Massachusetts Lift Laws

For those of you having problems in MASS with inspections, it would help if the inspectors read the full extent of the RMV Inspection standards. I randomly was awake tonight, so I did some digging for you.

The RMV Inspection standards state that you can have up to 35% light transmission window tint on the Windows immediately adjacent to the driver and passenger. Although it doesn't say this, specifically; it states that it must comply with 49 CFR 571.205 with regards to transparency. 35% Combined Light Transmission is within that.

Regarding ride height. Yes, the RMV standards do state you cannot alter ride height any more than 2" +/-. HOWEVER, there is a separate clause for 4 wheel drive trucks. It says that 4x4 trucks must comply with 540 CMR 6.00. What is this you ask? Well it's a formula, which goes as follows:

(Vehicle Wheel Base x Vehicle Track Width) / 2200 = Maximum Mechanical Lift

Track width is measured on the widest axle, from center of tread.

Example:

2013 DCLB

If I have a wheel base of 140.6" and a track width of 63".
(140.6x63) /2200= Lift
8857.8/2200=4.026"

So according to this, a 2013 DCLB can have a maximum mechanical lift height of 4".

This does not take into account that you can also widen your track width by up to 4" (2" each side) through the use of offset wheels, as per 540 CMR 6.00. If you take that into account, you can have a total mechanical lift of 4.28" which we will call 4 1/4" on a 2013 DCLB.

A 2013 ACLB with a WB of 127.4, with offset wheels, can have a maximum mechanical lift of 3.65".

In addition, you are only permitted to plus size your tires the equivalent of the maximum mechanical lift. So, if you are allowed 4" of mechanical lift, you can upgrade your tires from 31" to 35", as an example.

This would mean that a truck that is allowed 4" of mechanical lift, is allowed up to an additional 2" of lift from tires; for a total of 6". This is known as combined height. Remember, the additional 2" can ONLY be from tires. So 6" lift kits are a no go.

Tge combined height measurement is taken from the ground to the bottom of the door, lowest portion where it meets the body OR where it reasonably would be for vehicles lacking doors (jeeps). You cannot exceed those measurements over stock height.

540 CMR 6.00 alsp stipulates that on order to be deemed non-compliant, your vehicle would have to exceed the limit by over 1". So, if you just happen to measure at 6.5" in the combined lift height above, your vehicle still passes; according to the law.

Know the ENTIRE regulation before going for an inspection. Most techs, though knowledgeable, fail to comprehend the law in its entirety. They then, err on the side of "I'm not fucking sure, so It's illegal".

Hope this is somewhat helpful to someone.

 

Holy crap, that sounds like a royal PITA. You should probably post this in the NE regional forum.