Vintage Auto Parts: Tips for Restorers and Repairers

3 Mods to Maximise the Performance of Your 4x4's Suspension System

2 October 2019

Malena Capel

Looking to adjust your 4x4's suspension system to achieve the best possible riding comfort and vehicle handling? The secret to improving your Landcruiser suspension is to make suspension components upgrades that matter the most.

Here are some key suspension parts that you should consider upgrading:

Shocks and Struts

Despite the fact that the shocks and struts on your four by four's suspension aren't physically connected, they work together to keep your vehicle stable on the road.

Struts are typically installed in the front wheels while shocks are installed in the rear wheels. No wheel on your car can have both a strut and a shock. Shocks and struts help to transfer and distribute weight loads evenly in the event of an over-steer or under-steer situation, which may cause you to lose control of the vehicle. 

Indeed, upgrading your shocks and struts combo is the best way to improve the performance of your vehicle's suspension system.

Coil Springs 

The coil springs are the springs that are put together with the shocks to make up the performance coilovers. These springs help to absorb road shock, helping to offset any irregularities on the surface of the road. This stops your vehicle from bouncing up and down on the road, leading to a smoother ride.

Coil springs also assist with elevating the vehicle, keeping your car off the ground at the optimal height. This helps to provide maximum clearance underneath the vehicle. 

If you are going to upgrade your shocks, upgrading your coil springs is imperative. Otherwise, the old springs won't be able to match the rebound and compression dampening capabilities of the new shocks, hurting the comfort and handling of the vehicle.

Bushings

These cushions of rubber are designed to help prevent various suspension parts from clunking together. They essentially serve as an interface between two parts that shouldn't come into contact with each other. 

If you have bad bushings, you can often feel strong vibrations and hear loud noises when you are braking and negotiating sharp corners. You can upgrade your bushings help to minimise suspension noises and vibrations, thus improving vehicle performance and riding quality.

Making the above-highlighted mods can go a long way in improving the performance of your 4x4 vehicle. If you want to get the most out of the upgrades, you should let a professional mechanic work on your vehicle. They'll choose the right components for your suspension modification and ensure each part is fitted and adjusted correctly.

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