I recently acquired a 1989 F250. It looks great but I am good with ARC welding and keep thinking a fabricated set that looks a bit more “rugged” would look even better. Is there laws prohibiting types of aftermarket/fabricated bumpers due to crush zones and such? Thought I would ask before rushing into something. Thanks!

 

The best thing to really do is to check with your local law enforcement. They will have a proper answer for you.

Bumper laws differ from state to to I think.

 

I think all you have to worry about is the height. I have a very heavy duty custom bumper on my truck(10 inch C Channel) I was rear ended by a 96 dodge intrepid doing about 45 mph. The older feller that hit me was in pretty bad shape and so was his car. The only thing that happened to my truck was the trailer wiring harness got sheared off. The officer commented on the nice bumper that saved over a $1000 in damage to my truck. He did say that the bumper was a bit high. It sheared of the upper intake on his car!

 

I don't think you're going to have any problems in Ohio with the lack of a regular inspection program.

 

OH is pretty chickens**t about bumper height. Other than that, no problem.

 

Most states have laws regarding bumper height, but not bumper types, probably with the assumption that you'll have the OEM bumper on the vehicle.

There are many, many commercial pickups running around with diamond plate, winch bumpers, fabricated toolbox bumpers, etc. You name it, someone probably makes it.

Anyway, a year or two ago I leeched a web page as text with summaries of the various bumper height laws, I'll post it here but I'm sorry I can't give credit to whoever compiled it originally. I had cut and pasted it a year ago incorrectly, and never went back to figure out where I got it from. So, know its not my work at all and someone is very worthy of the credit, yet unnamed.

ALABAMA
There aren't codes dealing specifically with the suspension components; rather, you'll have to base your mods on the reflectors. They can't be more than 60 inches above the ground.

ALASKA
Alaska is another state that bases it's laws on the lights, and in this case it's the distance from the headlights and taillights to the ground, which is 54 inches max and 24 minimum front and rear. One note: This state requires mudflaps. More info.

ARIZONA
It's all about mudflaps. The rear fender's spashguards can't be more than 8 inches from the ground and must be wide enough, of course, to actually cover the full tread of the tires. However, 3/4-ton or lighter pickups are exempt, unless you've increased the OE bumper height. So, in other words, lift it, and you're stuck following the mudflap rules. Leave your pickup stock, and you can skip the flaps. Also keep in mind that empty or loaded, your truck can't be taller than 13 feet 6 inches. More info.

ARKANSAS
There's no law governing suspension upgrades, but there is a statute that restricts the height of headlights. They can't be lower than 24 inches or higher than 54 inches from the ground. However, overall height restriction is 13 feet 6 inches without permit, thereby limiting all those dreams you just had.

CALIFORNIA
What you can do is dependent on the GVWR. If your truck's is 4,500 pounds, the maximum frame height is 27 inches. If the GVWR is 4,501 to 7,500 pounds, it's 30 inches, and for 7,501- to 10,000 pounders, it's 31 inches. Also keep in mind that the lowest portion of the body floor can't be more than 5 inches above the top of the frame. More info.

COLORADO
No altering from the OE design is allowed. Psych! It's not allowed unless you follow the rules: Headlights can't be more than 44 inches high, while taillights reach their limit at 72 inches. More info.

CONNECTICUT
Modifying the factory bumper height is OK, as long as you keep it at 30 inches from the ground, or lift the vehicle no more than 4 inches.

DELAWARE
Short and sweet, without legal-eagle mumbo-jumbo: Don't let more than 30 inches get between the ground and the bottom of the bumper.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The headlamps on every motor vehicle (and that means your motorcycle too if you've got on) must stay below 54 inches, and each taillamp must not be higher than 72 inches. The low for the front is 24, and for the rear 15 - but we would hope you'd be altering your truck in the other direction.

FLORIDA
If your truck's net weight is less than 2,000 pounds, the max bumper height is 24 inches front and 26 inches rear. If it's more than 2,000 but less than 3,000, it's 27 front and 29 rear. And if it hits the scales between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds, it's 28 and 30 inches. More info.

GEORGIA
If you modify the OE bumper more than 2 inches above (or below, for that matter) the manufacturer's spec, don't be surprised if you're cited.

HAWAII
Hawaii also determines what's OK based on the GVWR. If your truck is 4,500 pounds or less, the from and rear bumpers' maximum height is 29 inches. If you're looking at 4,501 to 7,500 pounds, it's 33 inches for both. And 7,501 to 10,000 pounds? Don't make them higher than 35 inches at either end. Also be aware that the allowable distance between the body and the framerail tops off at 3 inches.

IDAHO
Lift laws here depend on GVWR - 4,500 pounds or less, the front bumper cab be up to 24 inches and the rear 26 inches. For 4,501 to 7,500 pounds, it's 27 inches in front and 29 out back, and for 7,501 to 10,000 pounds, it's 28 and 30 inches. Interestingly enough, 4x4's and dual-wheel trucks with 10,000-pound or lighter GVWR can have 30-inch-tall bumpers up front and 31 in back.

ILLINOIS
You can't lift the body from the chassis more than 3 inches. In terms of bumper height, a 4,500 pound GVWR or less and your front bumper can't go higher than 24 inches, and the rear must be no more than 26 inches. GVWRs between 4,501 and 7,500 mean 27 inches at the front and 29 at the rear. Finally. if your truck is between 7,501 and 9,000, the allowable altering is 28 and 30 inches.

INDIANA
Simply put, that bumper needs to stay within 3 inches of the factory height. Keep those headlights at 54 inches while your at it.

IOWA
We've been told that Iowa has repealed requirements concerning lifted 4x4s. For now, that means that general height, weight, and width requirements that apply to all other vehicles in the state apply to your four-by. Translation: The height cannot exceed 13 feet 6 inches, and the width can't go beyond 8 feet.

KANSAS
There aren't laws specifically about the suspension, but rather about headlight, taillamp, and reflectors. Headlights should be no higher than 54 inches (no lower than 24 inches), and the taillamps can't reach higher than than 72 inches (or below 15). Reflectors must be present front and rear (out back they can be incorporated into the light or stand alone) and can't be higher than 60 inches or lower than 15.

 

KENTUCKY
Currently, there are no restrictions on terms of bumper height. The Kentucky General Assembly has addressed the issue before but, lo and behold, no one could agree on anything. Just keep it at what most mortals would call safe.

LOUISIANA
It's a headlight state. No matter what kind of motor vehicle you drive, the lights can't be higher than 54 inches. Alter the suspension however you deem fit, as long as the lights are up to code. FYI, foglights can't be higher than 30 inches from the ground. More info.

MAINE
Headlights: Don't even think about going higher than 54 inches. However, keep in mind that the original suspension cannot be "disconnected," but don't let that stop you from bolting on heavy-duty shocks and overload springs. Other need-to-knows: Don't remove or disconnect the ABS, and the tires can only be two sizes larger than the manufacturer's recommendation. Spring-shackle extensioins are also a no-no.

MARYLAND
No trucks or multipurpose vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less can be taller than 28 inches. A truck beyond 10,000 pounds - but not more that 18,000 pounds - can go beyond 30 inches (you Excursions owners just made it into that first grouping under the wire). Lift more than those 30, and you'll be ticketed and/or given a Safety Equipment Repair Order (SERO) to fix the violation. More info.

MASSACHUSETTS
Get your calculator: The maximum allowable mechanical lift (as well as what's acceptable in terms of bigger rubber) can be determined by this formula:
Maximum Lift = Wheelbase x Wheel Track divided by 2200
For example, if you did the formula and came up with 2 inches, then a 2 inch lift and a 2 inch increase in tire size is allowable, equaling a total lift of 4 inches over stock. More info.

MICHIGAN
Lift blocks between the front axle and springs, or lift blocks that exceed 4 inches in height between the rear axle and springs, are not allowed. Shackle replacements cannot exceed OE length by more than 2 inches, and ixnay on the coil spring spacers. In terms of acceptable height, less than 4,501 GVWR, and your frame height cannot exceed 24 inches, and the bumper height can't go beyond 26 inches. For GVWR's between 4,501 and 7,500, those numbers are 24 and 28 inches. For 7,501 and 10,000-pound vehicles, keep the height at 26 and 30 inches.

MINNESOTA
The maximum legal height for bumpers is 25 inches from the bottom of the bumper to the ground. If you attach something to the bumper to make it conform to the legal height, it must be just as strong as the factory bumper or meet SAE standards. Simply bolting on pieces of wood or metal isn't gonna cut it folks. If you slap on a lift kit, you might actually be required to register your truck as a "reconstructed" vehicle, and that would mean you'll have to pay additional road-use tax and need an inspection where a new VIN would be applied.

MISSISSIPPI
No vehicle can be modified in any way that will put it over the state's 8-inch total-lift limit, and the maximum suspension lift front and rear is 6 inches (so make sure your big tires won't be over the limit if you raise the suspension that much).

MISSOURI
Here's another state that use GVWR as the bumper-height guideline. For vehicles 4,500 pouinds and under, the front bumper can't be taller than 24 inches and the rear must see no more than 26 inches. For 4,501 to 7,500 pounds, it's 27 inches in front and 29 rear, and for 7,501 to 9,000 pounds, it's 28 and 30 inches. More info.

MONTANA
No laws here, but your truck will need the lighting requirement, which is that the headlights are no higher than 72 inches or lower than 15 inches.

NEBRASKA
There aren't any specific laws concerning lift kits, but mudflaps get all the attention. They must block the entire width of the tires. More info.

NEVADA
We'll cut to the chase. The bumper height, be it front or rear, cannot go beyond 24 inches.

NEW HAMPSHIRE
No vehicle's height (and we're talking loaded too), may be taller than 13 feet 6 inches. Don't change the height or alter the bumper in any way that would make it farther than 20 inches from the ground. More info.

NEW JERSEY
You can raise the suspension only 4 inches above stock height. Go any higher and your truck becomes classified as a "High Rise" and it must undergo a stability test at a state facility.

NEW MEXICO
The restrictions this state has are that headlamps can't be higher than 54 inches, and taillamps can't be higher than 72 inches. However, it's no-holds-barred on the type of lift used.

NEW YORK
All '90 and newer commercial vehicles and trucks can't go crazy and get that bumper above 24 inches from the ground. Also keep in mind tht headlights must not be more than 54 inches above the cement, and taillights can't be higher than 72 inches. Turn-signal lights can't exceed 83 inches. More info.

NORTH CAROLINA
Don't even think about going higher than 6 inches from the factory height - unless, of course, you get a written OK from the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. You don't need a permission slip if yours is a multipurpose ride atop a truck chassis that sees some dirt.

NORTH DAKOTA
A height of 14 feet, loaded or unloaded, is the limit. Keep in mind that if your tires poke out from the body, you're best advised to stick on fender flares to keep the police at bay.

OHIO
This state keeps an eye on the GVWR for bumper height. For 4,500 pounds and under, 24 inches is the max at front, 26 at the rear, and 4,501 to 7,500 is 27 to 29. For 7,501 to 10,000, it's 28 and 31 inches. If the body or truck-bed height is altered, the difference in height between the body floor and/or the bed floor to the top of the framerail can be no more than 4 inches.

OKLAHOMA
Before you pick out that lift kit, keep in mind that headlights can be no more than 54 inches from the ground, and the taillights can't exceed 72 inches.

OREGON
Oregon doesn't have a maximum bumper-height law, but headlights can be only 54 inches from the center of the headlight to the asphalt. Also, maximum height of a vehicle, with anything on top or loaded is 14 feet. More info.

PENNSYLVANIA
Be aware that increasing the wheel track by using spacers or similar doodads thicker than 1/4 inch is a very bad move. On medium and heavy duty trucks, the rear bumper must be within 30 inches of the ground when the truck is unloaded. More info.

RHODE ISLAND
For all vehicles with a 10,000-pound GVWR or less, you can raise the chassis or body no more than 4 inches from the OE height.

SOUTH CAROLINA
You can't modify either up or down by more than 6 inches from the original height.

SOUTH DAKOTA
There aren't regulations for suspensions, per se, but the taillights can be no higher than 72 inches.

TENNESSEE
There can be no more than 4 inches between the body floor and the top of the frame. The distance between the bumper and the ground is 24 inches for GVWRs of 4,500 and less; 26 inches for 4,501 tto 7,500; and 28 inches for 7,501 to 10,000.

TEXAS
Laws concern lighting but not bumper height or even lift blocks. The headlamps must be mounted between 24 and 54 inches from the ground, the taillamps between 15 and 72, and foglamps between 12 and 30.

UTAH
After being told it's a "mathmatical nightmare" to figure out by one local trooper, we got the scoop from another trooper: If your vehicle's wheelbase is 100 inches or less, the most you can lift can be determined by:
Maximum Lift = Wheelbase x Wheel Track divided by 2200
For 4x4 wheelbases beyond 100 inches, you can lift a total of 8 inches, but you'll have to remember your new tires do that equation (so if you lift 4 inches, you can go up in tire size that much too).

VERMONT
For trucks and multipurpose vehicles, the allowable bumper-height increase for front bumpers and rear bumpers depends on the GVWR. For 4,500 pounds and under, it's 24 inches front and 26 inches rear. For 4,501 to 7,500, it's 27 and 29, and for 7,501 to 10,000, it's 28 and 31.

VIRGINIA
Don't even think about driving on these highways if there is more than 28 inches between the bumpers and the road if your truck falls in the 4,500-pound GVWR rating. For 4,501 to 7,500 pounds, the front bumper must stay lower than 29 inches and the rear 30 inches; for 7,501 amd 15,000 pounds, it's 30 at the front and 31 at the rear. More info.

WASHINGTON
You can lift your truck in Washington without fear, as long as the kit is manufactured by an aftermarket company and is designed for your make and model of truck, as well as installed the right way. You know this already, right? Body lifts can't use more than a 3 inch spacer and are not allowed to rise the body more than 4 inches above the frame after all components are installed.

WEST VIRGINIA
The most space you can have between the body and frame are 3 inches, while the acceptable gap between the bumpers and the ground is 31 inches for a 10,000-pound or less GVWR or less. More weight than that, you're free and clear.

WISCONSIN
Wisconsin law says that vehicles with an 8,000 pound GVWR can be pushed 5 inches above the OE height, and the tires can be increased by up to 4 inches in radius over the factory size, equaling an acceptable 9-inch lift.

WYOMING
There are no official statutory gidelines for bumper height, frame height, rear blocks, or shakle lifts - all laws refering to these alterations say the vehicle must simply be in "safe" working condition.

 

Keep in mind that many of the above states do not have state inspections, therefore you might feel that you are safe and can go undetected.

I lived in NY for many years, and had 48" meats on an old crewcab, so the lift necessary was rather extreme, obviously. Since NY didn't have state run inspections, but rather local service stations, tire places and body shops did the inspection, I simply found one that asked "does everything work?"
"Yep, absolutely!"
"here's your sticker, that will be $15 please".

The drawback is that all you need is one over-zealous officer with a tape measure and the laws regarding lifts and your in deep trouble. Got snagged twice, fined twice, and had to be flatbedded off the NYS thruway since obviously a tow truck wasn't going to lift my crewcab high enough to avoid the front tires from hitting the pavement.

Just be careful!

 

Thank you all for your great info...

 

Also if you're in an accident with an illegal bumper that you have modified, you WILL lose in court when the other party sues you, and they will sue you. Because you've illegally modified your vehicle your insurance company can and probably will drop you like a hot potato. Best to keep it legal.

 

Another 10" channel bumper here!

Oh boo hoo, go ahead and sue me.. I'm 18, they could take everything I own and I'm out, hmm, 15 bucks. Its a shame there are pansies ou there who would sue you because your bumper works better then theirs. Even worse that a judge would agree with them. yuppies

 

Damn !!!

I like your attitude.
Don't forget about those milk crate coffee tables!

I sometimes wonder what happened to the old days. The days that a good fist fight would settle everything!

 

Just because you don't have anything right this moment, at 18, but a judgement against you by a jury of your peers might result in a LIFETIME of monthly payments taken out of your wages.

A good friend of mine has been suffering that for about 8 years, $250 a month pretty much until he's 91. Any month he doesn't pay (which has happened twice when he was downsized from a job) the state troopers came and took him and put him in a cell.

Not picking on you, just presenting a real-world situation that might make you think a little. I remember being 18 a long time ago, and having the same type of attitudes as you. But sadly, the world doesn't necessary agree with what we thought at that age

 

I dont think they can sue you because of a bumper just because it is better than factory, as long as its not too high. Whats the difference they shouldnt have hit you in the first place.. My parents 87 bronco was rear ended. The car that hit them was totaled, The officer commented also that you never want to rear end a ford truck because the bumpers are bullet proof. The tow bumpers are half inch plate steal from the factory! It would never hold up in court. It is like defending yourself with a heavy bumper instead of a hand gun. If you can prove that it is for protection it will never hold up in court.

 

Parks911, right on brotha!

I had a chick rear end me one time, with my factory bumper, and I had to use 4wd because her honda as slid so far up under my truck that the back wheels were almost off the ground. What if she had hit the gas tank and blown herself to hell? Guess thats my fault to huh, I should have been watching where SHE was going