VA Lift Laws

[davbell22602]

Anybody know how strict va is on the lift laws. I was told if it looks too high or too noticable you get pulled over. If you look not to be high on the bumper height from the ground they wont do anything. I have a 90 c2500hd chevy its 8600 buts its registered at 6500. I have 16in wheels/245-7516 on it now. I think already close to the 29in-30in mark. I want to do 35's or 38's.

[bikes&bowties]

For 4,501 to 7,500 pounds, the front bumper must stay lower than 29 inches and the rear 30 inches; for 7,501 amd 15,000 pounds, it's 30 at the front and 31 at the rear. I got this information from another forums lift law thread and it all seems to be true..

But I must add I have never known someone to get stopped for to much lift and most trucks im around are lifted...

[davbell22602]

I been getting the same info but how much to T does law enforce it though in ticketing people for being to high.

[bikes&bowties]

"I must add I have never known someone to get stopped for to much lift and most trucks im around are lifted... "

I have only seen trouble with mudflaps and maybe once with wide tires sticking to far outside of the body

[davbell22602]

I heard alot about the exhaust not being legal when going through state safety inspection. But nothing about lifts being too high unless its too noticeable. I know if the tires are little to wide you can put those flares around the fenders on the outside.

[LONGHAIR]

Enough lift to clear 38s is going to be too noticeable

[special-K]

I don`t think you`re close to the limit.Look at your tires compared to the bumpers.How tall are those tires?I think a 4" lift is mild enough to pass the "visual".Can`t you raise the GVW to 8,000#?My`92 K3500 is 9,200 from factory and the HD 3/4 tons are 8,600.In MD I can register my 1t at over 10,000 and by-pass lift laws.It`s funny,MD wouldn`t give the Chesapeake Bay plates to over 10,000 GVW.They see all 1t trucks as over 10,000,since dualwheels are.But,mine is factory 9,200.They wouldn`t let me have the plates because my VIN says its a 1t.In mD you can register a 1/2t or 3/4t up to 10,000 GVW.One tons you can`t register below.My 3/4t Suburban is registered at 10,000#.

[Mudder]

You can go here and find every states laws. Not sure how up to date it is. Thhere is lots of information up there in the information sticky.

http://www.roughcountry.com/lift_laws.html

[davbell22602]

MARYLAND

No trucks or multipurpose vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less can be taller than 28 inches. A truck beyond 10,000 pounds - but not more that 18,000 pounds - can go beyond 30 inches (you Excursions owners just made it into that first grouping under the wire). Lift more than those 30, and you'll be ticketed and/or given a Safety Equipment Repair Order (SERO) to fix the violation. More info.

VIRGINIA

Don't even think about driving on these highways if there is more than 28 inches between the bumpers and the road if your truck falls in the 4,500-pound GVWR rating. For 4,501 to 7,500 pounds, the front bumper must stay lower than 29 inches and the rear 30 inches; for 7,501 amd 15,000 pounds, it's 30 at the front and 31 at the rear. More info.

[davbell22602]

I have 245/75/16 tires on there now. which would the tire height at 30.4 inches.

[72 CustomCamper]

Back in the day I was pulled and ticketed for being 1/8 inch over the limit. The truck was a 78 bronco with 6 in susp and 3 in body lifts with 39 in swampers. If they want to get technical that rear bumper is a drop bumper. With a drop bumper they will measure the height to the bottom of the frame. Been there done that...


Chuck

[davbell22602]

Thats a 8in drop bumper. But how many cops do we all know that will measure it with all high crime in theft, etc. cause the economy is bad. I think the cops arent bothered with lifted trucks right now unless its involved in car accident due to all the people there putting in jail for DUI's and stealing/shop lifting, etc. There's alot of that in winchester,va but were close the WV line also.

[Davetopay]

Originally Posted by davbell22602

MARYLAND

No trucks or multipurpose vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less can be taller than 28 inches. A truck beyond 10,000 pounds - but not more that 18,000 pounds - can go beyond 30 inches (you Excursions owners just made it into that first grouping under the wire). Lift more than those 30, and you'll be ticketed and/or given a Safety Equipment Repair Order (SERO) to fix the violation. More info.

VIRGINIA

Don't even think about driving on these highways if there is more than 28 inches between the bumpers and the road if your truck falls in the 4,500-pound GVWR rating. For 4,501 to 7,500 pounds, the front bumper must stay lower than 29 inches and the rear 30 inches; for 7,501 amd 15,000 pounds, it's 30 at the front and 31 at the rear. More info.

Heh....my stock suspension 70 k1500 with 31's on it just about fails the test.

[72freak]

We used to get messed with back 25 years ago and things havent gotten any better in Virginia. I remember having trouble in Virginia Beach and Colonial Heights regularly.

[davbell22602]

Heh....my stock suspension 70 k1500 with 31's on it just about fails the test.

i think law changed cause the newer trucks already fails the ground to bumper measurement. There making the newer trucks with higher suspension.

[davbell22602]

What are the bumper height laws in the state of Virginia?

Section 46.2-1063 states:

Alteration of suspension system; bumper height limits; raising body above frame rail. -- No person shall drive on a public highway any motor vehicle registered as a passenger motor vehicle if it has been modified by alteration of its altitude from the ground to the extent that its bumpers, measured to any point on the lower edge of the main horizontal bumper bar, exclusive of any bumper guards, are not within the range of fourteen inches to twenty-two inches above the ground. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the range of bumper heights for motor vehicles bearing street rod license plates issued pursuant to § 46.2-747 shall be nine to twenty-two inches.

No vehicle shall be modified to cause the vehicle body or chassis to come in contact with the ground, expose the fuel tank to damage from collision, or cause the wheels to come in contact with the body under normal operation. No part of the original suspension system of a motor vehicle shall be disconnected to defeat the safe operation of its suspension system. However, nothing contained in this section shall prevent the installation of heavy duty equipment, including shock absorbers and overload springs. Nothing contained in this section shall prohibit the driving on a public highway of a motor vehicle with normal wear to the suspension system if such normal wear does not adversely affect the control of the vehicle.

No person shall drive on a public highway any motor vehicle registered as a truck if it has been modified by alteration of its altitude from the ground to the extent that its bumpers, measured to any point on the lower edge of the main horizontal bumper bar, exclusive of any bumper guards, do not fall within the limits specified herein for its gross vehicle weight rating category. The front bumper height of trucks whose gross vehicle weight ratings are 4,500 pounds or less shall be no less than 14 inches and no more than 28 inches, and their rear bumper height shall be no less than 14 inches and no more than 28 inches. The front bumper height of trucks whose gross vehicle weight ratings are 4,501 pounds to 7,500 pounds shall be no less than 14 inches and no more than 29 inches, and their rear bumper height shall be no less than 14 inches and no more than 30 inches. The front bumper height of trucks whose gross vehicle weight ratings are 7,501 pounds to 15,000 pounds shall be no less than 14 inches and no more than 30 inches, and their rear bumper height shall be no less than 14 inches and no more than 31 inches. Bumper height limitations contained in this section shall not apply to trucks with gross vehicle weight ratings in excess of 15,000 pounds. For the purpose of this section, "truck" includes pickup and panel trucks, and "gross vehicle weight ratings" means manufacturer's gross vehicle weight ratings established for that vehicle as indicated by a number, plate, sticker, decal, or other device affixed to the vehicle by its manufacturer.

In the absence of bumpers, and in cases where bumper heights have been lowered, height measurements under the foregoing provisions of this section shall be made to the bottom of the frame rail. However, if bumper heights have been raised, height measurements under the foregoing provisions of this section shall be made to the bottom of the main horizontal bumper bar.

No vehicle shall be operated on a public highway if it has been modified by any means so as to raise its body more than three inches, in addition to any manufacturer's spacers and bushings, above the vehicle's frame rail or manufacturer's attachment points on the frame rail.

This section shall not apply to specially designed or modified motor vehicles when driven off the public highways in races and similar events. Such motor vehicles may be lawfully towed on the highways of the Commonwealth.

[special-K]

We can`t even register a truck at under 6,000#The law exclude 1t and up because,traditionally,a 1t is a cab`n`chassis with no bumper at all,like a dump truck or rollback.And,they are purpose built vehicles that sometimes require alterations in height.Especially in the rear,since they are made for hauling.The laws of nature dictate that a vehicle set up to haul will ride higher than empty.The trucks are built to haul,not run empty.At least,not until white collars and soccer moms started using crew can duallys with bed covers for daily drivers.

I`ve never been messed with,except when they started this crap when cars became low-riding wedges.I had this and got bothered for a month or two.I was 1/4" within the law and proud of it.I wash sitting eating lunch and a cop pulled next to me,went to the trunk for his measuring stick.I leaned out the window as he headed for the front of the Blazer," It`s 36 3/4",and smiled.He measured it and as he was walking away I gave him a,"Have a nice day".He just glared at me.I love those moments.It happened alot for awhile.


Fast forward to 2004 and I drove this all over the place without a worry.I`m in VA,PA,and WVA pretty much.

I doubt they mess with out of staters for such things,unless they see them around or awhile.It helps to have an older historic vehicle,even if it`s not registered historic.Here in MD your truck could be registered historic now that it`s 20.They can mess with you for that,too,using it daily.But I don`t see that either these days.The point is,they can.
Here`s a riends 4wd with a 4" lift and 35s:


He says they`ll rub a little.But,I don`t think a truck like this operating in a normal fashion would draw the attention of a cop.It`s just too darned close to make a big deal out of.It is not ridiculous.You get over 35s and most folks will think that`s excessive.More than with 35s.I tink as long as the tires arestill at leat 1/2 way into to wheel wells it doesn`t grab the attention.Some trucks site on top o the tires and frankly I think it looks unsafe.Fact is,it is unsafe.

[davbell22602]

I can't register it historic/antique for another 6 years yet. The law va is 26 years old for antique tags. Plus I dont think they make a 3in lift. i know they come in 2,4,6, and so on but not a odd number though.

[special-K]

Your truck`s a 2wd,right?How were you going to lift it?You can adjust the lift of a 4wd by adjusting the torsion bars.

Is your name Dave Bell?If it is I have something interesting.My brother in law`s brother lives in Winchester and his name is David Bell.

[davbell22602]

Its 2wd. Since lift blocks are illegal in va lift laws. Is there another way to do a body lift without lift blocks?

My name is David Bell and I one sister thats not married. I live off rt. 7.

[special-K]

Got pictures? Just kiddin`.I knew you weren`t my brother in law`s brother.He`s not a car guy anyway.

By lift blocks do you mean body lift blocks?

One more thing...my grandmother (Dad`s mom) is a Bell from the Shenendoah Valley,Saumsville.It`s north of New Market and west of 11.Her mom was a Saum and they left the valley after that bastard Sheridan went on his terror campaign.

[mbgmike]

I know Virginia is a tough state as far as Inspections go. My son does state inspections and if they let stuff slide and get caught they can get a sever fine and lose their drivers license for 5 years.
You can't even have an aftermarket trailer hitch reciever brake light installed. Its not an OEM part. It may be safer but it did not come that way.

[72 CustomCamper]

Hey David, you can use bodylift blocks. You just can't go over 3 inch. The blocks the law is talking is blocks in the front suspension...


Chuck

[davbell22602]

yea I know. Just trying to get a another 3in after the body lift is installed. spacers only work on 4x4. I can use 3in spindles on the front but need something for the rear leaf springs then.

I have coil springs on front with shock going down the middle.

[special-K]

The back`s the easy part...blocks,springs,or shackle flip,just like 4wd.