Vehicle Engineers reports, 4WD Modification rules, whats allowed, what not...

[mudski]

So I had a chat with Enklemen Engineering. The mob who does the engineering for Marks 4wd adaptors. In regards to getting 35's engineered. Their answer was no. Cannot be done. I asked them about how they engineer Marks Portal kits with 35's. I was told its because their kits are made, engineered and to suit 35's. So this is the only way they will engie 35's.
Seems a bit strange to me why this is so as my thoughts was the 35's will have more roll in the tyres than a 33, regardless of what setup there is. But that is it apparently. Only with portals. Dang!

Anyhow, mine is going in to get an engineers done for my lift and a few other things in the coming month or a bit from 4x4 Obsession. As I need to transfer my rego from my company to personal and a RWC is needed. So I might as well get everything done. Then I will just have to "run the gauntlet" on 35's when out in the scrub. Lol.

[Chappy]

What lift do you have? Any idea what they will sting you? I was considering getting my turbo & intercooler engineered.

[Throbbinhood]

So I had a chat with Enklemen Engineering. The mob who does the engineering for Marks 4wd adaptors. In regards to getting 35's engineered. Their answer was no.

Hey mate, I saw on FB that Adam from ADM Motors in Caulfield South helped get a blokes 35's + 4" lift GQ LWB engineered through Engleman with stock diffs. Might be worth a phone call, might be a waste of time but figured I'd let you know.

[LostBenji]

So, after reading through, plenty of info for you southerners, what about QLD?

35's? Couple of inches in altitude, minor basic mods, no huge bottle-fed blown big-blocks?

[mudski]

What lift do you have? Any idea what they will sting you? I was considering getting my turbo & intercooler engineered.

4inch lift Chappy. 4x4 Obession is $1600, for both lift and mods to the motor. As I did a conversion from ZD to TD, I don't need a cert for that, its because of the power output. Enkleman wanted $2500 for just the lift! I also asked Brett at 4x4 Obsession the fail rate of Patrols for getting the lift certified. He said he hasn't seen one fail, but he does do a pre inspection, before the engineer comes along and tortures your car, just to make sure and tell you what needs to be done for it to pass.
I spoke with Automotive Performance solutions in Thomastown. This guy was not interested at all. He said even a Patrol with a 2inch lift and 33's needs to be engied. And, he added, that it WILL fail. He also said, I'm more than happy to take your money if you want to go ahead with it. Lol. Crossed him off the list.
Theres one guy, another local, whom I have been directed to by multiple engineers, I have rang on multiple occassions, and emailed, but I never get a call back or response. Bummer, as he's real close to me, and from what I have been told by other engineers, he's thorough, and is well priced. So yeah. Looks Like 4x4 Obsession I am going too.

Hey mate, I saw on FB that Adam from ADM Motors in Caulfield South helped get a blokes 35's + 4" lift GQ LWB engineered through Engleman with stock diffs. Might be worth a phone call, might be a waste of time but figured I'd let you know.

I spoke direct with Enklemen. They flat out said NO for 35's. Unless you have Portal axles fitted by Marks. I may ring this Adam bloke and hear what he has to say.

So, after reading through, plenty of info for you southerners, what about QLD?
35's? Couple of inches in altitude, minor basic mods, no huge bottle-fed blown big-blocks?

This is why I started this thread so others who know the laws in other states could add to this sticky. The more info here the better.

No offense to Throbbinhood, but what we hear or see on the internet isn't worth its pinch in salt when it comes to issues like this. But thank you for the input, I will contact this guy and see what he says.
Last thing we want is someone to go by hear say. Spend their hard earned only to find out they've gone the wrong way about it. Thats why I spoke direct with the engineers and have links for all the info I can find.

Also Brett at 4x4 Obsession also said that a 4inch lift is the highest they will cert a Patrol too. Just for reference.

[Irish]

Thanks, I found the info reassuring. I must admit that I had thought maybe having changed from the 2.5 seating - bench seat + single driver seat (plate says seating for 3) in my Dx Ute to 2 bucket seats from an ST should have had an engineers certificate which I didn’t have. However that VicRoads link makes it clear that what I’ve done requires no engineers certificate, making me 100% legal. Yay!

Mind you my previous reasoning for not seeking certification was the fact that I believed that in any accident situation that it would need to be proved that the seat change had been a contributing factor to have been of any consequence, & just could not imagine any situation in which that could have been the case - but it’s good to know that the legal situation ‘agrees’ with me.

When re-insuring the car with Club 4x4 recently, they stated clearly that so long as the vehicle is roadworthy & legal in the state it’s registered in they cover me. Nevertheless I informed them of the plated GVM upgrade, & they politely acknowledged it, but they didn’t need it specified on the insurance certificate as Shannons had previously.

Follow up: After posting the above I read on that VicRoads web site page:

“ If the modification has changed the seating description of the vehicle, or a VASS Approval Certificate is required, then you must visit VicRoads Customer Service Centre with:

• evidence of identity
• the vehicle
• a VASS Approval Certificate, if required.

So as I had nothing better to do, I drove across town to VicRoads office & patiently sat in their queue.
When my turn came I told the VicRoads staff member what I had done & my reason for coming in.
I was directed to bring my car to the inspection bay, whereupon the staff member stuck her head into the vehicle & said “Yep, that’s two seats”
I then asked if I would be provided with some evidence that I had advised VicRoads of the change of seating as the compliance plate says seating for 3.
“We can’t change a compliance plate” she said, & further agreed that the number of seats is not shown on the Registration certificate so the change would not be recorded there. “So it was a bit of a waste of time bringing it in?” I said. She smiled & shrugged her shoulders.
So I have no evidence that I have advised VicRoads of the change. Considering they say that they MUST be advised this seems rather odd to me.

Anyone had a similar experience? I was expecting I would at least be provided with a written confirmation of having advised them (for insurance purposes).

If all you have to do is advise em, I would find out the info email address of your local vicroads and sends em an email(with a read receipt) advising them you now only have two seats, then print and laminate your email and the read receipt and keep them in your glove box.

[Irish]

4inch lift Chappy. 4x4 Obession is $1600, for both lift and mods to the motor. As I did a conversion from ZD to TD, I don't need a cert for that, its because of the power output. Enkleman wanted $2500 for just the lift! I also asked Brett at 4x4 Obsession the fail rate of Patrols for getting the lift certified. He said he hasn't seen one fail, but he does do a pre inspection, before the engineer comes along and tortures your car, just to make sure and tell you what needs to be done for it to pass.
I spoke with Automotive Performance solutions in Thomastown. This guy was not interested at all. He said even a Patrol with a 2inch lift and 33's needs to be engied. And, he added, that it WILL fail. He also said, I'm more than happy to take your money if you want to go ahead with it. Lol. Crossed him off the list.
Theres one guy, another local, whom I have been directed to by multiple engineers, I have rang on multiple occassions, and emailed, but I never get a call back or response. Bummer, as he's real close to me, and from what I have been told by other engineers, he's thorough, and is well priced. So yeah. Looks Like 4x4 Obsession I am going too.



I spoke direct with Enklemen. They flat out said NO for 35's. Unless you have Portal axles fitted by Marks. I may ring this Adam bloke and hear what he has to say.



This is why I started this thread so others who know the laws in other states could add to this sticky. The more info here the better.

No offense to Throbbinhood, but what we hear or see on the internet isn't worth its pinch in salt when it comes to issues like this. But thank you for the input, I will contact this guy and see what he says.
Last thing we want is someone to go by hear say. Spend their hard earned only to find out they've gone the wrong way about it. Thats why I spoke direct with the engineers and have links for all the info I can find.

Also Brett at 4x4 Obsession also said that a 4inch lift is the highest they will cert a Patrol too. Just for reference.

Hey Mudski, do you reckon they'd(4x4 obsession) do my Maverick when I do the turbo conversion, or no?

[Throbbinhood]

No offense to Throbbinhood, but what we hear or see on the internet isn't worth its pinch in salt when it comes to issues like this. But thank you for the input, I will contact this guy and see what he says.
Last thing we want is someone to go by hear say. Spend their hard earned only to find out they've gone the wrong way about it. Thats why I spoke direct with the engineers and have links for all the info I can find.

Only passing on what the guy who's had 35's engineered on his GQ said. Can't offer more than that I'm afraid.

[mudski]

Hey Mudski, do you reckon they'd(4x4 obsession) do my Maverick when I do the turbo conversion, or no?

Cant see why they wouldn't.

Only passing on what the guy who's had 35's engineered on his GQ said. Can't offer more than that I'm afraid.

No worries bud. I've had plenty say to me you can get 35's done, but every VASS approved engineer I have spoken to said no you can't. So unless theres a loop hole in the ruling somewhere, I don't like the chances. But I will be contacting ADM motors and asking them. As Enklemen said to me. No way Jose!

[BigRAWesty]

Cant see why they wouldn't.


No worries bud. I've had plenty say to me you can get 35's done, but every VASS approved engineer I have spoken to said no you can't. So unless theres a loop hole in the ruling somewhere, I don't like the chances. But I will be contacting ADM motors and asking them. As Enklemen said to me. No way Jose!

When I was taking to the engineer in Adelaide I'm pretty sure he said he will do 35's as the only requirement it need to meet is the speedo within legal spec.. so between 0 and -10% of a GPS. .
So if your running 4.3 diffs and a speedo adjustment gear you should be right..

That was about 2 years ago though..
Things may have changed..