Lift Laws and other requirements by state
 

After installing my grille guard I read that some states were trying to outlaw them. So I did some looking as to the legality in NYS. Appearantly they tried passing a law a few years ago, but it didn't pass. I also found this link that gives vehicle laws by state. http://www.liftlaws.com/new_york_lift_laws.htm

I linked it to NYS, but you can click around to find other states.

I don't understand why they'd try to outlaw gril guards? Lift laws have been around since before I started driving. Hell GAs lift law states your bumper can only be 2" above or below stock size. But how many cops do you know that's going to carry a tape measure and a book with every trucks stock dimensions? The only thing they really care about here is if your tires are wider than your fenders since that's a legit danger of rocks or other road debris. Now before someone starts the argument of big rigs they are supposed to have mudflaps that are SUPPOSED to be sufficent enough for road debris. I did a lot of research on this stuff in CO when I owned my "almost" street legal rock crawler with open rear wheels. But in CO no one cares really. Anyways sorry for the book but this is stuff I've researched for the places I've lived.

The grille guard issue is claimed to be a safely hazard to the occupant (restricts crumple zones and reduces air bag effectiveness). There was also a claim that they caused more damage to other drivers vehicles and put steel bars higher up potentially causing more bodily injury to other people (drivers and pedestrians). The crossbars over the headlights are said to reduce headlight effectiveness as well.

I'm not inclined to believe these claims myself. Notice how high up bumpers are are on large pick-ups? Can't be any worse for my blazer to have the guard on it compared to these behemoth trucks on the road.

i thought this was kinda funny
in kentucky vehicles have a max size of 96 inchs wide, 11 feet 6 inchs tall, and 26 feet 6 inch long.

that would be one huge mo fo

How did they arrive at those dimentions? Did some one really try to drive something bigger than that???!!!

I just came across some info on a Jeep forum relating to how far tires can extend beyond the flares.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f160/...-state-987621/

Oblcktj6 wrote; I just passed inspection with this, so no there are not any tire coverage laws. The law actually states that only commercial vehicles and trucks, I believe, have to have their tires covered.

Black Bellamy replied; Yes, you're correct. I just got off the phone with the DMV Technical Services Unit 518-474-5282 (#4) and I was told NYS does not have any kind of requirements concerning tire coverage on non-commercial vehicles


So, using the 2wd rims I like WILL NOT be illegal and prevent my truck from being inspectable in April (which was my only concern).

Every state is different on their laws. And 98% of cops don't enforce the stupid laws. And if they outlaw brushguards are they going to outlaw like the road armor bumpers? Because one of those will sure as hell do more damage to another vehicle than the stock bumper.

in PA I believe the bumper doesn't have to be a certain height but the headlights can only be so far from the ground. another thing I figured out was that lift shackles can only be 2" longer than stock, I think add a leafs work better anyway, but then again I have both...

the off road amgazine i subscribe to has been doing a write up the past few months of current different states lift laws..............

this has come up before. i know Australia had made a push to ban grille guards from cities a while back. dont know if it stuck or not...

For Oregon our only laws regarding lift is nothing taller than 14" at it's highest point, and head lights may not be more than 54" off the ground. Thats it. no drop hitches, no mud flaps, nothin'... just like God intended for lift. :icon_teeth:

heres a write up (down and dirty) on most states <-- not set in stone, but there it is.