2" lift kits and the legalities

BillycanMitch

Forum Member
Joined
Sep 15, 2009
Messages
3
I am looking at buying a L series. One of the ones i am looking at has a 2" lift kit installed. I have been researching lift kits and the legalities of them. from what i can understand from the VSI 8 document and what Vicroads (our RTA) will say, all suspension modification require an engineers certificate. But on this forum the word is that up to 2in is fine. The only concession that vicroads made was that if the lift kit was an option on the car when it was released then no certificate was needed. I assume that these cars were available from the showroom with a 2in lift kit and therefore they (cars with an after market kit up to 2in) are exempt from requiring an engineers certificate.Or is the lift kit, somehow, not a modification of the suspension? Any further clarification on this would be much appreciated.
I am based in Victoria so i am mostly concerned about Vic rules but I am also interested to hear how other states deal with these types of mods.

Cheers!
Mitch
 
G'day mitch!

I didn't know about the clause of "from factory", nor do I know of an L series that came from the factory with a 2 inch lift kit... Same for any vehicle for that matter.

I've always been told that 2 inch is legal, any higher and its certification required. If you're worried about it get talking to an engineer - they'll put you on the straight and narrow... I'm planning on a 3 inch lift with larger diametre tyres so will be looking at certification from an engineer - namely due to the cops in benders that love canarying cars cos they can.

I'm sure its the same for other states, although NSW has been looking/trying to change their laws on suspension mods - a lift is considered a suspension mod. Just make sure your insurance company will cover you with the lift.

Cheers

Bennie
 
Thanks for the welcome guys.
I have done some more reading of the VSI 8 document. (which can be found here by following the link below). section 5 is about raising and lowering of vehicles.


section 5 (exact wording) "A vehicle may be lowered or raised provided the clearance between a suspension component and its associated bump stop is not altered by more than 1/3 of that specified by the manufacturer. In addition, the original relationship between the front and rear suspension heights must not be unduly affected.
Suspension coil springs must not be shortened by cutting. If lowering blocks are used, they must be manufactured from either steel, aluminium or a metal of equivalent hardness. The vehicle must not be raised by the use of extended or adjustable shackle plates. "

My questions...
could someone please tell me about "clearance between a suspension component and its associated bump stop"?
Also, what are "shackle plates"?

Cheers!
Mitch

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/CC48FC10-4D57-4F04-82E1-3BD72EF88340/0/VSI8.pdf
 
BillycanMitch,

Welcome aboard.

You dont have to worry about shackle plates on a Subie.They dont have any. They are only found on vehicles with leaf springs.

My L-Series haas a two inch lift. To avoid altering the 1/3 bump stop rule, as well as lift block in all the relavent places, my kit also has two inch blocks on the bump stops. Effectivly leaving the rubber bump stops in their original location relative to the suspension arm.

The lift kit only lifts the body, it does not alter the suspension travel.

Some early L-Series had factory adjustable suspension ('85 & '86 dual range 4wd models), but this was only about 25 - 30mm adjustment.

I didnt notify Vicroads of the changes, but had to present a receipt to show it had been 'professionally' installed to cover insurance.


Hope this helps

Beigewagon.
 
okay, so i have been in contact with the Vic 4x4 association, Fred was able to tell me that kits up to 2" are ok and there is not need for an engineers cert. But, he tells me that this may change soon.
 
BillycanMitch,

Another way of keeping up with these changes (and having a say about them), is to think about joining the Victorian Subaru 4x4 Club. This will give you membership to the Vic 4x4 association as well, as meeting another group of Subie nuts. :biggrin:

Would also be good to see another L-Series about.

Beigewagon.
 
Hey guyz . just a question iv got a l series and where abouts in vic would i be able to get a 2inch lift kit and looking for 14inch tires and wheels . thanks
 
Hi guys instead of starting a new thread i thought id jump into this one.

If getting 3" of lift in an outback (2" blocks and lifted king springs) it would need engineering certificate.

Who has the qualification to sign off on this certificate?

Ive been trying to read up on it and im unsure of whether it is just automotive engineers or mechanical as well can do it. And if any of these engineers can.

I'm wondering this because my uncle is a mechanical engineer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top