GVM Upgrades: A Simple Guide to Transforming Your 4WD Experience
We're pumped to share our recent GVM upgrade journey with you. In this blog post, we'll break down the nitty-gritty of our experience with Fulcrum Suspensions, unraveling the secrets behind the process and shedding light on the things every 4WD lover should know.
Our GVM Upgrade Unveiled: The Basics
We teamed up with the legends at Fulcrum to boost the capabilities of our Mazda BT50. The goal? To make sure our new vehicle could handle the rough and tough while carrying our home on wheels. Before diving into the suspension details, don't forget to check out the video that accompanies this blog – "GVM UPGRADE EXPOSED (what EVERY 4wd enthusiast should know)." It's worth the watch!
The GVM Upgrade Myth Buster
One thing we learned along tthe way is that it's not just about upgrading suspension; it's about understanding your rear axle's limits. See, your suspension might boast about a hefty GVM, but legally, your rear axle can only handle so much weight. Fulcrum enlightened us on this crucial point, and it's something every GVM upgrade seeker should know.
Engineering Magic: The Fulcrum Approach
Fulcrum's GVM Upgrade is by Lovells Suspension. They've tested the breaking points of rear axles across various vehicles, including our Mazda BT50. The result? An engineer steps in, badges your car then your rear axle is certified to carry more weight than its factory specs. No fancy modifications to the axle, just smart engineering understanding of its real capability.
Up Close with the Upgrade: What's in the Mix
The upgrades include thicker leaf springs, heavy-duty shocks, and even airbags for extra support. The rear coils are designed to handle the increased load, ensuring a smooth ride while carrying all our gear. The front shocks even come with a spacer, giving us flexibility to adjust the height – we went for a 2-inch lift, perfect for our 4x4 adventures.
Behind the Scenes at Fulcrum: It's All About Precision
We took a peek behind the scenes at Fulcrum, where they meticulously replaced each component. From shocks to leaf springs, they left no bolt unmarked. The attention to detail and the reassurance that everything was checked twice gave us confidence in the quality of the upgrade.
Want to see it for yourself? Watch the whole video HERE!
Final Touch: Wheel Alignment Wisdom
The process wrapped up with a wheel alignment to ensure everything lined up perfectly. The guys at Fulcrum explained the importance of setting camber for cornering, adjusting caster for highway drives, and tweaking toe for overall balance. The result? Our new Mazda BT50 is more than ready to hit the road with enhanced performance.
What We've Learned
Our GVM upgrade taught us invaluable lessons. Axle limits matter, and talking to specialists like the team at Fulcrum is key. Stay tuned for more insights, especially if you own an Isuzu D-Max, MU-X, or a Mazda BT50 – we've got some front-end revelations coming your way. Subscribe here to stay up to date!
Big thanks to the Fulcrum Suspensions crew at Stafford and Cooper Plains for their expertise. If you're gearing up for a GVM upgrade, remember – keep it simple, talk to the experts, and hit the road with confidence.
