Are stock suspension systems slowing you down? Ironman 4x4 suspension kits and accessories are the ultimate options to improve your rig’s handling on and off-road or while loaded up for your next trip. Read our suspension buyer's guide today.
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the number of choices you have when it comes to upgrading your utility vehicle or 4x4 suspension systems.
A well-matched suspension kit will transform your vehicle’s performance, comfort, and versatility and even how it handles on and off-road for work or play.
However, choosing which components to upgrade can be difficult when you’re flooded with so much information and options.
If you want to increase your 4x4’s payload with a GVM upgrade, improve off-road performance or fit larger tyres with a 4x4 suspension lift kit, a well-designed suspension system - one that only after-market builds can provide, is crucial for ensuring stability, handling and comfort. So, how do you find what parts are right for you?
Our buyer’s guide will walk you through the critical components of 4WD suspension upgrades, including:
- Springs
- Shock absorbers
- Upper control arms
- The differences between lift kits and GVM upgrades
We’ll also explore how to upgrade your 4x4 suspension for off-road driving with the most suitable accessories so you can build the perfect setup that lasts years to come. Read on!
When you should upgrade your 4x4 suspension
Your car’s factory suspension is generally designed to balance comfort, handling, and load capacity for average, everyday driving conditions.
However, your factory suspension might not be sufficient if you’re pushing your vehicle beyond typical use while driving off-road, carrying heavy loads, or needing more ground clearance. Here’s why:
1. You’re regularly bottoming out while off-roading
Factory suspension systems are often designed for metropolitan areas with paved surfaces, where ground clearance - the distance between the lowest part of your car and the ground - can be relatively low.
Low clearance can make it difficult for your 4x4 to tackle uneven terrain, steep inclines, and descents without risking damage to your car’s underbody.
2. You’re regularly carrying heavy loads while working or touring
If you regularly carry heavy payloads - whether work equipment, towing trailers, or overlanding gear - your stock suspension may not handle the added weight effectively.
Not only is overloading your 4x4 past its Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) illegal, but it can also decrease the speed and range you can efficiently travel and lead to premature wear, sagging, and even unsafe driving conditions.
3. Your frequently lift wheels and lose traction off-road
Factory suspension systems often lack the durability and flexibility needed for off-road driving.
Aftermarket lift kits help improve wheel flex (articulation) and travel (droop), allowing your tyres to maintain contact with the ground even in challenging off-road conditions.
They can also reduce vibration and offer more control, traction, and stability over rocks, mud, sand, and other environmental conditions.
4WD Suspension Upgrades: lift kits & GVM upgrades
While the suspension configuration - independent or solid axle - is decided by your car’s manufacturer, it doesn’t mean you can’t improve performance.
Ironman 4x4 offers complete suspension solutions, including lift kits and GVM upgrades tailored to your vehicle, or you can individually choose each part for a custom build that suits your set-up.
Suspension lift kits
You can find a 4x4 suspension lift kit that includes all the parts needed to increase the clearance, wheel articulation and travel of your 4wd so you can better manage traction, enjoy a smoother ride and get more responsive handling on-road.
Explore the complete range today to find kits offering the essentials that get the job done to comprehensive long travel suspension kits that cover all bases of geometry correction.
GVM upgrades
Whether you’re driving materials between worksites and carrying a ute full of tools, or travelling with the weekend toys loaded up and even towing a caravan, how much of a payload you can physically and legally carry might be two different things.
Your GVM - or gross vehicle mass, refers to the maximum legal weight your vehicle can carry, including the weight of the vehicle, passengers, fuel, accessories, and any cargo you carry.
Our GVM upgrade kits increase your 4x4’s stability with shocks that are valved specifically to the weight of your set-up, uprated springs and supporting components.
That means you can carry up to 600 Kgs of extra weight (depending on your vehicle) while complying with federal rules, so you can safely carry heavier loads without compromising safety, compliance, performance, or handling.
Find out whether you need a GVM Upgrade.
What are the differences between Ironman 4x4 Shock Absorbers?
Whether it’s for more lift, a smoother ride or better off-road performance – Ironman 4×4 has a range of shocks available to suit your set-up and budget. Discover the differences in our Nitro Gas, Foam Cell, Foam Cell Pro and IM2.5 options.
Nitro Gas Shock Absorbers
The Ironman 4x4 Nitro Gas shock absorbers are a great value, entry level twin-tube offering. If you’re after a lift and improved performance for occasional off-road driving this is the shock for you.
With a noticeable increase in size and oil capacity over OEM offerings, our Nitro Gas shocks are an upgrade you’ll enjoy every time you jump in your car.
Nitro Gas shocks feature:
- 16mm rod
- 35mm piston
- 54mm body
- Nitrogen gas
- Twin tube steel body
- Height adjustable with trim packers
Foam Cell Shock Absorbers
The Ironman 4x4 Foam Cell shock absorbers offer improved off-road performance, when compared to our Nitro Gas offering. If you’re after an unbreakable, dependable shock that will get you to the campsite or job site, this is the shock for you.
Adding an internal foam layer that replaces high-pressure gas, our Foam Cell shocks are more resistant to shock fade, providing longer-lasting performance on high-speed corrugations and demanding trails.
Foam Cell shocks feature:
- 18mm rod
- 40mm piston
- 60mm body
- Internal foam cell layer
- Twin tube steel body
- Height adjustable with trim packers
Foam Cell Pro Shock Absorbers
The Ironman 4x4 Foam Cell Pro shock absorbers are our biggest and best twin-tube offering. If you’re looking for a big-bore shock engineered for outback touring, this is the shock for you.
Adding increased oil capacity for improved cooling, and a threaded height-adjustable body for perfect and precise ride height adjustments over the trim packer method used on our Foam Cell and Nitro Gas shocks.
Our Foam Cell Pro shocks are more resistant to shock fade, providing longer-lasting performance on high-speed corrugations and demanding trails.
Foam Cell Pro shocks feature:
- 20mm rod
- 45mm piston
- 65-72mm body
- Internal foam cell layer
- Twin tube steel body
- Height adjustable threaded body
IM2.5 Shock Absorbers
The Ironman 4x4 IM2.5 shock absorbers are engineered for ultimate ride comfort. If you’re looking for a shock that is comfortable on-road and responsive to terrain changes off-road, this is the shock for you.
Switching up to a monotube design, the IM2.5 utilises a linear performance damper curve, for superior comfort. Like the Foam Cell Pro, it includes a threaded height-adjustable body for perfect and precise ride height adjustments.
IM2.5 shocks feature:
- 20mm rod
- 57mm piston
- 2.5” (63.5mm) body
- Monotube with internal floating piston
- 6061 T6 Aluminium body
- Height adjustable threaded body
Performance components to customise your suspension set-up
When you’re looking to upgrade your 4x4’s suspension, there’s a wide range of aftermarket gear that can help you tailor your set-up to your needs and preferences.
Whether you’re after a complete kit or want the ability to choose the individual products, some of the components you’ll require include:
Springs
Suspension springs are a foundational element of any on- and off-road suspension system. They're responsible for maintaining your 4x4’s clearance and helping support your payload.
While your car’s manufacturer determines the type of spring your suspension system is compatible with, each offers various pros and cons that can be further optimised by choosing quality after-market parts from a reputable supplier like Ironman 4x4.
While we offer a large range of shock absorbers, we also design our springs to be compatible with the OEM damper for most applications.
Leaf springs
Among the most traditional forms of suspension that are more frequently used in the rear axle, leaf springs consist of several layers of metal strips called leaves stacked together to form a leaf pack.
Their robust build enables them to more easily carry heavy payloads, making them a popular option for utility vehicles needing a durable construction with fewer parts requiring maintenance.
Coil springs
Coil springs have become the new standard for recreational 4x4s with a flexible design that is more comfortable for passengers and more responsive to road conditions.
They are typically installed along the front of most modern 4x4’s and the rear axles of most wagons. They provide drivers with improved traction that make it a fantastic choice for vehicles designed for commuting during the week and weekend off-roading.
Strut coils
Combining a coil spring with a strut assembly, commonly known as coilovers - offer improved shock absorption and structural support, helping balance on-road driving with come off-road capability. This is the most common set-up found on modern utes and wagons.
Torsion bars
A less common but quality suspension system, torsion bars or torsion springs work by twisting to absorb impacts rather than compressing like a coil or spring configuration, making them suitable for on-road and light off-road driving.
Additionally, they can be adjusted, allowing you to change them to your 4x4’s height without the need for a full lift kit. However, as constant tension is applied, torsion bars are more susceptible to wearing out.
Shock absorbers
Available in a range of designs, shock absorbers help dampen impacts and are an essential component for controlling the movement of your springs, impacting how your 4x4 respods to bumps, turns, and rough terrain.
While standard among all vehicles, not all are created equal. Ironman 4x4 shock absorbers are engineered with vehicle and weight-specific valving to ensure they’re flexible enough to absorb impacts without being too softly tuned.
Under-valved shock absorbers can have a huge impact on the driveability, control, handling, and safety of a lifted and accessorised vehicle, making them a huge issue for drivers wanting to experience the full capabilities of their 4WD.
Monotube shock absorbers
Monotube shocks are designed with a single tube that houses both the piston and fluid. Due to their direct exposure to air, they’re more able to dissipate heat more efficiently, making them ideal for high-performance and off-road driving.
Ironman 4x4 offers a superior option with the IM2.5. Crafted from aircraft-grade aluminium that is lighter than steel and 30% lighter than twin-tube alternatives, it offers exceptional cooling capabilities that help you drive harder and longer in all terrains.
Boasting a CNC ported billet aluminium piston with a O-Ring sealed PTFE-Teflon band, our IM2.5 monotube shocks deliver low-speed bleed path and precision channelling for improved tuning that responds to even the shallowest bumps on the road.
If you’re looking for a plush ride and prefer ride comfort over load-carrying ability, our IM2.5 monotube shocks should be one of the first items on your shopping list.
We built them with an ‘upside-down’ configuration that keeps the shock body away from the ground to avoid damage when wheeling over rocks and high-speed corrugations.
Twin-tube shock absorbers
If you’re looking for a shock with unbreakable reliability that is valved for carrying heavy loads, then our twin-tube shocks may be more appropriate.
Our Nitro Gas, Foam Cell and Foam Cell Pro options are built with two chambers - one that houses the piston, and the other for the gas or foam insert.
The valving characteristics of a twin-tube damper combined with the gasless foam cell technology provide an ultra-robust, cooling-efficient workhorse that is a perfectly suited solution for lifted vehicles operating up to Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM).
Upper control arms
When you’ve decided to lift a vehicle with Independent Front Suspension (IFS), upgrading your upper control arms (UCAs) is crucial to ensure the suspension geometry remains correct.
UCAs are an essential upgrade for any lifted IFS vehicle - they help maintain proper wheel alignment, articulation and droop, which is essential for maintaining control when driving on- or off-road.
After a lift, upper control arms allow your suspension system to work efficiently by preventing uneven wear on your tyres and suspension components.
Each of the UCAs Ironman 4x4 carries is robustly crafted from forged aluminium, offering increased durability and they look great.
Our upper control arms are a direct replacement for OEM arms, enabling you to directly fit them into your 4WD suspension lift kit without further modifications.
Castor correction bushes
When you decide to lift a vehicle with Solid Axles, upgrading the bushes in your radius arms is crucial to ensuring the suspension geometry remains correct.
Castor correction bushes are an essential upgrade for any lifted solid axle vehicle - they help maintain proper wheel alignment and articulation, which is essential for maintaining control when driving on- or off-road.
Our castor correction bushes are a direct replacement for the OEM bushes in your radius arms, enabling you to directly fit them into your 4WD suspension lift kit without further modifications.
Other accessories that improve ride quality with 4WD suspension upgrades
1. Steering dampers
A steering damper is a hydraulic shock absorber designed to reduce unwanted vibrations and movements in your steering system while off-roading.
It helps minimise steering wheel shake, particularly ‘death wobble’, especially on rough, irregular terrain or when driving over obstacles in a solid axle vehicle.
Otherwise known as steering stabilisers, they can offer you enhanced control that helps minimise excessive wear from harsh impacts and reduce driver fatigue when travelling over vast distances.
2. Bump stops
These rubber or polyurethane components are designed to limit the upward travel of the suspension system.
Rubber bump stops help prevent the suspension from fully compressing, ‘bottoming out,’ and reduce metal-on-metal friction, which can damage the vehicle's frame, axles, or other suspension parts.
3. Adjustable Panhard Rods
When you lift your solid axle 4x4, the factory panhard rod may no longer be the correct length or angle. The axle can shift to one side, causing alignment issues or improper handling.
An adjustable Panhard rod allows for fine-tuning the length to restore the proper alignment after a lift or modification.
4. Extended Brake Lines
If you’ve installed a suspension lift or plan on using your rig for off-roading with substantial articulation, extended brake lines are highly recommended.
They ensure that your braking system works properly, even when the suspension is fully articulated. If you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to get your brake lines checked when your suspension is at full extension or compression to check for any signs of stress.
Discover new possibilities with Ironman 4x4’s upgraded suspension kits
Choosing the right suspension system for your 4x4 or ute can significantly enhance your driving experience and the capacity of your vehicle.
While the type of suspension your car uses can’t be changed without a complete rebuild, replacing stock standard suspension systems with professional after-market parts can help your rig perform more comfortably.
Whether you’re tackling harsh off-road conditions or cruising on paved surfaces with all your gear in tow, Ironman 4x4 offers dedicated parts, kits and accessories that expand your range.
Explore our entire collection online or in-store and don’t hesitate to reach out for help building a custom suspension system that’s personalised to your truck.
