n1ywb
September 21st, 2008, 12:29
I'm attempting to move with my Jeep from California to Vermont. I was reading the Vermont Inspection Manual and it gives some pretty lame limits on bumper height. :banghead: I don't know if an XJ even passes this stock!
So it looks like the lifted XJ is considered an "MPV" although with it's low GVWR it only qualifies for a 24" front and 26" rear bumper clearance. Although the rules are kinda vague, maybe it falls into the "Four wheel drive" category with 28"/31" clearances? Maybe it's possible to register it as a truck?
Has anybody in VT successfully inspected a lifted XJ over these limits? Has anybody been able to register it as a truck, thus qualifying for the slightly less ridiculous limits?
Heres the text of the law:
BUMPERS
1. Every motor vehicle registered in this state and operated upon the public streets or highways
shall be equipped with front and rear bumpers if such vehicle was equipped with such
bumpers as standard equipment except that bumpers shall be optional on street rods as
defined on Page 10.2.
2. Bumpers must extend no less than the width of their respective wheel track distances. The
horizontal bumper or customized bumper or grill bar structure shall be at least four and one-
half inches (4½”) in vertical height, centered on the vehicle's centerline and attached to the
vehicle frame to effectively transfer impact when engaged.
3. It shall be unlawful to operate any passenger car, truck or multipurpose passenger vehicle
(MPV) with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less on any public street or
highway of this state if such motor vehicle has a bumper or body floor height greater than
that specified in (b) and (c) below.
a. The maximum bumper height is as follows:
VEHICLE CLASS HEIGHT
Front Bumper Rear Bumper
Passenger Cars 22” 22”
Trucks and MPV's
4,500 lbs. and under (GVWR) 24” 26”
4,501 – 7,500 pounds (GVWR) 27” 29”
7,501 – 10,000 pounds (GVWR) 28” 30”
Four-wheel drive and dual wheel trucks 28” 31”
CAR 10.6
b. When measured as specified below in (c)(i) and (c)(v), the difference in height between
the body floor and the top of the frame shall not exceed four inches (4”).
c. The following definitions govern the construction of this Section:
"Body floor height" means the vertical distance between the ground and the top of
passenger compartment (cab) floor, measured directly below the center of the steering
wheel.
"Bumper height" means the vertical distance between the ground and the highest
point of the bottom of the bumper, measured on a level surface with the vehicle tires
inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure. For any vehicle with bumpers
or attaching components which have been modified or altered from the original
manufacturer's design in order to conform with the maximum bumper requirements of
this Section, the bumper height shall be measured from a level surface to the bottom
of the vehicle frame rail at the most forward and rearward points of the frame rail.
"Frame" means the main longitudinal structural members of the chassis of the vehicle
or, for vehicles with unitized body construction, the lowest main longitudinal
structural members of the body of the vehicle.
"GVWR" means the manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating whether or not the
vehicle is modified by use of parts not originally installed by the manufacturer.
Height of the "top of the frame" means the vertical distance between the ground and
the top of the frame, measured directly below the center of the steering wheel.
"Multipurpose passenger vehicle (MPV)" means a motor vehicle with motive power,
except a trailer, designed to carry ten (10) persons or fewer which is constructed
either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation.
"Passenger car" means a motor vehicle with motive power; except a multipurpose
passenger vehicle, motorcycle or trailer designed for carrying ten (10) persons or
fewer.
"Truck" means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a trailer designed primarily
for the transportation of property or special purpose equipment.
So it looks like the lifted XJ is considered an "MPV" although with it's low GVWR it only qualifies for a 24" front and 26" rear bumper clearance. Although the rules are kinda vague, maybe it falls into the "Four wheel drive" category with 28"/31" clearances? Maybe it's possible to register it as a truck?
Has anybody in VT successfully inspected a lifted XJ over these limits? Has anybody been able to register it as a truck, thus qualifying for the slightly less ridiculous limits?
Heres the text of the law:
BUMPERS
1. Every motor vehicle registered in this state and operated upon the public streets or highways
shall be equipped with front and rear bumpers if such vehicle was equipped with such
bumpers as standard equipment except that bumpers shall be optional on street rods as
defined on Page 10.2.
2. Bumpers must extend no less than the width of their respective wheel track distances. The
horizontal bumper or customized bumper or grill bar structure shall be at least four and one-
half inches (4½”) in vertical height, centered on the vehicle's centerline and attached to the
vehicle frame to effectively transfer impact when engaged.
3. It shall be unlawful to operate any passenger car, truck or multipurpose passenger vehicle
(MPV) with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less on any public street or
highway of this state if such motor vehicle has a bumper or body floor height greater than
that specified in (b) and (c) below.
a. The maximum bumper height is as follows:
VEHICLE CLASS HEIGHT
Front Bumper Rear Bumper
Passenger Cars 22” 22”
Trucks and MPV's
4,500 lbs. and under (GVWR) 24” 26”
4,501 – 7,500 pounds (GVWR) 27” 29”
7,501 – 10,000 pounds (GVWR) 28” 30”
Four-wheel drive and dual wheel trucks 28” 31”
CAR 10.6
b. When measured as specified below in (c)(i) and (c)(v), the difference in height between
the body floor and the top of the frame shall not exceed four inches (4”).
c. The following definitions govern the construction of this Section:
"Body floor height" means the vertical distance between the ground and the top of
passenger compartment (cab) floor, measured directly below the center of the steering
wheel.
"Bumper height" means the vertical distance between the ground and the highest
point of the bottom of the bumper, measured on a level surface with the vehicle tires
inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure. For any vehicle with bumpers
or attaching components which have been modified or altered from the original
manufacturer's design in order to conform with the maximum bumper requirements of
this Section, the bumper height shall be measured from a level surface to the bottom
of the vehicle frame rail at the most forward and rearward points of the frame rail.
"Frame" means the main longitudinal structural members of the chassis of the vehicle
or, for vehicles with unitized body construction, the lowest main longitudinal
structural members of the body of the vehicle.
"GVWR" means the manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating whether or not the
vehicle is modified by use of parts not originally installed by the manufacturer.
Height of the "top of the frame" means the vertical distance between the ground and
the top of the frame, measured directly below the center of the steering wheel.
"Multipurpose passenger vehicle (MPV)" means a motor vehicle with motive power,
except a trailer, designed to carry ten (10) persons or fewer which is constructed
either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation.
"Passenger car" means a motor vehicle with motive power; except a multipurpose
passenger vehicle, motorcycle or trailer designed for carrying ten (10) persons or
fewer.
"Truck" means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a trailer designed primarily
for the transportation of property or special purpose equipment.