Most people upgrade their vehicle suspensions for the Outback. When the vehicles first arrive, they have to ride nice and soft even though they have no gear and equipment added on yet. Spring increase in the tow vehicle is all about performance in high-speed evasive action, because the stock vehicle springs are hopelessly inadequate. Most serious travellers increase the springs whether they are towing or not. We normally put as much as 500-700 kg of gear and equipment on vehicles once we buy them, but they have to sell them with a soft ride with nothing on them and nothing in them. The stock ones are always weak and mushy and 90% of Outback equipped travellers upgrade them early on.
The problem is really that the vehicles have too light of a suspension when new. That is OK for the city use, and necessary as Ladies (sounds sexist, but true,) would not like the ride with a heavier suspension when not loaded with gear, so they would not sell in their unloaded empty new version just off the ship. Those who travel much immediately put on gear such as tow bars, bull bars, long range tanks, dual battery systems, snorkels, roof racks, or more; and then the stock original suspension is woefully inadequate let alone putting a van on the back as well. What we are really talking about is the high speed traffic hazard avoidance ability on the highway….. You want that firm upright control, not the wallow like a pig with a backpack on…. You can accomplish that best with the proper suspension.
Normal gear and layout should put a 20' van up around the 2500kg mark. You will take Delivery with the ball weight at around the 150kg mark, but with a front cargo hold that can easily add up to about the 250-300 kg on the ball when fully loaded. Landcruiser, Nissan Patrol, Land Rovers, Fords, and most larger tow vehicles are rated to 350 kg on the ball.... And Ford now goes to 450 and 4500 kg towing capacity.
Now on the suspension upgrades, we hear the results from all the brands. ARB has proven to be the best over the years. All Brands work for a while but the ARB ones have the best guarantee and track record, so I would go see them.. From ARB they are 400 and 600 kg coil spring upgrades for instance and the 50mm lift is nice as well for longer spring travel and comfort. Also the Nitrocharger gas shocks are a key issue... None of the others have held up as well, and with our own Cruisers (6 for me, 5 for Tracy since the 80’s) and the 1000 or so Customers, we have tried just about all of them and the ARB Suspensions and Nitrochargers have been the best value for the money. In our opinion you do not need the LTR fancy high speed Rally Car ones with the external gas canister... Overkill... In summary results: You really want the Tow vehicle like a Toyota to handle firmly like a sports car, more than wallow around with a weak suspension; for that control in an emergency on the Highway to avoid an accident at high speed.
Now, in case you have a 100 Series like mine, or the IFS Cruiser, you can always take the middle ground and get the "Medium" 400 kg coils; and add the poly-air bags to stiffen it up more... This makes it a bit adjustable.. I did this to mine because my Wife has a bone spur in her neck, and I was afraid the 600 kg increase spring might be too much when it was not fully loaded and running around town... Poly air bags on their own with just original weak springs would be totally unacceptable, but with the 400kg upgraded springs or better, they are a good option for a variable ride... A stock original suspension with just the air bags, relies too much on the air and still wallows as the air compresses without the springs taking the load; it just does not work well… But with the 400kg spring upgrade, the air bags inside will stiffen it a little more if you need it when fully loaded. Understand? I try and say things a few different ways, so none get left behind; but if you need any further clarifications please just ask. I do this full time, like 24/7, like 50 years, like all over the world. Even flown into remote Africa on Game Patrol, dropped into a clearing by a Bush Pilot in the most extreme rough and remote conditions, what was waiting for me? Yup, a Landcruiser two weeks 4x4 travel ahead of me to save time… I do the research, and the right decisions can be your safety margin in an emergency.! Now on the new IFS Cruiser: You do not have the 600kg option with some of the 100 Series IFS models, as there are some limitations with that “Independent Front Suspension”. In fact ARB have some upgrades for it as well to strengthen the lower control arm and some other bits, you will need to seek their advice…
Now back to using Landcruiser as the example, since they are still the most common Tow Vehicle in front of a
Bushtracker: In summary, if you are going to really load up your van full time living, and tend to want a lot of toys on board, then you may need to get the 600 kg springs…. If you are loading your Landcruiser up, fridge, tools, long range tanks, and such, maybe a boat on top, motor in the back, long range tanks, or twin spare tyre holders, and more, then the 600 kg increased spring is it... If not then do the middle ground like I did. If you are loading your van up, boat motor on the a-frame, jerry can holders, larger van with everything on board, more than four water tanks and big on gear, and you are going to live it in and travel extensively, then get the larger springs for the better control. If you are in the middle ground like me, not too loaded, more like part time travel, not too much equipment on the van and Toyota, the middle range spring increase of the 400kg will do.. And if you need more you can add the Poly-air bags in side the coils, like I did... Just incase you want to load it up more… I have chosen that middle ground for my 100 Series which has: Steel running boards, Long Range Fuel tanks of 240 litres total, spare mounted on the rear with High Lift Jack and back up Flood light, Winch/B Bar on the front, ARB Air Compressor, ARB Diff Locks front and rear, and the rest. Mine is pretty well loaded, but gets away with the 400 kg spring upgrade as I am not taking a boat on the roof like some. I run around with only about 5-10 lbs in the air bags just to keep them in place, and would pump it up to 20-25 lbs if really loading up the Cruiser, but doubt I will ever tow my 22’ van as that is really beyond its capability in an emergency. I recommend only experienced truck drivers like myself with my Medium Rigid license or better, attempt to tow over a 21’ with Landcruiser, for wheelbase control and safety reasons in high speed accident avoidance emergencies..
And Ground Clearance? Get the 50mm lift for sure, it is not just about looks, but the looks will add to resale more than the cost of the suspension.. The real reason is the longer spring travel that allow a harder hit in a rut without bottoming out and “bucking” as the suspension bottoms out on the bump stops hitting the chassis. That is the real function reason for the lift in the springs… Since I do most of my towing with the Mack Dual Cab Horse Truck, or my F-250, the 100 Series has been semi retired as the “Little Missus’s twuck”. And my old Sahara, also equipped with ARB gear, Nitrochargers, and OME suspension, has been given to my Son. I still do the research, with two Landcruisers in my stables…
I hope this has been a help for the LC Owners.
Happy Trails from the Lone Ranger…
