Suspension
Here’s a list of benefits an aftermarket suspension offers, and some that people think it offers, but it doesn’t really.
Ground Clearance:
Lifting your suspension offers you greater ground clearance and better approach, departure and break over angles. The clearance under the axles doesn’t change when the suspension is lifted.
Fitting larger tyres:
This is a very interesting point and is very often misunderstood. Theoretically a normal suspension lift does NOT give you the ability fit bigger tyres! The reason for this is that most aftermarket suspension kit lifts the vehicle but the suspension still bottoms out in the same place as it would have with standard components. The way to get around this is to extend the bump stops. However, in reality the aftermarket spring is very stiff near the end of it’s working stroke and this stiffness prevent the wheel from ever reaching the bump stops and this way the bigger wheels are not a problem. There are actually very few people that extend their bump stops.
Increased Load Capacity and Stability:
One of the main benefits of an aftermarket suspension is the increased load capacity if the correct springs are specified. Most suspension kits offer different load ratings and it’s important to choose the one that best suits your needs. Along with increased load capacity, the addition of the correct shocks, it helps with the vehicle’s high speed stability.
Improved Comfort:
Many suspension kits can offer you better than standard comfort. This very much depends on which suspension kit you fit. You can get more comfort from soft suspension, but the load capacity will be lower than the stiffer, more uncomfortable suspension kit.
Improved Articulation:
This is another great myth of aftermarket suspension. If you fit a suspension kit, you are NOT guaranteed that to get more articulation. It again depends which kit you fit. A soft kit will give better articulation, but your load capacity will be low. With a stiff high load suspension kit you will have LESS articulation. We tested this with a friend’s discovery and measure the articulation before and after the OME springs and it flexed 15% less after the OME springs were fitted. Although he lost some articulation, he gained greater load capacity, improve stability on rough roads and ground clearance.
Why Aftermarket Shocks?
Aftermarket shocks offer a few different benefits. They are usually of a different type to the standard shock, i.e. gas and not only oil, which allows the shock to be worked hard for longer periods without overheating which results in fading. Depending on the shock valving, the aftermarket shock can also be stiffer than the stock item and provide more vehicle stability.