Old Man Emu · Authorised ARB dealer · Warwick
Old Man Emu suspension kits and parts, supplied and fitted at our Warwick workshop. Matched to your vehicle, your load and the way you drive.
Why upgrade
Factory suspension is generally set up for a lightly loaded vehicle. Add a bar, winch, canopy, drawers, water, fuel and touring gear, and the vehicle can sit lower, ride differently and feel different on corrugations or when towing.
A 4WD suspension upgrade is about choosing the right springs and shock absorbers for the weight you actually carry and the tracks you drive, not just lifting the vehicle. We look at your vehicle, the accessories on it and how you use it, then talk through Old Man Emu options that suit.
A suspension upgrade is also not a GVM upgrade. They are different changes with different rules, and we explain the difference below. See our builds for vehicles we have worked on.
Matched to how you use it
These are starting points for the conversation, not product recommendations. Your vehicle and load decide what suits.
Tools, tray gear and heavy use on gravel and farm tracks. We look at how the vehicle sits and rides under your working weight.
Fully loaded for long trips, sometimes with a van or camper behind. Suspension is chosen with the extra weight in mind. It does not change your towing capacity.
Everyday driving with the occasional track. A balanced setup that suits how you actually use the vehicle.
Kits and parts
This is what ARB lists for Old Man Emu suspension, using its product names. Options are vehicle specific, so we leave out models and prices here. Tell us what you drive and we will confirm fitment.
Twin-tube shock absorbers with an outer reserve tube that protects the internals off road. ARB says valving is matched to the spring options for your vehicle.
Ask about fitment View on ARB (opens in a new tab) ↗
ARB describes it as a blend of the Nitrocharger's reliability and the BP-51's premium features, an all-rounder.
Ask about fitment View on ARB (opens in a new tab) ↗
User-adjustable internal bypass shock absorbers, per ARB, for owners who want to tune the setup.
Ask about fitment View on ARB (opens in a new tab) ↗
ARB designs coil springs for each vehicle, using micro-alloyed spring steel for resistance to sagging and corrosion.
Ask about fitment View on ARB (opens in a new tab) ↗
Engineered by Old Man Emu for ride performance across the conditions a 4WD works in, per ARB.
Ask about fitment View on ARB (opens in a new tab) ↗
A parabolic leaf spring and air bag kit that lets you adjust for varying loads, per ARB.
Ask about fitment View on ARB (opens in a new tab) ↗
Designed to reduce wheel vibration and improve the feel, handling and control of the vehicle, per ARB.
Ask about fitment View on ARB (opens in a new tab) ↗
Front upper control arms for popular IFS 4WDs, to keep front suspension geometry correct when a vehicle is lifted with a kit.
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.
What is in a system
A suspension system is more than one component. Springs carry the weight of the vehicle, shock absorbers control how the springs move, and parts such as bushes, control arms and steering stabilisers affect geometry and feel. ARB describes Old Man Emu complete suspension systems as replacing every aspect of the suspension, from the shocks to the bushes.
Kits are tailored by vehicle, so a setup that suits one vehicle may not suit another, even in the same range.
Choosing
A few details let us give you a useful answer the first time.
| Detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Make, model, year, variant | Kits and parts are vehicle specific, and options can differ between variants. |
| Accessories fitted | Bars, winches, canopies, drawers and racks change the weight and where it sits. |
| What you carry | Water, fuel, gear and passengers all add to the load the suspension supports. |
| Towing | A trailer or camper changes the load on the rear of the vehicle. Towing ratings come from the manufacturer. |
| How and where you drive | Corrugations, tracks, touring and work use ask different things of a setup. |
| Current suspension | What is already fitted affects what we recommend and what is needed. |
| Ride height goals | Changing height can bring regulatory requirements. See the section below. |
Suspension is not a GVM upgrade. A GVM upgrade is a separate, engineered and approved change to your vehicle's rated maximum weight, and not every suspension upgrade changes it. Suspension also does not change your towing capacity by itself. If you want to raise your GVM, tell us and we will explain what is involved.
Lift and legal
Suspension changes, especially lifts, can bring regulatory requirements that vary by vehicle, the change itself and your state or territory. In Queensland, the Department of Transport and Main Roads says complex light vehicle modifications must follow an approved modification code and be certified by an Approved Person, and the Queensland code of practice lists high-lift codes.
Other states and territories have their own rules. We talk through what is likely to apply to your vehicle before you commit, and tell you plainly if a change needs certification. This page is general information, not legal advice or a guarantee of compliance, and rules can change. Tell your insurer about modifications and keep your records.
How it works
What you carry, what you tow and where you drive.
Ride height, existing fitment and the accessories already on it.
Old Man Emu springs, shocks and parts matched to your vehicle and load.
Installed in our workshop and checked before you leave.
Ready to talk? Plan your build, call 07 4548 9580, see what we do or read about us.
FAQs
Straight answers on suspension kits, parts, GVM and towing. This is general information, not legal or engineering advice.
A suspension upgrade replaces or adds to the springs, shock absorbers and related parts that hold your vehicle up and control its movement. Owners usually consider one after adding weight, such as a bar, winch, canopy or touring gear, or when they want a different ride or ride height. The right setup depends on the vehicle, the load and how you drive.
Often, yes. A bar and winch add weight to the front axle, which can make the vehicle sit lower and ride differently. We check your vehicle and the accessories on it, then recommend options to suit. It depends on the vehicle, so we do not give a blanket answer.
ARB lists Old Man Emu suspension kits, which combine shock absorbers and springs configured for a specific vehicle, and separate parts such as coil springs, leaf springs, steering stabilisers and upper control arms. Which route suits you depends on your vehicle and what you want to change.
Per ARB, the Nitrocharger is a twin-tube shock absorber with an outer reserve tube, the BP-51 is a user-adjustable internal bypass shock absorber, and the MT64 blends the Nitrocharger's reliability with the BP-51's premium features. Options differ by vehicle, so we match them to yours.
No. A suspension upgrade changes how the vehicle is supported. A GVM upgrade is a separate, engineered and approved change to the vehicle's rated maximum weight. They can be related, because a GVM upgrade involves a complete suspension system, but a suspension upgrade on its own does not raise your GVM.
Not by itself. Payload and towing capacity come from the ratings the manufacturer set, and a suspension upgrade does not change them automatically. Tell us what you carry and tow, and we will talk through what applies to your vehicle.
That is what suspension is designed to influence, but results depend on the vehicle, the parts chosen, the load and how it is set up, so we do not promise specific outcomes. We help you choose a setup that suits how you use the vehicle.
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.
It depends on the vehicle, the change and your state or territory. In Queensland, the Department of Transport and Main Roads says complex light vehicle modifications must follow an approved modification code and be certified by an Approved Person, and the Queensland code of practice lists high-lift codes. Check the current rules for your state before you commit. This page is general information and not a guarantee of compliance.
Yes. We are an authorised ARB dealer in Warwick, Queensland, and we supply and fit Old Man Emu suspension at our workshop.
It depends on the vehicle, the kit or parts and the fitting, so we do not publish prices here. Send us your vehicle details and how you use it, and we will talk through the options.
Yes. Tell your insurer about modifications to your vehicle, because undeclared changes may affect your cover. Keep any certificates and records.
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, what you carry and how you drive. We will talk you through the options.