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Coldys 4x4 - The Home of 4WD Equipment and Accessories!
Coldys 4x4 - The Home of 4WD Equipment and Accessories!

GVM Upgrades Sydney

Upgrade your vehicle's weight capacity with Coldys' GVM upgrades in Sydney. If your 4WD needs a higher towing capacity or has recently installed a heavy upgrade like a new bullbar, tray, or suspension, our qualified engineers will ensure your vehicle meets all safety, performance, and legal requirements for carrying heavier loads and towing more weight. Plus, we’ll install it on-site with some of the industry’s best lead times, serving Sydney GVM upgrades and surrounding areas.

Need a GVM Upgrade?

There are several common reasons why 4WD vehicle owners seek a GVM upgrade. This includes accommodating heavy accessories, improving towing capacity, or ensuring legal compliance. A GVM upgrade is essential for vehicles carrying extra weight or those used for heavy-duty applications.

Increased Towing Capacity

If you’ve added heavy accessories such as a new bullbar, winch, or towbar, or if you're regularly towing large trailers, boats, or caravans, your vehicle’s original GVM may no longer be sufficient. A GVM upgrade ensures your vehicle can safely tow these loads without compromising performance or safety. Whether it’s a trailer, boat, or caravan, the increased GVM gives you the payload increase you need for added weight.

Heavy Accessory Installations

When you add accessories like heavy-duty bullbars, roof racks, or custom trays, your vehicle’s GVM may be exceeded, leading to reduced vehicle stability and potential safety issues. A GVM upgrade matches your vehicle’s suspension to the added load, ensuring better handling and performance, especially when loaded.

Forces generated by a heavily loaded vehicle in rough terrain can be considerably higher than during normal driving conditions. To maintain optimum ride height, stability, and body control, the suspension system — particularly the springs and shock absorbers — must be matched precisely to the load. Without the correct damping resistance, the vehicle remains highly susceptible to instability and rollover risks, especially under demanding conditions.

Our tested suspension solutions include foam cell shock absorbers to maintain optimal ride quality and safety.

Optimising Work Vehicles

If you're using your 4WD for business or work purposes, such as carrying heavy tools, equipment, or materials, a GVM upgrade allows your vehicle to carry more without overloading the suspension. This ensures your vehicle’s GVM is suitable for the extra weight while maintaining optimal safety and performance. A suspension kit upgrade ensures your vehicle is engineered to handle heavy loads and meet your business needs.

Original Equipment (OE) suspension systems are typically designed with comfort as a priority, not load carrying. The addition of accessories like long-range fuel tanks, heavy-duty trays, or roof racks can quickly exceed the vehicle’s designed payload, leading to compromised handling and reduced responsiveness. An upgraded GVM package recalibrates the suspension for heavy-duty performance, ensuring safer and more controlled handling under increased load.

Improved Vehicle Performance

A GVM upgrade optimises your vehicle’s suspension and shock absorbers, ensuring that it handles heavy loads safely. Whether it's added weight from accessories or carrying tools and equipment, the upgrade improves stability, prevents sagging, and ensures optimal body control under heavy loads or when towing.

Legal Compliance

GVM upgrades help you stay within Australian legal weight limits, ensuring your vehicle is roadworthy and compliant with insurance and registration regulations. Coldys uses federally approved GVM upgrades, and our solutions are fully compliant with Australian laws to give you peace of mind. This ensures that your registered vehicle complies with all axle load limits and is safe to operate on Australian infrastructure.

Safety Considerations

Driving with a vehicle overloaded beyond its original GVM can compromise vehicle safety, including braking performance, stability, and suspension durability. With a GVM upgrade, you’ll reduce the risk of accidents, including rollovers, and maintain better control of your vehicle in rough terrain or adverse conditions.

At Coldys, we engineer suspension solutions that are critically damped to manage dynamic forces at GVM weights and beyond, significantly enhancing vehicle safety under all loading conditions.

Our independently engineered suspension solutions provide the necessary spring upgrades and shock absorbers to ensure optimal vehicle handling.

Why Choose Coldys for Your GVM Upgrade?

At Coldys, we use Ironman 4x4 suspension and components to ensure your GVM upgrade is done to the highest standard. Our qualified engineers handle the entire install process, ensuring your vehicle’s GVM is within safe limits. A GVM upgrade is not a DIY job—it requires professional installation to ensure it meets all legal and safety standards.

The cost of a GVM upgrade varies depending on your vehicle’s make and model and the specific upgrades required. At Coldys, we offer competitive pricing and transparent quotes, so you know exactly what to expect. Whether you're upgrading the suspension on a Ford Ranger, Colorado, or another 4WD, we ensure premium suppliers and components are used.

Ready to improve your vehicle’s GVM, towing capacity, handling, and safety? Contact Coldys today for more information or to schedule your GVM upgrade installation.

Important Considerations for a GVM Upgrade:

  • Professional Installation: GVM upgrades must be performed by certified professionals to ensure compliance and safety. At Coldys, our engineers handle all aspects of the upgrade, including installation and certification.

  • Optimal Timing: It’s important to complete your GVM upgradebefore registration to ensure your vehicle meets legal weight limits and safety requirements from the start. If you’re unsure, our team can guide you through the process and timing.

  • Lift Kits vs. GVM Upgrades: While a lift kit raises the vehicle’s height, a GVM upgrade increases the allowable weight, ensuring that your vehicle can safely carry the additional load. Both upgrades are often done together, but a GVM upgrade specifically addresses weight limits and towing capacity, ensuring your vehicle remains safe and compliant.

FAQs:

How much does a GVM upgrade cost?

The cost of a GVM upgrade varies depending on several factors, including whether the upgrade is completed pre- or post-registration. For post-registration upgrades, an engineering certification may be required, which adds to the overall cost. Labour for the installation process, along with necessary steps such as wheel alignment, are additional considerations.

Other factors that may influence the price include the specific tyre and wheel size needed for compliance and the cost of the GVM upgrade kit. We typically estimate your cost to fall within the $5,000 to $7,000 range.

Call us for an accurate quote, we'll provide you with a tailored pricing estimate based on your exact vehicle and requirements.

Are GVM upgrades legal in Australia?

Yes, GVM upgrades are completely legal in Australia. They are federally approved and comply with Australian road transport regulations. At Coldys, we ensure that all our GVM upgrades meet federal law and the highest safety standards.

Can a GVM upgrade be done after registration?

While it’s best to complete a GVM upgradebefore vehicle registration, it can be done after. However, this may require re-certification and additional steps to ensure compliance with roadworthy requirements.

See the NSW Government's Light Vehicle Modifications Manual – Suspension and Ride Height and  Modified and Non-Standard Vehicles for more information.

What is the difference between a GVM upgrade and a suspension lift kit?

A GVM upgrade increases your vehicle's GVM for carrying heavy loads and towing, while a lift kit raises the vehicle’s height for clearance or aesthetic purposes. While both upgrades improve the vehicle, a GVM upgrade specifically addresses weight limits and towing capacity, ensuring your vehicle remains safe and compliant.

Who can certify a GVM upgrade?

A GVM upgrade must be certified by an accredited engineer. At Coldys, our professional engineers are fully qualified to carry out and certify GVM upgrades, ensuring they meet all safety, legal, and performance standards.

Which vehicles can get a GVM upgrade?

Many popular 4WD makes and models can benefit from a GVM upgrade. Commonly upgraded vehicles include:

What upgrades usually pair with a GVM upgrade?

A GVM upgrade can often be paired with other modifications to enhance your vehicle’s overall performance, handling, and functionality. Some of the most common upgrades that complement a GVM upgrade include:

These products, combined with a GVM upgrade, help ensure that your vehicle is fully equipped to handle heavy loads, towing, and demanding conditions while maintaining optimal safety and performance.