Suspension modification on my Truck in Illinois

[MikeRick65]

Hello,
I have an 03 F-350 with an 8" suspension lift and 38" tall tires. The weight of my vehicle is 9900lbs. I live in Illinois and I know the laws for my truck are 28" front and 30" rear. I think I'm sitting at 30" front and 32" rear. I am thinking of installing drop bumpers, it is basically what the semi trailers have, that little square metal tubing to stop from cars from going underneath them. Would this keep me legal reguarding bumper heights if I put the drop bumper below 28" and 30"? Or would it stop any of the cops from giving me a ticket? Thanks again! PLEASE LEAVE A REPLY!

MIKE

[Bubba Ray Boudreaux]

Do you actually wheel it? Is the thing just a poser mallcrawler?

Yes, you will be legal, but I'd suggest that if you don't actually wheel the thing, get something different. And judging by the vehicle description, the functionality is non-existant.:rolleyes:

[MikeRick65]

I go out about 5-6 times a month. The Superduty is a beast offroad. The only thing is that the diesel is a little heavy and so I sink a little in the mud, but the diesel pus out plenty of power for any offroading. Why would I need something different?

[SWATcop]

Originally posted by MikeRick65
Why would I need something different?
You don't. I've owned several Fords that I went four wheeling with. Keep your Ford.

[Bodie]

keyword "lift laws" see what you come up with.

[MikeRick65]

I did keyword "lift laws", but I don't know where the cops measure, the top, middle or bottom of the bumper. Can any cops please tell me?

[SWATcop]

Originally posted by MikeRick65
I did keyword "lift laws", but I don't know where the cops measure, the top, middle or bottom of the bumper. Can any cops please tell me?
Years ago when I was a traffic guy we used to measure from the bottom of the bumper.

[Bodie]

The Feds provided a book that gave factory org heights and that was where the measurements started. Basically a lifted truck is going to get you a ticket at some point. All manufactured lift kits and acc come with warning that they are "For Show And Off Road Use Only" It is not only the fear a car can run under the lifted truck or that you could run up on a car but you increase the rollover factor 20X or better.

Plus it's a sure bet you will no longer have car insurance on a lifted truck once your insurance co finds out or they will at least raise premiums greatly.

If you don't need a lifted truck and NO ONE DOES don't do it.

[SWATcop]

Originally posted by Bodie
[BPlus it's a sure bet you will no longer have car insurance on a lifted truck once your insurance co finds out or they will at least raise premiums greatly.[/B]
I've personally owned 7 lifted trucks, including my current one. I've never had any issue with my insurance being raised because my truck is lifted. I even owned 6 of those trucks while living in New Jersey. If my NJ insurance didn't go up because I owned a lifted truck, chances are pretty good that your insurance won't go up in any other state (if you know anything about NJ you'll know that they have a law for EVERYTHING). I've never even heard of insurance going up because someone lifted their truck.

Oh, and as for the "if you don't need it, don't do it" comment - everyone is entitled to their opinion. Do I NEED a lifted truck? No. Do I WANT a lifted truck? Yes. I enjoy 4 wheeling, therefore I will probably always have some kind of mud moster that makes you cringe when I drive up next to you. Case closed.

[Bodie]

CRASH one and see where the raetes go or if you continue to have coverage. This after talk with at least 3 companies. I like my 4X4 too but would never do a lift because of LIABILITY not only legality

[John Sharp]

Originally posted by Bodie
CRASH one and see where the raetes go or if you continue to have coverage. This after talk with at least 3 companies. I like my 4X4 too but would never do a lift because of LIABILITY not only legality

Actually, i have my Jeep lifted 8", was hit by an uninsured motorist and rolled over. There was never a negative word about the lift kit mentioned, my rates didn't go up, I still have coverage...no problem. They even gave me extra cash to build another Jeep back to the same condition. Sorry, but you are wrong on this.:p

[SWATcop]

Originally posted by Bodie
CRASH one and see where the raetes go or if you continue to have coverage. This after talk with at least 3 companies. I like my 4X4 too but would never do a lift because of LIABILITY not only legality
Sorry, Bodie - I have to agree with John Sharp. I think you're wrong on this one. I usually agree with your comments 100%. I think someone gave you some bad information on this particular subject matter.

[Bodie]

In Ohio home of a few major insurance companies they are death on lifted trucks. Probably because there is no need for them here other then the looks or off roading.
My own agent who has a major office has said he will not insure lifted vehicles and asks when called to insure certian types of trucks etc if there have been any modifications etc

[SWATcop]

Originally posted by Bodie
In Ohio home of a few major insurance companies they are death on lifted trucks. Probably because there is no need for them here other then the looks or off roading.
My own agent who has a major office has said he will not insure lifted vehicles and asks when called to insure certian types of trucks etc if there have been any modifications etc
Wow - I've never heard of that. It must be something specific to Ohio. I know in NJ that you are allowed to install a 4" suspension lift, but there are bumper height requirements. If you go over a 4" suspension lift, you have to take your truck to a state "roll test" in Manahawkin, NJ. They subject your truck to a series of tests, and if it passes you're issued a permit for your truck. Once you have the permit you can't alter your suspension or tire size again, unless you take it back and have it re-certified at Manahawkin.

Here in FL there are bumper height restrictions, but those laws are seldom enforced. It's pretty much a free-for-all here, and everybody knows it. There are guys running around with 12" suspension lifts in combination with a 3" body lift for a total of 15" of lift. They're running 44" to 46" tires on these things, and nobody bothers them. It's just one of those things that are accepted here, and there are no specific clauses in the insurance referring to lifted vehicles in FL.

[Bubba Ray Boudreaux]

Originally posted by MikeRick65
I go out about 5-6 times a month. The Superduty is a beast offroad. The only thing is that the diesel is a little heavy and so I sink a little in the mud, but the diesel pus out plenty of power for any offroading. Why would I need something different?

Well, I have ridden in the Superduty that 4WOR had a few years ago and that thing could get it, but the Superdutys that can actually wheel are few and far between.

Popular hangout spot for my 4wd club:D
http://www.norcalbigdawgs.net/Gallery/albums/albun64/35_G.jpg

Bring it:D

[trafficmaker]

South Carolina has a headlight law. 54" to the center in the factory position. Some people put on snow plow lights lower to circumvent the law. With the lack of LE in this state, stopping tall trucks (or low ones for that matter) is not common.
Back in the mid 80's, I had a 79 Toyota with 26" of lift running 44's. I'm 6-4 and the bottom of the side windows was over my head. My wife had to climb front tire to get in. Only got stopped once, and the officer, still a friend of mine, walked by the driver door looking at me, then walked around front of the truck.
Came back, said he was 5-4 and had to look up to see my headlights.
Needless to say, I got a ticket!:)
No front driveshaft, couldn't put enough CV joints in it to make it turn. Could put it in 4 lo and do the best posi burnout you can imagine even with 44's since there was no front shaft.
Even could catch a second. I had an open order with Richmond gears though as the 5.71's didn't like my driving habits.
It was mostly for show and messing around. Saw plenty of mud and trails. Dang thing floated.
Eventually became a show truck and parade vehicle.
I finally graduated to full size monster trucks and off the road stuff.
Still a fun time!;)