modifications

[rceme]

I have been wondering lately on how the world of 4x4 operators/drivers, have considered the legal implications of driving their lifted and modified trucks. I know that there are some who will just not care and keep on trucking. And there are others who have not given this much thought.
But from my back ground in the automotive industry, I know that just about anything that you do to change the performance effects the manufactures certification (National safety Mark). Transport Canada has the enforcement of the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations of Canada and the Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) standards.
I was at a shop here in Victoria today and a truck was in there getting some lift kits installed, that were adding 12” of overall lift. I am not sure as to what ICBC considers, but if there is a claim and one of the vehicles is heavily modified, insurance coverage may be an issue. There are set limits to the center of gravity for passenger vehicles/ light trucks, and looking at some lifted trucks, the floor boards are higher than the legal C of G.
Adding spring kits or flipping an axle to a spring over configuration, or up grading to a different axle completely, changes the gross axle weight rating, (GAWR) and the braking effectiveness is also changed. Putting a winch on the front of an YJ jeep has considerable affect on the front axle and the C of G.

I don’t have a drum to hammer on here, about this issue, but hiding our heads in the sand or saying I just don’t care is not going to cut the mustard when you are in front of a court and looking at financial ramifications.

Any sound options?
don't crap on me for asking.

[McJeep]

Well now, THAT got a big response didn't it? hehehehehe ;0)

[rceme]

ok I'll put my head back into the sand.

[McJeep]

hehehe, just shyt chukkin ralph

[rceme]

Ok ,,,,, so has anyone done anything to their vehicle?
I saw this type of thread on an other site.

So what have you done?
And I am not looking for a intenstial passing bad gas inside of the cab.

[Chris/ Nasty Bear]

done it all from 4 in lift to 20in and 46in tires on a street truck used it for mud and tug a wars even built a monster truck in the 80s with 5 ton rockwells, , so do the mods that will work best for you, and the rig,

[jeeponrock]

If you lift a vehicle beyond 4" (or so) in BC you're required to get it reinspected. Upon passing this inspection you're deemed safe to be on the road.

Within the laws we have today I can add bigger tires, axles, lockers, a winch, swap in a big block, a lift kit, and a whole lot of other mods and pass that inspection. I won't have much original vehicle left but I'm perfectly legal in the eyes of the law.

A lot of us 4x4 nuts have these modifications well thought out. Most of the changes we make actually increase the safety of the vehicle.

Adding a roll cage, bigger brakes, real bumpers, and side protection all made my Jeep safer than it ever was stock. The fact that it stops faster than it did stock and survived a couple barrel rolls with no injury to me reaffirms this I think.

I think my 4x4 is safer on the road than the guy down the street driving a Model T. His vehicle would fold up tin foil in an accident.

Are the extremes ok? Does a truck with a 20" lift and 54" tires belong on the street? Probably not. Does a T-bucket with a blown big block or a V8 powered motorcycle with a car tire out back belong on the street? Probably not.

But do we really need even more protection from ourselves? The Magnussun/Moss act allows us to add aftermarket parts to our vehicles. In a lot of cases those parts are certified by various governing bodies. A BC vehicle inspection certifies I'm legal to be on the road.

In reality, my 4x4 now gets trailered to most trail heads.

On a related note - my little class 5 drivers license with a quick air brake course allows me to drive a vehicle that is 63' long and weighs over 40,000lb. As big and as heavy as some tractor trailer units. No special road test or special testing was needed. Some 80 yr old man who can barely see over the steering wheel can do the same. Is that any safer on the road? Heck even a heavy 5th wheel trailer requires additional road testing in BC but a Class A with a trailer is perfectly legal.

[rceme]

I must admit I have not heard of the Magnussun/Moss act, I had to goggle it. It appears to be a US regulation, not sure if it is applicable here in Canada. It seems to relate to aftermarket products that are installed onto a vehicle, and how it affects the manufactures warranty. Must be a good idea though.

I would be very surprised if a manufacture would cover under its warranty, issues like having an owner install over sized tires, above the recommended sizes and then having drive line problems covered.

I don’t think that the increasing of braking ability or the 4”/10cm lift is not likely to bring any adverse notice by the police on a day by day operation.

The gray area that I was talking about is something like, a ICBC claim and liability coverage.
I suspect that there are one or two lawyers in their group, and they would very quickly note that even though an owner has modified his braking system and has improved the stopping distance. This modification has not passed the Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations and the Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) standards.
The liability of insurance coverage could potentially be refused.

Essentially the federal certification of CMVSS may no longer be valid.
Even if a province permits the licensing and insurance coverage of a vehicle, it is probably assumed that the vehicle is unmodified (lacking a vehicle inspection), as is the vast majority of other licensed vehicles.

You could have a vehicle that could really stop on a dime, but no liability insurance coverage, just when you really need it.
Even with a provincial safety inspection, a BC automotive technician/safety inspector cannot certify a modified vehicle back into meeting CMVSS standard without proper testing and also having the authority to issue a national safety mark.

There are a number of authorized automotive businesses (there is one in Nanaimo that I know of) that can issue a national safety mark, but the ones that I know, would never certify a home built or modified vehicle. As by issuing the safety mark they are assuming the legal liability of the safety standards of the vehicle. The actual mark is the sticker with the black maple leaf with a number inside of it and is usually mounted on the driver’s door or door pillar.

As a 4X4 nut myself, with a modified jeep, I am concerned that when the shxx hits the fan, federal regulations are going to trump provincial regulations and I will be left holding the bag.
My whole point is not to drive away anyone from modifying their own vehicle, but hopefully someone will be able to shed some light on this issue or provide information, like you have on the Magnussun/Moss act.

I guess I am hoping that someone knows of a little known statute that says “it is ok to modify your vehicle” and operate it on the roads and let us in on the secret.
You are right, we don't need more laws ether.

Wishful thinking?

And ya some of the R/V drivers scare the bee gees out of me too.

[chet]

I know of plenty of accidents that have happened with modified rigs and most if not all are due to driver error. your insurance will still cover the person you hit if its your fault even if your vehicle is not safe. Its your own personal safety and well being that is at stake and the possibility of ICBC sueing your ass into the stone age for operating an unsafe vehicle.

If all we worried about was what could happen there would be no cool 4x4's, street rods, bikes on the roads these days. Try and think of all the things that won't happen. If you use your head and do things right your rig will be as safe as factory.

I like to think that the cops are looking at our rigs as they drive by and know(kind of) which ones need to be sent in for a safety inspection. When I had my toyota I got a MVI and it needed it. some non proper lights, no horn and a host of other items I fixed and it passed inspection. In the end the truc still wheeled the same it was just safer to be on the road in (for other people! )

[McJeep]

Jun 27, 2010 8:00:07 GMT -8 jeeponrock said:

motorcycle with a car tire out back belong on the street? Probably not.

easy there big fellah - yer startin' to get on me nerves ;0)

[Ken]

If you want read the B.C. motor vehicle act. It covers modifications and lets you know what is and isn't allowed. As an inspector I build my riggs to pass these specs and can still wheel just fine thank you. I personally think enough is said about this until a particular issue comes up, not speculation.