Once you have decided to lift your 4WD, the next question is how far. The 2 inch versus 3 inch debate plays out in every 4WD club and Facebook group in Australia, usually with strong opinions on both sides. The honest answer is that they are different tools for different builds: one is a near-universal touring upgrade, the other a committed offroad choice with real supporting-mod and legal implications. This guide gives you a straight decision framework, and covers a third option that has changed the conversation: adjustable kits that do both.
The short answer: A 2 inch (50mm) lift is the best all-round choice for most Australian 4WDs: meaningful clearance, minimal geometry change, and it sits within most states' no-certification allowance. A 3 inch lift buys more clearance for serious offroad work but typically needs upper control arms, a diff drop and, in most states, engineering certification.
The obvious difference is 25mm of extra height, but the practical differences run deeper. A 2 inch lift with quality springs and shocks gives you noticeably better clearance under the sills and chassis, improved approach and departure angles, room for slightly larger tyres, and springs rated for your bar work and touring load. A 3 inch lift extends all of that: more clearance for deep ruts and rock steps, room for larger rubber again, and more usable travel with long-travel shocks. But suspension is a system of angles, and every millimetre of lift moves control arms, CV joints, driveshafts and steering geometry further from where the engineers designed them to sit. At 2 inches, those changes are small enough to manage with a good alignment on most vehicles. At 3 inches, they generally are not.
Three reasons. First, legality: a 50mm suspension lift sits within the no-certification allowance in most Australian states (rules vary and change, so always confirm with your state authority), which keeps registration, roadside checks and insurance simple. Second, cost and simplicity: a 2 inch kit is usually just springs, shocks and hardware, fitted in a few hours with no correction parts needed on most vehicles. Third, it delivers most of the real-world benefit. For touring, towing and the vast majority of Australian tracks, including the big-name destinations, a well-sorted 2 inch kit on the right spring rates is genuinely capable. That is why it is the standard recommendation for anyone building a tourer, and why the 2 inch kits from Dobinsons, Tough Dog and Bilstein are consistently the biggest sellers in the country.
Push an independent-front-suspension 4WD, which is most modern utes and wagons, to 3 inches and the geometry needs help. Factory upper control arms typically cannot restore proper caster and ball joint angles at that height, so aftermarket UCAs become effectively mandatory. CV joints run at steeper angles that accelerate wear, which is what a diff drop kit addresses. Longer brake hoses, extended sway bar links and a new tailshaft angle check can all join the list. On solid-axle vehicles the list differs, think caster correction, extended lines and panhard adjustment, but the principle is the same: a 3 inch lift is a package, not a spring swap.
Then there is the paperwork. A 75mm suspension lift exceeds the basic no-certification allowance in every state, so it generally requires assessment and certification by an approved engineer under your state scheme, and some states cap what can be certified. Factor the certification cost and process into the budget, and confirm what is achievable in your state before you buy parts.
| 2 inch (50mm) lift | 3 inch (75mm) lift | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Touring, towing, all-round use | Dedicated offroad and technical tracks |
| Geometry impact | Minimal on most vehicles | Significant; needs correction |
| Typical extra parts | Usually none | UCAs, diff drop, extended lines and links |
| Certification (indicative) | Generally not required in most states | Generally required; confirm locally |
| Relative cost fitted | Lower | Significantly higher with extras and cert |
Squarely in the middle of it. Indicatively, most states allow around 50mm of suspension lift without certification, with NSW, Victoria and Queensland allowing up to 75mm of total vehicle lift only when up to 25mm of it comes from larger tyres, and WA counting everything towards a single 50mm limit. A true 75mm suspension lift needs engineering certification essentially everywhere, and an uncertified one risks defect notices and insurance complications. These rules are indicative only and do change, so confirm the current requirements with your state road authority before committing, and notify your insurer of any modification either way.
This is the option that resolves the debate for a lot of buyers. Adjustable-height kits, like the Dobinsons MRA adjustable lift kit range, use remote-reservoir shocks with adjustable spring platforms, so ride height can be tuned within the kit's range rather than fixed the day it is installed. Run a compliant, comfortable height for daily driving and touring, then wind in more lift for a dedicated offroad build down the track, once the supporting mods and certification are sorted. You also get damping adjustment to match the load, one setting for the empty daily commute, another for the fully loaded big lap. It is a premium option, but it means the 2 versus 3 inch decision no longer has to be made once, forever, at the checkout. You can explore the full Dobinsons range alongside Tough Dog, Bilstein and Blackhawk alternatives.
Still weighing it up? The practical path for most buyers: build on a quality 2 inch kit matched to your vehicle and load, and step up to adjustable MRA-style gear if you want tuning headroom. 4WD Suspension delivers Australia-wide and our team specs kits for these exact decisions every day. Browse lift kits online or call 1300 120 020 for advice on your build.
For most touring, no. A 2 inch kit with correct spring rates handles touring loads and the classic destinations comfortably, without the extra parts, cost and certification a 3 inch lift usually brings. A 3 inch lift earns its keep on technical offroad terrain rather than touring routes.
Usually not; most vehicles align within specification at 50mm. If the wheel aligner cannot bring caster or camber into spec after fitting, or you run larger tyres that contact the factory arms, aftermarket UCAs become worthwhile. At 3 inches they are effectively essential on IFS vehicles.
Lift and tyre size are regulated together in most states, with tyre diameter increases counting towards your total allowable lift. Many owners pair a 2 inch lift with a modest tyre upsize within their state's limit. Check your state's rules on both numbers before buying tyres.
The kit itself is simply a suspension package; what matters is the ride height the vehicle actually runs on the road, which must comply with your state's limits or be certified. An adjustable kit set to a compliant height is treated like any other lift, but confirm specifics with your state authority.
Add your favourites to cart
Log into or create your Afterpay account, with instant approval decision
Your purchase will be split into 4 payments, payable every 2 weeks
All you need to apply is to have a debit or credit card, to be over 18 years of age, and to be a resident of country offering Afterpay
Late fees and additional eligibility criteria apply. The first payment may be due at the time of purchase
For complete terms visit afterpay.com/terms
