Lift Kit Laws

• Alabama - Arkansas
• California - Indiana
• Iowa - Missouri
• Montana - Oregon
• Pennsylvania - Wyoming

California
What you can do is dependent on the GVWR. If your truck weighs 4,500 pounds, the maximum frame height is 27 inches. It the GVWR is 4,501 to 7,500 pounds, it's 30 inches, and for 7,501- to 10,000-pounders, it's 31 inches. Also, keep in mind that the lowest portion of the body floor can't be more than 5 inches above the top of the frame. Upon our investigation, the vehicle laws were really thorough. To get a complete understanding of the law, we recommend going to the Official California Legislative Information website. Click California Law and you will be directed to all the rules and regulations for vehicles. Upon viewing this site, it seems like there is a rule for every vehicle in California. If you have a couple of hours to kill, it could be fun reading. For more information, check out www.california.gov.

Colorado
No altering from the OE design is allowed. Psych! It's not allowed, unless you follow the rules: Headlights can't be more than 44 inches high, while taillights reach their legal limit at 72 inches. This is one state where we actually had a chance to talk to a state trooper who was a truck guy; he drives a Ford F-450 and was very informative. As with most states, the lift law says that almost any alteration of the suspension of a vehicle is illegal but not heavily enforced. What is enforced and a constant threat is unsafe vehicles and unsafe driving. If an officer determines that your truck is unsafe, in some cases, it can be impounded, with the court making the decision for how long. You can find more information on these websites: www.leg.state.co.us and www.colorado.gov.

Connecticut
Modifying the factory bumper height is OK, as long as you keep it at 30 inches from the ground, or lift the vehicle no more than 4 inches. For more information, check out www.connecticut.gov.

Delaware
Short and sweet, without legal-eagle mumbo-jumbo: Don't let more than 30 inches get between the ground and the bottom of the bumper. Otherwise, there's not much information available. We also spoke to a state trooper, who told us they really don't have that many lifted trucks in Delaware to really see it as a problem. So, there you have it, Delaware truck fans. But, to be sure, contact the Public Relations department, (800) 652-5600, or go to the website at www.delaware.gov.

Florida
If your truck's net weight is less than 2,000 pounds, the max bumper height is 24 inches front and 26 inches rear. If it's more than 2,000 but less than 3,000 pounds, its max bumper height is 27 inches front and 29 inches rear. And if it hits the scales between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds, it's 28 inches front and 30 inches rear. For more information, check out www.florida.gov.

Georgia
If you modify the OE bumper more than 2 inches above (or below, for that matter) the manufacturer's specs, don't be surprised if you're cited. For more information, check out www.georgia.gov.

Hawaii
Hawaii also determines what's OK based on the GVWR. If your truck is 4,500 pounds or less, the front and rear bumpers' maximum height is 29 inches. If you're looking at 4,501 to 7,500 pounds, it's 33 inches for both. And 7,501 to 10,000 pounds? Don't make it higher than 35 inches at either end. Also, be aware that the allowable distance between the body and the framerail tops off at 3 inches. For more information, check out www.hawaii.gov.

Idaho
Lift laws here depend on the GVWR. At 4,500 pounds or less, the front bumper can be as high as 24 inches and the rear can be as high as 26 inches. For 4,501 to 7,500 pounds, it's 27 inches in front and 29 inches out back. For 7,501 to 10,000 pounds, it's 28 inches in front and 30 inches in back. Interestingly, 4x4s and dualies with a 10,000 pound or lighter GVWR can have 30-inch-tall bumpers up front and 31-inch-tall bumpers in back.

Illinois
You can't lift the body from the chassis more than 3 inches. In terms of bumper height, a GVWR of 4,500 pounds or less and your front bumper can't go higher than 24 inches. GVWRs between 4,501 and 7,500 pounds determine the maximum height of 27 inches at the front and 29 inches at the rear. Finally, if your truck is between 7,501 and 9,000 pounds, the allowable alteration is a maximum height of 28 inches in front and 30 inches in back.

Indiana
Simply put, that bumper needs to stay within 3 inches of the factory height. Keep those headlights at 54 inches, while you're at it.