Utah Lift Law
There is a lot of confusion regarding Utah’s vehicle laws. Despite the technical, lawyer-written language, the law is really simple once you break it down. The current laws were revamped in 2001 with the help of the Utah 4 Wheel Drive Association—the previous version was extremely hard to understand and limited lift height on short wheelbase vehicles (like most Jeeps) to approximately 2” TOTAL.
I’ve listed the pertinent sections in full below for those who wish to read them, but I’ll summarize the “nuts and bolts” first:
• Allowed frame height varies between 24” and 28” from the ground to the bottom of the frame, and is determined by the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), which is usually listed on the driver’s side door or doorjamb.
24” if your rig’s GVWR is under 4500 lbs (most Jeeps).
26” if it’s between 4500 and 7499 lbs (some small to midsize trucks, full size light trucks).
28” if it’s 7500 lbs and up (most full size, heavy-duty trucks).
• Tires need to be covered by fenders or fender flares fully, as viewed from above the vehicle.
• As viewed from behind, rear tires must be shielded by fender flares or mudflaps, at least the top 50% of the tire.
• Body lift is limited to 2”. (3” total distance between the top of the frame and body, usually the factory body mount bushing is about 1” tall)
• Any suspension or axle modification or replacement needs to equal or exceed the strength and durability of the stock parts.
It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with these laws and compare them to your vehicle to ensure you won’t have any compliance issues at inspection time, or if you happen to get pulled over. Also, there is a lot of power in the following phrase:
(a) All replacement parts and equipment used in a mechanical alteration shall be designed and capable of performing the function for which they are intended and shall be equal to or greater in strength and durability than the original parts provided by the original manufacturer.
Especially for those who choose to do their own modifications, keep that in mind. Shoddy workmanship is not acceptable, and will (and should!) fail inspection. By the same token, just because you changed the stock setup does not necessarily mean it’s illegal.
Printing a copy of the full text below and carrying it with you can never hurt, either.
Happy trails!
Carl Whitmore
http://www.le.state.ut.us/~code/TITL…m/41_04196.htm
41-6-148.29. Vehicles subject to Sections 41-6-148.29 through 41-6-148.33 — Definitions.
(1) Sections 41-6-148.29 through 41-6-148.33 apply to all motor vehicles with an original manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of 15,000 pounds or less operated or parked on a highway within the state.
(2) As used in Sections 41-6-148.29 through 41-6-148.33:
(a) “Commissioner” means the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.
(b) “Frame” means the main longitudinal structural members of the chassis of the vehicle or, for vehicles with unitized body construction, the lowest longitudinal structural member of the body of the vehicle.
(c) “Frame height” means the vertical distance between the ground and the lowest point on the frame. The distance is measured when the vehicle is unladen and on a level surface.
(d) “Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)” means the original manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating, whether or not the vehicle is modified by use of parts not originally installed by the original manufacturer.
(e) “Manufacturer” means any person engaged in manufacturing or assembling new motor vehicles utilizing new parts or components, or a person defined as a manufacturer in current applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
(f) “Mechanical alteration” or “mechanical lift” means modification or alteration of the axles, chassis, suspension, or body by any means, including tires and wheels, and excluding any load, which affects the frame height of the motor vehicle.
(g) “O.E.M.” means original equipment manufacturer.
(h) “Original equipment” means an item of motor vehicle equipment, including tires, which were installed in or on a motor vehicle or available as an option for the particular vehicle from the original manufacturer at the time of its delivery to the first purchaser.
(i) “Wheel track” means the shortest distance between the center of the tire treads on the same axle. On vehicles having dissimilar axle widths, the axle with the widest distance is used for all calculations.
(3) The provisions of Sections 41-6-148.29 through 41-6-148.33 do not apply to the following vehicles:
(a) implements of husbandry;
(b) farm tractors;
(c) road machinery;
(d) road rollers; and
(e) historical vehicles or horseless carriages that have been restored as near to original condition as is reasonably possible.
Amended by Chapter 47, 2001 General Session
http://www.le.state.ut.us/~code/TITL…m/41_04197.htm
41-6-148.31. Standards applicable to vehicles.
(1) The following standards apply to vehicles under Sections 41-6-148.29 through 41-6-148.33:
(a) All replacement parts and equipment used in a mechanical alteration shall be designed and capable of performing the function for which they are intended and shall be equal to or greater in strength and durability than the original parts provided by the original manufacturer.
(b) Except for original equipment, the use of spacers to increase wheel track width of any vehicle is prohibited.
(c) The use of axle blocks to alter the suspension on the front axle of any vehicle is prohibited.
(d) The stacking of two or more axle blocks of any vehicle is prohibited.
(2) (a) In doubtful or unusual cases, or to meet specific industrial requirements, personnel of the Utah Highway Patrol shall inspect the vehicle to determine the road worthiness and safe condition of the vehicle and whether it complies with Sections 41-6-148.29 through 41-6-148.33.
(b) If the vehicle complies, the Utah Highway Patrol shall issue a permit of approval that shall be carried in the vehicle.
(3) (a) Upon notice to the party to whom the motor vehicle is registered, the Department of Public Safety shall suspend the registration of any motor vehicle equipped, altered, or modified in violation of Sections 41-6-148.29 through 41-6-148.33.
(b) The Motor Vehicle Division shall, under Subsection 41-1a-109(1)(e) or (2), refuse to register any motor vehicle it has reason to believe is equipped, altered, or modified in violation of Sections 41-6-148.29 through 41-6-148.33.
Amended by Chapter 47, 2001 General Session
http://www.le.state.ut.us/~code/TITL…m/41_04198.htm
41-6-148.32. Prohibitions.
(1) A person may not operate on any highway within the state a motor vehicle that is mechanically altered or changed:
(a) in any way that may cause the vehicle body or chassis to come in contact with the roadway, expose the fuel tank to damage from collision, or cause the wheels to come in contact with the body under normal operation;
(b) in any manner that may impair the safe operation of the vehicle;
(c) so that any part of the vehicle other than tires, rims, and mudguards are less than three inches above the ground;
(d) to a frame height of more than 24 inches for a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 4,500 pounds;
(e) to a frame height of more than 26 inches for a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 4,500 pounds and less than 7,500 pounds;
(f) to a frame height of more than 28 inches for a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 7,500 pounds;
(g) by stacking or attaching vehicle frames (one from on top of or beneath another frame); or
(h) so that the lowest portion of the body floor is raised more than three inches above the top of the frame.
(2) If the wheel track is increased beyond the O.E.M. specification, the top 50% of the tires shall be covered by the original fenders, by rubber, or other flexible fender extenders under any loading condition.
(3) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a class C misdemeanor.
Amended by Chapter 47, 2001 General Session
http://www.le.state.ut.us/~code/TITL…m/41_04199.htm
41-6-148.33. Bumpers.
(1) Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a bumper on both front and rear of the vehicle, except those that were not originally designed or manufactured with a bumper or bumpers.
(2) (a) On all motor vehicles under 15,000 GVWR, bumpers shall be:
(i) at least 4.5 inches in vertical height;
(ii) centered on the vehicle’s center line; and
(iii) extend no less than the width of the respective wheel track distance.
(b) Bumpers shall be securely mounted, horizontal load bearing, and attached to the vehicle’s frame to effectively transfer impact when engaged.
(3) When any motor vehicle is originally or later equipped with bumpers, the bumpers shall be maintained in operational condition and shall comply with this section.
Amended by Chapter 47, 2001 General Session
TeraFlex PLUS
5241 Commerce Dr.
Murray, Utah 84107-4711
Phone/801.713.3314
Toll Free/1.800.388.5337
Fax/801.266.4947
