Tough Dog suspension transforms our MU-X build

While the stock suspension on the current model MU-X rides pretty well with factory gear and is an improvement over the previous generation wagon, it just isn’t going to cut the mustard for what we need out of a four-wheel drive.

The MU-X sits a little low in stock trim, and while the aim of this build is to keep the vehicle as light as possible, we have added a bit of off-road gear that has added some weight.

The main additions include an Offroad Animal front bar and a drawer system from MSA in the back. These are probably the lightest examples of a front bar and drawer system on the market, hence why we chose them, but weight is weight at the end of the day.

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After a successful stint running Tough Dog suspension in our last project – the Isuzu D-MAX – we wanted to run Tough Dog’s suspension kit in the MU-X and see how it rode in an all-coil-sprung wagon, compared to the leaf-sprung rear D-MAX. I drove 25,000km in the D-MAX on Tough Dog gear and can report we didn’t have a single issue in that time.

We made a booking after going through what weight we were carrying and accessories we had added, and headed off to Tough Dog head office in Sydney’s Marsden Park for the installation and a wheel alignment.

The job took just a few hours to complete, including the time it took for photography and to answer a million questions from me. There’s nothing like spending time with experts in their field, picking their brains for technical information; thanks again Tough Dog team for making the time.

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With this particular vehicle, we initially overestimated how much weight we would be carrying, resulting in choosing a suspension package that was over-sprung. A quick chat with Simon Vella from Tough Dog, and he had the vehicle back on the hoist to install springs front and rear, with a lower spring rate to better suit what we are actually carrying.

This is the benefit of working with a reputable company like Tough Dog. Not only were they happy to help us out and ensure we were rapt with the way the vehicle performs, they also had the product in stock, ready to go.

We now have a rear coil spring to suit a 0 to 300kg load which is bang on for our needs, and the front end is sprung to suit a vehicle with a light replacement bumper with no winch, not a more traditional and heavier bullbar with loops.

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There is a real lesson to learn from this experience, as it absolutely pays to have a plan in place before you start modifying your vehicle. Put the weight on the vehicle first, have it weighed, and then start looking for suspension upgrades, so you have a vehicle that is sprung correctly to the weights and loads you will be carrying.

If in doubt, pick up the phone and pose the questions to the experts in this field. It will save you money, time and heartache getting the right advice to steer you in the right direction the first time around.

After driving the MU-X with the Tough Dog suspension fitted, and the correct springs selected and installed, the MU-X is performing well. We’ve gained around 40 to 45mm of height over stock, and clear the 265x70R17 Maxxis all-terrain tyres easily, without the need to remove mudflaps to make them fit.

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There’s also more wheel travel available thanks to longer shock absorbers, so the MU-X is not just a bit taller it’s genuinely more capable in the rough stuff.

All that’s left to do now is fill the tank up with diesel and get the MU-X dirty. We’re looking forward to putting the new suspension through its paces off-road, as well as continuing the build process of the MU-X now that it looks, handles and rides the way it should.

Pricing

Installation including wheel alignment will set you back around $750, but this will depend from workshop to workshop and what vehicle you have.

The Tough Dog suspension kit to suit a 2022 Isuzu MU-X costs $1542 supplied with unassembled front struts, or $1722 with pre-assembled struts. These prices will vary depending on what components you select, so it’s best to jump on the Tough Dog website and experiment.

For further information or to check out the range of 4WD suspensions from Tough Dog, log on to: www.toughdog.com.au