New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 13 - LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY › Chapter 20 - ENFORCEMENT SERVICE › Subchapter 37 - STANDARDS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES WITH ELEVATED CHASSIS HEIGHT › Section 13:20-37.3 - Requirements for elevated vehicle approval certificate

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) To be approved pursuant to this subchapter, a motor vehicle shall meet the following standards:
1. The suspension system shall consist of the basic elements originally provided by the manufacturer and be geometrically arranged in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. No suspension system component shall be replaced unless the replacement component meets or exceeds the quality and performance standards established by the vehicle manufacturer. The vehicle shall have a suspension system that allows movement between the unsprung axles and wheels and the chassis body and shall be equipped with a shock-absorbing device at each wheel location. The suspension system shall be capable of providing a minimum relative motion of plus or minus two inches. When any corner of the vehicle is depressed and released, the damping device shall stop vertical body motion within two cycles. The use of spacer blocks between the front axle and leaf springs is prohibited.
2. Steering gear ratios and the number of turns necessary to rotate the steering wheel from the left stop position to the right stop position shall be in accordance with the original manufacturer's specifications within a tolerance of one-half turn. The distance between the wheel stop and the front axle shall be the same on both sides. The number of turns of the steering wheel from a straight ahead front tire position to right stop shall be equal to the number of turns of the steering wheel from a straight ahead front tire position to left stop within a tolerance of one-twelfth turn on either side of centerline. No modification of the motor vehicle shall obstruct or limit the turning radius of the motor vehicle.
3. Headlights shall be not less than 22 inches nor more than 54 inches from the level surface upon which the vehicle stands to the center line of the lamp. Tail-lights shall be not less than 15 inches nor more than 72 inches from the level surface upon which the vehicle stands to the center of the lamp. All lighting equipment shall meet the standards of the Society of Automotive Engineers and auxiliary off-road lights shall be equipped with opaque covers which shall be used to completely block any light at all times when the vehicle is operated on public roads.
4. License plates shall be not less than 12 inches nor more than 48 inches from the ground.
5. Brake lines and hoses shall conform to 49 C.F.R. 571.106 and shall be protected from excessive heat and vibration and be installed so as to prevent chafing and undue wear, stress, or unintentional disconnection during operation of the motor vehicle.
6. Where the vehicle was originally equipped by the manufacturer with bumpers, all bumpers shall be securely mounted, extend across the full width of the vehicle and be horizontal load-bearing bumpers attached to the vehicle frame to effectively transfer impact when engaged. Bumpers shall not have sharp edges or dangerous configurations. Bumpers shall be mounted to be no lower than 16 inches from the ground to the bottom of the bumper.
7. The maximum tire diameter for vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or under shall be 38 inches or six inches more than the maximum tire diameter available as standard or optional equipment for the particular vehicle from the original manufacturer, whichever is less. In determining compliance with this requirement, actual tire diameter shall be measured with the tires inflated to the manufacturer's specifications.
8. All tires on the same axle or on axles less than six feet apart shall be of the same tire size with respect to diameter and width. Each tire shall have a load carrying capacity specified by the tire manufacturer in excess of the intended maximum axle load divided by the number of tires on the axle. Each front tire shall measure a minimum of 60 percent of the tread width of the rear tires. Tires shall have a sufficient vertical and horizontal clearance so as not to rub on the chassis, body, suspension or other part of the vehicle while being operated. All tires shall be marked as approved for highway use as required by the United States Department of Transportation.
9. Fenders shall extend the full width of the tire tread and, in case the rear wheels are not covered by the fenders, body or other parts of the vehicle, the vehicle shall be equipped with suitable metal protectors or substantial flexible flaps so as to prevent the throwing of dirt, water or other debris on following vehicles. The metal protectors or flexible flaps shall be a standard type or design and installed in a manner which complies with the Society of Automotive Engineers Standard J682, incorporated herein by reference.
10. Fuel tanks which have become exposed as a result of elevating the vehicle shall be protected against damage from collision by some means of encasement. For vehicles equipped with a side-mounted fuel tank mounted outside the vehicle frame, a protective bar shall be installed to protect the fuel tank from being ruptured in case of collision.
11. All moving parts or exhaust system components which have become exposed as a result of elevating the vehicle shall be shielded to prevent injury to persons making contact with these parts.
12. Any ballast material used for the purpose of adding weight to the vehicle shall be permanently attached to the vehicle structure. No liquid or loose ballast is permitted.
13. Release of the steering wheel while the vehicle is in a sharp turn at a speed of between five to 10 miles per hour shall result in a distinct tendency for the vehicle to increase its turning radius.
14. The weight distribution between the two sides of an empty vehicle on level ground shall not exceed 45 percent/55 percent.
15. Spacers shall not be used to increase wheel track.