Let’s get the legal stuff out of the way first. In Australia, most states allow for the vehicle to be raised up to 5 cm. However, in order to be fully legal you have to find an engineer to look at it and approve its modifications as to deem it road ready. The aspects that will be under inspection the most are the type of material the block is made from and the exact height of your vehicle in order to see if it is within the legal limit. Just to be extra careful, contact professionals from your exact are for this matter to be sure that the same laws apply in your state.

Okay, so let’s get back to the fun stuff. So, not too long ago, I installed a 5 cm suspension lift on my Toyota Hilux, and I have to say it is pretty much spot on. I never thought such a small elevation would make such a big difference on the look of my Hilux. Now my truck has more than enough travel and the ride has improved massively over the old suspension. I think the problem to begin with was that all Toyota Hilux vehicles generally have small wheels which were most often the cause for my reluctance to go off road. But after my Hilux body lift was installed, my confidence sky rocketed and now I go on off road adventures whenever I can.

All in all, installing a body lift to our trucks can no doubt be considered a great idea. It’s cheap and definitely worth it. It can cost you a bit more if you are not planing to install it yourself though, but it still pays off. However, if you are like me and enjoy working on your truck yourself, then getting one is no decision at all. After you get your Hilux body lift installed, all differences mentioned above will become obvious.

The Hilux shock absorbers have two main functions, controlling the movement of springs and suspensions and keeping the tyres in contact with the ground. These are two very important tasks, so the shocks should be changed regularly after every 80,000 km or if one of the following defects occurs:

• Noticeable tire shaking
• A bouncy ride
• Rocking when cornering or driving opposite a strong wind
• Nose dive when breaking
• Leaking fluid from shock or strut

To control the movement of springs and suspensions, shocks have a piston attached to the end of a piston rod that works against hydraulic fluids in the pressure tube. As the suspensions move up and down, the hydraulic fluid goes through little holes inside the piston. The holes allow only small quantities of liquid to seep through, slowing the piston down thus causing the spring and suspension movement to also be slowed down.

There is a big variety of Hilux shock absorbers to choose from, all with different power and meant for different driving styles. So before buying a shock absorber, it is beneficial to understand your choices.

Types of shock absorbers and how to use them:

• Hydraulic Shocks – The most used and affordable shocks on the market, they are meant to be used for smooth, soft riding and are not recommended for off-road use.
• Gas Shocks – Filled with Nitro-gas, these shockers are mostly used for track driving and trails.
• Air Shocks – Used by towing and hauling trucks, they are only available for the back wheels.
• Twin Tube – Designed to deliver a smooth, consistent ride while out on the road, the twin tubes are usually the original equipment of your car.
• Monotube – Deemed to be more responsive than the twin tube, it is usually considered as an upgrade when compared. You’d want to get this if you like a more responsive vehicle, or for when you’re changing the original twin tube.
• Duel Shock Absorbers – As the name specifies, it consists of two shock absorbers working together, this is most frequently used if you’re constructing an aggressive show truck or if you like fast, off-road driving.

No matter what type of mechanical work is being done on your ride, it is always a smart idea to check your shock absorbers, and change them if needed, keeping in mind they control the entire vehicle.