Blackhawk 4x4
Blackhawk 4x4 was established to fill a void in the market for robust, reliable, high quality aftermarket four-wheel drive components.
When installing raised suspension to your four-wheel drive camber and castor are affected and sometimes require correction with aftermarket components to restore the wheel alignment geometry back to within acceptable limits.
Blackhawk 4×4 focus on alignment and vehicle handling products such as upper control arms with built in offset, adjustable upper control arms, high clearance forged radius arms and heavy duty trailing arms.
Check out their range below:
Ultimate Adjustable Upper Control Arms
BLACKHAWK4X4 ULTIMATE UCA’s have been designed to provide a variety of alignment options not seen before. Whilst allowing ease of adjustment to alleviate all of these issues, returning the suspension geometry and alignment back to factory specification or better, complimenting the travel available from any aftermarket suspension.
Upper Control Arms
When an IFS vehicle is fitted with raised suspension it can reduce the castor causing vague steering response, introduce bump steer and impact clearance to other suspension components. Blackhawk 4×4 Upper Control Arms are designed with fixed castor correction to improve wheel alignment geometry and allow more clearance to other suspension components ensuring you get full suspension travel. Additionally they allow more clearance to accommodate larger aftermarket wheels and tyres.
High Clearance Radius Arms
Blackhawk 4×4 forged radius arms will strengthen your vehicle, stop it wandering and keep it straight. ADR compliant, including GVM upgrades with front axle up to 1660kg. Supplied with Australian made hybrid rubber bushings, guaranteed for the life of your purchase.
High Clearance offers increased ground clearance to tackle even the most challenging terrain!
Heavy Duty Sway Bar Links, Panhard Rods, Trailing Arms and More!
Heavy Duty Extended Sway Bar Links, Panhard Rods, Trailing Arms and other accessories are available to suit raised vehicles.
Contact our sales team for more info!
Öhlins
Öhlins Shocks Perth
We are very excited to announce Wilkinson Suspension is the new WA Distributor for Öhlins range of 4WD Remote Reservoir shock absorbers!
Öhlins is well known across the high-end motorsport categories with the likes of MotoGP, Nascar, DTM and Formula 1 race teams utilising their advanced suspension technology. The introduction of their Adventure range offers Remote Reservoir shock absorbers for 4WD applications.
Öhlins Advanced Suspension Technology Automotive Adventure STX range offers a Single-tube damping system developed for consistent performance, comfort, and safety across a variety of applications.
Öhlins Advanced Suspension Technology Automotive Adventure STX
Öhlins suspension gives you better contact with the road, improves sharp turns, and stays stable during hillsides. The adjustable damping makes it possible for you to adjust your suspension depending on the road ahead. With more traction and control it’s possible to use larger tires for steeper terrain no matter if you’re going through muddy water or climbing overland.
STX Features:
- High-pressure Monotube shock absorber
- 2 Way Adjustable Compression & Rebound
- Remote Reservoir
- Application Specific mounting brackets
- Pressure-balanced damping for cavitation prevention
- Spherical ball joints where applicable
Lift Kits Perth
Are you looking to purchase a lift kit but aren’t sure where to start? Or do you want to read up on the benefits before you buy?
The team at Wilkinson Suspension created this comprehensive page to use as a guide for those who are looking to make an informed decision when it comes to purchasing a lift kit for your 4WD!
Keep reading to find out what a lift kit is exactly, what the most popular reasons are to get one and how a lift kit can improve the off-road capabilities and load-carrying abilities of your 4WD.
Also on this page, you’ll get an exclusive insight into our experts’ shortlist of most frequently asked questions in order to bust some of the common myths around lift kits and suspension in general.
If you still have questions, you’re more than welcome to get in touch through our Enquiry Form. We’re happy to help!
A lift kit is essentially a package of carefully assembled suspension components designed to fit a specific vehicle in order to increase ride height, gain wheel travel, improve load-carrying and enhance the overall suspension performance.
Most lift kits include raised coil or leaf springs paired with long-travel shocks & various other fitting components required to complete the suspension kit & installation.
Ride height increase and components vary depending on the vehicle’s setup, vehicle’s suitability and limits for suspension modifications.
Most applications will allow up to 2” (50mm) Lift and for a more extreme off-road setup 3” (75mm) and 4” (100mm) lift kits are available for certain vehicles.
Which benefits a lift kit unlocks for you will depend on your own unique driving conditions and vehicle setup. Let’s dive a bit deeper into some of the most popular reasons why we have installed suspension lift kits in the past.
First and foremost, it’s called a lift kit because by raising the suspension it effectively elevates the main body of a vehicle, increasing the clearance between the underbody and ground.
The higher a vehicle is raised relative to the road surface, the easier it will be for it to clear obstacles on challenging terrains.
Elevated ride height also gives the opportunity to install bigger tyres due to additional room in the wheel arches the lift kit has provided, which in turn gains even more ground clearance.
Not to forget how much better a lift-kit-raised vehicle looks! At least we think so, and a lot of people seem to agree. The perfect cosmetic makeover for your ride, what better way than a lift kit and a big set of tyres to help your vehicle stand out in a crowd.
Depending on the style of work you have planned for your 4 wheel drive, carefully selecting the correct suspension components within the lift kit is important. These components work closely together to better absorb bumps and maintain vehicle stability.
This significantly minimises any of the turbulence you may experience when driving in some of the more challenging conditions that come with Australia’s rugged terrain. Not to mention how much stress the suspension, especially the shock absorbers are under when tackling the corrugations meaning the correct choices won’t let you down and leave you stranded.
Accessories such as bullbars, winches, canopies, tool boxes, spare wheel carriers, draw systems and other camping or work gear all add weight to a vehicle.
When these heavy accessories are fitted you may notice your vehicle is ‘dragging its behind’ or has a ‘nose down’ appearance.
With the correct spring selection within a lift kit it can help restore lost ride height and improve load carrying capabilities.
Wheel travel is the distance the wheel & tyre assembly travels vertically both up & down. The suspension’s job, despite the terrain is designed to keep the vehicle as level as possible whilst keeping the wheel in contact with the road.
When installing a lift kit, it generally consists of longer travel shock absorbers that will gain additional wheel travel. The deeper the ruts or the bigger the rocks are it increases the chances of having wheels off the ground resulting in loss of traction and the potential of getting stuck! With additional wheel travel, these issues are dramatically reduced.
Your vehicle’s factory suspension may simply not cut it for the conditions and terrains in which you plan to tackle.
Whether it’s lack of ground clearance, uncontrolled bounce or load carrying, the absence of quality, high-performance suspension components may be causing more harm than good to your vehicle.
If any of these issues sound familiar, it may be a good idea to consult a suspension professional.
In comparison to just a pair of shocks or springs, a lift kit offers ‘the full package’, delivering optimum balance, increased ride height and off-road capability.
Frequently asked questions
When choosing a lift kit, the most important thing is to consider what the main purpose for the lift kit is. Are you looking to increase ride height, improve driving comfort, or solve an existing suspension issue?
When you have established the purpose for the lift kit, you can have a think about preferred lift height and your budget, considering both product cost and installation.
Contact our suspension professionals for personalised help with selecting a lift kit that’s right for you and booking in your vehicle for installation.
In Australia, lift heights are usually measured in inches or millimetres.
There are two ways to measure the ride height of your vehicle before and after install. Park the vehicle on flat ground and follow one of the below methods.
- Measure from the centre of the hub to the lip of the guard.
- Measure from the bottom of the rim to the lip of the guard.
Most applications will allow up to 2” Lift and for a more extreme off-road setup 3” and 4” lift kits are available for certain vehicles.
Please note that actual heights can vary due to the vehicle’s age and condition, additional weight and other various factors.
Your best bet is to contact a professional suspension specialist.
Here at Wilkinson Suspension, we have extensive experience installing lift kits.
Contact us for an obligation-free installation quote, call us on (08) 9370 2646 or drop in at our custom-built suspension workshop in Bayswater, Perth.
Lift kit costs depend on a variety of factors:
- Vehicle Make/Model
- Brand of suspension parts
- Type of suspension upgrade
- What style of work you plan to use the vehicle for
For a detailed quote based on your vehicle and requirements, please contact us.
Lift kit costs range from as little as $420 to an average of $2000 depending on whether it’s for cosmetic purposes or genuine off-road capabilities.
Our installation fees depend on the labour involved which is specific to the vehicle, its suspension setup and the style of lift kit.
Our installation fees start at as little as $330 for a basic setup.
We always recommend getting your suspension fitted by a professional.
Our team of qualified mechanics are on-hand to install your new suspension lift kit and complete a wheel alignment.
Let us take care of the hard work!
Polyair
POLYAIR LOAD ASSIST AIRBAGS
Airbags are quickly becoming a popular choice with SUV and 4WD owners and it’s easy to see why!
The addition of airbags allows more versatility with the vehicle between daily driving and heavily-laden towing, making the transition from dropping the kids off at school to hitting the dirt tracks on the weekend with the camping gear all that much easier!
Polyair Airbags are available for a wide range of vehicles with either coil spring or leaf spring suspension at standard or raised height.
With the Red Series, Ultimate Series and Bellows Airbag kits there is bound to be an option to help alleviate the rear end sag. Check out the options below!
POLYAIR LOAD ASSIST AIRBAGS
Features and benefits of the Polyair Red Series
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- Add support to rear springs on many vehicles.
- Improves ride and handling for full-size vans with front coils.
- Fits open coil springs, front or rear.
- Up to 450kg (1,000 lbs) of levelling capacity.*
- Air adjustable for the ride you want.
- Reduces roll, sway and “bottoming out.”
- Quick connecting easy-to-use engineered polymer air fittings.
- Tough moulded polyurethane construction.
*Never exceed the manufacturers recommended GVM Rating.
POLYAIR ULTIMATE SERIES AIRBAG KIT
Features and benefits of the Polyair Ultimate Series:
- A High Density Polyurethane Airbag System that is the strongest of its kind.
- Heavy Duty for Heavy Loads
- Workable range from 5psi – 60psi giving a huge amount of control in spring rate variability
- Reduces Sway & Body Roll
- Great for towing – keeping level & safe!
- Corrects rear end sag
- Corrects headlight aim
- Improves a rough ride through its progressive spring rate
POLYAIR BELLOWS SYSTEM
Features and benefits of Bellows Airbag Kit:
- Rugged 2-ply fabric reinforced air springs are built like a tyre.
- Fully air adjustable, to keep your vehicle riding level and comfortable, whether loaded, towing or light, on any road conditions!
- Engineered to be easy to install
- Up to 2200kg (5,000 lbs) of leveling capacity.*
- Air adjustable from 5 to 100 psi, for maximum comfort to maximum load support.
- Quick connecting easy-to-use engineered polymer air fittings.
- Tough, reinforced air bellows for long-lasting strength.
*Never exceed the manufacturers recommended GVM Rating.
53mm Ralph Shocks
53MM TOUGH DOG RALPH SHOCKS
Let us introduce you to the largest 4WD shock on the market.
53mm Ralph Shocks were originally intended to suit prime movers and carry a massive amount of oil, which makes for smooth driving in the toughest conditions and under the heaviest loads. Tough Dog decided to redesign these extreme shocks so they can be used for your 4WD!
One Extreme Shock
The Ralph shock has a massive 53mm bore and 22mm chrome piston rod, all housed in a 70mm casing. These big dogs carry so much oil, they will run cool over even the toughest of terrain. If you drive a fully laden off road tourer, these are the shocks for you.
Shock absorber Specs
- Huge 53mm bore
- Twin tube design
- High temperature, all weather oil
- 22mm double chrome-plated rod
- Additional welding on all studs & eye rings
- Multi stage Velocity Sensitive Valving
- Rod wiper seal and multi lip seal
- Hydraulic rebound stop
- 3 Year/Unlimited Km Warranty (Conditions Apply)
- 2 Year/Unlimited Km Warranty Commercial Use (Conditions Apply)
45MM Big Bore Shock
TOUGH DOG BIG BORE ADJUSTABLE SHOCKS
The Tough Dog 45mm “Big Bore” is the largest externally adjustable shock on the market. Nothing else really comes close to this 45mm internal bore in 70mm of external casing. Equipped with a massive amount of all weather oil to withstand the highest temperatures, this is one serious shock.
Adjust to your surrounds
The 9 stages of adjustment mean you can control the firmness of your shocks easily, and adapt to the conditions as required. Choose a firmer ride for your highway travels, and then dial them down when it’s time to get down to business. 45mm big bore adjustables are designed for big lift applications up to six inches over factory in some vehicles.
Extreme shock for extreme conditions
Tough Dog adjustable shocks are built tough for the Aussie outback. As well as the Foam Cell insert to combat shock fade, the 45mm adjustable also incorporate an ABS plastic dust shield as well as an external dust wiper seal to protect the shock’s internals from grit which can damage the oil seals around the chrome rod. When fully extended, the shock is at its most vulnerable to damage from side load. The internal bump stop and piston rod guide ensure the shock is supported at the extremes of its travel. Tough Dog big bore shocks also have a DU bushing fitted internally to protect the seals from damage caused by side load at full extension.
Shock absorber specs
- 45mm internal bore
- 70mm external casing
- 22mm chrome plated rod
- High temperature, all weather oil
- Foam cell technology
- 9 Stage external adjustment
- Additional welding on all studs and eyerings
- 3 Year/Unlimited Km Warranty (Conditions Apply)
- 2 Year/Unlimited Km Warranty Commercial Use (Conditions Apply)
40MM Adjustable Shocks
40MM TOUGH DOG ADJUSTABLE SHOCKS
This externally adjustable shock gives you the freedom to fine tune your ride to personal preference or driving conditions. Because of this flexibility, the 40mm bore adjustable shock is suitable to just about every different 4WD situation.
9 STAGE ADJUSTABLE
The shock offers 9 different stages of adjustment, to fine tune the ride characteristics to your personal preference and application. In reality, very few vehicles serve only one purpose. Most 4WD’s today are the family car, off road toy, touring escape, towing rig or tradesman’s work platform all rolled into one. We demand so much of our vehicles, and every situation will need something just a little bit different.
FOAM CELL TECHNOLOGY
As well as being adjustable, these shocks are equipped with Tough Dog Foam Cell technology, minimising aeration and cavitation to maximise the shocks ability to resist fade, and perform reliably in harsh and demanding conditions.
BUILT TO LAST
Tough Dog adjustable shocks are built tough for the Aussie outback, and incorporate an ABS plastic dust shield as well as an external dust wiper seal to protect the shock’s internals from grit which can damage the oil seals around the chrome rod. When fully extended, the shock is at its most vulnerable to damage from side load. The internal bump stop and piston rod guide ensure the shock is supported at the extremes of its travel. These tough units are available for a wide range of applications.
SHOCK ABSORBER SPECS
- 40mm internal bore
- 60mm external casing
- 18mm chrome-plated rod
- High temperature, all weather oil
- Foam cell
- 9 Stage external adjustment
- Additional welding on all studs and eye rings
- 3 Year/Unlimited km warranty (conditions apply)
Foam Cell Shocks
TOUGH DOG FOAM CELL SHOCKS
Tough Dog’s 41mm Bore Foam Cell Shocks are up to the task when it comes to extreme driving conditions. With a unique tube design built to combat heat caused by friction and foam cell inserts that reduce the effects of cavitation, they are built for optimum all-round performance.
A Shock that Goes the Distance
The uniquely bulged tube design is one of the features that sets this shock apart from the rest. Specifically designed to create more surface area and carry more of the all-important oil, this shock can dissipate heat from friction more easily.
Because it can hold much more oil than a regular shock or a gas shock, the foam cell shock is a popular choice for long-distance 4WD trips across Australia.
Foam Cell Technology
Ever wondered what exactly this talk about foam cells is and what it is they do? Well, what basically looks like just an ordinary piece of foam is actually foam of the highest quality available. It is specifically designed to withstand long periods of intense heat without suffering damage or deterioration.
Each piece of foam is filled with thousands of tiny gas bubbles in order to maintain even pressure levels within the shock absorber itself. The foam insert itself acts as a divider between oil and gas inside the shock to prevent the formation of bubbles also known as cavitation.
Because the gas never actually comes into contact with the oil, foam cell shocks are far less likely to suffer from shock fade.
Specs
- Large 41mm internal bore
- Twin tube design
- High temperature, all weather oil
- 18mm, double chrome-plated rod
- Additional welding on all studs & eyerings
- Multi stage Velocity Sensitive Valving
- Rod wiper seal and multi lip seal
- Hydraulic rebound stop
- 3 Year/Unlimited Km Warranty (Conditions Apply)
Nitro Gas Shocks
TOUGH DOG NITRO GAS SHOCKS
Tough Dog Nitro Gas shocks are designed for exceptional performance as well as greater driving control and comfort. The nitrogen gas allows the shock absorber to work more consistently by minimising cavitation and shock waves sent through your shock absorber.
On Nitrogen & Cavitation
The purpose of compressed nitrogen gas in Tough Dog Nitro Gas shocks is to stop, control and prevent cavitation. Simply put, cavitation is the formation of bubbles in the oil inside your shock absorber.
When you take your 4WD off-road and make your shocks work really hard, the oil inside the shock absorber heats up and eventually gets so hot that it starts to cavitate due to changes in fluid pressure. Having pressurised nitrogen gas on top of the hot oil helps controls this process.
This is important because cavitation can cause sudden high pressure bubble breaks. These breaks can potentially send high impact shock waves through your suspension gear, which can eventually lead to damage. That’s why nitrogen gas shocks have some of the longest lifespans!
Multistage VSV
The latest Tough Dog Nitro Gas shocks are equipped with Multistage Velocity Sensitive Valving. This technology enables the shock to maintain driving comfort whilst performing at different speeds, on sealed roads and off-road. Multistage VSV is set up to maintain ride control characteristics even when the shock has to move faster to absorb corrugations or other small bumps in the road. This results in a better ride on the road as well as off-road and gives you best of both worlds: speed and comfort! Nitro gas shocks are perfectly suited for light and medium four wheel drives and vehicles with leaf spring suspension.
Tough Dog Nitro Gas Shock Specs
- 35mm internal bore and piston with twin tube design
- Low pressure nitrogen gas to eliminate fade for better performance and comfortable ride
- Double chrome-plated shaft
- High temperature, all weather fluid
- Custom design for each application
- OEM or longer length shocks to suit standard or raised 4WDs for maximum articulation, comfort, safety & durability
- 2 Year/Unlimited km Warranty (Conditions Apply)
Tough Dog Lift Kits
TOUGH DOG LIFT KITS PERTH
When buying suspension, it’s important to keep in mind what you want to achieve. Are you looking to increase the height of your four-wheel drive? Improve your vehicle’s off-road performance? Or upgrade to a heavier spring rate for additional weight or accessories? A Tough Dog 4WD lift kit comprises of all the necessary components required to give you the full suspension system. Here at Wilkinson Suspension, we stock a wide range of lift kits consisting of a multiple Tough Dog parts.
4WD LIFT KIT COMPONENTS
Tough Dog has a proven record of manufacturing some of the most durable suspension components out there, so no matter how harsh the conditions or terrain you find yourself in, it's likely Tough Dog is the correct choice. Our Tough Dog lift kits include a number of essential suspension components:
SHOCKS
Shock absorbers are a key ingredient when it comes to controlling that all important ride. Tough Dog offer a wide range of shocks to suit your needs including Nitro Gas, Foam Cell, Adjustable and the Big Bore Ralph’s. The most commonly used units are designed to suit 2″ Raised suspension however 4″-6″ shocks options are also available to suit some models. Find out more about Tough Dog Shocks.
SPRINGS
Tough Dog offer raised Coil and Leaf Springs to suit almost every application! When selecting the appropriate spring rate you must take into consideration the additional weight and accessories you may have added to ensure the vehicle is correctly setup. In most cases Tough Dog offer options for 0-300kg Light Load, 300kg Constant Load and 500kg Constant Load on the rear. As well as options to suit different accessories on the front such as a Bar or Winch. Most options are design to give the vehicle an approximate 2″ Lift with taller springs options available for some models. Find out more about Tough Dog Springs.
OTHER COMPONENTS
Whether it’s Greasable Shackles and U-bolts for a leaf spring vehicle or upgraded torsion bars for a vehicle with independent front suspension, we have them all. These components are sourced from a variety of top quality brands in order to achieve maximum performance and longevity.
BUSHES
Suspension bushes are a vital part of any vehicles suspension system. Their benefits include correcting or maintaining steering geometry, better handling and enhanced performance. We carefully select bushes from a variety of well-known brands, allowing your suspension lift kit to perform under pressure.
GET A QUOTE
We stock a massive range of Tough Dog suspension components for almost every vehicle. If you want to increase your ride height, improve off-road performance or bolster your 4WD for heavy loads, it’s likely our expert staff can help you.
Fill out the enquiry form on our Contact Page or give us call on 08 9370 2646!