Author Topic: '85 Sr5 - How to pass Pa Inspection - Lift Law (Read 12611 times)

short_throw · « **on:** Sep 12, 2005, 06:56:42 PM »

I have an '85 SR5 that currently sits at 30" from the bottom of the tube bumper to the ground. The new lift law states it must be 24". Does anyone have any ideas how I can modify the front bumper to pass? Obviously dropping the bumper 6" is not an option. I tried stock tires, but still not low enough. Any help would be appreciated.

Here is the new law;
(8) Check the bumpers and reject if one or more of the following apply:

(i) The bumper, if required as original equipment, is not on the vehicle.

(ii) The bumpers are not firmly attached to the frame or chassis.

(iii) Some part of the main horizontal bumper bar, exclusive of bumper guards, on passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles and light trucks does not fall within 16 inches aboveground level or exceeds the following limits:

Maximum Height

Vehicle Class Front Bumper (or Frame
Rear Bumper (or Frame

if any of the conditions in
if any of the conditions in

subparagraph (iv) apply) subparagraph (iv) apply)
Passenger cars 22 inches 22 inches
Trucks and multipurpose passenger
Vehicles
5,000 lbs. or less GVWR 24 inches 26 inches
5,001 lbs.—7,000 lbs. GVWR 27 inches 29 inches
7,001 lbs.—9,000 lbs. GVWR 28 inches 30 inches
9,001 lbs.—11,000 lbs. GVWR 30 inches 30 inches

(iv) The front and rear height measurements shall be made to the bottom edge of the foremost portion of the frame rail, or to the original mounting brackets, whichever is lower, if one of the following apply:

(A) The bumper height, relative to the frame rail, has been altered.

(B) The vehicle was not originally equipped with a front or rear bumper.

(C) A supplemental bumper has been added.

(D) The manufacturer’s specified bumper has been replaced with a bumper not identical to the manufacturer’s specified bumper.

musclesliver · « **Reply #1 on:** Sep 12, 2005, 07:01:59 PM »

how do the cops even see those tiny little inspection stickers anyway???

Duffil · « **Reply #2 on:** Sep 12, 2005, 07:07:23 PM »

if the frame is lower than the bumper, that is what they measure, according to what you posted:

(iv) The front and rear height measurements shall be made to the bottom edge of the foremost portion of the frame rail, or to the original mounting brackets, whichever is lower, if one of the following apply:
(D) The manufacturer’s specified bumper has been replaced with a bumper not identical to the manufacturer’s specified bumper.

this being stated, what is your frame height from the ground to the lowest point?

Plowking · « **Reply #3 on:** Sep 13, 2005, 04:53:03 PM »

Got to love PA I had a hell of a time getting mine inspected, in the past. Where in pa are you? I know a guy that will look the other way so to speak, cost = case of beer in back of truck when you drop it off , he is outside lancaster.

BigMike · « **Reply #4 on:** Sep 13, 2005, 04:57:55 PM »

Wow, that's one seriously $That\'s Gay$ law. I am also courious what the height of your stock bumper would be, because I bet that smitty built isn't much higher

Duffil · « **Reply #5 on:** Sep 13, 2005, 06:53:56 PM »

Cali has laws too Big Mike, here for our vehicles(up to 4500 gvwr) the frame can be no more than 27 inches, headlights can be no more than 54 inches from earth, 72 inches for taillights. Oh, and not more than 14ft overall height.

sorry for the jack...

MiniSimp · « **Reply #6 on:** Sep 13, 2005, 06:59:24 PM »

Quote from: Duffil on Sep 13, 2005, 06:53:56 PM

(up to 4500 gvwr) the frame can be no more than 27 inches, headlights can be no more than 54 inches from earth, 72 inches for taillights. Oh, and not more than 14ft overall height.

If your truck is that high, you'll probably have problems rock crawling anyways...must just apply to mud boggers or something...

Hyena · « **Reply #7 on:** Sep 13, 2005, 07:19:09 PM »

Make a removable second bumper out of a piece of tube. It doesn't have to be nice looking. But as long as it is lower then the limit it should work. You could bolt it to the original bumper bolts on the front crossmember, not the body mount bolts. So then it would be easier to remove.

musclesliver · « **Reply #8 on:** Sep 13, 2005, 08:52:17 PM »

Quote from: Hyena on Sep 13, 2005, 07:19:09 PM

Make a removable second bumper out of a piece of tube. It doesn't have to be nice looking. But as long as it is lower then the limit it should work. You could bolt it to the original bumper bolts on the front crossmember, not the body mount bolts. So then it would be easier to remove.

then they measure from frame

musclesliver · « **Reply #9 on:** Sep 13, 2005, 08:55:35 PM »

Quote from: Hyena on Sep 13, 2005, 07:19:09 PM

Make a removable second bumper out of a piece of tube. It doesn't have to be nice looking. But as long as it is lower then the limit it should work. You could bolt it to the original bumper bolts on the front crossmember, not the body mount bolts. So then it would be easier to remove.

then they measure from frame and can't get around it that way

short_throw · « **Reply #10 on:** Sep 14, 2005, 06:10:19 AM »

plowking: I am across the river just outside of Windsor, Pa. I would like to offer a case of beer to that guy. The previous two years, never had an issue with the lift. I guess PA don't mind screwing it's taxpayers over how ever they can.

musclesliver ; Duffil ; BigMike ; MiniSimp ; Hyena ; plowking: I appreciate your feedback and I will try any suggestions I can to get this thing legal for the winter.

Duffil: "this being stated, what is your frame height from the ground to the lowest point?" I am having trouble catching my truck sitting - my son is borrowing it until he replaces his Jeep he rolled a few weeks ago. I see the truck sometimes, but by the time I go outside he's on his way again.

Thanks for all the replies, I really enjoy these forums already and I am still a newbie.

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #11 on:** Sep 14, 2005, 07:01:31 AM »

man shortthrow, that truck doesnt look that high

just drop the bumper a tad, maybe by adding a 3rd tube that should do the trick, just bring it closer to the frame so it doesnt effect your aproach angle

germ · « **Reply #12 on:** Sep 14, 2005, 02:09:36 PM »

I like Heyna's idea. As i read it, it stated "whichever is lower", so if you make a cheepo bumper that satisfies the letter of the law, and mount it so it meets the requirements, I would think your golden. Just swap out the bumper after the inspection, and fly them the bird as you drive away. Besides, you'll have the "right" bumper for the next time they want to inspect it.

If some cop want's to be a turd, he could probably measure it, but few cops that I've ever seen/know are so desperate to write a ticket that they'll actually do it, unless you piss 'em off first, then they look for anything to get you on.

Erik

short_throw · « **Reply #13 on:** Sep 14, 2005, 02:16:16 PM »

Quote from: Duffil on Sep 12, 2005, 07:07:23 PM

if the frame is lower than the bumper, that is what they measure, according to what you posted:

(iv) The front and rear height measurements shall be made to the bottom edge of the foremost portion of the frame rail, or to the original mounting brackets, whichever is lower, if one of the following apply:
(D) The manufacturer’s specified bumper has been replaced with a bumper not identical to the manufacturer’s specified bumper.

this being stated, what is your frame height from the ground to the lowest point?

Bottom of frame is 26" - Bumper is at 30"

Duffil · « **Reply #14 on:** Sep 14, 2005, 04:02:11 PM »

looks like you're right on the line, then...

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #15 on:** Sep 14, 2005, 04:31:23 PM »

hey i had a brainstorm,

oh shut up brainlessfool

anyway, just let some air out of the tires

BigMike · « **Reply #16 on:** Sep 14, 2005, 04:53:25 PM »

He already put on stock tires and it didnt make much of a difference.

IDIOT GOSH!

Rocksurfer · « **Reply #17 on:** Sep 14, 2005, 05:23:36 PM »

Do you have extended shackles? If you do just replace them with stockers put some low-profile tires on the stock rims. It may look stupid with itty-bitty tires but may bring you down to where you need to be. Then if a smart ass inspector tries to give you any crap, just tell them yeah it is set up for bigger tires, and I put them on when I hit the trail other than that I run these goofy tires to be in compliance.

kyle_22r · « **Reply #18 on:** Sep 18, 2005, 04:54:14 PM »

toyota 4x4 pickups are all rated over 5000GVW, fyi...

Rocksurfer · « **Reply #19 on:** Sep 18, 2005, 05:46:40 PM »

Quote from: kyle_22r on Sep 18, 2005, 04:54:14 PM

toyota 4x4 pickups are all rated over 5000GVW, fyi...

Hmm, never looked at my tag. If you are correct that would change things by quite a few inches

Duffil · « **Reply #20 on:** Sep 18, 2005, 06:01:14 PM »

Quote from: kyle_22r on Sep 18, 2005, 04:54:14 PM

toyota 4x4 pickups are all rated over 5000GVW, fyi...

My april 84 SR5 single cab door tag says GVWR is 4800 lbs.

Rocksurfer · « **Reply #21 on:** Sep 18, 2005, 06:07:15 PM »

Well that would lower things again.

musclesliver · « **Reply #22 on:** Sep 18, 2005, 06:59:56 PM »

change the gvwr to 5000

seanc · « **Reply #23 on:** Sep 18, 2005, 09:08:33 PM »

winch down suspension...

kyle_22r · « **Reply #24 on:** Sep 18, 2005, 09:12:33 PM »

Quote from: Duffil on Sep 18, 2005, 06:01:14 PM

My april 84 SR5 single cab door tag says GVWR is 4800 lbs.

that's wierd, both my '91 shortbed and my '79 longbed are somewhere around 5300lbs if i'm not mistaken.

Plowking · « **Reply #25 on:** Sep 23, 2005, 07:53:32 PM »

The commonwealh registers our toys weight class #1 @ 5000 which we are privlidged to carry. Actual GVW at least on mine is 5150 in our state we are allowed to carry (GVW) 5000

Another thing to consider is going up a weight class 3/4 ton, (Toyota made a 3/4 ton 4x4 truck) That would legally get it done. you would have to retitle the truck. And go through the state police inspection, Upgrade brakes, suspension, and pay more to register your toy annually.

On the othe hand a stock set of treads and rims might be cheaper, to swap on, annually for the asswipe mechanic.

94toytruck · « **Reply #26 on:** Sep 24, 2005, 06:52:48 PM »

1. Jeremiah-Pa looks at the color of the sticker for the most part.They change every year. The sticker is still small though.

2. You can do whatever you want with the bumper they still measure from the frame. Unless you find somewhere that doesnt care or take the time to check it.

3. Cops in PA. are either cool as heck or well not...

4. Sure you can retitle the vehicle as a 3/4 ton and it would still fail cause it goes by door jamb weight. Just saying cause it also a trick people try to get around IM testing here.

5. I'm pretty sure in PA you can only have 1 inch over stock shackles. I can check if you wish. But removing a longer shackle will help lower truck.

My truck wasnt legal for a long time. I just kept throwing sticker on it. After getting yanked by the cops a couple times I gave up. Mine is now trailered. Try driving a toy on 37s around and not getting yanked by the cops. Most inspecters I know (quite a few) are not that strict. I personally look at the bumper if its over 30 and check tires stickig out. Rest is a nomal inspection. Alot of guy I know are strict with the whole mudflap deal though... Easy to remove IMO though andnothing to worry about.

wsuweston · « **Reply #27 on:** Sep 25, 2005, 06:25:25 PM »

Well since you already put stock tires on it you could try spare donuts?

Do they check the pressure in the tires? Maybe you could fab some short shackles for the check day. I would check your door weight

short_throw [OP]

short_throw [OP]

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