Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Not sure if rabbit has posted a thread here about this, but I've just helped him buy a zook that was originally modified by the old "Kaos 4x4" and now wondering if there's anyone in particular that he should consider taking it to for the transfer of rego. Two that he's spoken to won't even look at it because of the lift and stuff.
The lift looks to me to have been done very well, with welded steel blocks and the like rather than just rubber blocks, and the vehicle appears quite sound, and drives beautifully. The only thing a thorough inspection so far has shown is a worn pitman arm (not sure if that was the description???)
It's running standard tyres and the like, so total lift shouldn't be above the maximum allowed.
I know there are a few Canberra Zook owners around, so just wondering where they get there's done for rego and the like.
A PM to "rabbit" just in case he doesn't see this thread, if you have any info of use would be really great too, or I'll just pass it on to him as I'm able, but won't be back on for a few days due to work commitments.
Thanks in advance.
Trent

Whats done to it?

Have you spoken to an engineer? If the car dosent have an engineers report you will have no chance and you will need to get one.

I just bought a Vitara and have been told by the guys at rego that there is a new law introduced in the last year that a car can not be lifted more than 150mm in total

You will be hard pressed to find an "authorised inspection station" willing to certify a modified vehicle in the ACT. you may be lucky to find one who may overlook a minor defect such that he can claim that it was fine when he inspected if it becomes an issue later. Maybe a "mates" deal if you already know someone, but as this is bending the rules which may cause them to lose business don't expect it or be offended when they say no.

Anything modified will need an engineers report. And in the eyes of ACT rego that can even mean simple things. Bodylift is a definite.

There are only three engineers that ACT rego will deal with.

Ray Spence at Canberra Motorworks Mitchell ph 6241 8777

Mario Larocca at Marlock Engineering Qbyn ph 62993400

John Wilson can't remember business name he was in Fyshwick on 0417230074

Talk to these guys, rego trust them and they know what they are talking about. Mario will not speak to you until you pay him. Ray and John are both easier to deal with, but you will need to pay before they certify anything. Fair enough it is their business. They may require some undoing of mods or some testing but in the long run it will be worth it. they have seen many mods before on many vehicles and do know what you can do to get it through rego.

If KAOS had the vehicle engineered in the first place then chances are one of these three did it and may have the details on file. This might reduce costs. A lot of KAOS work was never engineered as it is the customers responsibility not the mechanics.

Hopefully as you say everything looks to have been done well, it can be engineered and rego transferred. Unfortunately this can often be a trap when buying a modified vehicle. There are plenty of modified vehicles going around unfortunately due to the cost and often inflexible rules many never get engineered, thus making them hard to sell.

Hi T
Thanks for chasing this issue for me

Ive already PM a OL4X4 member that has been through this crap with his Suz in Canb. He has responded: "Take out the body lift .... only a couple of hrs work, put stock tyres on. Your allowed 50mm of suspension lift, so thats no problem...... When moding mine I made sure EVERYTHING was reversable incase I got asked to go for random inspection. It would take me 2 longish days to restore mine to stock for the inspection."

I am planning to take his advice as it makes sense to me. Might take me longer then two hrs, but i am game. I wonder what an almost stock Suzi is like to drive anyway. who knows I may like to not have to climb up and in or slide down and out, for a little while. I appreciate everyones constructive advice. Its info like this that makes me really pleased I joined OL4X4

I have a friend of a friend inspecting it this week. I'll let you know how it goes with just the 2" sus lift and everything else rock stock.


Thanks Heaps

I don't know about costs, rabbit, but the idea of getting the engineers to look at it first before undoing such a nice job, seems to be worth it, especially if it does in fact turn out that it was already checked by one of them when KAOS did it.

But barring that, then I'd look at making it a reversable lowering, so you can lower it, then put a bit of the lift back in for the sort of stuff I'm going to be taking you out to do once the Patrol is working.

Theres a 4x4 place in Hume, could be worth seeing him.

fyi ACT RTA are enforcing the new lift guidlines. A Canberra Jeeper got a defect in a Tuggeranong carpark for missing edges off his number plate plus supposedly sharp edges on an already engineered and RTA approved front bar. They also crossed out local servo inspection option and forced him to book for a full RTA inspection.

To cut a long story short they didn't "like" his current total lift and now must go back to his previously engineered and RTA approved lift or go do some more swerve tests and prove that the mods are within the new guidelines (swerve and braking tests required again).....and to answer a question I saw in another thread, it is up to him to find evidence of the stock ride height from Chrysler and then get an engineer to measure increases from that.

This guy used John Wilson previously and I believe is again. My Jeep was also engineered by John. Easy to deal with. All swerve tests are done at Sutton now too since the old dragway strip is closed now.

cheers
Matt

Ive had my suzi engineered in Canberra by John Wilson who trades as AKZ engineering. Be prepared to part with around $600.

What mods are done to your zook?

I would check every nut and bolt on that zook of yours as there isnt any such thing as a job well done from KAOS 4x4. (beware)


The welded steel blocks you metioned.........are they the bodylift blocks?

If so are they solid or removable or are they welded in?? If they are not solid you cant get them engineered.

Oh.....if your considering a workshop to do the work ill do a cashy for you over a weekend if you like.

CanberraMav,

The 2' body lift kit included 2' RHS welded onto the chasis in the usual places, plus solid aluminium blocks used (bolted in) at each corner. I should have it all unbolted and cut out tonight. To my surprise several of the RHS welds were not sound at all.

Ive had to lower the rock sliders (cut and weld) that are welded to the chasis. Ive had to cut a little off the bull bar too. I'll leave the 2" suspension lift in as the rego inspector didnt see that as an issue.

Ill let you know how the inspection goes

Rabbit wrote:CanberraMav,

The 2' body lift kit included 2' RHS welded onto the chasis in the usual places, plus solid aluminium blocks used (bolted in) at each corner. I should have it all unbolted and cut out tonight. To my surprise several of the RHS welds were not sound at all.

Ive had to lower the rock sliders (cut and weld) that are welded to the chasis. Ive had to cut a little off the bull bar too. I'll leave the 2" suspension lift in as the rego inspector didnt see that as an issue.

Ill let you know how the inspection goes

get rid of that BL, you don't want welded RHS as your BL. I can't see anyone engineering or passing that as legal

Well,

The mighty HSV passed rego inspection today (just needed a parking light globe).

I removed the RHS Body lift kit and would not recommend the same lift kit to anyone. I removed the heavy rock sliders and intend to replace them with something lighter and more practicable.

Thanks peoples for your advice.





Can anyone advise me what the ACT rego rules are for bigger rims and tyres????

Thanks

There is not allowed to be more than a 50mm rollout on top of the old size

I think that works out to be about a 29" tyre

I got this off an engineer