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Post by blackbird on Mar 1, 2012 20:57:15 GMT 12
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Post by Justin on Mar 6, 2012 7:45:24 GMT 12
Hi Rob
Yes and no!
Yes - vehicles with hydraulic suspension systems can be LVV certified, however there are some pretty stringent requirements around what can and can't be done. The requirements for hydraulic suspension systems (and air bag suspension systems) are all in the NZ Hobby Car Technical Manual.
No - The ute in the trademe add may have been legally certified once upon a time, but it's likely that it has been modified again since it was certified - this would make the vehicle illegal, as it requires a new certification.
Unfortunately LVVTA has no way of preventing people from making changes to their vehicles post cert - we rely on WoF inspectors doing a good job of interpreting the info on the cert plate, but this can be difficult where the details on the plate can seem to match the mods on the car.
The Police are also slowly becoming more and more skilled up on the various requirements for this sort of modification, so it's going to get harder and harder for people to get away with illegally modified vehicles (which have previously been LVV certified).
We do feel for the person who purchases a vehicle, not realising that it will need re-certification (likely with some pretty expensive modifications to be able to pass!).
Remember the old saying 'caveat emptor' or 'buyer beware' - my advise is, have any modified vehicle checked over by an LVV Certifier (with an appropriate category for the mods) before you purchase it!
Cheers, Justin
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Post by Justin on Mar 7, 2012 13:40:02 GMT 12
Hi again Rob.
I've discussed this vehicle with the original certifier Neil Fraser, who has photographs of the vehicle from when it was originally certified.
This is what he said:
Hi Justin
The truck was built by Tony Hines, one of the guys the TAC used in the very early days. It had spring rates of 420F and 320R. There were shocks on all 4 corners. The Front was capable of heights of 360 to 475 and the ride height was set at 425. The rear was capable of 380 to 640 and the ride height was set at 485. The pumps and rams were from "Pro-Hopper"and were rated at 24V ea. He had a adj motion sensor controlling the hydraulics and this was set at 15km/hr. There were new top arms in the front carrying the ram mounts and a new A-frame top arm and mew lower arms in the rear locating the axle with a 3-link set-up. There were external bumpstops at each corner.
I've attached a set of photos taken.
The vehicle on trademe appears to have had a badly done extension to the lower rear arms on the rear axle, required because there is now considerably more stroke in the rear. The rear susp height is now capable of something over a meter when it was maxed at 640 originally.. This has also required the shocks to be removed. I cannot see what springs are fitted if any, whereas they were clearly visible originally.
Cheers Neil
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