Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association

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15/01/2010 - AAAA VEHICLE LIFT PROJECT

Over the past two years the AAAA has been actively lobbying transport regulators for changes to the National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Modification (VSB14) relating to the raising of 4WD vehicles.

AAAA is pushing to allow owner certification of 4WD vehicles where the vehicle has been raised by a suspension upgrade of up to 50mm combined with an increase of up to 50mm in tyre outside diameter.

Regulations presently allow an overall maximum of 50mm of vehicle lift, without owner certification. The total vehicle lift under the AAAA proposal is 75mm.

Comprehensive testing to prove AAAA's position was undertaken in Queensland in May last year.

An independent signatory engineer oversaw the testing, which involved putting five sets of Original Equipment standard and aftermarket modified vehicles through a severe lane change manoeuvring and braking test.

The results of these tests were presented to the Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Working Board in November last year.

This Board is made up of representatives from all State and Federal transport agencies and is the group responsible for administering VSB14.

The following points were emphasised by the AAAA at its presentation:

Testing was 'real world' (representative of vehicles commonly modified in the marketplace)
Vehicles tested were accessorised in a typical manner
Industry believed that further testing would only serve to reinforce current results and was thus unwarranted without further advice from AMVCB Working Board
Vehicles upgraded as tested were commonplace among modified 4WD vehicles and there was no indication of dangerous control situations arising from the upgrade
Testing covered a variety of suspension component brands and tyre brands
Type Testing would be exhaustively expensive to conduct, involve myriad combinations and the results are unlikely to vary greatly from the Interim test results

The Working Board and Industry representatives discussed the test results after AAAA's presentation and considered the comments from Regulators.

While no official regulation changes have been ratified to date, all indications are that:

Further testing is not necessary at this point in time
A broad blanket approval for owner certification to 75mm is unlikely
Most states are leaning toward a 75 lift being allowed uncertified (with conditions)
Progressive discussions will continue toward a workable solution

The Working Board has undertaken to prepare draft papers for Industry consideration and AAAA believes there has been some progress towards a workable outcome.

AAAA understands that each state has responsibility for setting roadworthiness parameters within their boundaries; however, AAAA's position is for nationally consistent compliance requirements to be set.

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