lifted vehicles in maryland

[njemt75]

hello everyone,
have a question about lifted vehicles ie jeep cherokee in maryland. im looking at a 91 cherokee that has a 3 1/2" lift and 31" tires on it. couldnt find anything on the mva website about lifted vehicles. it kept bringing me to comercial vehicles and suspended licences. im worried about inspection. all i could find on a google search was some vauge referance to no higher than
28" but didnt say from were on the jeep. can you guys help shed some light on this for me. thanks
joe

[Mike]

28" from bottom of the bumper to the ground.

Cherokee on 31s should be fine.

[njemt75]

thanks for the info. will check that when i go to see the jeep. what about the 3 1/2" lift?

[Happy Bear]

thanks for the info. will check that when i go to see the jeep. what about the 3 1/2" lift?
I believe technically any suspension modification is illegal in Maryland, lifting or lowering a vehicle. Most inspection stations have no problem passing a modified vehicle as long as the bumper height is under 28". Like the other guys said, Cherokee on 31's with 4" lift, no problem.

[njemt75]

thanks guys. looking forward to the jeep if i get it. kinda off topic but where do you guys usualy meet? only moved to maryland about 4 years ago.

[Mike]

http://www.marylandcreepers.com/mcforums/forumdisplay.php?f=6

[Shane]

Actually its from the frame. As long as the frame is lower theb 28 inches and your tires are covered by flares your ok. They no longer measure from rhe bumper because of people just lowering the bumper. I was measured a while back and was at 36 inches from the frame and got a 60$ fine lol

[Happy Bear]

Actually its from the frame. As long as the frame is lower theb 28 inches and your tires are covered by flares your ok. They no longer measure from rhe bumper because of people just lowering the bumper. I was measured a while back and was at 36 inches from the frame and got a 60$ fine lol
They are supposed to measure from the bumper unless the bumper has been modified.

Besides, Cherokees don't have frames :flipoff2:

[ehall]

I believe technically any suspension modification is illegal in Maryland, lifting or lowering a vehicle.
the wording refers to modifications that make the vehicle unsafe. replacing trackbar=okay, deleting trackbar from OEM setup=not okay

[ehall]

28" to "frame side rails or either of the vehicle’s bumpers"

http://mlis.state.md.us/asp/web_statutes.asp?gtr&22-105

[Happy Bear]

the wording refers to modifications that make the vehicle unsafe. replacing trackbar=okay, deleting trackbar from OEM setup=not okay
Cool, thanks for clearing it up!

Do you have an inspection license, or just been down that road?:D

[Mr Fast Bucks]

Went through this a while back with a 97 TJ. It had a suspension lift and a body lift. I took it to a local place for inspection and they failed it for the "lifts". I started doing some research and found that no where does it say that it can't have a lift - just references to the frame/bumper height. I went back to the place that did the inspection and challenged them on it. The inspector was not too happy about questioning his authority, but after not being able to show me anywhere in the state inspection guidelines that lifts are not allowed he agreed to take the matter to a MD state inspector. The state inspector agreed with me. So what it really came down to was that the inspector was not willing to risk it until the state inspector gave the OK. Don't let them tell you lifts are not allowed - it's just not true - the problem is that some places won't take a chance on it.

[ehall]

Cool, thanks for clearing it up!

Do you have an inspection license, or just been down that road?:D

It's the law nobody freaking reads it even when I link to it

http://mlis.state.md.us/asp/web_statutes.asp?gtr&22-105


If any Class A (passenger) vehicle, any Class E truck with a manufacturer’s rating or registered gross vehicle weight of 18,000 pounds or less, or any Class M (multipurpose) vehicle has been altered in any manner that would reduce the effectiveness of its bumpers or suspension or render the vehicle dangerous in the event of a single vehicle accident or a collision with another vehicle, it may not be operated on any highway in this State.

Basically you cannot "reduce the effectiveness of the suspension" and drive it on the highway. They won't give you tags for it either.

[Typhoon]

"reduce the effectiveness of its bumpers"

Might they use that to say no lift. Higher bumpers are less effective for hitting small cars?
I miss them all the time.

[Dave01XJ]

Besides, Cherokees don't have frames

Seen that coming sooner or later :flipoff2:

[RatLabGuy]

If you can drag it out 8 months, get historic tags and it needs no inspection.... ;-0

[njemt75]

yeah was thinking about that 2

[Happy Bear]

It's the law nobody freaking reads it even when I link to it

http://mlis.state.md.us/asp/web_statutes.asp?gtr&22-105

I do, "reduce the effectiveness" really leaves a lot out there for interpretation, unless I missed the definition of that....

I figured you must understand the most common interpretation of it!

[dodgestang]

I do, "reduce the effectiveness" really leaves a lot out there for interpretation, unless I missed the definition of that....

I figured you must understand the most common interpretation of it!

Laws are written intentionally vague to keep the lawyers and judges busy while the legislators pat each other on the back about a great legislative session and all the new laws they passed to make us all safer.

[Happy Bear]

Most lift kits reduce the effectiveness of vehicles to maneuver in emergency situations on the road. Would you disagree?

Most lowering kits probably increase the maneuverability and should be OK, right? I guess that would depend on the quality of the lowering springs and struts, does the inspector have to decipher that as well?

[ehall]

the law doesn't say effective at performing a task, it just says "the effectiveness of the suspension" which means that the suspension parts have to work for their purpose

effective (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/effectiveness): (1) adequate to accomplish a purpose; producing the intended or expected result:

IE, a replacement trackbar that keeps the axle centered is still effective

Naturally I assume here that if you went in with a "trackbar" that consisted of threaded rod and turnbuckles that they would rightly declare that you had reduced the effectiveness. OTOH if you go in with a unit that is clearly superior to the OEM unit they have to let it go.

[01TJ_03KJ]

if it makes you feel any better, i just rolled through 3 speed traps, going about 30 mph with at least 4 violations (no front plate, uncovered windshield lights, no side mirrors and tires sticking out beyond flares) :D

[95heep]

Actually its from the frame. As long as the frame is lower theb 28 inches and your tires are covered by flares your ok. They no longer measure from rhe bumper because of people just lowering the bumper. I was measured a while back and was at 36 inches from the frame and got a 60$ fine lol

I didnt know they could fine you. I just thought u had to go to the police station and get it signed off that you had it fixed.

[Shane]

they hit me with a 60$ ticket. It was a state trooper on the side of 70 by the weigh station before mt airy. he went to as far to ask me why my tierod was bent so bad (ORD High Steer on a D60 )

[Bling]

I've always wondered if this is a de facto ban on lifted vehicles in MD...

under the heading, "reject vehicle if"

(7) Visually inspect diameter or circumference of tires for tire size.
(7) By visual comparison, tire sizes differ significantly, as follows:

(a) Tires of more than two graduations in size on the same axle;

(b) Tires are significantly smaller than manufacturer's specified minimum or of such a significantly larger size that require suspension modification to prevent tire and body contact during different vehicle attitudes.

[RatLabGuy]

(b) Tires are significantly smaller than manufacturer's specified minimum or of such a significantly larger size that require suspension modification to prevent tire and body contact during different vehicle attitudes.

I see what you're getting at, but I interperet that as:

"If the tires and body are so close together that a change in altitude woulld casue contact, then it should be failed (because a suspension modification should really be performed to alleviate the problem)"

E.g. it's unsafe to ride w/ your tires that close to the body

[4drmopar]

Yeah, basically, I've had inspectors just check for true safety items and others bitch because if it CAME with a 215/75 15, then it needs to have that size or very close.... Of course, I've had an inspector overlook tint since he asked and I told him I was going ot have it retinted, he passed it, and THAT day, a State trooper came thru and popped him because the Jeep was still there...

[npe3484]

In the end it is totally up to the state inspector to interpret the rules and apply them to each vehicle that he is responsible for. Once you have tags and are on the road, it's up to the cops to enforce whatever vehicle codes they care about.

I had a 95 XJ w/ 5" lift and 33's a couple years ago. One summer, I got busted for headlight out, no exhaust, no rearview mirror, tires extending past fenders, and no mud flaps. All of this was ONE incident, and it was a Montgomery County cop that nailed me. I got fix-it tickets which can be signed by MD inspector, so I got the inspector at work to sign off on everything. :brow:

A few years later I bought a different 95 XJ. This one had a 6" Rusty's lift and little baby 30" BFG AT's on it. I took it to a different inspector this time, and he passed the XJ on it's first time through! :confused:

So from my experience, the laws are totally open for interpretation by both the inspector and the LEO's.