It seems like anyone who owns a four-wheel-drive vehicle these days insists on fitting it with a lift kit.
Some brands even offer lift kits as an accessory for new utes and SUVs to take the guesswork out of having your car repaired by someone else.
- You are legally allowed to lift your car – to a point
- The size of the elevator you desire may require certification
- Raising your vehicle’s ride height may allow for better off-road capabilities, but can result in a very different driving experience
Factory-backed lift kits mean you don’t have to read the fine print in your warranty documents, as otherwise you could find yourself with your warranty voided if changes are made to car suspension system through a business that is not an official channel of the manufacturer.
However, that won’t be a problem for you if you’re planning on lifting an older vehicle, but there are still a lot of rules and regulations surrounding what you can and cannot do when lifting your vehicle.
First, what does it mean to lift your 4×4, ute, car or SUV? Essentially, you’re trying to raise the bodywork for more ground clearance and therefore more potential off-road capability.
The Australian Government’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts publishes the National Code of Practice for the Manufacturing and Modification of Light Vehicles (NCOP), which incorporates set of direct, changeable instructions for vehicle modifications.
According to the Department’s website: “The National Code of Practice for the Construction and Modification of Light Vehicles (VSB 14) has been prepared by members of the Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board Working Party with consultation. consultation with industry, user groups, government agencies and individuals interested in light vehicle modification and/or the manufacture of individually constructed light vehicles (ICVs).
Under VSB 14, vehicle lift modifications that increase the vehicle’s height by more than 50 mm will require certification: “VSB 14 requires any change in vehicle ride height over 50 mm to be certified regardless of achievement How”.
Furthermore, the following “significant modifications” should be evaluated:
- Changing the vehicle’s suspension:
- I. Helps increase the vehicle’s chassis height from 50mm to 125mm;
- or ii. up to 125 mm combined with an increase in combined wheel and tire diameter of up to 50 mm will increase the vehicle’s chassis height from 75 mm to 150 mm.
- Install a variable vehicle height system
- Any increase in ride height by raising the body
- Changing the diameter of the wheel and tire combination beyond +/- 7% of the maximum size specified by the vehicle manufacturer
You can choose a body lift device, for vehicles with a ladder chassis, the body on frame will see the addition of a set of spacers between the frame and the body, thereby raising the body to any level Which blocks the spacing ordered.
They are typically simpler and cheaper to purchase than other lift options, but do not offer adjustable height changes, unlike many suspension lift options.
Furthermore, although the “significant modifications” list cited above states that vehicle body lifting requires certification, VSB 14 Section LS – Suspension and Steering systems states that “lifting the vehicle with a lift kit vehicle body provided the initial vehicle height does not increase by more than 50mm (refer to subsection 4.11 for conditions and restrictions)” does not require certification.
If you opt for a lifted suspension – whereby you replace the standard OEM suspension with heavier-duty shocks and springs with longer travel and therefore greater ground clearance – you’ll be able to Adjust the height change to suit the position you want.
And furthermore, remember that if you install larger, more aggressive off-road or mud tires, they will also raise the ride height. So, you need to do the calculations if you don’t want to go through the certification process.
So you can only do a certain amount of lifting work before you may need a certificate for the job, otherwise you could be kicked out for driving an unqualified vehicle.
Not intended as legal advice. Check with the relevant roads authority in your state or territory.
