The Benefits of Upgrading Your 4x4 Suspension

Enhance Your 4x4 Off-Road Experience with Superior Performance and Reliability

Considering going off-road or carrying heavy loads, your suspension might benefit from an upgrade

Engineers spend significant time and money designing the suspension system for each four-wheel drive. They carefully evaluate the required system to meet the vehicle’s needs.

They assess the springs, shocks, and overall suspension performance with varying weights. This ranges from the light load of a single passenger to towing heavy loads like a caravan. Ultimately, the suspension must perform well right out of the showroom to ensure a successful sale.

While standard suspension often suffices for road cruising or carrying light loads, it struggles under the pressures of off-road conditions or heavy weights. You may find your vehicle’s suspension smooth on highways, but it quickly deteriorates on rough terrain or sags significantly with heavy loads.

In essence, while standard suspension meets basic needs, upgrading it enhances overall performance and addresses specific requirements effectively.

If you plan to tackle off-road adventures or carry heavy loads in your four-wheel drive, you’ll likely find that the standard suspension falls short.

Why upgrade your 4 x 4's suspension?

Upgrading your four-wheel drive’s suspension offers several benefits. These include increased vehicle clearance, extended wheel travel for improved off-road performance, enhanced on-road handling, and better load-carrying capabilities.

For those who carry or tow heavy loads, upgrading the rear springs is crucial. It greatly improves vehicle safety and handling by preventing rear sagging and maintaining balance.

Replacing shock absorbers enhances ride comfort both on and off the road. New shocks outperform the originals and are built with more robust construction.

How do we upgrade the suspension?

In a four-wheel drive, we typically raise the suspension up to 50mm, which is the legal limit before requiring an engineering certificate.

The vehicle’s height depends on its load-carrying springs. Most 4WDs use large coil springs over the front axle and either coil or leaf springs in the rear.

To improve 4×4 suspension these springs are changed out with customised replacements manufactured to carry added weight/lift vehicle height. Manufacturers have developed springs to cater for many different weights in vehicles. This means you can select different springs depending if you have bull bar, winch, constant rear weight etc.
Install shocks to manage movement and absorb bumps.

Shock absorbers for your suspension

Standard shock absorbers often struggle on corrugated roads, where the oil heats up and becomes aerated, leading to ‘shock fade.’ This condition alters the oil’s properties and diminishes its damping ability. In contrast, aftermarket shocks feature larger oil capacities to manage heat better and use low-pressure nitrogen charges to prevent aeration.

Why Dobinson’s suspension for your four-wheel drive?

We recommend Dobinsons for all your suspension needs because their range stands out as one of the best. All Dobinsons springs are made in Australia, and their suspension systems can be tailored to specific requirements, such as accommodating nylon or steel winch ropes.

Dobinsons offers high-quality parts with superior design, rigorously tested before sale.

If you don’t find exactly what you need in the Dobinsons range, no worries. Our trusted suppliers can also provide options from Oztec, Bilstein, Terrain Tamer, and more.

Things to remember when upgrading your 4x4 suspension

Remember to check for additional grease points, like those on rear leaf spring hangers, after upgrading your vehicle’s suspension.

Consider installing air bags if you occasionally carry heavy loads. You can use softer springs for everyday driving and inflate the air bags when carrying heavy loads to maintain ride height.

When setting up your vehicle for towing or carrying extra weight, ensure that it stays level to keep weight on the front wheels and maintain balance.

A suspension upgrade is an important 4x4 accessory

Upgrading your four-wheel drive’s suspension is a crucial improvement for your vehicle.

Choosing high-quality shock absorbers and customizing them to fit your 4×4 can significantly boost performance.

If you plan to go off-road, check your suspension beforehand. Your passengers will appreciate the smoother ride.

Keep in mind that upgrading suspension won’t change your vehicle’s maximum load rating. While adjusting GVM or GCM is possible, it’s complex. However, an upgraded suspension enhances your vehicle’s performance with heavy loads.

For all your after-market suspension needs on the Gold Coast, please contact us today.