Laws and Lift in Virginia

[MUD RIDE]

I am about ready to raise my truck up a few more notches but after
doing some research I notice there might be some problems. I am
wondering if any of you have done any checking on this or have been
"educated". Check out:

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+reg+19VAC30-70-110

"Reject and Inspect for:"

And the Item B. 2. where is says: "2. The front end suspension has
been modified by the use of lift blocks (a lift block is defined as
any solid piece of wood, metal, or other material placed between and
separating the vehicle's front axle and the springs). This does not
prohibit the use of shims that may be necessary to correct front end
alignment."

I did find the bumper height area but the above seems to be clear about spacers.

Thoughts anyone?
Thanks,
Dave

 

[Snwbord24]

Don't use spacers then, just get new springs. There are plenty of springs out there that will give you the desired lift without spacers.

 

[abrooks]

My last inspection (in Arlington) involved the inspector saying "I can't fail a truck that's actually used for it's intended purpose" (it was quite muddy). He didn't check the brakes, much less the suspension arrangement, didn't notice the lift, the tires sticking past the body, the non-dot lights, etc. Just find an understanding shop and be done with it.

 

[David Kronenfeld]

Uh, Mud Ride has a pretty tall lift already, don't know if they make springs that big for Rovers... btw- you ever get the rubbing problems fixed on the rear wheel wells or will that be corrected with the lift?

 

[syoung]

The vast majority of the people who have actually performed inspections on my vehicles would not be able to read, let alone understand, the instructions.
Looks as if spacers aren't kosher in VA. The spacers can be concealed by painting them to match the metal spring plate. If they don't know Rovers really well, it will blend in and not look like a lifting spacer at all. On my DII, you can't even see a 1" spacer under the bottom spring plate.

 

[rovercanus]

It doesn't say you can't place them between the spring and body. You'ld have to do some kind of retainer.

 

[JBailey]

I think that was intended to keep spacers out from under front leaf springs years ago. Most shops will never notice the spacer under the coils.

 

[flippedrover]

I've had 1" spacers under the front springs on my Ranger for 10 years and never have had an issue.

 

[bigred]

You shouldn't need much lift.. How much rubbing could you possibly have with those little 37's? I will give you props though.. Wouldn't occur to me to bother checking out the legality of a lift until after I got a ticket for it!

 

[MUD RIDE]

;-)~

Thanks for all the comments......all valid. The problem which caused me to look in the first place is that these local morons where I have had the truck inspected fail me for other stuff that doesn't seem right. Example one idiot told me that I can have lights on top but that they can't be connected. Rocket science at its best. Of course the rules say as long as they are off and covered...they are ok. I don't have time to argue or patience for that matter, so I just crawl out of there with my failed sticker and usually end up taking it back down to Richmond Rover where I bought it. My truck is drawing more attention from the local law as well. I've had shops not even run the gammit of the list because they were afraid to venture into the unknown.....quick pass!

Anyway, Murphy's Law seems to follow me so I just want to avoid any hassle.

I'm adding 2" spacers to a 3" lift and will likely consider getting 5 inch springs along with corrected angle radius arms and trailing links to do it right. As Red said, I am running 37's and they have been awesome so I am basically building my rig around tires;-) I have already broken and replaced all the axles and CV's with Heavy Duty stuff.

What a sickness!

 

[MUD RIDE]

ps.... the tires do rub which is one of the reasons I am lifting again.

 

[mr_ed]

Cripes!!! Sounds like I better go ahead and liscence my Landie in Idaho (my home of record.)

 

[Mantaray]

the tires sticking past the bodyit.

the tires can stick out up to 4" outside the fender or flare in Virginia.