Four-wheel drive vehicles are designed to balance regular practicality with off-road ability. Standard suspensions are not designed to handle extreme off-roading. If you want to get the most out of the outback, then you should definitely upgrade your suspension.
What is a Performance Suspension Upgrade
Suspension lets the vehicle move on. When trying to hit high speeds in sports cars, having a stiff suspension is the way to go. However, 4WD suspension should be soft so that the wheels can move easily and get a better grip over uneven areas. In order to get the best results, upgrading car suspension is a great idea. Several parts work together, the main ones being the shock absorbers or dampers and springs. Shock absorbers reduce the punch of the bumps on the road. The springs spring your vehicle back up to its regular height.
Some of the common types of springs are
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Air Suspension
This is the newest technology and is great for off road. If you are looking to upgrade your 4WD suspension, then this is a great idea. An airbag which is pressurised works as a spring. It has a lot of different features which leaf or coil suspension simply cannot match. These include things like auto levelling, height adjustment, progressive springing and many other things. It costs more in comparison to old-school suspension systems. However, it is a big upgrade and worth the money.
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Coil Springs
A lot of vehicles have coil springs in them. Even 4WDs have these. They look like a big coil and are a mid range option when it comes suspension upgrades. They are somewhat comfortable and are light on the pocket.
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Leaf Springs
These are known for being very strong and are promoted by a lot of suspension upgrade services. They are great for heavier loads and are more durable than coil springs. They are great for trucks not the best for off road adventures in the outback.
Why Suspension Upgrades Are Good
The aim of 4WD suspension is to get a balance between driving comfort and off-road capacity to hit the Outback in all of its untamed glory. All of this and that, too without breaking the bank. You should visit your local suspension upgrade services.
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Increased Load Capacity
A 4WD vehicle is not a lightweight thing. Once you load it up with supplies, gear and of course, friends and family, then the suspension begins to show. The perfect outdoor adventure is in the Outback, but your vehicle needs a suspension upgrade. Otherwise the ground clearance of the vehicle suffers so much that your vehicle cannot take you on to your next adventure. In fact depending upon the type and weight of the gear you are carrying even the gear might be too much to carry.
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Better Vehicle Clearance
Ground clearance is a back or break when moving through rough terrain and keeping the underbody of your vehicle safe. A bigger set of springs are great for height and improve ground clearance.
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Suspension Sag
As the suspension ages, things start to go downhill. New springs are needed to improve the vehicle suspension.
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Nicer Off Road Performance
Going off-road when your vehicle deals with harsh terrain you are going to need suspension upgrade services in order to make sure that you have the best possible driving experience.
FAQs
Problems of the standard suspension
Answer : If you want to drive your vehicle in its stock format, there’s nothing wrong with using factory provided OE suspension.
Ultimately, the suspension has been made to do a job and it will do this for many thousands of kilometres. Having said that, if you are planning on modifying your 4WD with a range of accessories, intend to carry regular loads constantly, tow a trailer or need better ground clearance for that off-road adventure, the O.E suspension on the vehicle might not necessarily be the best solution.
Should I upgrade to regular 4wding?
Answer: Although it’s made to carry up to the GVM (gross vehicle mass) of the vehicle, standard suspension might begin to sag the moment you start adding accessories or carrying a load of any great weight. This can cause steering issues, effect cornering and braking performance, on top of issues with headlamp and driving light alignment.
Any accessory or big load that’s permanently added to the vehicle should have the weight compensated for with a regular load spring and shock specification.
Is it a problem if the vehicle gets lower when loaded?
Answer: Ground clearance is about a lot more than the distance between the ground and vehicle. Once the suspension and the overall vehicle settle down there can be a difficult bottoming out. This is detrimental to overall wheel handling and leads to a loss of control. Going for a better height suspension can be good for longer suspension travel coupled with wheel articulation. On top of this it gives the body better clearance to obstacles.
Especially if you are someone who has to move heavier loads, then it makes perfect sense to go for suspension upgrades as the stock suspension in most 4WD vehicles is designed for lighter loads and less extreme off-road conditions.
Can I get heavier springs from my mechanic?
Answer : Australia has some of the most qualified mechanics in the world and we are sure that your mechanic is also very good at their job. However, if the mechanic does not have the right qualifications, then they might not be able to do the job to your satisfaction. You should always ask for proof such as certifications that they know what they are doing when it comes to taking care of your 4WD needs.
Manufacturer-made suspension systems are supposed to work as a total package. These are extensively tested in order to make sure that they are the best for your vehicle and are able to cater to your needs. If you rely on an unqualified or underqualified individual to upgrade your 4WD suspension then you are going to get your car into some serious trouble.