[JCB]

Just want to see if anyone could shed some light on legal ride heights etc for QLD. I have done some research but QLD transport is extremely vague... I'm mostly concerned for insurance purposes.

If anyone has some helpful knowledge in this area I would be most appreciated.

Cheers!

[Bugsta]

Have a look on the tmr website. They have a pdf with all the modification rules.

[just_cruizin]

They are about to adopt the NCOP however I think the max will still be a total of 100mm. Spring body and tyres

[Mattmorgo]

just_cruizin wrote:

They are about to adopt the NCOP however I think the max will still be a total of 100mm. Spring body and tyres

greg do you know much about this NCOP. ie if your car has 50mm suspension and 50mm body lift then you cant also have your 15mm larger tires aswell? Or has that always been the case and Ive misunderstood it

[atari4x4]

leave it stock if you don't want any problems

[JCB]

atari4x4 wrote:

leave it stock if you don't want any problems

Never!!!

[just_cruizin]

Mattmorgo wrote:

just_cruizin wrote:

They are about to adopt the NCOP however I think the max will still be a total of 100mm. Spring body and tyres

greg do you know much about this NCOP. ie if your car has 50mm suspension and 50mm body lift then you cant also have your 15mm larger tires aswell? Or has that always been the case and Ive misunderstood it

Current rules are as you say, new rules are 100 overall though you will be able to use bigger tyres

[JCB]

Interesting. So pretty much you would be fine with a 50mm spring lift and a 50mm body lift. When are these new changes coming into action?

[just_cruizin]

Good question

[JCB]

Lots of reading I know... But informative.

Thank you for your enquiry to the Department of Transport and Main Roads (the department) regarding the raising of suspension on a light motor vehicle. I provide this response on behalf of the department.

As you correctly indicated, the brochure 'All about modifications to motor vehicles' outlines the requirements when lifting and lowering a vehicles suspension, however for further clarification, please refer to the below:

The department permits the raising of a vehicle's suspension provided it meets the following requirements.


When a vehicle's suspension is raised to increase the ground clearance, a number of components can be affected. Consideration of components such as drive shaft angles, C.V shaft angles, control arm angles, drag link angles, panhard rods, and so on need to be considered when performing the modification.

Raising a vehicle's suspension has the ability to reduce its road handling characteristics due to factors such as increased centre of gravity, degradation of braking performance and increased body roll. As such, the department's policy limits the amount a vehicle's suspension can be raised.

As suspension types and specifications change with each make and model, the department does not specify a specific amount vehicles can be raised (for example, 50mm). Alternatively, the department stipulates a vehicle's rebound travel must not be reduced by more than one third of its original measurement. It is also important to remember that other factors, such as the ones listed above may restrict the amount a vehicle's suspension can be raised.

In cases where reducing the rebound travel by one third is limited by other suspension components, these components are to be taken as the limiting factor. The vehicle must not be raised beyond this point as it may dramatically reduce the vehicle's safety.


Measuring Rebound Travel

Vehicle manufacturers utilise a number of different suspension types on their vehicles. The following section will assist the modifier in measuring rebound travel on different suspension types. A vehicle's rebound travel is measured between the rubber rebound stop and the corresponding metal stop (or the extension of the shock absorber for vehicles where no external rebound stops are originally fitted by the vehicle's manufactures and the shock absorbers limit rebound travel). When raising a vehicle this rebound travel may be reduced by no more than one third of its original travel.


Figure 1
Suspension fitted with an external rebound stop.


In Figure 1, point A refers to the rubber rebound stop and point B to the corresponding metal stop. The distance between point A and point B is the rebound travel and must not be reduced by more than one third of the original distance.

For example, if the distance between point A and point B measured 150mm before modification, the distance could be reduced up to 50mm maximum. This would in turn, raise the vehicle proportionately.







Figure 2
Suspension with rebound stops built into shock absorbers.



Figure 3
Suspension with rebound stops built into shock absorbers.


When external rebound stops are not originally fitted by the vehicle's manufactures and the shock absorbers limit rebound travel (see Figure 2 and Figure 3), measure the distance between the top and bottom of the shock absorber (for example, top and bottom spring seats on shock absorber, or between top and bottom shock absorber mounts) when the vehicle is standing on a level surface. Then lift the vehicle and allow the suspension to achieve full droop, measure the suspension from the same points as previous. The difference between these two measurements represents the rebound travel of the suspension.

For example, a vehicle measures 450mm between the top and bottom of the shock absorber when the vehicle is standing on a level surface, and 600mm at the same points with the vehicle lifted and the suspension at full droop. This gives a rebound travel of 150mm, which can be reduced by no more than one third.

600mm – 450mm = 150mm
150 ÷ 3 = 50mm

Therefore the vehicles rebound travel maybe reduced by 50mm, which would in turn, raise the vehicle proportionately.

Important Factors

When measuring rebound travel all measurements must be taken with the vehicle in an unladen condition and fitted with all the original vehicle manufacturers' suspension components.

Once the modification has been performed measurements should again be carried out too ensure the rebound travel has been reduced by no more than one third of the original measurement.

Headlights should be checked to ensure they are aimed correctly.

Ensure all components continue to operate safely and in their intended manner.

The normal relationship between the front and rear suspension heights must not be unduly affected.

Replacement springs must have the same or greater load carrying capacity as the original springs.

Leaf spring suspension must not be raised through the use of extended shackles, adjustable metal plates or by placing the leaf springs to the opposite side of the axle.

Coil spring suspension must not be raised through the use of coil spacer plates.

Airbag or air pressurised shock absorber helper springs may be fitted in addition to the original suspension. However, replacing some or all of the suspension system with an air or hydraulic suspension components requires specific approval.

The fitting of suspension components other than springs which alter the suspension geometry of the vehicle such as panhard drop kits, differential housing drop kits, modified control arms, etc must have prior approval by the department or specific approval for the modification must be made to the department.

Please Note

Modifying a vehicle that adversely affects its safety, or driving or parking an unsafe vehicle on a road, are breaches of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management - Vehicle Standards and Safety) Regulation 2010.

I trust this provides you with the information your require. Should you need further assistance, please contact the Modifications HelpDesk on 3114 5844 (Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm [from 9:30am on Wednesdays]).

Kind regards,


----- ----- (blanked to keep legal)
A/Advisor (Vehicle Standards & Regulation) | Road System Operations
Road Safety & System Management Division | Department of Transport and Main Roads

[Teracis]

So unless I've read that arse about we should have a lot more options provided we are not losing droop?

[sideways]

They're gonna have a shit of a time enforcing that.

[tanshi]

thats the current rules!

[DarkHorse]

That seems a bit retarded...

[Teracis]

I read it again, I think I understand what they are saying, however aren't they forgetting that we can still lift the zooks but keep the droop or "rebound". Isn't that the whole point of a RUF.
Or have I completely missed something? I understand it's not going to work the same for everything but it looks like it would be good for a sierra?

Then there's the thread in chat that says we can go 75mm, 25 from tyres and 50 from springs. Be interesting to find out if that's actually true.

[DarkHorse]

the department does not specify a specific amount vehicles can be raised

That's how I read it - weirdly seems you can lift it to the sky, as long it still has at least 2/3 of the down travel - I guess it just mandates that you fit longer travel shocks as well as just spring lifts.

[tanshi]

limited to 150mm total lift with certification

[DarkHorse]

Not according to the DoT email, but that seems to be the limit, yes.

Shitting me that this is still so complicated, so many grey areas, and still a long way from nationally uniform.

[tanshi]

the NCOP docs are the way to go. they make alot of sence

[KEENSY85]

So yes or no can u have 2'' spring lift + 2inch body lift and +13mm tyres.? I
Please don't make me read it again

[got_bar_work]

I think it works the other way as well so watch out when u fit bump stop extensions

[KEENSY85]

? We're u responding to my last post