Thread: Legal body and wheel modifications

This link appears to modify contradict my earlier understanding a little

Frequently asked questions—vehicle standards and modifications (Department of Transport and Main Roads)

From this I understand that a 50mm lift and 31" tyres is legal, but I understand that 31" tyres can fit without a lift.

This is probably a bit of UK based view on this but I'd just not bother with a body lift on something like the D2. The amount of stuff it interferes with is not worth the bother for the insignificant use of it.

I'd focus on a good suspension lift, and that can focus on both droop and compression, you want articulation in both directions. To get really good compression you may start to have to modify things like bonnets and boots (i.e. need the top of the suspension to come up higher than it presently does).

The big tyres are just a matter of loving time with the sawsall or angle grinder on the body work. I reckon if you are going that big that you are going to be happy with a weird body alignment of a body lift, then you'd be OK with large flexi flares and an oversized wheel arch.

Not sure what size tyres you'd have to go to that it becomes serious, the rear camel cut is common to sort out rear rubbing and a bull bar gives enough clearance on the front as well. I'm guess 33" at least to need more body mods.

As to how legal this all is, no idea, SA is a more relaxed state on this, I guess other states you'd be looking at this engineering nonsense (you know, unless he whips out a calculator and does some kind of physics and finite analysis of your mods to determine a new CofG, torque on your discs etc then it's not engineering? It's just testing and wet fingered guessing based on a guy who probably struggles to deal with y=mx+c let along actual required weld strength and resultant load analysis). sorry that might have strayed into a bit of rant.

Im running 32" tyres with only a suspension lift no other mods with no issues
Dont ask what springs i run as it is a hash of accumulated springs from previous RRC`S and D1`S But i am running terra firma +2" shocks so id say 2" lift and it is not a cafe latte Ride

Maybe I wasnt too clear, Ive got a pretty good idea on what setups people run with and the many arguments for and against them, but thats not what im asking.

1 is my understanding of the laws correct?
2 were you aware your setups are considered illegal?
3 do you care?
4 did you get your setup certified?
5 how did you go about getting it certified, and what does it cost?
6 anyone had any law or insurance issues with an illegal setup?
7 what about road worthyness certs?

It totally depends on what State you are in.

In Victoria you are only allowed a SUSPENSION LIFT of max 50mm, an additional 25mm TIRE lift is allowed for a MAX TOTAL LIFT OF 75mm. Essentially this means 2" suspension lift and 2" max larger diameter tire. This is covered in Section 13.3 of the bellow link.

A BODY LIFT is considered a body modification and is not legal. In Vic the only body modifications allowed are essentially wheel arch extensions, bonnet scoops and bonnet pins.

I hope that clarifies things for you.

Link to Vic Roads modification guide. 13.3 covers suspension modification specific to 4WD's in Vic.

http://file:///C:/Users/Shane/Downlo...orvehicles.pdf

For a better understanding of lifting a D2 n relation to engineering best you visit and or call Les Richmond Automotive
Les Richmond Automotive

I would endorse what Jazzman has said, including a visit to Kes Richmond if you want to go further and have it engineered.

I'm running 31 inch Falkens on Bilstein extended travel shocks on stock heavy duty terrafirma springs at standard height.

I put my effort into increased angles and ramp over through bar work. Stock height adequate for 99% of the track work I do.

the confusion results from each state having different laws.

Originally Posted by Eevo

the confusion results from each state having different laws.

The ADRs are "Australian Design Rules".
The VSIs are national too. VSBs as well.

The problems occur when the person in authority enforces decisions based on their own uninformed personal opinion (as opposed to informed professional opinion). For example, that now famous vehicle inspector at Regency Park who wanted the Perentie owner to remove the brush bar because, in her opinion, it "looked aggressive".

The height for lift and tyre sizes are in legislation somewhere. It's just a matter of finding that legislation.

Road rules, now that is a different matter. Personally, I find it a miracle we're all driving on the same side of the road.