​Light, Medium or Heavy Duty Suspension?


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Over the years I have come across many disappointed 4wd owners who have spent large sums of money on expensive suspension upgrades and were left unhappy afterwards. Their disappointment most often stems from the fact that they have ended up with a vehicle that does not have that “better ride” as promised. The problem almost always lies with the person selling you the suspension upgrade and what they promise you at the time of doing the sale. The excitement of a suspension upgrade gets to everybody – the salesman doing the deal as well as you, the 4wd owner, who anticipates a magical transformation of your vehicle.


As a long time salesman, I am very aware of the temptation to try and sell the full Monty. Experience has taught me however that an unhappy customer, especially one who has parted with a considerably large sum of money, will never trust you again and will be lost to you as a customer for good. It is therefore essential that everybody is on the same page when discussing a possible suspension upgrade. Herewith are some points regarding suspension load rating to consider when contemplating a suspension upgrade to your 4wd:

1. A vehicle fitted with Heavy Duty suspension will have a firmer ride. When empty, you will experience more difficulty in articulating the axles when off-roading, your vehicle may also be rather unpleasant to drive and may even have issues with ride height and shock absorber travel due to the extreme lift that some Heavy-Duty suspension systems have. Heavy-duty suspension should only be considered for vehicles that are going to be carrying some type of constant load – a load that is not taken off the vehicle with any regularity. This excludes towed items such as boats and caravans.

2. There are very few suspension kits on the market that truly offer a softer ride. A softer ride comes from softer springs. A vehicle fitted with a softer suspension will carry less load and, in most cases, exhibit more body roll. This invariably leads to a feeling of having less control – not a desirable trait for your 4wd to have.

3. Medium duty suspension is a good all-rounder and is used in most cases. This type of suspension upgrade has a bit of lift, carries loads better than the standard suspension and the ride is very acceptable even when your vehicle is empty. Medium duty suspension upgrades are perfect for vehicles that carry occasional loads and spend most of their time carrying little or no load.

Regarding ride quality, there is a definite difference between a softer ride and a smoother ride. A medium-duty suspension upgrade may give you a slightly firmer ride however, provided you use a quality product with matched springs and shocks, you should end up with a smoother, more controlled ride. This will instil much confidence and reassurance in your ability to control your vehicle which goes a long way towards the safety of your vehicle and your family.

Suspension is not something you often see when you first look at a vehicle.

But when you need it, the suspension is the single most important upgrade you can make to your vehicle.

Original Equipment suspension is set up to support your vehicle for on-road conditions with a reasonable amount of weight. When you start to add vehicle accessories, attach a trailer or caravan and increase your load, the way the suspension handles the load changes. Couple that with uneven surfaces and off-road conditions, the OEM suspension can no longer take the additional strain.

Content Contributed by Ironman 4x4 South Africa www.ironman4x4.co.za