Lifted trucks and Utah laws?

[bfr57]

Might be moving to Utah and curious as to their laws on lifted trucks. What's the scoop in Utah?

[truckster]

Here's the law from the 2007 inspection manual:

PLT Safety Inspection Manual January 1, 2007 30
ALTERED VEHICLES - Continued
C. RAISING VEHICLES
1. Check the braking and steering system components.
a. REJECT when:
1) Braking or steering systems have been altered, modified,
disconnected or changed in any manner that may impair
the safe operation of the vehicle.
2. Check vehicle lift. (Utah Lift Law UCA 41-6a-1631)
a. REJECT when:
1) Frame height is greater than 24 inches on a vehicle with a
GVWR less than 4,500 lbs.
2) Frame height is greater than 26 inches on a vehicle with a
GVWR of 4,500 lbs. and less than 7,500 lbs.
3) Frame height is greater than 28 inches on a vehicle with a
GVWR of 7,500 lbs. or more.
*NOTE: Vehicle must be on a flat surface and unladened for all
measurements. Frame height measurement is from the ground to
the bottom of the frame and should be taken on the left side of the
vehicle under the driver’s seat. If the door certification plate has
been removed, the vehicle shall be considered to be 4,500 lbs.
3. Check the body lift above the frame. (Title 41-6a-1631 UCA)
a. REJECT when:
1) Lowest part of body floor is raised more than 3” above top
of frame.
4. Check vehicle for front and rear axle blocks. (UCA 41-6a-1630)
a. REJECT when:
1) Axle blocks have been added to the front axle.
2) There are stacked blocks on the rear axle. The stacking of
axle blocks is prohibited. (UCA 41-6a-1631(g))
3) There are stacked frames.

PLT Safety Inspection Manual January 1, 2007 31
ALTERED VEHICLES - Continued
5. Check vehicle wheel track. (UCA 41-6a-1631)
a. REJECT when:
1) Tire tread protrudes beyond the original fender or fender
extenders.
*NOTE: Fender flares or fender extenders are required to cover both front
and rear tires when wheel track extends beyond the vehicle body.
2) Spacers are used to increase wheel track width.
*NOTE: Custom wheel adapters are not spacers.
6. Check for mud flaps when vehicle has been altered. Mud flaps are
required on the rear wheels of all vehicles that are altered from their
original OEM specifications. This includes the addition of larger tires and
suspension lift kits. (UCA 41-6a-1633)
a. REJECT when:
1) Fenders do not cover the top 50% of the tire
2) Mud flaps are not present when required.
3) Rear mud flaps are not as wide as the tire.
*NOTE: From the rear, mud flaps must hang down to the center of the axle.
7. Check for headlamp height
a. REJECT when:
1) Headlamp exceeds 54 inches in height measured from the
ground to the center of the low beam.

[Mudder]

http://www.roughcountry.com/lift_laws.html

[special-K]

That one always gets me:Fenders must cover 50% of the top of the tire(or 180deg.).They tryed to get me on that 25 years ago(before lift laws).I went to court and showed them pictures of new cars and trucks on dealer`s lots that don`t cover 1/2 the tire on the rear.A 2wd 1/2t doesn`t even come close.Plus,it`s a truck.The suspension is set up for payload with squatting taken into account.
When they first started lift laws,cops were pulling out their yard sticks on my`71 Blazer.I`d lean out the window and tell them what the measurement was,"Close but legal."(1/4" under)

[bfr57]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like they've taken all the fun out of lifting 4x4s!!!

[truckster]

Originally Posted by bfr57

Thanks for the info. Sounds like they've taken all the fun out of lifting 4x4s!!!

It's really not bad. The vehicle inspectors don't give you too much grief if you're truck is tight and nothing looks dangerous. Utah is full of lifted trucks, including my "brand new" 72 Blazer.

[bfr57]

When you say "Inspection", does that mean an annual one or just when you register for the first time? Do you have emmission tests in UT?

[truckster]

Originally Posted by bfr57

When you say "Inspection", does that mean an annual one or just when you register for the first time? Do you have emmission tests in UT?

Safety inspection. All vehicles over eight years old require an annual safety inspection. Vehicles registered in Davis, Salt Lake, Weber, and Utah counties that are over six years old (starting with 1967 MY) require an annual emissions test.

[bfr57]

On emmissions, how far do they go back? I've also got a 57 Chevy hotrod that probably won't pass...

[special-K]

Most of those guidelines Are good common sense.It`s just the pidley bs like mudflaps that yanks me.If politicians drove lifted trucks,there would be no lift laws.

[cobinder]

In Colorado they require the truck pass the standards that were on the truck when it was built. So if your 57 had no smog crap then, it won't need it now. Also if you put a 80 or 90's chassis on your old ride you use the year of the body (in this case 57) and all the smog equipment does not need to function. I think most states are like this, except maybe Calif.

good luck with your truck!

[truckster]

Originally Posted by bfr57

On emmissions, how far do they go back? I've also got a 57 Chevy hotrod that probably won't pass...

Emissions only go back to 67. Pre-67 vehicles are exempt.