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Legality question: offroading and my truck

5K views 16 replies 13 participants last post by  adax 
G
#1 ·
Hello officers, I'm a big car enthusiast and have always been into cars since I was 10. I used to go Autocrossing in my Miata but it got rearended(totaled) last year by some lady with two dogs in her lap. I was mad cause that car had a lot of my blood, sweat and money. Anyways I got a new truck (07 FJ Cruiser) and its a hobby of mine to modify my cars. Currently it is 4" taller than in its stock form, because I want it to be more offroad capable. I'm not going offroad to avoid you guys haha, but its a fun hobby of mine and I go camping a lot.

Anyways what are the laws with lifting a vehicle? My truck is 4" over stock(285 tires and 3" coilspacer lift). In my miata I got pulled over a couple times cause it was too low and just received verbal warnings.

Also, what are the laws of offroading? As long as it doesn't say private property or no tresspassing, I'll go on it just to see the scenery around my area.

Just want some inputs from anyone knowledgable about these laws, by the way I'm in the Worcester area.

Thanks
 
#2 ·
My personal take. While it may not be completely street legal; if the lift is done with good taste and is done professionally I would more than likely give a warning (unless you are a dick) But that is just me. Officers have a thing called discretion and it is a beautiful thing. You need to remember though that your vehicle will need to be inspected. The Inspection station may or may not pass it. Register as a member and post a pic if you want to give us an idea of what you have. As it sounds right now I would leave it as is and not modify it any further. Also be aware of how far the tires stick out from the fenders. If they stick out a good distance they may kick up debris that may strike another vehicle.

I can understand having the hobby to off-road and have no problem with it. As far as where you go. Never assume that because the are no No Trespassing or Private Property signs that it is an OK place to go off-roading. My suggestion would be do a Google search for known places that it is OK to do it. I know Duxbury has an off-road section on the beach that you can get a permit for as well as a few towns on the Cape. I am pretty sure there are some clubs around that could fill you in more.
 
#3 ·
There is a formula for maximum lifts. It has to do with wheelbase length and something else. I don't have the formula in front of me, as I'm on vacation. I think you have more to worry about at the inspection station than you do from the police regarding lifts. If you are running 285's make sure you have fender flares, or a good offset on your wheels so they don't stick out past the fenders.

I'm running only a 2 inch lift and wheel with no problems at all. You're getting dangerously close to "nice truck, sorry about your penis" size for lifts.
 
#5 ·
MGL 266 Section 121A. Whoever, without right, enters upon the private land of another, whether or not such land be posted against trespass, and in so entering makes use of or has in his immediate possession or control any vehicle, machine, or device which includes an internal combustion engine or other source of mechanical power, shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred and fifty dollars.
 
#6 ·
Once your FJ leaves the pavement it can be considered a recreational vehicle, operation of which requires a helmet. And you can get fined for that too.(not wearing helmet) Happened to me in Plymouth with MEP when I was a kid. It was better than a criminal trespass charge.
 
#7 ·
Once your FJ leaves the pavement it can be considered a recreational vehicle, operation of which requires a helmet. And you can get fined for that too.(not wearing helmet) Happened to me in Plymouth with MEP when I was a kid. It was better than a criminal trespass charge.
I was just going to mention that, (not the part about getting pinched though) Ya, your truck can be considered an ORV. As such, one needs to adhere to all ORV rules and regs. You seen the new regs.? Oh the're fun.
 
#9 ·
Thanks for the input guys and this vehicle is still my daily driver(40 miles a day). I'm not compensating when i was a miata owner haha best of both worlds. I've never heard of this ORV policy, but I'll look more into it. This website is very weird with posting pictures

Here's my truck:

 
#14 ·
pirate4x4.com is a great forum. If you think we are bad here, ask a stupid question there and be prepared for a flaming that will burn you to a crisp!
 
#15 ·
I pulled a kid over... 85 chevy ******* mobile lifted to the sky, straight pipes, bald mud tires and no inspection results. He proceeded to try and tell me the chapter/section that allows this blithering POS to operate with the lift.
Needless to say he learned a few things .
 
#16 ·
Thanks everyone for the informative replies. I'll take into consideration everything I read in this thread. I got pulled over by a Worcester P.D. for legal window tint(35%). He thought it looked too dark and pulled me over and even tested it with some kind of instrument. After he found out the tint was legal, he asked if I modified the height of the vehicle. I told him it was factory and he let me go. I love FJ40's but this truck has many conveniences and is very comfortable. My truck is by no means ridiculously lifted, but it is taller than your typical soccer mom FJ.

ht tp://i40.tinypic.com/eq80zp.jpg (take out the space between the T's)
 
#17 ·
As long as it is 4 wheel drive, your tires can stick out past the fenders. Front experience, I can tell you, good luck keeping it clean, especially in the winter. 540CMR6.04 states; The max mechanical lift for 4 wheel drive vehicles shall be calculated by multiplying the wheel base times the wheel track and dividing by a safety factor of 2200. Honestly read 540CMR6.04 there are a lot of regulations some apply to 4 wheel drives and others don't.
 
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