Suspension

Suspension is the foundation of every capable 4WD. The factory setup is built for an empty unloaded vehicle on a sealed road, and the moment you add a bull bar, a winch, a dual battery, a fridge, a rooftop tent, water tanks and a couple of jerry cans, you have changed the geometry, the spring rate and the legal payload of the vehicle. Touring rigs sag at the rear, dive at the front, run hot shocks on corrugations and chew tyres unevenly because the factory setup was never designed to carry that weight.

A properly engineered suspension upgrade does three things at once. It restores correct ride height with the load on, it matches damping to the kind of driving you actually do (sealed road, gravel, sand or technical rock), and where required it lifts the vehicle's legal Gross Vehicle Mass so the build is roadworthy with the gear you need to carry. That is why we never sell suspension as a single component. We spec the system around the vehicle, the build and the trip plan, then we install and certify it from one of our two Victorian workshops.

KEY CATEGORIES AND WHAT THEY'RE BUILT FOR

LIFT KITS AND HEIGHT UPGRADES

Lift kits raise ride height and create room for larger tyres and obstacle clearance. The right amount of lift depends on the vehicle, the build weight and how the truck is actually used. Smaller 25 to 30mm comfort lifts suit daily-driven 4WDs that need a little more clearance and ride quality without changing geometry. Medium 40 to 50mm touring lifts are the most common setup we install, restoring correct ride height with the load on, fitting 32 to 33 inch tyres, and keeping the ride civilised on highway.

Larger 60 to 75mm heavy lifts are typically used for serious off-road builds running 33 to 35 inch tyres. Above 50mm of lift, however, steering geometry, driveline angles and panhard rod length all need to be addressed properly, and we will not fit a 75mm lift without sorting the geometry. Vehicle-specific kits perform far better than generic ones because they are designed around the suspension geometry of individual models. Browse the Lift Kits collection, the Dobinsons Lift Kits range and Tough Dog Lift Kits for vehicle-specific options.

SHOCK ABSORBERS AND DAMPERS

Shock absorbers control how the suspension responds to bumps and terrain changes. Factory shocks work well for standard vehicles, but upgraded shocks are designed to handle heavier loads and demanding conditions. Shock valving determines how quickly suspension reacts to terrain, which directly affects ride comfort and vehicle control under load.

High-quality shocks also provide better damping consistency and durability compared with budget alternatives that wear out quickly. Choosing the correct shocks for the vehicle and the intended use is essential, and professional selection and installation ensure the suspension system performs as expected across both highway and off-road environments.

COIL SPRINGS AND SPRING SYSTEMS

Coil springs support the weight of the vehicle and determine how the suspension responds to load changes. Progressive spring designs allow vehicles to handle varying loads while maintaining ride comfort, and heavy-duty springs are commonly used on touring vehicles carrying additional equipment. Spring rate selection has to match vehicle weight and expected loads.

Springs that are too soft sag under load, while springs that are too stiff reduce ride comfort. Properly selected springs ensure the suspension maintains correct ride height while supporting additional equipment safely.

GVM UPGRADE SYSTEMS

A GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) upgrade increases the legal weight your 4WD is allowed to carry. It is not optional once you have built a touring rig: a Ranger, Hilux or Triton with bull bar, winch, drawer system, dual battery, rooftop tent, full fuel and water is almost always over factory GVM. The upgrade pairs engineered springs and shocks (and sometimes uprated brakes) with a state or federal Second Stage Manufacturer certification, so the vehicle is legally rated for the new payload.

We install pre-registration and post-registration GVM upgrades from Tough Dog, Dobinsons, JRace and other approved kits, and we issue compliance documentation as part of the install. Browse GVM Upgrades for vehicle-specific options. Worth knowing: increasing GVM without changing GCM means your maximum legal towing capacity drops by the same amount you added to GVM, so we will walk you through the GCM impact before you commit.

LIQUID SPRING SMART ADAPTIVE SUSPENSION

For F250, F350, F450 and F550 owners (and RAM 3500 to 5500 cab chassis owners) who want the best ride and load behaviour available, we are Australia's certified installer for Liquid Spring smart adaptive suspension. Liquid Spring uses sensor-controlled liquid struts that adjust damping and spring rate up to 1,000 times per second, so corrugations stop being violent, the rig sits level whether empty or fully loaded, and you can raise or lower the vehicle for ferry ramps and technical obstacles.

We have completed over 1,000 4WD builds across Victoria and Australia, and Liquid Spring is the suspension we recommend for serious tow rigs and heavy expedition F-trucks. Available in leveling kit, 2 inch lift and 4 inch lift configurations.

JRACE COIL CONVERSIONS FOR 70 SERIES

JRace coil conversions replace the rear leaf springs on a 70 Series LandCruiser (76, 78, 79 series) with a 4-link multi-link coil setup. The kit ships with a track-corrected diff housing, 300M billet axles, GVM upgrade, brake upgrade and rebuildable flex joints. The result is significantly better articulation, ride quality and load handling, and it transforms how a 76, 78 or 79 Series rides loaded.

We are an authorised JRace installation facility, and we handle the full conversion at our Pakenham workshop including engineering certification.

AIRBAG SUSPENSION FOR VARIABLE LOADS

If your 4WD alternates between unloaded daily driving and heavy tow or load duty, airbag helper kits give you adjustable rear support without compromising unloaded ride quality. Inflate when the caravan is hooked up, deflate when it is just you and the dog.

Airbag systems are popular for towing and touring applications where load conditions change frequently, and proper installation ensures the system works reliably and maintains vehicle balance. Browse the Air Bags collection for vehicle-specific options.

ANTI-ROLL BAR SYSTEMS

Anti-roll bars help control body movement when cornering, and by reducing body roll they improve handling and stability on road. Some anti-roll bars are adjustable or disconnectable, allowing drivers to tune the suspension for different driving conditions: disconnecting the bar can improve wheel articulation during off-road driving while reconnecting it restores stability on road.

Correct installation and tuning ensure the suspension maintains the right balance between road control and off-road flexibility.

SUSPENSION BUSHINGS, BEARINGS AND COMPONENTS

Bushings connect suspension components and allow controlled movement between parts. Over time these wear out, leading to steering looseness and reduced suspension performance. High-quality bushings last longer and maintain consistent handling, and replacing worn bushings improves suspension responsiveness and vehicle control.

Sometimes the right answer is not a full kit. If your factory shocks are tired, your rear springs have sagged, or you need uprated dampers for towing, we fit individual components. Suspension components covers shocks, springs, bushings and the supporting parts that make a suspension setup work.

VEHICLE-SPECIFIC SUSPENSION ENGINEERING

Suspension systems must be designed for each vehicle model, because a Toyota Hilux requires different suspension tuning compared with a Prado, Ranger or Isuzu. Engine weight, transmission type and vehicle configuration all influence suspension design.

Vehicle-specific systems are engineered to match these variables. Professional assessment helps determine the correct suspension components for each vehicle, and that is the assessment we run before recommending any kit.

BRAKING AND STEERING INTEGRATION

Suspension upgrades often affect both braking performance and steering geometry. Vehicles carrying heavier loads require stronger braking systems to maintain safe stopping distances, and brake upgrades may include improved pads, larger components or upgraded brake fluid systems.

Lifts also alter steering angles and may require panhard rod adjustment to maintain correct alignment. Professional installation ensures steering geometry remains correct after suspension upgrades, because improper alignment causes handling issues and uneven tyre wear.

BRANDS WE STOCK AND WHY

The brands stocked here are the ones we trust to last in real Australian conditions. We do not list a brand we do not regularly install ourselves.

Tough Dog 4WD Suspension is Australian-engineered shocks and springs with a strong reputation for durability. Their lift kits are our most-installed all-rounder, suitable for the daily-driven Hilux, Ranger, Prado or LandCruiser. Foam-cell shocks handle corrugations well and the spring rates are matched to load. Dobinsons Spring & Suspension makes vehicle-specific engineered kits with options across the lift range, with strong on-road manners and serious off-road capability. The IMS independent monotube shock range is a favourite for touring rigs that need consistent damping over long days on gravel.

JRace Industries are Australian-made suspension and coil conversion specialists, with federal-approval kits that eliminate engineering hassle. The 70 Series 4-link coil conversion is the only commercially available 4-link kit on the market and it transforms how a 76, 78 or 79 Series rides loaded. Outback Armour covers heavy-duty foam-cell shocks and matched spring kits, designed for heavy touring rigs and remote work; we fit Outback Armour where the build sees long stretches of corrugated road. Liquid Spring is the premium tier we install for F-Series and RAM, smart adaptive suspension as covered above.

We also install Airbag Man, Kelderman air suspension and individual components from supporting brands. If a system is not on the site, ask, because we install many on order.

WE'LL TELL YOU IF YOU'RE PICKING THE WRONG SUSPENSION

Our team understands suspension design and how different components work together. We help customers select systems suited to their vehicle, driving environment and load requirements, and the products in this collection are systems we regularly recommend based on installation experience. We prioritise reliable suspension components that balance comfort, load capacity and off-road capability over peak figures.

WHAT A QUALITY SUSPENSION INSTALLATION INVOLVES

Suspension is the one upgrade where the install is as important as the parts. Wheel alignment, panhard rod length, brake line clearance, anti-roll bar tuning, shock orientation and torque settings all have to be right or the vehicle will wander, dive, wear tyres unevenly or lose ground clearance. Both our workshops are equipped with hoists, alignment gear and the diagnostic tools needed to set a suspension up properly.

Every kit we install includes pre and post measurements, a road test on the vehicle's intended trip surface, and a full alignment. For GVM upgrades we also issue the certification paperwork as part of the install. Visit our workshops at Ferntree Gully or Pakenham, or send us a service enquiry with your vehicle and build plan and we will spec the right system.