How To Choose the Right Suspension System for Your 4x4
The suspension system is carefully hidden beneath your 4x4, but it plays a key role in handling the whole vehicle. Owners of 4x4s can upgrade their suspension parts to customize performance in many ways. Choosing the right suspension system for vehicles is important because it can make performance either much more comfortable or far rougher. Also, having a suitable suspension kit will help you protect the vehicle from damage on uneven terrain.
Unfortunately, choosing the right hardware for your 4x4 isn’t as straightforward as visiting a local shop and buying the cheapest option. If you want to make precise adjustments to your vehicle’s performance, a suspension kit will help you do that successfully. Check out this guide to learn how to choose the right suspension system for your 4x4.
Understanding What Your Suspension Is
Choosing the right suspension kit requires understanding how each part affects your vehicle’s hardware. Knowing what each suspension part does makes it easier to accurately upgrade the performance when necessary. Basically, a 4x4 suspension system includes springs and shock absorbers. The springs and shocks are the basics of a suspension system, but you can also browse Ironman 4x4 suspension kits for a more comprehensive set of suspension upgrades. We have suspension kits available that include upper control arms, sway bar spacer kits, steering dampers, torsion bars, trailing arms, and panhard bars to personalize performance even more. Let’s take a closer look at springs and shock absorbers so you can learn the essentials first.
Springs
Springs are components that support the whole weight of the vehicle as you drive. In addition, the springs absorb the impact of the road below, which is especially important when driving on off-road terrain. The terrain you will encounter while off-roading won’t always be even and smooth. Uneven terrain is easier to handle when you have durable off-road springs that will better absorb the impact of the ground with ease.
Shock Absorbers
Many people assume that shock absorbers are the parts of the suspension that dampen impact vibrations, but as we mentioned above, this is mostly the springs’ job. In reality, your shock absorbers lessen the impact on your springs, just as your springs lessen the impact on your vehicle and riding experience.
As the springs move, the shock absorbers reduce the springs’ movement to prevent them from making your rides feel erratic and rough. Thanks to shock absorbers, you can let the springs do their job while experiencing a more comfortable ride.
Getting a Compatible Suspension Kit
Given how rough the trails can get while off-roading, having the tools necessary to reduce the terrain impact on your hardware is essential. Read the technical specs for any shock or spring carefully because they are not all equal. For instance, our off-road shock absorbers available at Ironman 4x4 include variations such as long travel and comfort valving. The more precisely designed your upgrade is, the more accurate your results should be upon installation.
Assessing Your Driving Habits
Choosing the right suspension system for your 4x4 also requires assessing what your driving habits are like. For instance, do you want more comfort when you drive on the normal roads in your city or neighborhood? On the other hand, maybe you want hardware that is going to help you handle rougher off-road terrain with ease. Off-road terrain can tear up the underside of a vehicle, but a better suspension system is a very convenient way to prevent that from happening.
Getting lift kits for your suspension will raise the 4x4 to help you drive over bumpy, rocky terrain without getting caught on boulders, broken trees, and other hazards. Choosing off-road specific suspension parts is also important because you need more durability to handle tough terrain and intense vibrations. For example, our lift kits at Ironman 4x4 provide extra height and prioritize ample strength to ensure the parts remain intact from the beginning of the trip to the end.
Additional Equipment for Better Suspension Systems
Shocks and springs are the essential components of a 4x4 suspension system. That said, you can use additional hardware to your advantage to improve suspension performance further. At Ironman 4x4, we have a wide range of 4x4 suspension kits that include springs and lift kits. In addition, you may notice that additional equipment that includes upper control arms, panhard bars, and torsion bars conveniently accompany our springs and lift kits.
Upper Control Arms
The primary purpose of high-quality upper control arms is to maintain wheel travel. Using upper control arms to improve wheel movement is one way to make your ride even smoother, especially on rougher, uneven terrain.
Panhard Bar
Another upgrade that will help your suspension improve wheel movement is a panhard bar. Installing the panhard bars is a way to stabilize the axles to keep the wheels aligned for a more comfortable ride.
Torsion Bar
A torsion bar helps 4x4 drivers take more control of suspension travel. For example, installing the durable torsion bars from Ironman 4x4 allows for better braking and cornering on off-road terrain.
These upgrades are perfect for 4x4 owners who are ready to make comprehensive performance upgrades to their vehicles. That said, the many accessories available to boost suspension performance mean you can upgrade a 4x4 even after installing a new suspension kit. If your new suspension improves performance, but you still see opportunities to improve, you can explore torsion bars and more accessories online.
Monitoring Performance After the Installation
There are still important details to look for after installing your new suspension system. Simply put, if you’re happy with the performance, then you know you have the right suspension parts. The details above will help you make the right decision beforehand, but post-installation is the perfect opportunity to ensure your satisfaction with your new equipment in action.
Monitor the comfort your suspension provides during your first outing after the installation. In addition, inspect the new suspension parts when you’re done to ensure everything is still intact and ready for the next ride. If necessary, adjust your suspension until you find the right performance balance. The suspension upgrades at Ironman 4x4, such as the panhard bars and front struts, are adjustable so you can fine-tune performance when necessary.
Understanding how to choose the right suspension system for your 4x4 will help you make the perfect upgrade. Shop for new suspension systems today if your 4x4 is ready for improved performance and comfort. Many suspension upgrades exist, but now that you know how to find the right design for your vehicle, you can sift through all the options with more clarity.
