Lifted Prius vs the Australian Outback

Benjagan91 · Jul 17, 2020

Good evening,

This is my first time posting here (long time lurker!) so hello from Australia

I had been planning on buying a 2nd Gen for quite some time but spent a bit extra to get the radar cruise control in the 3rd Gen. I purchased my 3rd Gen at the beginning of 2020 and ordered a TEMA 40mm lift kit from Russia shortly thereafter.

I didn't fit the lift kit until about a fortnight ago, prior to a road trip in The Outback. I also had the largest Australia legal all terrain tyres fitted at this time (205/65R15).

The Outback is typically home to 200 series and 70 series Landcruiser - not the humble Prius! I got plenty of strange looks.

I'm currently editing a 7 part YouTube series together from the recent ~3600km road trip. If you search for 'Swagging With Ben' you should find the channel where the first video is already uploaded. They certainly get more interesting from day 2 onward so keep an eye out for that.

I'll continue to post updated about my Prius here but please ask me if you have any questions about my modifications etc.

Thank you

Ben - Australia

Grit · Jul 17, 2020

Benjagan91 said: ↑

...but please ask me if you have any questions about my modifications etc,
Click to expand...

I see an all stocked out car, not sure if questions of modifications are in context.

Benjagan91 · Jul 17, 2020

Grit said: ↑

I see an all stocked out car, not sure if questions of modifications are in context.
Click to expand...

The vehicle is stock, except for the all terrain tyres (205/65R15 vs stock 195/65R15) and the 40mm TEMA 4x4 lift kit. Australian vehicle modification law and correspondingly our insurance companies are quite strict compared to the USA.

The Australian Outback is considered some of the harshest environment in the world. Many car manufacturers from around the world bring their prototypes/mules here for testing in our conditions. I thought this might be of interest to fellow Prius enthusiasts who like to test the boundaries of their vehicles.

After reading and interpreting the 'Australian Design Rules' (ADR) for myself, I contacted my insurer (RACQ) to confirm the legality of my planned mods, they told me to check with Transport Main Roads (TMR) as they'd cover what's legal in the ADR. I called them and had some further email correspondence back and forth. I hope the following helps some fellow Aussies out there:

My name and email address is redacted. I also redacted the TMR email address and all links due to the 'no links for new members' rules.

From: Vehicle Standards <**REDACTED**>
Date: Mon, Jan 20, 2020 at 12:13 PM
Subject: RE: Toyota Prius suspension Modification.
To: **REDACTED**

Hello Ben,

Thank you for your further enquiry.

Raising of vehicles is generally intended for the 4wd market and as such, our modification guide reflects the same.

Reading in depth the section LS of VSB14,I agree with your determination and can advise that a passenger car is permitted to be raised by 50mm provided you comply with the conditions in section LS.

I hope this assists with your enquiry.

Best Regards

Greg
Vehicle Standards

Land Transport Safety and Regulation Branch | Customer Services, Safety and Regulation Division | Department of Transport and Main Roads

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PO Box 673 | Fortitude Valley Qld 4006
P: 13 23 80
E: **REDACTED**
W: **REDACTED**

From: **REDACTED**
Sent: Monday, 20 January 2020 11:27 AM
To: Vehicle Standards <**REDACTED**>
Subject: Re: Toyota Prius suspension Modification.

Good morning, Greg

I've just had a read on the Department of Transport and Main Roads website Light vehicle modifications section found here: **REDACTED**

If you scroll down to 'Section LS – Suspension and Steering' where there is an included PDF titled 'Section LS – Suspension and Steering (PDF, 1.93 MB)' which can be found here: **REDACTED**

In that PDF it details the following:

1.1 BASIC MODIFICATIONS NOT REQUIRING CERTIFICATION

The following modifications may be performed without certification if they are carried out in accordance with sub-section 2 General Requirements and the total change in vehicle height resulting from all modifications performed, does not exceed 50mm.

- Tyre and rim substitution carried out within the limits specified in this Section;

- Lowering and raising suspensions (by not more than one third of the original suspension travel provided the original vehicle height is not increased or decreased by more than 50mm);

- Raising the vehicle with a body lift kit provided the original vehicle height is not increased by more than 50mm (refer to sub-section 4.11 for conditions and limitations);

- Shock absorber substitution;

- Spring and sway bar substitution;

- Track rod and strut brace installation;

- Steering wheel substitution (refer to sub-section 4.9 of this Section); and

- Power steering (manufacturer’s option) conversion.

Sub-section 4.11 for conditions and limitations on raising the vehicle not more than 50mm goes on to detail the following:

4.11 LOWERING OR RAISING VEHICLES

None of the codes in VSB 14 allow for the raising of any vehicle where the wheel track has also been reduced. These vehicles are subject to individual approval on a case-by-case basis.

Raising the height of the vehicle may be performed without certification providing the overall increase in vehicle height is not more than 50mm. This may be achieved as a single modification such as the installation of a 50mm lift kit, or by a combination of smaller lifts as described below:

- the fitting of body blocks or lift kits (50mm maximum if no other modifications resulting
in a change of vehicle height are performed);

- suspension modification, (50mm maximum if no other modifications resulting in a
change of vehicle height are performed);

- changes to tyre size (maximum change in tyre size diameter of 50mm); or

- a combination of the above that results in a change of vehicle height not exceeding
50mm.

When lowering a vehicle, it must continue to comply with the minimum ground clearances and running clearances specified in ADR 43/... and in the AVSR.

Where changes in vehicle height occur as a result of modifications, the requirements detailed under Modified Components (refer to Code LS3) that are applicable to individual steering and suspension components continue to apply. Important items such as spline engagement, operating angles of drive shaft joints and in the case of CV joints, the range of axial movement, must remain within design limits for the full range of suspension travel. Also other components such as gear levers, brake hoses etc. may need to be extended depending on the nature of the lift.

Steering linkages must continue to operate efficiently and sufficient spline contact surface must be retained for the full range of suspension travel to ensure the safe operation of the vehicle. Otherwise an appropriate steering shaft extension must be used.

Following the completion of modifications the vehicle attitude must remain as per original specifications – i.e. the original relationship between the front and rear suspension heights must not be changed and therefore the front and rear suspensions must be both raised by the same amount.

Vehicles whose ride height is raised by more than 50mm must meet the requirements specified in Codes LS7 and LS8 and undergo a lane-change manoeuvre test in accordance with ISO 3888-1 Passenger Cars – Test Track for a Severe Lane-Change Manoeuvre – Part 1: Double Lane-Change to ensure its stability has not been compromised. The test procedures and requirements for the lane change test are detailed in Section LT Test Procedures Code LT4.

When lowering a vehicle, the ride height of an unladen vehicle must not be changed by more than one third of the working travel of the suspension from its original height to a rigid bump or rebound position specified by the manufacturer. The suspension bump and rebound positions are measured with any deformable bump or rebound stops removed. The original relationship between the front and rear suspension heights must not be changed and therefore the front and rear suspensions must be both raised or both lowered by the same amount.

When raising a vehicle at least two thirds of the original rebound travel must be maintained. The rebound must be limited by the same method as originally employed by the manufacturer. For example limit straps or shock absorber full extension.

If coil springs are lowered, or replacement lower coil springs are used, they must have the same end shape as the original springs. They must retain some pre-tension and not come loose when the suspension is in its lowest position (full rebound). They must have clearance between coils at full bump.

Lowering blocks used with leaf spring suspensions must be steel, aluminium or metal of equivalent strength and must be positively located to the axle spigot hole and spring centre-bolt. Extended or adjustable shackle plates must not be used to raise vehicles on leaf spring suspensions.

Rubber or other resilient bump stops must be provided where the suspension and/or axle are likely to bottom-out on the body or chassis structure.

Where the vehicle manufacturer has fitted a load-sensing valve to the braking system as standard equipment, the brake system bias must be checked in both laden and unladen conditions. This check must confirm that the manufacturer’s specifications are maintained. The vehicle’s braking system may require re-certification to the ADR applicable to the category of vehicle at its date of manufacture.

In the above information I cannot see any references to this being only applicable to ADR categories MC, NA and NB1 vehicles (4WDs). I interpret this to mean that the above information is relevant to passenger car vehicles, as it allows "up to 50mm" without certification - whereas the ADR categories MC, NA and NB1 are allowed "up to 75mm" without certification, as per the following PDF 'Minor Modifications publication (PDF, 414 KB)' found here: **REDACTED**

Can you please clarify whether this permits me to lift my Toyota Prius suspension and tyres up to 50mm? I would like to install a 40mm polyurethane coil and strut spacers and change my tyres from 195/65R15 (635mm diameter) to 205/65R15 (648mm diameter) which is within the 15mm allowable tyre diameter increase for passenger cars, which should yield a total vehicle lift of 46.5mm in conjunction with the coil and strut spacers (front and rear).

Thank you.

**REDACTED**

On Wed, Jan 15, 2020 at 2:52 PM Vehicle Standards <**REDACTED**> wrote:

Hello Mr **REDACTED**

Thank you for your phone call today about raising the suspension and increasing the tyre diameter of a Toyota Prius.

There is a provision for lowering passenger cars, however there is no provision for raising passenger cars. As far as tyres are concerned, the overall rolling diameter can be increased by a maximum of 15mm.

It is possible to lodge an application for specific approval from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and I have attached the application form for your perusal.

If we receive the application, we will assess it and contact you as to what further approval steps are required, or if it is denied we will also advise you in writing.

I hope this assists with your enquiry.

Regards

Best Regards

Greg
Vehicle Standards

Land Transport Safety and Regulation Branch | Customer Services, Safety and Regulation Division | Department of Transport and Main Roads

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PO Box 673 | Fortitude Valley Qld 4006
P: 13 23 80
E: **REDACTED**
W: **REDACTED**

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Lifted Prius vs the Australian Outback

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