Suspension replacement is a common 4×4 upgrade that we get asked about daily. For some, it’s the idea of giving their pride and joy a little extra lift and bounce and for others, it’s about bringing new life to a vehicle that might have worn through its stock suspension.
Whatever the case, this is an upgrade that not only gives your vehicle a more pronounced look but offers a significant boost in ride quality.
There are three ways to lift a 4×4 vehicle:
- Replace the suspension components by removing old coil and leaf springs and shock absorbers and replacing them with the new kit such as this one by OME.
- Install a suspension spacer kit like the SuperPro Ezy Lift Kit. This is a more affordable option for those who are either leasing their vehicles or just want to install larger wheels. However, even if you’re not interested in off-road performance we’d always recommend that the suspension is purchased first and the wheels are added afterwards to avoid any potential fitting issues.
- Installing a purely cosmetic body in the form of spacers between the vehicle’s body and frame. There’s no functional benefit here though and it can look quite ugly.
The Mitsubishi L200 Series 4 is an incredibly popular pick-up truck that was first launched in 2005 and continues to build fans for both off-road and cosmetic builds. This is thanks to its flexible range of single, club, and double-cab models — plus its stellar performance. Older models particularly are great affordable options for those looking to get their hands dirty and bring new life to an older vehicle. The ML and MN series, meanwhile, boast unique styling and loads of added interior space.
A green laner’s dream
The L200 has become incredibly popular with the green laning community thanks, not only to its relative affordability — but for its legacy as the first pick-up truck to break free of the conventional rule that said all such vehicles had to look like a load of bricks on top of a hefty engine. The initial design was inspired by the Mitsubishi rally cars that were used on the Dakar Rally, so there’s definite off-roading heritage here.
It’s also a vehicle that is very popular with upgraders, as many models are approaching 20-years-old now and the factory leaf springs in the rear suspension tend to give up the ghost after a decade of heavy use. Thankfully, there is a massive range of upgrades available for all models, including the beefier B40.
But generally speaking, given that the best-selling off-the-shelf upgrade kits from established quality brands like Terrain Tamer and Old Man Emu (OME) offer bespoke kits for each individual model, you shouldn’t have any serious problems or need any extra parts to install the upgrade yourself.
Unless you’re looking for a higher lift, of course. This would generally require the addition of specialist components but for the L200, the typical lift height is just around 1 inch, or 20 to 30mm.
If you’re looking to gain some serious height, this may not be the mode for you, even with all the bells and whistles. However, even with smaller lifts, you’ll get some significant handling gains and you’ll certainly notice the higher ride height.
The complete package
Generally speaking, a complete kit is a better way to achieve optimal results than going for individual components from different manufacturers. Although a set of springs could be fitted with existing shock absorbers, there are always going to be component limitations to consider and fitting new shock absorbers won’t compensate for old worn springs.
Regardless of whether you go for the complete kit option or to take matters into your own hands and upgrade it piece-by-piece, the L200 will take a beating but it’s definitely not invincible.
Selecting the correct components is vital, and care should be taken not to choose parts that are incorrectly rated for the application. If you’re unsure, contact us directly and we will advise if we feel that the components you’re looking at might be unsuitable.
Whether you’re using your L200 for commercial use and require greater suspension to cope with greater weight, or as a weekend green lane machine, there is a suspension kit that will provide what you’re looking for. These kits will offer smoother handling and stability to both older models with fatigued components and newer models with components that are just not quite up to the task.
If you’re interested in upgrading the suspension on your Mitsubishi L200 Series 4, we’ve got you covered! If you need to know anymore before making your decision, meanwhile, feel free to reach out and contact us today.
