The LDV T60 has carved out a serious slice of the Australian ute market on value — but ask any owner about the ride and you'll hear the same two complaints: harsh when empty, saggy when loaded. Both trace back to the factory suspension package, and both are fixable. Here are the T60 suspension problems we hear about most, why they happen, and the proven fixes.
The T60 and T60 Max run a leaf-sprung rear with a firm factory pack tuned for payload, combined with budget dampers that lack low-speed compliance. Empty, the rear skips and jars over sharp bumps. The counterintuitive fix: quality shocks valved for Australian conditions do more for unladen comfort than softer springs, because they control the leaf pack's rebound instead of letting it kick. A matched set — like assembled front struts with adjustable rear shocks — lets you tune damping for empty versus loaded running.
The flip side: load a T60 up with a canopy and gear, or hitch a trailer, and the rear settles low despite the firm ride. Factory springs prioritise a compromise; constant loads need springs rated for them. Fit upgraded rear leaf springs as part of a complete T60 lift kit, or add an Airbag Man helper kit if the load comes and goes — air pressure adjusts rear support in minutes without over-springing the empty ute.
Yes — 2 inch (50mm) suspension lifts are well proven on the T60 platform, combining raised front struts and coils with rear springs and matched shocks. A 50mm lift typically sits within state road-use allowances (confirm your state's current rules), restores clearance under accessory weight, and sharpens the stance considerably. Browse all T60 suspension or the complete 2 inch lift kit range.
Yes, and it matters when ordering parts. The T60 Max Plus (from late 2023) moved to a coil-sprung rear for better unladen ride, so it takes rear coil springs rather than leaf packs, with its own shock lengths. The earlier T60 (2017-on) and T60 Max (09/2021-on) both run leaf rears but differ in front strut spec. Always select your exact variant in the parts finder — T60, T60 Max or T60 Max Plus — as the three don't interchange.
Twenty minutes of corrugations is enough to cook the standard dampers: the oil aerates, damping falls away and the ute starts floating. This is a heat-capacity problem, and the fix is shocks designed for sustained Australian gravel work — foam cell construction resists aeration, and larger-bore adjustable units add tuning range for varied loads. It's the single highest-value upgrade for a touring T60.
No — not automatically. Under Australian Consumer Law, LDV can only decline a warranty claim for a failure the modification actually caused. Quality aftermarket springs and shocks, professionally fitted and documented, leave the rest of your warranty intact. Keep your invoices and fit reputable Australian-market components.
For most owners, a complete 2 inch kit with heavy-duty springs matched to the accessories you carry — foam cell shocks for set-and-forget touring, or adjustable shocks if your loads vary week to week. The T60 responds particularly well because the factory setup leaves so much on the table. Call us with your variant (T60, Max, or Max Plus) and load details and we'll spec the right combination.
A complete quality 2 inch kit for the T60 typically lands between $1,500 and $2,500 in parts depending on shock choice, plus fitting (roughly $400-900 at most workshops). Piecemeal fixes — rear springs or shocks alone — cost less up front but most owners end up doing the full kit; matched front-to-rear components work noticeably better than mixing new and worn parts.
Constant load (permanent canopy and drawers): heavier leaf springs rated for that weight give the best ride and handling. Variable load (towing on weekends, empty during the week): standard-rated springs plus an airbag helper kit is the smarter setup — you add air when loaded and dump it when empty, instead of living with an over-sprung ute. Many tourers combine moderate springs with airbags for the best of both.
Questions about your T60 setup? Call 4WD Suspension on 1300 120 020 — genuine Tough Dog and Airbag Man stock shipped Australia-wide from Melbourne.
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
