Police checking for Mods, Sth East QLD

[DaveR]

There is a bit of a targeted crack down on big wheel and suspension mods, and it is going to expand elsewhere I am told.

https://www.facebook.com/7NewsGoldCoast/videos/2166658463605060/

[Bigfish]

Nothing to worry about if you have been sensible and done your mods for reliability and a purpose.  Mind you the look at me mob with 35 inch tyres, massive bullbar and 4 inch lift on their hi lux utes may have a lighter wallet.  See them everyday here heading up the Cape and they are totally unnecessary.

[KingBilly]

There is a bit of a targeted crack down on big wheel and suspension mods, and it is going to expand elsewhere I am told.

https://www.facebook.com/7NewsGoldCoast/videos/2166658463605060/

And about time.  Get all the illegal idiots off the road.  Will be a safer place for my family.

KB

[edz]

Definatley unsafe with lift and big tyres ... 100 kph   .https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9OtGfdf6HQ 

Standard vehicles are a lot safer for sure  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaYFLb8WMGM .  ...   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2QSogJj3ec      with a professional driver and the last one after the factory modded it for the test,  at 67 kph  imagine it at a 100 kph with a Numpty ..

Big wheels / lift are unsafe ok ..100 kph ..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnvtoTSdbvk     

Not saying they are or are not needed by all or some  and yes not all steerers are Drivers .. But the mods themselves arnt necessarily unsafe .. 
Just the powers that be saying Give us $$$$ for a piece of paper and the big bad not allowed unsafe mods will be ok ...   Hand $$$$ over Heres your piece of paper and it magicaly is now safe   . 
By the way I prefer a stupid high lift and massive tyres ...
















Giving an increase of just 2" in total...   

[DaveR]

There are 2 car dealers here on the G/C who'll need to find something else to do.
They specialise in buying new utes, tricking them up with a variety of toys (about 1/2 legal) and flogging them for too much $$$.
The young blokes are lining up to buy them as well.

[edz]

Yep Cowboys everywhere Dave in everything these days ..
Just pondering though ..
If and a BIG IF .. 10 people buy the same product  toy and have it fitted to the same type of vehicle by the same company and one of them owners hands over the fist full of $$$$  to the TAX collectors for a nice piece of paper saying it is now an "  approved "  toy to have ..

wouldnt that make it a "  TYPE APPROVED "  toy for the other nine who have the exact same ?? ..
NAAAHHHH of course not .. Who am I kidding, No $$$$ for the TAX collectors coffers in that  . 

[Cruiser 105Tvan]

Hey Edz, stop saying things like that.   
You know every car is different.
That's why a Lovell's suspension lift, when installed by an owner, isn't approved.
If it's installed by a dealer, it is. 
Even when a Dealer isn't a qualified Mechanic, or employ any, and the owner is.
I'd like that one explained.

[Bigfish]

Hey Edz, stop saying things like that.   
You know every car is different.
That's why a Lovell's suspension lift, when installed by an owner, isn't approved.
If it's installed by a dealer, it is. 
Even when a Dealer isn't a qualified Mechanic, or employ any, and the owner is.
I'd like that one explained.

I also find it ludicrous that a bloke can get an gcm/gvm (whatever) increase when fitting exactly the same suspension that I have and I cannot.  Absolute load of Shite

[DaveR]

I'd like that one explained.

Good luck with that 1, I think it'll sound like an episode of yes minster.

[Cruiser 105Tvan]

I also find it ludicrous that a bloke can get an gcm/gvm (whatever) increase when fitting exactly the same suspension that I have and I cannot.  Absolute load of Shite

That's what I was referring to.

If just changing springs and shockers can upgrade a vehicle GVM, as per Edz's argument, why not a 'type approval'?
The Insurantz people knock you back, because it doesn't have an approval, as well as getting grief from Mr. Plod.
So do you improve your vehicle and drive around without insurance?  As well as run the gauntlet with Mr. Plod.
Or drive around in a vehicle that is unfit for purpose, and be saddled with the result if anything happens?
There's a few 4 door Ute driver/owners out there that know exactly what I'm talking about, just as an example.

[tryagain]

Hey Edz, stop saying things like that.   
You know every car is different.
That's why a Lovell's suspension lift, when installed by an owner, isn't approved.
If it's installed by a dealer, it is. 
Even when a Dealer isn't a qualified Mechanic, or employ any, and the owner is.
I'd like that one explained.

Probably because a mechanic has no training in designing suspension and then ensuring that it is installed as they intended in their design.

The gov requires that changes above their thresholds require a engineer to sign off on the mods to say they are safe, that not only includes the design but the instillation as well, why would an engineer want to sign off on DIY installations without being able too confirm if it's installed properly when it's his bacon in the line.

[KingBilly]

So do you improve your vehicle and drive around without insurance?  As well as run the gauntlet with Mr. Plod.
Or drive around in a vehicle that is unfit for purpose, and be saddled with the result if anything happens?

If a vehicle off the showroom floor is “unfit for purpose” then you have bought the wrong vehicle.  Simples.

KB

[Bigfish]

Probably because a mechanic has no training in designing suspension and then ensuring that it is installed as they intended in their design.

The gov requires that changes above their thresholds require a engineer to sign off on the mods to say they are safe, that not only includes the design but the instillation as well, why would an engineer want to sign off on DIY installations without being able too confirm if it's installed properly when it's his bacon in the line.

Why do we need an engineer to sign off though?  Exactly the same suspension. Ya really cant stuff up a suspension install...sure , in a few cases, you might get a knock or rattle but you will easily fix that.  Upper and lower bolts for shockies and springs are an easy fit.  Follow up with a wheel alignment.  Hardly rocket science. Another $500-$1000 for an engineers signature is crap. ..How would an engineer know if it was fitted by a fully qualified mechanic or an apprentice 2 months into his apprenticeship?

[Rumpig]

Why do we need an engineer to sign off though?  Exactly the same suspension. Ya really cant stuff up a suspension install...sure , in a few cases, you might get a knock or rattle but you will easily fix that.  Upper and lower bolts for shockies and springs are an easy fit.  Follow up with a wheel alignment.  Hardly rocket science. Another $500-$1000 for an engineers signature is crap. ..How would an engineer know if it was fitted by a fully qualified mechanic or an apprentice 2 months into his apprenticeship?

from memory my suspensions mod plate only cost an extra $150 to get.

[tryagain]

Why do we need an engineer to sign off though?  Exactly the same suspension. Ya really cant stuff up a suspension install...sure , in a few cases, you might get a knock or rattle but you will easily fix that.  Upper and lower bolts for shockies and springs are an easy fit.  Follow up with a wheel alignment.  Hardly rocket science. Another $500-$1000 for an engineers signature is crap. ..How would an engineer know if it was fitted by a fully qualified mechanic or an apprentice 2 months into his apprenticeship?

The gov wants someone to hold accountable should something go wrong, would you be happy to take responsibility if you were an engineer for random people diy installing a product sight unseen, I wouldn't.

[D4D]

Hope they do this in VIC too. Maybe we'll have more trails to drive and not have to deal with trails closed and/or cut up by the '5 inch lift and 35 inch tyres' brigade.

[Bigfish]

The gov wants someone to hold accountable should something go wrong, would you be happy to take responsibility if you were an engineer for random people diy installing a product sight unseen, I wouldn't.

We are talking about installing a set of shock absorbers and springs. A very straight forward job.  Why the hell an engineer is required is beyond me. .  The engineer doesnt install anything. He looks at the product, checks it is installed correctly and says $500.  Think what you like but I call it bullShit that I have exactly the same product, fitted by a fully qualified mechanic but I cant claim an upgrade weight because an engineer didnt look at it...Crazy..

[KingBilly]

Think there is a little bit more to it than just a “look at it” 

KB

[MDS69]

If a vehicle off the showroom floor is “unfit for purpose” then you have bought the wrong vehicle.  Simples.

KB

Do you mean to say that Reg Sprigg didn’t have 2” suspension lift, 3” body lift, F&R lockers, 35” tyres, dual batteries, solar panels, inverter for his fridge, said fridge, bull bar, driving lights, light bar, snorkel to make the first motorised crossing of the Simpson Desert.🤨🤨🤨

[briann532]

I am under the impression that the crackdown is on "illegal" modifications.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that a good thing?

My playdo (that's about to go) has a towing upgrade to 3 tonne. All done professionally and certified by an engineer. (If your up for a giggle, google Athol Mullens engineer) Great bloke, but wow!

It is all legit and above board with approval from RMS. If they pull me over, I smile and let them get on with checking because they won't be able to defect my car.
Let them do their job. They aren't out to "get us", just to keep unsafe vehicles off the road.

I agree with the sentiments people have expressed over what some people and or mechanics do, but that is another issue.
This is to keep the roads safe. A bit like RDT and RBT. If you aren't doing anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about.

Bitchfest over,
Brian

[tryagain]

I am under the impression that the crackdown is on "illegal" modifications.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that a good thing?

I guess it depends on whether or not you have illegal modifications, personally I think it's a very good thing.

[DaveR]

personally I think it's a very good thing.

X 2

[Cruiser 105Tvan]

If a vehicle off the showroom floor is “unfit for purpose” then you have bought the wrong vehicle.  Simples.

KB

That's what I meant about the 4 door Ute reference.
Although when you see Cruisers and Patrols getting bent too.....
There has to be some responsibility that has to be met by the operator too.

[rags]

I assume a mod like a catch can would also be considered an illegal modification, playing with emissions controls.

[GeoffA]

I assume a mod like a catch can would also be considered an illegal modification, playing with emissions controls.

Would probably depend how it's done.
Provents are a sealed system that can be set up to maintain the original PCV in/out points.
How the captured oil is drained off may or may not be of interest....