Description / Abstract:
1. Scope--The scope of this document is limited specifically to the
following types of passenger vehicles: automobiles, light trucks, and
sport/utility vehicles. This document addresses modifications as they
apply to legal use of the vehicle, and examines suspension modification
as it applies to stock (as manufactured) ride height, and changed
(raised or lowered) ride height. Note that modifications of ride height
are considered, exclusive of wheel and/or tire modifications, which can
also have potentially serious side effects, and are outside the scope
of this document.
1.1 Purpose--This document is not intended to endorse or discourage
modification of original equipment chassis or settings. This paper
provides guidelines describing some of the issues that must be
considered when undertaking any form of vehicle suspension
modification. While every effort has been made to address most types of
suspension modification, this document is qualitative and is not
all-inclusive. This document is not intended to endorse, regulate, or
limit the degree of modification, or to be interpreted by regulatory or
enforcement groups as establishing such limits. Sound engineering
principles must be applied in the development of any and all proposed
alterations. It is recommended that all aspects of modification must be
supported through analysis, and should be verified with actual vehicle
and/or laboratory testing.