Old Man Emu · Authorised ARB dealer · Warwick
What a 2 inch (about 50mm) lift really means, how it differs from a body lift, and what to check before you commit. We supply and fit Old Man Emu suspension at our Warwick workshop.
What is a 2 inch lift
Most 2 inch lift kits are described as 50mm. The lift you actually get is measured on your vehicle, and it depends on the kit, the vehicle and the load.
Three different changes are often called a lift. They are not interchangeable, and they are not treated the same by the rules.
Changes the springs, shock absorbers or related parts to raise the ride height. This is what a 2 inch lift kit usually means.
Fits spacers between the body and the chassis. The suspension itself is left as it is, and body lifts have their own limits in the rules.
Replaces much of the system, often to suit a heavier load. It may or may not change the height. We cover this on our 4x4 suspension upgrades page.
How much lift you get
Two vehicles fitted with the same kit can end up at different heights. These are the usual reasons:
ARB's product pages do not give a single lift height for its kits. The right figure for your vehicle comes from confirming the kit and the setup, so we do not quote one here.
Lift and legal
Queensland sets limits on suspension lift, tyre increases and combined lift through its code of practice. The figures below are as reported in published guidance, so confirm them against the current code for your vehicle. Other states differ.
| Change | Reported requirement |
|---|---|
| Suspension lift up to 50mm | No certification needed, if the work follows the code. |
| Tyres adding up to 25mm of lift | No certification needed, within a combined lift of 75mm. |
| Suspension lift of 51mm to 100mm | Certification needed under the LS10 code. |
| Combined lift above 75mm and up to 150mm | An approved design and certification, and the vehicle's stability control must be shown to still work. |
| Body lifts | Limited, and certification may be needed. Check the code. |
Why this matters for a 2 inch lift. A nominal 2 inch lift is about 50.8mm, which is right at the 50mm threshold. Whether a kit on your vehicle lands inside or outside it depends on the measured lift, so we confirm the figure before you buy. This is general information, not legal advice or a guarantee of compliance, and the rules can change. Tell your insurer about modifications.
Figures are from Unsealed 4X4: QLD lift laws explained (May 2025). The Queensland Government has said lift requirements sit in the Queensland Code of Practice and were reviewed to align with the national code (ministerial statement, September 2018).
Kits and parts
This is what ARB lists, using its product names, with the parts ARB ties to ride height and lifted vehicles. Kits are vehicle specific, so we leave out models, lift heights and prices here. Tell us what you drive and we will confirm fitment.
ARB describes it as an upgrade for 4WDers seeking more vehicle control and comfort, increased ride height and load carrying capability.
Ask about fitment View on ARB (opens in a new tab) ↗
Has a configurable spring seat with 6 positions in 5mm steps, which ARB says lets one coil spring cater for different weights.
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ARB says its aluminium adjuster allows adjustment of spring preload and ride height.
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ARB says its coil springs deliver ride height increases, with emphasis on ride control, and are designed for each vehicle.
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Engineered by Old Man Emu for ride performance across the conditions a 4WD works in, per ARB.
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Per ARB, they keep the front suspension aligned and cater for the geometry change when an IFS vehicle is lifted with a kit.
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A related part. ARB says it reduces wheel vibration and improves the feel, handling and control of the vehicle.
Ask about fitment View on ARB (opens in a new tab) ↗Product images are ARB product photography as shown on arb.com.au. Items are vehicle specific. Check ARB's suspension kits and suspension parts and confirm fitment with us before you buy.
After the lift
Raising a vehicle can change the geometry of the front suspension, which is why ARB offers upper control arms for popular independent front suspension vehicles. A taller vehicle can also behave differently on the road, so the setup matters as much as the number.
A lift kit does not change your GVM, GCM, payload or towing capacity. Those are the manufacturer's ratings. If you carry or tow heavy loads, tell us, and we will talk through what suits.
Before you enquire
A few details let us give you a useful answer the first time.
| Detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Make, model, year, variant | Kits are vehicle specific, and options can differ between variants. |
| Front suspension type | Independent or live axle front ends need different parts. ARB lists upper control arms for IFS vehicles. |
| Accessories fitted | Bars, winches, canopies and racks change the weight and how the vehicle sits. |
| Wheels and tyres | Tyre size changes height, and rules often count it alongside suspension lift. |
| Why you want the lift | Clearance, tyre fitment, appearance or carrying weight each point to a different setup. |
| State of registration | State and territory rules differ. |
| Towing and load | A lift does not change ratings. If you tow or carry heavy loads, we talk through that separately. |
| Your insurer | Tell your insurer about modifications, as undeclared ones may affect cover. |
Ready to talk? Plan your build, call 07 4548 9580, see what we do, browse our builds or read about us.
FAQs
Straight answers on lift height, the rules and fitting. This is general information, not legal or engineering advice.
It is a set of suspension parts, usually springs and shock absorbers, chosen to raise a vehicle's ride height by roughly 2 inches, or about 50mm. The name describes a target, not a guarantee. The lift you actually get depends on the vehicle, the kit, the accessories fitted and the load.
Nearly. Two inches is 50.8mm, and many kits are described as 50mm. A fraction of a millimetre rarely matters on the road, but it can matter when a rule has a limit set at 50mm, which is why we talk about measured lift and not the label on the box.
No. Measured lift varies between vehicles and with the load and accessories on them. Some Old Man Emu products also have adjustable ride height. ARB's product pages do not give one lift figure, so we confirm what suits your vehicle.
A suspension lift changes the springs, shock absorbers or related parts. A body lift fits spacers between the body and the chassis and leaves the suspension as it is. A complete suspension upgrade replaces much of the system, often to suit a load. They are different changes and can be subject to different rules.
It depends on the vehicle and how the lift is made up. Queensland's code of practice sets limits for suspension lift, tyre increases and combined lift, and it sets when certification by an Approved Person is needed. Published guidance reports that suspension lifts up to 50mm do not need certification when the work follows the code. A nominal 2 inch lift is about 50.8mm, so we confirm the measured figure. Check the current code before you commit.
Not always, and it varies by state and by how much the vehicle is raised in total. In Queensland, larger lifts need certification, and TMR says complex modifications must follow an approved code and be certified by an Approved Person. We talk through what applies to your vehicle before you buy.
They have their own rules, and a vehicle registered in another state may need to meet the rules where it is registered. This page is general information and is not a guarantee of compliance.
Yes. Tell your insurer about modifications to your vehicle, because undeclared changes may affect your cover. Keep any certificates and records.
Old Man Emu kits are configured for specific vehicles, and not every make, model, year or variant has every option. Tell us your vehicle and we will confirm what is available. You can also check ARB's vehicle selector on its product pages.
ARB says upper control arms are available for popular IFS vehicles to keep the front suspension aligned when the vehicle is lifted with a kit. Whether you need them depends on the vehicle and the kit.
No, not by itself. Payload, GVM, GCM and towing capacity come from the manufacturer's ratings, and a lift kit does not change them. A suspension upgrade chosen for a heavier load is a separate question from lifting the vehicle, so tell us what you carry and tow.
It depends on the vehicle, the parts and the setup, so we do not promise specific outcomes. A taller vehicle can also behave differently on the road. We help you choose a setup that suits how you drive.
Yes. We are an authorised ARB dealer in Warwick, Queensland, and we supply and fit Old Man Emu suspension at our workshop. We do not publish prices here, so send us your vehicle details and we will talk through the options.
Information on this page was checked against these sources in October 2026. Rules change, so check the current requirements for your vehicle and state.
Tell us your vehicle, your tyres and why you want the lift. We will talk you through the options and what rules apply.