4WD1 has a reputation as a specialist to the armoured vehicle sector for up-rated suspension systems.
When you think ‘armoured 4wd’, it’s easy to conjure up images of a Landcruiser/military tank cross-over, complete with side-guns and ceramic shields. In fact, most armored 4WD vehicles (from the outside) look absolutely stock. The protection plating is usually behind the vehicle’s body panels, and can include replacement flooring, plus the use of specialized window glass.
While the vehicles may look like they just rolled off the showroom floor, in the case of say, a 105 series Toyota Landcruiser, a typical B6 conversion adds about 800kg. Add 5 blokes and their gear, and it’s easy to get past the 1200kg mark, hence the need to compensate for the extra weight and change in vehicle dynamics.
Good armoured-vehicle conversion specialists and sales companies work to an internationally recognized standard, and have their work independently tested and certified. The work is graded to a specific level of protection.
The European standard uses an alpha-numeric description (levels B4, B6 etc). You don’t have to be smart to work out that the greater the level of protection, the larger the caliber and velocity of projectile that can be defended, and that the more serious the threat, the more comprehensive the armor protection must be.
It is interesting to note that demand for armoured 4wd vehicles is not limited to use by the military, but includes peace-keeping forces, security firms, and ‘high-profilers’ for their political position, business or celebrity.
In the fist decade of the “noughties”, war and terror around the world, plus the expansion of industry into countries with turbulent political environments, has seen demand for armour-protected passenger vehicles increase significantly.
The increase in demand has brought many opportunists to the market. Not all firms being equal in their performance. There are plenty of small work shops and ex “chop-shops” grabbing the current opportunity. It’s like “pimp-my-ride” for some, rather than the business of saving lives.
As one of our North American customers says, “So many stereo and trim installers look at an armoured car and say “Hey I can do that”, not knowing a thing about armour or vehicle integration…It is truly scary to see some of the vehicles we have to “compete” against with buyers that decide on price alone….not experience and certified testing results…”
Similarly, if you’re an armoured vehicle conversion specialist, service shop, or parts supplier for armoured vehicles, 4WD1 is not the cheapest place to procure new suspension components.
The key to good performance from the suspension is the quality, combined with the bore-size of the shocks or struts, and the appropriateness of the springs' rating (stiffness).
In the case of the typical armoured vehicle conversion, it’s not just the guys in balaclavas that are the enemy – it’s the new curb weight, together with use on unsealed roads.
It is interesting to note that demand for armoured 4wd vehicles is not limited to use by the military, but includes peace-keeping forces, security firms, and ‘high-profilers’ for their political position, business or celebrity.
In the fist decade of the “noughties”, war and terror around the world, plus the expansion of industry into countries with turbulent political environments, has seen demand for armour-protected passenger vehicles increase significantly.
The increase in demand has brought many opportunists to the market. Not all firms being equal in their performance. There are plenty of small work shops and ex “chop-shops” grabbing the current opportunity. It’s like “pimp-my-ride” for some, rather than the business of saving lives.
As one of our North American customers says, “So many stereo and trim installers look at an armoured car and say “Hey I can do that”, not knowing a thing about armour or vehicle integration…It is truly scary to see some of the vehicles we have to “compete” against with buyers that decide on price alone….not experience and certified testing results…”
Similarly, if you’re an armoured vehicle conversion specialist, service shop, or parts supplier for armoured vehicles, 4WD1 is not the cheapest place to procure new suspension components.
The key to good performance from the suspension is the quality, combined with the bore-size of the shocks or struts, and the appropriateness of the springs' rating (stiffness).
In the case of the typical armoured vehicle conversion, it’s not just the guys in balaclavas that are the enemy – it’s the new curb weight, together with use on unsealed roads.
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