Howdy,
I'm currently looking at increasing the GVM of my Nav as I know that I'm either close or over the limit when we travel. After a bunch of digging around on the Intenets I'd not been able to find any empirical information on the subject; only opinion and conjecture. I've subsequently spoken to a certified automotive engineer (I'm in Canberra, so folks in other states, take this with a grain of salt) and I thought post up what I've found in the event it saves other folks some time.
1. It is possible to legally increase the GVM.
A number of folks on various forums suggested it can't be done; this is incorrect.
A number of folks on various forums suggested that it can only be done through the installation of an approved kit prior to delivery to the customer. This is true in that some vehicles can have their GVM upgraded prior to delivery, but incorrect in the suggestion that only new vehicles can have their GVM increased.
GVM can be legally increased and certified through an appropriately accredited automotive engineer. I don't currently know all of the work that needs to be done to a D40 (I'm meeting the engineer next week), however form our initial discussion it would appear that it requires the application of strengthening to the chassis, suspension upgrades and the fitment of tyres with the appropriate load rating. I suspect it may also require brake modifications, but I'll confirm once I've seen the engineer.
2. The increase is reasonable.
Those posts I did read that suggested the GVM could be increased gave figures ranging from ~200kg's to 500kg's, depending on model. The engineer I spoke to owns a D40 that has had it's GVM increased and it is now at 3500kg's. I'm unsure of what model he has, but even assuming a factory GVM of 3010, it is still around 490kg's. At this point I think it is important to reiterate that this figure is achieved through strengthening the chassis - not just fitting bolt on parts.
3. It is expensive.
The ballpark figures the engineer gave me are as follows:
- Engineering/certification: $2K
- Plating/mechanical: Up to $10K
I believe the welding has to be done by someone holding a ticket and to an appropriate Australian Standard. So, being handy with mechanics and metal fab, I'm hopeful that I can save a big fist full of cash by doing everything bar the welding myself (have welders, just not a ticket).
4. There are cheaper options, but their ability to be certified by rego may be questionable
Some companies are now doing "GVM upgrade" kits, which essentially amount to "ADR approved suspension". Some of these are certainly kosher if fitted to a new vehicle prior to delivery, however their ability to legally increase GVM when retrofitted to an older vehicle isn't clear. In some cases, some kits would not appear to provide a compliance plate which leads me to wonder about their legitimacy/legality.
For folks in WA, you seem pretty fortunate, as number of places do kits which include a new compliance plate (e.g http://www.westcoastsuspension.com.a...g-gvm-upgrade/).
In all cases where you're considering retro-fitting them to a vehicle you already own, make sure you talk to your local RTA folk, as it all sounds a little hit-and-miss from the research I've done.
Finally, for anyone in Canberra, if you want the details of the particular engineer I've been speaking to PM me and I'll send them through.
I'll post more info as it comes to light.
I'm currently looking at increasing the GVM of my Nav as I know that I'm either close or over the limit when we travel. After a bunch of digging around on the Intenets I'd not been able to find any empirical information on the subject; only opinion and conjecture. I've subsequently spoken to a certified automotive engineer (I'm in Canberra, so folks in other states, take this with a grain of salt) and I thought post up what I've found in the event it saves other folks some time.
1. It is possible to legally increase the GVM.
A number of folks on various forums suggested it can't be done; this is incorrect.
A number of folks on various forums suggested that it can only be done through the installation of an approved kit prior to delivery to the customer. This is true in that some vehicles can have their GVM upgraded prior to delivery, but incorrect in the suggestion that only new vehicles can have their GVM increased.
GVM can be legally increased and certified through an appropriately accredited automotive engineer. I don't currently know all of the work that needs to be done to a D40 (I'm meeting the engineer next week), however form our initial discussion it would appear that it requires the application of strengthening to the chassis, suspension upgrades and the fitment of tyres with the appropriate load rating. I suspect it may also require brake modifications, but I'll confirm once I've seen the engineer.
2. The increase is reasonable.
Those posts I did read that suggested the GVM could be increased gave figures ranging from ~200kg's to 500kg's, depending on model. The engineer I spoke to owns a D40 that has had it's GVM increased and it is now at 3500kg's. I'm unsure of what model he has, but even assuming a factory GVM of 3010, it is still around 490kg's. At this point I think it is important to reiterate that this figure is achieved through strengthening the chassis - not just fitting bolt on parts.
3. It is expensive.
The ballpark figures the engineer gave me are as follows:
- Engineering/certification: $2K
- Plating/mechanical: Up to $10K
I believe the welding has to be done by someone holding a ticket and to an appropriate Australian Standard. So, being handy with mechanics and metal fab, I'm hopeful that I can save a big fist full of cash by doing everything bar the welding myself (have welders, just not a ticket).
4. There are cheaper options, but their ability to be certified by rego may be questionable
Some companies are now doing "GVM upgrade" kits, which essentially amount to "ADR approved suspension". Some of these are certainly kosher if fitted to a new vehicle prior to delivery, however their ability to legally increase GVM when retrofitted to an older vehicle isn't clear. In some cases, some kits would not appear to provide a compliance plate which leads me to wonder about their legitimacy/legality.
For folks in WA, you seem pretty fortunate, as number of places do kits which include a new compliance plate (e.g http://www.westcoastsuspension.com.a...g-gvm-upgrade/).
In all cases where you're considering retro-fitting them to a vehicle you already own, make sure you talk to your local RTA folk, as it all sounds a little hit-and-miss from the research I've done.
Finally, for anyone in Canberra, if you want the details of the particular engineer I've been speaking to PM me and I'll send them through.
I'll post more info as it comes to light.