Lift Kits State Laws
In Alabama there are no laws limiting suspension lifts, bumper height or height of frame. If you live in Alabama you will have no legal restrictions from installing suspension lifts, larger wheels and tires, aftermarket bumpers or grill guards.
Though there are no laws in Alaska specifically mentioning suspension there is a limit to the height of a vehicles frame. The vehicles body may not be higher than 3 inches above the top of the frame. The maximum frame height for vehicles under 4,500 GVWR is 24 inches, 4,501-7,500 is 26 inches and 7,501 to 10,000 has a maximum height of 28 inches. Suspension lift kits are allowed as long as they comply with these regulations. Aftermarket wheels, tires, bumpers and grill guards are also allowed.
In Arizona use of aftermarket tires and wheels, aftermarket bumpers, grille guards and suspension lift kits are allowed. There are no laws restricting frame or bumper height. If a suspension lift is installed mud flaps and fenders must be used.
Residents in Arkansas can install suspension lifts, aftermarket wheels and tires, aftermarket bumpers and grille guards. There are no laws regarding frame height, body lift height or bumper height.
In California Body Lifts are limited to a maximum of 5 inches. Suspension lifts are also restricted by state frame height laws. The maximum frame height for vehicles under 4,500 GVWR is 27 inches, 4,501-7,500 is 30 inches and 7,501 to 10,000 have a maximum height of 31 inches. Aftermarket wheels, tires, bumpers and grill guards are allowed.
Colorado happens to be a little vague when it comes to vehicle modification laws. Regarding suspension modification the law states that the manufacturer’s original design may not be changed, it is believed that a lift is okay as long as the type of suspension remains the same, meaning leaf sprung vehicles must remain leaf sprung ext. Aftermarket tires, wheels, bumpers and grill guards are allowed.
In Connecticut you may not lift your suspension height than 4” and you must use fenders. Other aftermarket parts such as wheels, tires, shocks and bumpers are allowed.
In Delaware there are frame height restrictions; law stated that the body may be no higher than 3 inches above the frame. The bumper has a height limit of 30 inches and a body lift may not exceed 3 inches. Even with these restrictions you are still allowed to install aftermarket parts such as shocks, wheels, tires and bumpers.
The District of Columbia does not have a complete set of street legal vehicle modification laws. Residents are most likely allowed to install suspension lifts, aftermarket tires and wheels, bumpers and grille guards.
Florida’s suspension lifts are regulated by a bumper height limit based on the vehicles GVWR. The maximum height limit for GVWR under 2,000 is 24” in the front and 26” in the rear, 2,000-2,999 is 27” in the front and 29” in the rear and 3,000-5,000 is 28” in the front and 30” in the rear. Any vehicle over 5,000lbs GVWR is exempt. As long as you abide by the bumper height rules you may add suspension lift as well as aftermarket tires, wheels, bumpers, shocks and grill guards.
In Georgia you may not install a suspension lift of over 2 inches. The maximum frame height for vehicles under 4,500 GVWR is 27 inches, 4,501-7,500 is 30 inches and 7,501 to 14,000 have a maximum height of 31 inches. Aftermarket wheels, tires, shocks and bumpers are still allowed.
In Hawaii a vehicles frame cannot be any higher than the bumper, the body must be no more than 3 inches higher than the frame. Bumper height is limited by GVWR. The maximum height limit for GVWR under 4,500 is 29” in the front and rear, 4,501-7,500 is 33” in the front and rear and 7,501-10,000 is 35” in the front and rear. Vehicles over 10,000lbs GVWR are exempt. Also, a body lift may not exceed 3”. You may still use aftermarket bumpers, wheels, tires and grill guards.
The only restriction to vehicle suspension modification in Idaho is bumper heights limit of 30” for 4WD vehicles under 10,000lbs. Use of aftermarket wheels, tires, shocks and bumpers is permitted.
In Illinois you cannot raise or lower a so that the vehicles bumper more than 3” different from stock. There is a law stating that the highest a vehicles frame can be for GVWR under 4,500 is 24”, 4,501-7,500 is 26” and 7,501-10,000 is 28”. There is also a bumper height law based on GVWR. For vehicles under 4,500 GVWR the front bumper cannot exceed 24” and the rear 26”, 4,501 to 7,500 the front maximum is 27” and rear is 29” and GVWR’s of 7,501 and up front is 28” and rear 30”.
Though Indiana has no laws restricting suspension lifts or frame height the vehicles bumper may be no higher than 30”. Aftermarket parts such as wheels, tires, shocks and bumpers are allowed.
As of now there are no laws restricting suspension modifications, however there is a pending law that will limit the frame height to 23” and body lifts to 5”. Aftermarket wheels, tires, bumpers and grill guards are ok.
In Kansas there are no laws limiting suspension modification. They are an off-road friendly state and residents are free to install lifts, aftermarket wheels, tires, shocks and bumpers.
In Kentucky there are no laws limiting suspension modification. Residents are free to install lifts, aftermarket wheels, tires, shocks and bumpers.
Louisiana has no laws restricting the height of a vehicles suspension, frame or bumper. Lift kits, and aftermarket parts are allowed.
In Maine aftermarket parts such as suspension lifts, bumpers, wheels and tires, shocks and grill guards are allowed. However there is a frame height law that needs to be abided when modifying a vehicles suspension. The maximum frame height is based on vehicles GVWR, for vehicles less than 4,501 GVWR the front cannot exceed 24” and rear 26”, for 4,501 to 7,500 the front is limited to 27” and rear 29” and 7,501 to 10,000 the maximum front height is 28” and rear is 30”.
Maryland does have some state laws limiting the height of vehicles. Cars and SUVs frame and bumper cannot exceed 20” and trucks are limited to 28”. Other modifications like tires, wheels, bumpers and shocks are allowed.
Though lift kits are allowed in Massachusetts, they are limited to 2”. Other aftermarket modifications like bumpers, grill guards, wheels and tires are allowed as well.
Michigan has many laws regarding vehicle suspension modifications. The Frame height for vehicles up to 7,500 GVWR is limited to 24 inches and from 7,501 to 10,000 is limited to 26 inches. The Bumper height for vehicles under 4,501 GVWR cannot exceed 26”, vehicles with a GVWR between 4,501 and 7,500 cannot exceed 28” and 7,501 to 10,000 cannot be higher than 30”. Also lift blocks cannot be used on front springs and rear blocks are limited to 4 inches. Other modifications such as bumpers, grill guards, shocks, tires and wheels are allowed.
Suspension lift kits are allowed in the state of Minnesota as long as bumper height laws are followed. The bumper must be within 6” of a vehicles stock bumper height. For 4x4 vehicles a bumper cannot exceed 25” and must be at least 4.5” tall a extend 10” further than each frame rail. Other aftermarket parts are allowed.
Mississippi has no laws restricting frame or bumper height and aftermarket wheels, tires, bumpers and grill guards are allowed.
Missouri does not have laws limiting lift kits or frame height. There are limits to bumper heights based on the vehicles GVWR. The maximum height limit for GVWR under 4,500 is 24” in the front and 26” in the rear, 4,501 to 7,500 is 27” in the front and 29” in the rear, 7,501 to 9,000 is 28” in the front and 30” in the rear and 9,001 to 11,500 is 29” in the front and 31” in the rear. Other aftermarket parts like bumpers, wheels and tires are allowed.
Montana allows residents to install suspension lift kits and aftermarket tires, wheels and bumpers with no height limits. They are one of the least restrictive states when in comes to vehicle modifications.
Nebraska has no laws limiting suspension lifts or modification. There are also no laws stating a frame height or bumper height restriction. Residents are allowed to install aftermarket bumpers, tires, wheels and grill guards.
Vehicle lifts in Nevada are regulated based on the vehicles body height. The body must be 28” or less for a GVWR under 4,501, 30” for GVWR between 4,501 and 7,500 and 32” for vehicles with a GVWR between 7,501 and 10,000. As long as a vehicle maintains these body heights than suspension lifts as well as aftermarket tires, wheels and bumpers are allowed.
In New Hampshire bumper height is limited to 30”. As long as the bumper height limit is abided by than residents are free to install suspension lift kits, wheels, tires, bumpers and grill guards.
In New Jersey suspension and body lifts are allowed, as long as the vehicle is able to pass an inspection and acquire an elevated vehicle approval certificate. There are limits to how much a vehicle can be lifted in order to obtain the certificate. Vehicles less than 4,501 GVWR can be lifted no more than 7” above, stock, for vehicles between 4,501 and 7,500 the maximum lift is 9” above stock and vehicles from 7,501-10,000 have a maximum of 11” above stock. You must have at least 2 inches of suspension travel, suspensions systems must consist of the factory installed basic elements, and all aftermarket parts must exceed the quality and performance standards set by the manufacturer.
There are no laws in New Mexico that place restrictions on suspension lifts, bumper or frame height or aftermarket wheels, tires, bumpers, shocks and grille guards. The required mounting height for bumpers in New York is between 16 and 20 inches and trucks may not exceed 30 inches.
You may install suspension lifts and aftermarket wheels, tires and bumpers in New York as long as you do not exceed the bumper height limit.
There are no restrictions in North Carolina regarding a vehicles suspension. Suspension and body lifts are allowed and there are no laws restricting frame or bumper height. Other aftermarket parts are allowed as well.
In North Dakota there is a maximum suspension lift height of 4 inches. Also, the body of the vehicle may not be higher than 42” and bumpers have a maximum height of 27 inches. In addition to these vehicle height restrictions tires cannot be larger than 44” tall.
There are no laws regarding suspension or frame height in Ohio. There are however limits to bumper height based on GVWR. Cars and SUV’s cannot have bumpers height than 22” in the front or rear, trucks under 4500 GVWR are limited to 24” in the front and 36” in the rear, for vehicles between 4501 and 7500 GVWR the maximum bumper height for the front is 27” and rear is 29” and vehicles from 7501 to 10000 cannot have a bumper higher than 28” in the front and 31” in the rear. Aftermarket wheels, tires, shocks and grill guards are allowed.
Oklahoma has no limits regarding suspension or body lifts, bumper heights, or frame heights. Residents are allowed to install lifts, aftermarket wheels, tires, bumpers and shocks.
Oregon has no limits regarding suspension or body lifts, bumper heights, or frame heights. Residents are allowed to install lifts, aftermarket wheels, tires, bumpers and shocks.
In Pennsylvania there are many street legal laws of vehicle suspension. Front blocks are illegal and rear blocks cannot exceed 5 inches. The frame height is limited to the maximum bumper height restrictions. Cars & SUV’s cannot have bumpers higher than 22 inches, vehicles under 5,001 have a maximum bumper height of 24” in front and 26” in rear, 5,001-7,000 have a maximum bumper height of 27” in front and 29” in rear, 7,001-9,000 have bumpers limited to 28” in the front and 30” in rear and 9,001 to 11,000 bumpers cannot exceed 30” in front and 30” in rear. Aftermarket wheels, tires, shocks and bumpers are allowed.
In Rhode Island there are no limits to frame height, bumper height or body lifts, however the suspension may not be lifted more than 4”. Other aftermarket parts like bumpers, wheels, tires and shocks are allowed.
South Carolina does not limit suspension or body lifts, bumper heights, or frame heights. Residents are allowed to install lifts, aftermarket wheels, tires, bumpers and shocks.
In South Dakota there are no laws limiting suspension or body lifts, bumper heights, or frame heights. Residents are allowed to install lifts, aftermarket wheels, tires, bumpers and shocks.
Even though Tennessee allows suspension lifts, body lifts, aftermarket wheels , tires and bumpers there are restrictions to frame and bumper height. Cars and SUVs have a maximum frame height of 22”, trucks under 4,501 GVWR cannot exceed 24” in frame height, GVWR of 4,501-7,500 have a maximum frame height of 26 inches and vehicles with GVWR of 7,501 to 10,00 have a maximum frame height of 28”. In addition to these height limits the vehicles 4x4 vehicle bumpers can be no lower than 14” above the road and no higher than 31”, passenger cars must have bumpers that are 22” or lower.
In Texas there are no restrictions for suspension or body lifts, bumper heights, or frame heights. Residents are allowed to install lifts, aftermarket wheels, tires, bumpers and shocks.
Residents of Utah are allowed to install suspension lifts as well as other aftermarket parts but they will need to abide by frame height restrictions. Frame height restrictions are regulated by GVWR, vehicles under 4,500 cannot exceed 24”, 4,501 to 7,499 have a maximum of 26” and 7,500 and over are limited to 28”.
Vermont does not have any laws restricting frame height, bumper height or suspension modifications. Vermont drivers are also allowed to install aftermarket tires, wheels, shocks and bumpers.
In Virginia suspension lift kits are limited by the bumper height restrictions based on vehicle GVWR. The maximum bumper for vehicles less than 4,501 GVWR is 28” in the front and rear, for 4,501 to 7,500 the front is limited to 29” and rear 30” and 7,501 to 15,000 the maximum front height is 30” and rear is 31”. Aftermarket bumpers, grille guards, shocks, wheels and tires are allowed.
There are several laws in Washington that apply to vehicle modification. The frame cannot be lower than the sidewall height of the tires. Bumpers must be at least 4.5” tall and have height limits based on GVWR. Bumper height for vehicles under 4,500 GVWR cannot exceed 24” in front and 26” in the rear, bumpers for vehicles between 4,501 and 7,500 cannot exceed 27” in the front and 29” in the rear, 7,501 and over have a bumper limit of 28” in the front and 30” in the rear and bumpers on cars and SUVs cannot be higher than 22” on both front and rear. Suspension lifts are allowed and anti-sway bars are mandatory.
In West Virginia suspension lifts are not restricted, however for vehicles less than 10,000lbs GVWR bumpers cannot exceed 31”. Body lifts are also limited and cannot be more than 3” above the frame. Aftermarket parts such as wheels, tires, shocks and bumpers are allowed.
There are no laws in Wisconsin restricting frame or bumper height. There is however a suspension lift limit of 5” for vehicles with a GVWR of 8,000lbs or less and shackles cannot be more than 2” longer than stock. Also vehicles in the GVWR ranger cannot have tires taller than 8” above stock. As long as these limits are followed than residents may install aftermarket wheels, tires, lifts and bumpers.
Vermont does not have any laws restricting frame height, bumper height or suspension modifications. Vermont drivers are also allowed to install aftermarket tires, wheels, shocks and bumpers. Related Articles |
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