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SavageSun4x4
07-16-2007, 08:12 PM
FYI...a must read.

Purposed act, or recommendation by the AAMVA Task Force - their final approved document. We just want to make you aware of it.

This was done for both the United States and Canada.

More info Here
www.aamva.org/
May 17, 2007

Model Legislation for Excessively Raised Vehicles

Section 1. Short Title. This Act may be cited as the Excessively Raised Motor Vehicle
Safety Act.
...



May 17, 2007 Official

Regulation Concerning Excessively Raised Motor Vehicles

The following is adopted as an official regulation of [name of agency or department] by
[title of chief motor vehicle official].

Section 1. Characteristics and Maximum Tolerances and Dimensions for Raised Motor
Vehicles.

(a) With respect to body lift,

ß (i) a body that has been elevated more than 3 inches (76mm) above the frame,
ß or (ii) a body with unitized body construction that has been elevated above the
frame, regardless of the amount of elevation;
ß or (iii) a body that has been elevated by the use of multiple spacers, regardless
of the amount of elevation;
ß or (iv) aftermarket materials and fasteners that are not equivalent or greater in
quality than original equipment (i.e. diameter, strength, grade of bolt);
ß or (v) alterations that interfere or displace the safety features of the energy-
absorbing steering column; affect the operation of the transmission, clutch, or
accelerator controls; or mitigate the effectiveness of occupant restraint systems.

(b) With respect to the brake system,

ß (i) brake lines do not display a DOT marking symbol (49 C.F.R. 571.106) or
which are not contained in the Handbook of Automotive Safety Devices
published by the Automotive Manufacturers Equipment Compliance Agency;
ß or (ii) brake lines do not accommodate the full extension of the suspension
without binding or being stretched;
ß or (iii) brake lines and hoses that are not protected from excessive heat and
vibration, chafing and undue wear, stress or unintentional disconnection during
operation of the vehicle;
ß or (iv) loss of brake fluid;
ß or (v) minimum stopping distance requirement cannot be achieved in jurisdictions
that conduct dynamic braking tests with the aid of a portable decelerometer or
performance-based brake testing equipment.

(c) With respect to the bumper,
ß (i) absence of the front or rear bumper with the exception of when a recognized
vehicle manufacturer did not supply and install a rear bumper as original
equipment;
ß or (ii) bumpers that are not oriented or fastened in the original mounted position;
ß or (iii) aftermarket bumpers that do not provide equivalent or superior protection
as the original bumper;
ß or (iv) bumpers with sharp or unwarranted protruding edges,
(d) With respect to bumper height, 4
ß (i) if the original bumper is not composed entirely of steel and the vehicle frame
exceeds the frame heights denoted in Section (1)(e)(i) of this regulation.
ß or (ii) when the FRONT bumper height of vehicles manufactured through
September 30, 2009 is greater than 22 inches (559 mm) for passenger cars; 24
inches (610 mm) for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating 4,500 pounds
(2,041 kg) or less; 27 inches (686 mm) for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight
rating between 4,501 pounds (2,042 kg) and 7,500 pounds (3,402 kg); 28 inches
(711 mm) for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating between 7,501 pounds
(3,403 kg) and 11,500 pounds (5,216 kg);
ß or (iii) when the REAR bumper height of vehicles is greater than 22 inches (559
mm) for passenger cars; 26 inches (660 mm) for vehicles with a gross vehicle
weight rating less than 4,500 pounds (2,041 kg); 29 inches (737 mm) for vehicles
with a gross vehicle weight rating between 4,501 pounds (2,042 kg) and 7,500
pounds (3,402 kg); 30 inches (762 mm) for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight
rating between 7,501 pounds (3,403 kg) and 11,500 pounds (5,216 kg);,
ß or (iv) when the height of the primary frontal energy-absorbing structure of
vehicles manufactured after October 1, 2009 exceeds 18 inches (457 mm) from
the ground or the lower edge of a secondary energy-absorbing structure is
greater than 16 inches (406 mm) from the ground.

(e) With respect to frame height,5

• (i) shall not exceed:
• 22 inches (559 mm) for passenger cars;
• or (ii) 24 inches (610 mm) for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of
less than 4,500 pounds (2,041 kg);
• or (ii) 26 inches (660 mm) for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating
between 4,501 pounds (2,042 kg) and 7,500 pounds (3,402 kg);
• or (iii) 28 inches (711 mm) for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating
between 7,501 pounds (3,403 kg) and less than 10,000 pounds (4,536 kg);
• or (iv) 29 inches (737 mm) for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating
between 10,001 pounds (4,537 kg) and less than 11,500 pounds (5,216
kg).
• or (ii) if a raised vehicle manufactured after October 1, 2009 does not comply
with Option 1 or Option 2 of the Vehicle Compatibility Commitment for enhancing
the geometric alignment of front energy-absorbing structures of light trucks with
passenger cars.6

4 “Bumper height” means the vertical distance between the ground and the lowest point at the bottom of an original bumper manufactured entirely
of steel measured when the vehicle is unladen on a flat surface with the tires at the proper tire inflation pressure. If the bumper is absent, or if a
section of the bumper is composed of rubber or plastic material, or if the original bumper has been modified, or if the vehicle has been equipped
with an aftermarket bumper then the bumper height shall be measured with the vehicle on a level surface from the ground to the bottom of the
frame at the most forward or rearward points of the frame rail.

5 “Frame height” means the vertical distance between the ground and the bottom of the frame at the most forward or rearward points of
the longitudinal frame rail with the vehicle unladen on a level surface with the tires at the proper inflation pressure. The measurement
on vehicles with unitized body/frame construction shall be taken at the lowest point of the front jacking location as manufactured.
6 OPTION 1: The light truck’s primary frontal energy-absorbing structure (frame rails) shall overlap at least 50 percent of the 49 C.F.R. Part 581
zone AND at least 50 percent of the light truck’s primary frontal energy-absorbing structure shall overlap the 49 C.F.R. Part 581 zone if the
primary frontal energy-absorbing structure of the light truck is greater than 8 inches tall, engagement with the entire 49 C.F.R. Part 581 zone is
required, OR OPTION 2: there must be a secondary energy-absorbing structure, connected to the primary structure, whose lower edge shall be
no higher than the bottom of the 49 C.F.R. Part 581 zone.

(f) With respect to the fuel system,

ß (i) loss of flammable liquid;
ß or (ii) fuel filler hose is loose, damaged or excessively extended or retracted;
ß or (iii) fuel tank from aftermarket modifications or a change in original location
makes it more exposed and susceptible to being punctured in a crash;
ß or (iv) the fuel tank/s is loose or not equipped with fasteners, mounts or straps
that are equivalent or greater in strength as original equipment (i.e. diameter,
strength or grade of material).

(g) With respect to lighting equipment,

ß (i) maximum height of headlamps exceeds 54 inches (1,370 mm) when
measured from the ground to the center of the lamp;
ß or (ii) alignment of headlamps do not conform to the specifications of the
Registrar;
ß or (iii) maximum height of tail lamps is more than 72 inches (1,830 mm) when
measured from the ground to the center of the lamp.

(h) With respect to tire/wheel assembly,

ß (i) absence of tire information placard installed by the original equipment
manufacturer;
ß or (ii) mud flaps do not extend across the full width of oversize replacement
tire/wheel assembly;
ß or (iii) aftermarket fender flares do not extend beyond the full width of oversize
replacement tire/wheel assembly;
ß or (iv) loaded static tire diameter of an oversize replacement tire/wheel assembly
exceeds 34 inches (864 mm) when measured horizontally at the wheel hub.

(i) With respect to the steering system,

ß (i) steering wheel is smaller in diameter than the steering wheel installed by
original equipment manufacturer;
ß or (ii) caster, camber, toe-in and toe-out settings do not conform to original
specifications or those recommended by the aftermarket lift kit manufacturer;
ß or (iii) steering components bind, interfere, or come into contact with any part of
the vehicle (except a steering stop) when the steering wheel is turned full right or
full left;
ß or (iv) the complete “full” engagement of threads cannot be observed on bolts
that are used to fasten or connect steering components.

(j) With respect to the suspension system,

ß (i) aftermarket spring shackles are longer than four inches (102 mm);,
ß or (ii) lift blocks were installed on the front axle;
ß or (iii) height of aftermarket spacer blocks on the rear axle exceed 6 inches (152
mm);
ß or (iv) rear spacer block on rear axle is comprised of multiple spacers and not a
single component;
8
ß or (v) original suspension was reconfigured, dismantled or permanently
disconnected or removed and replaced with aftermarket components that are
not equivalent or exceed the strength of original equipment;
ß or (vi) original leaf springs were repositioned from below the axle to above the
axle;
ß or (vii) shock absorbers are leaking oil or could be damaged by the full extension
of the suspension travel;
ß or (viii) bump stops were removed or mounted at a different location than
originally intended;
ß or (ix) a warning label is not attached on the left door jamb or visible within the
occupant compartment to inform drivers that the original suspension has been
modified and may change the handling characteristics of the raised vehicle;
ß or (x) warning label does not contain the following statement: “WARNING – The
suspension of this vehicle has been modified. As a result, this vehicle many
handle differently than that of a factory-equipped vehicle. As with any vehicle,
Extreme Care must be used to prevent loss of control or roll-over during sharp
turns or abrupt maneuvers. Always wear seat belts, and drive safely,
recognizing that reduced speeds and specialized driving techniques may be
required. Failure to drive this vehicle safely may result in serious injury or death.
Do not drive this vehicle unless you are familiar with its unique handling
characteristics and confident of your ability to maintain control under all driving
conditions. Some modifications (and combination of modifications) are not
recommended”;
ß or (xi) suspension travel is restricted or binds;
ß or (xii) suspension components contact other vehicle components;
ß or (xiii) aftermarket materials and fasteners are not equivalent or greater in
quality than original equipment (i.e. diameter, strength, grade of bolt);
ß or (xiv) the complete “full” engagement of threads cannot be observed on bolts that are used to fasten or connect suspension components.

Wind_Danzer
07-16-2007, 08:31 PM
Looks like they just went through the NJ guidelines and said, "that works"!!

shannonmac
07-16-2007, 09:45 PM
or the mass guidelines!
haha!

FrenchChili
07-16-2007, 09:53 PM
sh.t...

GRUNT
07-17-2007, 11:59 PM
Hey Savage, what will this mean for us here in AZ? Will we be grandfathered in? When does this officially take affect?

SavageSun4x4
07-18-2007, 11:06 AM
It appears that what they are trying to do is develop a nation-wide set of regs. I do know there is some talk in congress of establishing 50 state wide regs as it pertains to Drivers Licenses, testing truck/auto. Commercial rigs are state and federally regulated.

Is this good news or bad news???

First its good news if it keeps these guys off the roads: http://128.83.80.200/taco/scarysteering.html

But like many laws, its starts out well meaning and good then as time goes by it degenerates into a bad one...look at gun laws.

We need to watch this closely...

cdhowell
07-18-2007, 11:25 AM
Im sure SEMA will be fighting this!

GRUNT
07-18-2007, 11:37 AM
Hey Don, thank you for the reply! Yes it definitely would have it's pros and cons eh'? I saw your website, nice! I too wrecked my wrangler, an MVA happened before me on a rainy day with no where to go but into a Cutlass Ciera. Totalled the Custlass, bent the "edge" on my bumper... Only in a jeep!

Phx Cobra
07-18-2007, 12:06 PM
Thats a bunch of bull.
Especially the part about having to have a sticker notifying the passenger of modifications.:rolleyes:

GRUNT
07-18-2007, 11:35 PM
This beuracracy makes me wanna "punch someones face on fire!" :{

pellucid602
07-19-2007, 06:16 PM
I think this is good. We dont want the public thinking jeep people dont have concern for the safety of fellow motorists. I say we start patrolling neighborhoods and finding people with unsafe Jeeps and calling them in to law enforcement. We'll call it "Peer Safety Patrol".

Stoy
08-16-2007, 12:55 PM
I think this is good. We dont want the public thinking jeep people dont have concern for the safety of fellow motorists. I say we start patrolling neighborhoods and finding people with unsafe Jeeps and calling them in to law enforcement. We'll call it "Peer Safety Patrol".

you are really batting a thousand with your anti jeep posts. this will most likely be another on of these laws that after a while will be forgotten. That is until you piss off the officer that pulled you over for a broken tail light. Or when the sate/city needs to meet there quota of tickets and fines and they didn't get any in the last month!

KEEP ON JEEP'IN!:cool:

pellucid602
08-17-2007, 11:21 PM
you are really batting a thousand with your anti jeep posts. this will most likely be another on of these laws that after a while will be forgotten. That is until you piss off the officer that pulled you over for a broken tail light. Or when the sate/city needs to meet there quota of tickets and fines and they didn't get any in the last month!

KEEP ON JEEP'IN!:cool:

Maybe you dont understand sarcasm well. I was merely taking one situation and applying it to another situation to highlight the absurdity of it.

Stoy
08-23-2007, 03:08 PM
I would hope you were!

Keith Haw
08-23-2007, 03:45 PM
Well the thing that jumped out at me was it would make SOA illegal.
Keith