It seems like everyone who owns a four-wheel drive vehicle these days insists on equipping it with a lift kit.
Some brands even offer lift kits as accessories for new small cars and SUVs to take the guesswork out of having someone else modify the vehicle.
- You are legally allowed to raise your vehicle – up to a certain extent
- The size of the elevator you want may require certification
- Increasing the ride height can result in better off-road capability, but the driving experience can change significantly
Thanks to factory-supported lift kits, you don’t have to read the fine print in your warranty documents, otherwise your warranty could be voided if you make changes to the vehicle’s suspension through a company other than the manufacturer’s official channels.
While this won’t matter to you if you’re trying to lift an older vehicle, there are still plenty of rules and regulations about what you can and can’t do when lifting your vehicle.
First of all, what does it mean to lift your 4×4, SUV, car or SUV? Essentially, you’re trying to raise the body of the car to give it more ground clearance and therefore better off-road capability.
The Australian Government’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts publishes the National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification (NCOP), which provides a set of current, modifiable guidelines for vehicle modifications.
The department’s website states: “The National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification (VSB 14) was prepared by members of the Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board working group in consultation with industry, user groups, government agencies and individuals with a. “Interested in modifying light vehicles and/or building custom designed light vehicles (ICVs).”
According to VSB 14, changes to lifts that increase the height of the vehicle by more than 50 mm must be certified: “VSB 14 requires that any change in ride height over 50 mm must be certified, regardless of how it is achieved.”
In addition, the following “significant changes” require assessment:
- A change in the vehicle’s suspension:
- I. This increases the ride height of the vehicle between 50 mm and 125 mm.
- or ii. of up to 125 mm, which, together with an increase in the diameter of the wheel-tire combination by up to 50 mm, increases the ride height of the vehicle between 75 mm and 150 mm.
- Installation of a variable ride height system
- Any increase in ride height using a body lift
- A change in the diameter of the wheel and tire combination of more than +/- 7% of the largest size specified by the vehicle manufacturer
You could opt for a body lift, which for ladder chassis and body on frame vehicles involves placing a set of spacers between the chassis and the body of the vehicle, raising the body of the vehicle by the desired amount of spacer blocks.
These are generally easier and cheaper to purchase than other lift options, but unlike many suspension lift options, they do not offer adjustable height adjustment.
In addition, VSB 14 Section LS – Suspension and Steering states that “the vehicle is raised using a body lift kit, provided the original vehicle height is not increased by more than 50 mm”, although in the list quoted above “more significant Changes” states that body lifts require certification. Conditions and limitations see subsection 4.11)” does not require certification.
If you choose higher suspension – replacing the stock OEM suspension with more robust shocks and springs with longer travel and therefore greater ground clearance – you may be able to adjust the height change to suit your desired stance.
Additionally, keep in mind that adding larger, more aggressive off-road or mud tires will also increase the height of the vehicle. So you have to do the calculations if you don’t want to go through the certification process.
Therefore, you can only do so much lifting before you may need certification for the job. Otherwise, you may be pulled over for driving an inoperable vehicle.
Not intended as legal advice. Check with the relevant highway authority in your state or territory.