NewHilux.net

Hi all. I recently had my 2018 Lux over a weigh bridge and come in a tad under 3.1T. I know this is over GVM. I’m going to add a few more accessories that are only, of course, going to increase my weight. Looking at suspension upgrades; the who, how and why of it all. I live regional, so can’t take the Lux to this guy or that guy to discuss options. Searching online and will likely get a kit freighted. My question is why the high cost for a certified GVM fitment? Essentially double what I would pay for a kit that would give me the same lift. Am I really paying that much more for the small silver plate attached to the inside passenger pillar? I can appreciate the technology in a 3500 kg rated suspension kit will be of a higher level than a standard kit, but double the price? Can anyone enlighten me?
Thanks heaps

You are paying for the Engineering and Certification. Otherwise you will have no Insurance coverage if you have an issue. The kit will probably have to be fitted by a certain outlet and passed by an Engineer, paperwork sorted and rego changed to show new GVW. Will also most likely reduce your towing capacity down to something like 2500kg or so for an auto as a GVW increase normally does not increase your GCM. From memory the newer Hilux auto is rated about 2800kg towing at full GVW, not sure about the manual but I think it’s higher.

mudrunna wrote:Am I really paying that much more for the small silver plate attached to the inside passenger pillar?

Yes. The GVM increase you are paying for is on paper only. There is no physical modification. Often you can get the exact same kit without GVM increase for about $500 less. That is seriously the cost of the paperwork and little placard. It’s a joke.
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If you are an Engineer and run your own business you would see what it costs to hold the required insurances and Certifications. And on top of that the cost of running a business. There has to be some profit in it for an Engineer, he/she has to be able to earn $100 an hour or it is simply not worth it. $500 might seem excessive but I bet if it is being done right the Engineer might be ending up with less $200 after expenses.

HK1837 wrote:If you are an Engineer and run your own business you would see what it costs to hold the required insurances and Certifications. And on top of that the cost of running a business. There has to be some profit in it for an Engineer, he/she has to be able to earn $100 an hour or it is simply not worth it. $500 might seem excessive but I bet if it is being done right the Engineer might be ending up with less $200 after expenses.

X2 there are few in business who will get out of bed for less than $500 a day.

$500 still makes your hilux cheaper than a 70 series.

What was on and in the car at the weigh in.

Thanks every one for responding. Dave G the set up is for touring remote. Canopy, Alloy roof rack with extension over cab (dual cab), Two spare tyres, Water tank, Long range fuel, Drawers, Engel and steel bull bar. That's the main items that are contributing to the weight. Additional weight would be in the usual camping supplies and gear needed for two weeks or more of being self sufficient. We're not 'everything including the kitchen sink'' kind of travelers, and I've tried to keep weight down through out the build. Really looking forward to this suspension upgrade. Cheers

Im not certain you can get a GVM upgrade in WA post registration. But i could be wrong.
If i am, it would need to be done by an authorised agent.

But here's a link: https://www.westcoastsuspension.com.au/gvm-upgrades/
For more info that relates to WA.

In the end you'll only have 400kgs to play with.

I weighed my SR5 dual cab tub with the following just for shits and giggles:
Factory Alloy bar, Dual battery, secondary fuel filter, recovery points, canopy,drawers,long rang fuel tank, steel side steps, tow bar.
Fully fuelled 2520kg (480kgs to play with) and thats before i sit in it, add the roof rack/ Rhino platform, fridge, food, luggage, Oz tent RV4, recovery gear, some tools, and the cheese and kisses.

My point being you're about to invest a lot of $. Will you get the desired outcome?

I haven't weighed mine with kisses yet but without it comes in bare between 2300 - 2400kgs. At trip spec around 2800kgs.

I struggle to see how those with prado, 200s etc get by legally when they are fully kitted up. You can see why the police have blitzs every now and then.

I agree with Allords - your hilux is already very heavy. Will the extra kg's gained be enough?

What ever happened to the good old days when a hiker's tent and sleeping bag would do? ⛺
You can even have the cheese and kisses with you, all fits in a single sleeping bag

Having had to deal with the registration of my Hilux in four different States and Territories I can attest to the value of a post-registration GVM upgrade engineering certificate. It is hard enough with one, I would hate to go through the process without one.

Weigh bridge visit was on the way out of town for an extended trip away. Planned it that way so I could get an accurate reading of how I'd set the Lux up for that trip. Hilux was just on 3T. 3.04T to be exact. Comments here are mentioning they're running around the 2800 mark (loaded), not sure where I've gained an extra 200kg, but there you go. The build is almost finished. I've decided on what suspension I'll fit and from who I'll order the kit; also have had a chat with the workshop doing the work. The setup will be rated for 3.5T; can't see that weight being anywhere near close to exceeded. With the build pretty much finished there won't be any additional mods of any significant weight gain. Post upgrade the vehicle will ride 'much' better and be certified across states. Cheers all