprised to find that a 35" tire is the max tire recommended.

I'm going away for a week to Atlanta so I don't know if I'll get back on till than to answer your questions. Also its hard to bounce back and forth between sites answering the same type of questions.

Thanks for your time, really sorry about the long post. And really its too much to cover in one post.
__________________
-Steve

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i dont care how big a tire is, if its dot approved that means the main gov. says it legal to be on the street, fed trumps state.

all semi trucks have to be under 14' tall, period. or you MUST have oversized load permit to ever touch asphalt. again, the gov deems 14' legal so .........

the lights and bumper heighths i do understand.


again the main problem is that you are leaving the "curtosy road side inspection" to people who for the most part hate 4x4s, and giving them full descretion of susp design and what "they" deem safe. even if they do like 4x4s and are really into it to be fair, they may not like some particular design and curb your ass just because they prefer it built the way they would have.

Doesn't matter if your tire is DOT approved if your MVI or DMV acts state a tire can't be over a certain size - than your dead in the water. There are already restrictions in many and most states. My point is this new model legislation is even more restrictive and if adopted... well than the smaller your truck becomes.

And yes we are seen as monster trucks that run over children and old ladies, I think we can improve that image.

I don't understand you comment "again the main problem is that you are leaving" I'm not leaving any thing, I'm just presenting some facts. Maybe they will come into effect maybe they won't - they have in the past. And I don't know about you but I would rather know and have a say in these things than to just wake up one day and find my once legal truck is now not legal.


i dont care how big a tire is, if its dot approved that means the main gov. says it legal to be on the street, fed trumps state.

all semi trucks have to be under 14' tall, period. or you MUST have oversized load permit to ever touch asphalt. again, the gov deems 14' legal so .........

the lights and bumper heighths i do understand.


again the main problem is that you are leaving the "curtosy road side inspection" to people who for the most part hate 4x4s, and giving them full descretion of susp design and what "they" deem safe. even if they do like 4x4s and are really into it to be fair, they may not like some particular design and curb your ass just because they prefer it built the way they would have.

not you specificaly. the judgement of a 4x4 to be safe or not is not being left to a person with a nutral opinion, cops are dicks and if you even say "yes sir" in what they perceive to be the wrong tone your gear is getting towed and youre getting hooked up.

if it is left up to someone who is not only objective but actualy has a clue as to what they are doing it MAY be a pluaseble situation, but it wont be. it will in the hands of some douche who buys new cars only not builds them.

not you specificaly. the judgement of a 4x4 to be safe or not is not being left to a person with a nutral opinion, cops are dicks and if you even say "yes sir" in what they perceive to be the wrong tone your gear is getting towed and youre getting hooked up.

if it is left up to someone who is not only objective but actualy has a clue as to what they are doing it MAY be a pluaseble situation, but it wont be. it will in the hands of some douche who buys new cars only not builds them.

I agree and in fact thats whats happening in these parts and it results in this.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/530348/original/warning1.jpg

The end result is the plates get pulled and the truck isn't legal for the road.

there is a key phrase in there that is death of any dual porpuse rig.

"mechanical engineer"

we are screwed, we all know a engineer of something, i have meet several mech e., they are absolutely worthless people. they spend there entire lives behind a clean desk and trying not to get anyhting on there dockers.

there is a key phrase in there that is death of any dual porpuse rig.

"mechanical engineer"

we are screwed, we all know a engineer of something, i have meet several mech e., they are absolutely worthless people. they spend there entire lives behind a clean desk and trying not to get anyhting on there dockers.

I have the letters from the engineer as well and you right.