In overlanding, the journey is the adventure, and conquering road obstacles like rough terrain is part of that journey. Is your overlanding vehicle capable of navigating all of the roads you’ll encounter on your adventure? What I mean is, does your truck or SUV have the best suspension to ensure an awesome overland trip? So, we looked into what is the best overlanding suspension for your vehicle and here is what we found:
When going overlanding you can choose between Solid Axle Suspensions and Independent Suspensions, but the best suspension brand for overlanding is the Bilstein 5100 Series Shock because it gives much better results at an affordable price.
So, before you embark on the road less traveled, your vehicle must have the perfect suspension for a safe and comfortable journey. If you are a beginner who has zero ideas on vehicle suspensions or hasn’t decided yet on what suspension to install on your 4×4, you’ve landed on the right page. Here, we’ll talk about everything you need to know about suspensions and the best suspension for your overlanding vehicle.
What Are Vehicle Suspensions For?
For newbie overlanders and those who are not knowledgeable about cars, the term ‘vehicle suspensions’ may sound alien. If you search ‘vehicle suspension’ on Google, results would contain words like acceleration, gravity, and all physics term to explain how suspensions work in vehicles. Don’t worry, I am not going to talk physics here. The results of using a suspension are enough to give you ideas on what they are for.
Navigating your journey on the road is similar to navigating your everyday life; there will be ups and downs. Not all roads are smooth and concrete, and there is no thrill to driving on one. The best part of overlanding is traversing that bumpy and rocky dirt road. You will need an overlanding vehicle that is reliable and capable, one that can bounce with you through your ups and downs. A great suspension will give you that. Specifically, suspension in your car will:
- keep your tires on the ground while you drive
- give you a comfortable ride
- enable your vehicle to carry all your stuff
- let you easily conquer obstacles on the road
- give you full control in driving
- ensure your on-road safety
- stabilize your vehicle
Things to Consider When Choosing a Suspension for Your Overlanding Vehicle
There are different types and brands of 4×4 suspension systems available on the market today. There is no one-size-fits-all suspension. Each suspension system is unique to a certain type of vehicle and a certain type of terrain. Here are things to consider when choosing the right suspension system for your overlanding vehicle:
- WEIGHT CAPACITY. How much stuff are you going to load into your vehicle?
- TERRAIN. Does your overlanding trip include driving on rocky roads, mud, or sand?
- COMFORT. For sure, you don’t want to feel every bump on the road while driving.
- DURABILITY. It would be smart to install a suspension that could last a long time.
- YOUR BUDGET. Choose a suspension that would work on your 4×4 given your limited budget.
Different Types of Suspension
You may want to buckle up because the adventure starts here, i.e., things will start to get a little complicated. Well, there’s nothing an overlander cannot conquer and the terms are beginner-friendly, so you don’t have to worry. I’ll explain to you the type of suspension you need for overlanding in a language you can understand. Suspensions can be categorized into two types: solid axles and independents.
Solid Axle
Solid axle suspension, also called dependent suspension, means that the tires are connected by a straight rod, making their movement dependent on one another. In this model, suspension systems are located on both sides of your tires and are connected. So, if one wheel moves up or down, it will affect the wheel on the other side.
Solid axle suspension is the first mass-produced suspension design. It is more durable and can easily be repaired. Also, these suspensions are inexpensive to manufacture. Solid axles are popular in overlanding because they offer LOTS OF WHEEL TRAVEL, can be designed to CARRY VERY HEAVY LOADS, and are MUCH BETTER AT CLIMBING OVER ROCKS. However, when compared to independent suspensions, they are much heavier.
Leaf Springs
The solid-axle design usually uses leaf springs which consist of layers of curved steel springs. They are the MOST COMMON AND LESS EXPENSIVE suspension in the market. Leaf springs are best known for enabling the vehicle to CARRY HEAVY LOADS. If you have lots of stuff to bring on your overland travel, then this is the best suspension type for your vehicle. However, by using leaf springs, your comfort may be compensated.
Independent Suspension
From the name itself, the independent suspension system allows the tires of your vehicles to move independently from each other. Independent suspensions can give you a MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE RIDE and IMPROVED HANDLING. They are also MUCH BETTER AT HANDLING BUMPS and are LIGHTER IN WEIGHT. The cons of independent suspension are complexity, more expensive, reduced wheel travel, and reduced load capacity.
Coil Springs
Coil springs are helical-shaped mechanical devices located in each of your car’s wheels. They absorb the impact of your driving over rough terrain. To know whether you need coil springs is to determine the weight of the stuff you will bring on your trip. Heavy-duty springs are preferred if you do because coil springs work best if you CARRY HEAVY LOADS. However, on a normal day, you cannot use it for driving because, without the weight of your Overlanding stuff, the installed coil spring will make your 4×4 stiff and uncomfortable.
Double-Wishbone Suspensions
The double-wishbone suspension allows OPTIMUM ADJUSTABILITY AND TIRE CONTACT. If STABILITY AND CONSISTENCY are your top priorities in a vehicle, then this is your kind of suspension. However, this design can take up a lot of time, space in your vehicle, and money.
Other Suspension Models
Air Springs
Air springs are newer models of suspension systems, so they are commonly found on modern vehicles. An air spring is a column of air contained within a rubber-and-fabric container. They can keep the vehicle at a CONSTANT STANDING HEIGHT DESPITE ITS HEAVY LOAD. Drivers describe driving with air springs as LIKE FLOATING ON A CUSHION OF AIR. That is how comfortable air springs are. However, air springs are high maintenance and are expensive.
Top 3 Suspension Brands for Overlanding Vehicles
Shock absorbers are an important part of the suspension system. They are responsible for absorbing the compression and rebound of the spring. In simpler terms, they keep your tires in contact with the road at all times.
If you’re looking for specific brands, whether you just want a shock absorber upgrade or suspensions that are easier to find, here are the top 3 brands you can choose from. These companies are the most trusted suspension brands by both off-roaders and overlanders.
Bilstein 5100 Series Shocks
Bilstein has been designing suspensions for over 100 years now, and they’re the leading company when it comes to shock absorbers. They take pride in their product’s capability to reduce vibrations of the vehicle’s springs for optimized road contact and smooth rides.
What do you get from Bilstein 5100? This shock absorber will allow your lifted vehicle to react quickly to rough roads without sacrificing your comfortable ride. This shock absorber can be used both for overlanding and everyday driving. This is also known for being the least expensive and easiest way to improve handling and control of your 4×4. Bilstein 5100 series is no doubt the best suspension for Overlanding. You can read more and check the product here.
Fox 2.0 Performance Shock Set
If you think Bilstein 5100, you still have Fox 2.0 Performance Shock Set. This is the most preferred suspension when it comes to offroad driving and expedition. The only downside is that this is quite expensive as compared to Bilstein 5100, but the benefits you get, especially in Overlanding, are worth the investment.
Because the Fox 2.0 is particularly designed for offroad driving, it is perfectly designed to conquer challenging terrains. Its aluminum body makes it lighter in weight and enables better heat dissipation. In addition to that, the Fox 2.0 is rebuildable and rechargeable, ensuring you that it will last a long time. If you’re looking for a suspension that can handle your craving for exploration and adventurous spirit, then Fox 2.0 resonates best with you. You can read more about the product here:
Icon Vehicle Dynamics
The Icon Vehicles Dynamics offer a wide variety of suspensions you can choose from. Whether you drive an SUV or a truck, they have something for you. They take pride in their highest quality suspension components that are both tested in real-world applications and race conditions.
Users praise its ability to give them a much more comfortable ride. One consumer says, “no more nose diving under heavy braking.” This is mainly because the Icon Vehicle Dynamis allows them to be fully in control of their vehicles. You can check their products here.
How to Maintain Your Vehicle’s Suspension
You’ve now probably chosen the best suspension for your trucks and SUVs. The only thing left for you to know now, before starting your Overlanding trip, is how to maintain that suspension for it to last a long time. Here are some tips on how to take care of your vehicle’s suspension:
Inspect. Inspect. Inspect.
I think that’s enough to stress the importance of keeping a tab on your vehicle’s suspension. When you go overlanding, you are heavily reliant on your truck, especially if you’re alone. So to avoid unwanted accidents, always check your vehicle; its tires, and all the components of your suspension system.
Do not ignore signs of wear and tear
You can feel it or hear it when you’re inside your vehicle and something is wrong with your suspension system. If you hear a CLUNKING SOUND when you drive over a bump, that would mean that your spring coils are wearing out. Other signs include SHOCK EXCESSIVELY LEAKING and you are experiencing SEVERE BOUNCINESS and HARSHNESS OVER BUMPS. Do not ignore these signs, stop the vehicle, inspect and do the necessary repairs.
Final Thoughts
It is important to equip your Overlanding vehicle with the best suspension available to enjoy a smooth ride on your journey. You can choose between Solid Axle Suspensions and Independent Suspensions, but the best suspension brand for overlanding is the Bilstein 5100 Series Shock because it gives much better results at an affordable price. For your vehicle suspension to last a long time, you need to consistently inspect it and take proper actions the instant you receive a sign of wear and tear.
