The Steering and Suspension Gurus

Fulcrum Suspensions combine expert advice with leading brands to provide you with tailored suspension packages. You can rely on Fulcrum's indepth knowledge to provide a range of ‘made to measure’ 4x4 suspension solutions for any road, any load, and any mode.

Suspension lift kits are our specialty and our Queensland service centres are the local experts to help you get the best advice and the right solution for your Hilux, Landcruiser, Navarra, Jeep, Triton or other popular 4wd or 4x4.

For expert advice on suspension solutions for your 4WD click here to book your FREE multi-point suspension check or read about:

Getting the best performance from your 4WD

Springs and ride heights for your 4WD

More on 4x4 Products

Call one of Fulcrum’s Service Centres

Where to Buy Fulcrum 4x4 products

Download the Fulcrum 4x4 Catalogue (pdf 8m)

Getting the best performance from your 4x4

When properly tuned your 4x4 vehicle’s steering and suspension should:

• Provide and enhanced, smoother ride for maximum comfort
• Transfer the load easily when towing
• Provide better entry & exit angles
• Give longer tyre life & better use of tyre design
• Driver stability, handling & traction in all conditions
• Lessen driver & passenger fatigue

The following 4 points are the key to optimum performance from your 4WD's steering & suspension:

• Fine Tuning the Suspension to each Individual's Needs - This will help ensure your vehicle steers in a straight line, to achieve the utmost driver control and pleasurable driving
• Positive Rake - This is where the back of the vehicle is slightly raised in comparison to the front, whether loaded or unloaded. This is the simplest adjustment made to correct tyre wear.
• Ride Comfort & Advice - It is essential to select the correct shock absorber for individual needs. This helps make your tyres grip firmly to the ground.
• Cornering Stability - The sway or roll of the body has a direct link between vehicle stability & the safe handling of its load. This helps reduce the effects of motion sickness.

Springs and ride heights for your 4WD

When selecting springs

Always inspect the vehicle carefully - never order a set of springs for a 4x4 vehicle without inspecting the vehicle first and qualifying the use of the vehicle and the accessories fitted. Also check whether other accessories will be added in the future (eg: bull bar, winch, roofrack, draw system, long range fuel tank, water tank, rear tyre carrier etc).

It may be necessary to mix and match (standard height and raised) springs front to rear to suit the loads the vehicle carries. Never assume the vehicle is at standard ride height, many owners may not be aware that a previous owner has already modified their vehicle. Always check the springs fitted to the vehicle, eg: Aftermarket coil springs are often painted a different colour to Original Equipment coils and can be identified easily. Leaf springs are usually all black so it is harder to identify an Aftermarket leaf spring or a modified leaf pack. Look for any extra leaves that may have been added to the pack, these often have a different end cut to them. If the vehicle has already been fitted with Aftermarket or modified springs, be aware that fitting new springs may not give the height change expected.

Ride heights

Coil Springs generally provide a 10mm lift over New Vehicle Original Ride Height for Standard (Std) height, and 40mm lift over New Vehicle Original Ride Height for Raised (Rsd) height. The heights are for unladen applications.

Torsion Bars must be reset to achieve the required height. Torsion bars are designed to improve handling and carry constant load increases. eg. bull bar and winch.
Leaf Springs generally provide a 40 to 50mm lift over new vehicle original ride heights unless otherwise specified. All heights listed are a generalisation only and can vary depending on the vehicle type, condition and age of the vehicle, accessories fitted etc.

Before fitting springs

Always measure the vehicle height before removing the old springs. To ensure accurate measurements place the vehicle on a level surface and check all tyre pressures.
Measure each corner from the centre of the wheel to the mudguard and keep a record of these measurements.

After fitting springs

Always road test the vehicle before measuring the new ride heights. Measure each corner from the centre of the wheel to the mudguard and keep a record of these measurements. If you experience any height related vehicle problems in the future, these measurements will prove invaluable. Often unlevel coil sprung vehicles require spacers to level the vehicle.

Remember to retighten all U bolts after 1000kms.