Our team organized a season starter 4×4 drive in the wadis of Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. What started off as a simple plan with about 5-6 SUVs soon ended up as a 20 car event. We’re excited and keen on doing more of these drives looking at the great response we’ve received for our first drive. Keep an eye on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Ironman4x4ME for our upcoming drive announcements.

We’re sure you’ve noticed overland has become a very popular term, with hashtags such as #overland having 2.8 million posts. Now you must have many questions and doubts such as: Is that over-modified Jeep I keep seeing an offroader or an overlander? Is my best friend an offroader or overlander? Am I an offroader or overlander?  Is my next-door neighbor a… STOP! Sorry for causing a 4×4 existential crisis but that’s what we are here to fix so let’s break down the difference between the two. And just to put you at ease, you don’t need to pick sides.

Overlander-Vision:

You’ve been searching for the top 10 camping places in the UAE all week. After being bombarded with suggestions and information, you finally pick a place. Your 4×4 isn’t excessively modified but accessories such as an awning and a roof rack along with some camping gear. (Psst… Not to be those brands but we do sell great camping gear and roof racks so do check them out!). All because you are an overlander, it doesn’t mean you don’t see the value in suspension. Your beastly 4×4 is fitted with state of the art suspension whether it be nitro gas, foam cell or foam cell pro. (Psst… Sorry again but we do sell those too!)

The place you’ve selected isn’t the typical dune bashing area its more of a nicely paved road allowing you to comfortably enjoy the views as you drive to the camping spot. As an overlander, you prefer exploring rather than putting your 4×4 to the limit. As cliched as it sounds its not about the destination but the journey. You spent all morning taking nice long routes before arriving at your camping spot. If you’re the type of overlander to go for an RV then you won’t need to worry about arranging for a tent but if you’re a hardcore nature lover you might need to opt for the whole camping package, sleeping bags and all.

What a beautiful day it truly is, you’re enjoying yourself out in the sun when suddenly you hear a loud engine revving. Oh no, its an offroader.

Offroader-Vision:

Do you hear the electric guitar music because we sure do! As you slam the accelerator you drive by the miffed Overlander Joe. While you drive away you wonder, “wonder why he’s in a mood?”. Now you’re the type of person who wants to push their 4×4 lean mean machine to the limit. No terrain is safe from you and your 4×4. You see that dune; you’ll go over it. You’ve seen that rocky terrain, but has it seen you.  Your recovery board and equipment have seen better days. Wait, you don’t have recovery equipment? Well not to plug ourselves once again but we do offer great options for recovery whether its recovery boards or winches. Now your trip planning starts a little differently than Overlander Joe, firstly your pre trip prep will involve fitting suspension or armor of some form. Also, you would have asked someone in your off-roading circle for a place with “sick dunes”. What’s that? You are that person? Let’s skip that step then.

Unlike Overlander Joe, it’s about the destination for you not the journey. So we’ll just skip the part about the scenic route, we can feel you losing interest at just the thought. Now you’ve made it to the place so let’s get going. Dune after dune, and you’re still not done. Then you see the dune of dunes, the golden dune. A dune so steep and high that other 4x4s have crowded around it, waiting for some to attempt it. Will it be you? Now we can’t answer that question for you. You’ll just have to answer that question yourself next time when you see that golden dune. 

You still want to know if you’d go over the dune, right? We knew this was coming. Well you race towards it, and are climbing up until you hit the peak. Now that’s a view, hope you’re not afraid of heights. As you drive down, you are greeting by many fellow offroaders who want to know how you did it. We told you this would happen if you were fitted with Ironman 4×4 gear.

Destination or Journey?

Still unsure about which category you fall into? Well the truth is while overlanding and offroading are two different things that doesn’t mean you need to identify exclusively as one. You may feel you like both scenic routes and dune bashing. Maybe you like to overly modify your 4×4 but still take it solely for exploring. What we’re trying to say is that whether you are a pure overlander, pure offroader or a mix of both Ironman 4×4 is there to fit your vehicle specifically to your needs. If you can’t find what you need, our custom works team will create it for you. Have an accessory you’ve dreamed to fit your 4×4 with? Bring your design down to us to get it created and fitted.

Summer is approaching, which means we can say goodbye to even walking from the house door to the car without getting drenched, so it’s the best time to escape the heat and camp out in the mountains. We know about that summer life with the humidity and heat now pair that with the 5 P.M. traffic and you’ve got a recipe for a migraine. Pssst…Escape! If all of the above has already started to make you sweat; then let us walk you through the Ironman 4×4 way of camping. Now camping, in theory, sounds relatively simple. You pack food, water, shelter, and any other essentials – that TV is not exactly essential, but we’ll let it pass. You go in with the hope that whatever you cooked will not give you food poisoning and that the tent you have taken is as easy to assemble as the salesperson demonstrated. But some forms of camping are an extension of overlanding and a bit different. For starters, most overlanders camp in several spots along their journey. We know what you are thinking, and yes, of course, they disassemble and reassemble the tent and other accessories for every stop. This setup is why many people prefer to only do it once or twice instead of several times but not us. How do you think our green man got his muscles? We are just kidding. Our tents and awnings are easy and quick to set up, meaning there is no need to worry about it. For example, our instant awning with LED lights and dimmer takes 15 seconds to assemble! Our products make it efficient and easier to camp the overlander way. With traditional tents, you have to camp in an area with a firm or flat terrain. And what is firmer and flatter than the roof of your car?! Our roof tents are once again super easy to set up and offer privacy due to their exterior flaps. Just because you’re outdoors doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get some privacy. Another great thing about rooftop tents is that since they are perched higher, you’re able to enjoy a super chill view. Not to mention, no bugs or potential wildlife can get to you. We’ve solved that problem, but what about problem number 2? The bathroom situation is an odd thing to discuss but is important, especially if you are going for a few days. Certain 21st-century things do get incorporated in overlanding. All because we are living outdoors doesn’t mean we don’t deserve privacy when the OG nature calls! And before you say anything, we know about that old towel you use as a flimsy curtain. Please throw it away and get our Instant Ensuite which also attaches to your roof rack. Sometimes, an ensuite isn’t enough so don’t forget to pick up our Bush Toilet. What is a Bush Toilet? We’re glad you asked. Made from rust proof steel, the Ironman 4×4 Bush Toilet is a compact, foldable toilet for camping. It’s carry bag has side pockets for toilet paper and includes 10 biodegradable bags. So now if you have to go you’ll have a place to go. When it comes to food and water, it is better to pack a little more than less; moreover, a camping fridge is a must. Instead of plastic bottles, opt for a water tank so that you can carry more litres of water. We are aware of the YouTube channel of the guy cooking next to a river on rocks with one knife, but this is not realistic or sanitary for that matter. So please invest in electric cooking options. Where are you going to eat the freshly cooked meal? (Please don’t eat while squatting) A day of squatting in front of the fire is a vibe until you drop that one piece of chicken that took 2 hours to cook. Well, no need to panic or eat that dirty chicken pick up Ironman 4×4’s Camp Table and Chairs and never worry about these mishaps again. Camping in an overlanding/explorer fashion takes quite a bit of preparation and supplies to ensure your safety and wellbeing. Whether it is your first time or 100th time, it’s still a good idea to invest in camping equipment to make your camping experience easier. But no need to fret because Ironman 4×4 is here to help. Our adventure enthusiast team enjoys camping every chance and will be able to guide you to the right products; as well as provide some great tips! Do drop by and ask questions and pick up some high-quality camping gear from us.

Everyone knows one of the first off-road modifications is suspension, but it’s tough to figure out which of the many designs is the best for 4WD touring. TWIN-TUBE, MONO, REMOTE…there’s so many shock absorber options it’s hard to know which way to look. Each of these designs have pros and cons, but what we’re talking about here is not circuit racing, not rally, not desert racing buggies and definitely not your nan’s Camry. We’re talking about Australian 4WD touring, the harshest proving ground in the world. Let’s back up a bit and take a look at why high-performance off-road shocks exist and how they work, then you can see how the different designs stack up. In short, suspension has two main components; a spring, and a damper which is also known as a shock. The spring is usually a leaf, coil or torsion bar. It sets the ride height, carries the weight of the vehicle and does a fair bit of absorbing some of the shock when a car goes over anything other than flat ground, or when there’s weight shift as the cars is cornering, braking or accelerating. But when a spring extends after compression it oscillates like a rubber ball bouncing on concrete. That’s where the shock comes in, to damp down that oscillation and quickly return the vehicle back the spring’s normal state of extension. Shocks are filled with oil and have a piston rod which goes down into the shock under compression. That rod takes up room, and as the oil is incompressible – so a shock needs something compressible inside it to account for the difference in volume between the rod fully inside the shock and fully outside. In some cases, that’s high-pressure nitrogen gas – hence the term “gas shocks”, in other cases it’s a foam cell, hence the term “foam cell shock”. Gas shocks can be twin-tube or mono-tube, with the difference being whether the shock has a single tube or an inner and outer tube. Regardless of design, all 4WD shocks face significant durability challenges. When the vehicle bounces up or down it generates kinetic energy, and that energy cannot just disappear, it has to go somewhere or transform as per the laws of physics. In the case of shocks, the energy is transformed into heat, same as when a car is braked its kinetic energy is converted to heat by the brakes. So just as brakes overheat and fail, so too can shocks. A good offroad shock is not only robust enough to handle abuse, and tuned appropriately for the vehicle and it’s use, but is also able to get rid of heat faster than it generates heat. If it doesn’t, then the shock heats up to failure point and then all sorts of bad things happen; for example, seals blow, or perhaps the oil inside the shock mixes with the gas which means the shock can’t damp effectively and that is bad news for handling and your safety. So, you really, really want to avoid your shocks overheating. Unfortunately, Aussie off-road tourers operate in about the worst possible environment for shock heating. First, we drive heavy cars with lots of accessories, often upgrading the GVM. Secondly, we do this in hot environments. And third, we drive over corrugations, which involve lots of high-speed up-and-down movements for the damper, generating heat. Oh, and we do all this for long periods of time in remote locations where you really don’t want any equipment failures. So, a shock that can get rid of lots of heat is pretty well essential, and this one reason why everyone is told to swap out the factory suspension for some aftermarket gear which is designed for this sort of work. So if we need heavy-duty shocks, why not look to motorsport, and maybe high-speed off-road buggies? These specialist off-road racers run flat out over extremely rough roads, so might have around 800mm of wheel travel compared to say 260mm for a Hilux. And they typically run something called remote-reservoir shocks in order to handle the massive amount of heat generated by the suspension. The concept behind a remote reservoir shock is simple. Remote reservoirs create an additional oil storage unit, the ‘remote reservoir’, so there’s more oil than could otherwise be the case, and therefore more of a heat sink. All these design features mean the remote-reservoir shock is better able to dissipate heat than one without a remote reservoir, so what works on a buggy must work on a touring 4X4, right? Wrong. Just because something works in motorsport doesn’t mean it works elsewhere, and one example is race brakes which don’t work effectively until very hot, not something you could live with on the street. In the same way, the remote reservoir shock design doesn’t translate to recreational work. Here’s why. In order for the extra oil in the remote reservoir to do any good then heat actually needs to get to the reservoir. There’s two aspects to that; location and pumping. With race trucks the reservoir is typically mounted very close to the shock itself, often actually on top of the main shock in a piggyback configuration. In touring 4X4s, there’s less space so the reservoir is typically mounted up inside the wheel arch, connected by a relatively long tube. High up in the wheel arch is a really poor place for cooling because there is little or no airflow, plus the fact that the front shocks are also close to the hot engine, unlike the open-air mount on a mid-engined race buggy. You wouldn’t mount a radiator away from a cooling airflow, and the same applies to shocks. Then there is the issue of pumping, oil actually flowing to and from the reservoir. You know how a radiator works in a car – cool fluid is pumped into and around the engine, hot fluid comes back into the radiator where it’s cooled and the cycle continues. That’s also how remote reservoir shocks work, but the pump is the up and down action of the shock. In the case of your average touring 4WD suspension there’s not usually enough pumping action to cycle the oil into the remote reservoir because of the limited suspension travel, and because that range of travel isn’t always used – compare that to a race buggy which has far greater travel and uses more of it. In short, remote reservoir shocks mean you end up paying a lot of money for marketing hype and theoretical benefits that apply to specialised race vehicles, not your touring 4WD. So what can be done to handle this problem of heat dissipation?  There are designs more suited to the real-world needs of touring off-roaders, such as Ironman 4×4’s big-bore Foam Cell Pro shock. A big-bore shock simply means the diameter of the shock body is as large as it can be, and the reason for that is so it can hold more oil. The greater the volume of oil, the greater the ability of the shock to absorb heat, just like boiling a cupful of water in a kettle is a lot quicker than boiling a full kettle. But that’s only part of the solution. No shock can absorb all the heat generated by a 4WD, it’s got to be dissipated and here again the foam cell design has an advantage. Earlier on we described the issue every shock has when the piston moves into the body – the oil is incompressible, so something has to compress and expand to account for the piston rod taking up space in the shock. In the case of the foam cell design that’s a layer of Nitrile foam with tiny gas-filled cells in it. When the rod enters the shock body those cells are compressed, when the rod exits the cells expand. The advantage of the foam cell design compared to a conventional gas shock, either twin or monotube, is better heat dissipation. That’s because the foam layer floats in the shock’s outer chamber, so there’s lots of oil in contact with the entire surface of the outer tube which is ideal for heat dissipation, unlike the gas shock approach which has to sacrifice some oil surface area for the gas. The big-bore design also means a lot of outer surface area as well plenty of oil for a heat sink, and both features are ideal for heat dissipation. Robustness is taken care of too; the twin-tube design of the foam-cell shock means that if there’s an impact to the outer tube, the inner tube is unaffected so the piston can still move up and down, unlike a relatively vulnerable monotube. The foam cell is also low-pressure, in contrast to the high-pressure monotube or remote reservoir, so there’s less stress on the seals, and less need to hand over more coin for regular shock servicing. Unlike the remote reservoir, there’s just one part to the foam cell, so it’s not as complicated, less expensive to buy and easier to install than the remote reservoir design. Kristian Ristell, Ironman 4×4`s Suspension Product Director says that “when conceiving the Foam Cell Pro shocks our objective was to make the best 4WD touring shock we could, not to make a specific type of shock.  It was only after we evaluated a range of potential designs we chose foam cell technology. We actually make mono-tube remote reservoir shocks for some of our private label customers, so we are not unfamiliar with nor against the concept, it’s just not the right approach for off-road touring in everyday 4X4 vehicles – and we’ve got over 20 years of worldwide suspension experience to back that statement up.” The foam cell design is proven to work. Ironman 4×4 stress-tested various shocks by subjecting them to increasing loads until they failed through overheating, then went out to the Australian deserts and ran tests to see what temperatures were generated in real-world conditions by a variety of 4WD touring vehicles. The Foam Cell Pro ran appreciably cooler than other designs of shocks, never approaching its stress load limit. Refer to the Ironman 4×4 Foam Cell Pro Torture Test – Click Here. It’s not just touring 4WDs that have proven foam cell technology. Kristian says that “the foundation of the Foam Cell Pro design concept is proven through our involvement with in the military armouring industry. What many people don’t know is Ironman 4×4 supplies thousands of suspensions used in heavily armoured vehicles operating in conflict regions around the world such as the Middle East and Africa.  That’s a serious business which has no regard for marketing hype or anything which underperforms.” Ultimately, every shock design is good for a specific purpose. High-pressure monotubes are great for highly-strung circuit race cars, expensive and bulky remote-reservoirs work on specialist desert racing buggies, and twin-tube gas shocks can be made cheaply which is why you find them on most passenger cars. But the question for most 4WD owners is what’s the best combination of performance, practicality, reliability and robustness for a touring 4WD in real-world off-road touring conditions – and that would be a big-bore Foam Cell Pro shock.

4×4 Modifications have gained popularity over the years, with more thrill-seekers looking to get their vehicles fitted with the latest suspension kits and accessories. However, this has also led to the spreading of misleading information about all types of modifications.  As a leader in this industry, our goal is to inform and educate our customers about these misconceptions. This week we will be discussing Mono-tube, Twin-tube and Reservoir Shocks and where Ironman4x4 technology is placed. A shock’s primary function is dissipating energy that is generated through a vehicle’s interactions with various terrain. Before delving into each type of shock individually, let us walk you through the difference between the three types and define some basic terminology.

We want to thank all heavy-duty shock absorbers, as, without them, our 4×4 journeys would feel a little too bouncy.  Without shock absorbers to dissipate the high levels of energy generated by the vehicle, the result would be excessive bouncing. All shock absorbers consist of 3 parts – the body, the shaft, and the piston. What about those neon green coil springs?  The spring is an important piece of the suspension puzzle but is not a part of the absorber itself.

Reservoir Shocks:

Reservoir shocks are shock absorbers that utilize a remote reservoir to store a dividing piston that keeps the shock oil and pressurized gas (usual Nitrogen due to its non-explosive properties) separated within the reservoir. As the shock gets compressed, its main piston, which is attached to the end of its shaft, pushes fluid up into the reservoir. This mechanism is effectively able to dissipate the heat energy that results due to the vehicle’s movements.

For the average offroader, daily driving, overlanding and rock crawling cannot generate enough energy for the oil the heat up enough, hence leaving the reservoirs non-effective. When asked why they chose reservoir shocks, many 4×4 owners tend to say it is due to its adjustability. However, this adjustability is not as easy as claimed to be. For proper adjustment, one must get under the vehicle with a few tools. Our FoamCell Pro technology only requires initial tuning and is designed to adapt to your terrain. Giving you a smoother and more comfortable ride, wherever you go without needing to constantly adjust it.

Mono-tube Shocks

A Mono-tube shock can provide much more accurate tuning; however, its capabilities are not put to good use on road driving. Its design allows the shock to function without any aeration or foaming occurring.  Mono-tube shocks are vulnerable to impact damage, and the high pressurization of gas can result in a higher likelihood of leaking and lower oil volume, which leads to overheating.

Twin-tube Shocks

Twin-tube shocks are better protected due to the second layer of protection around the piston tube. With lower gas pressurization, these shocks are less likely to leak and can be more long-lasting. Twin-tube shocks are a more reliable and stable option for offroading and overlanding, thanks to their durable construction. Our Nitrogas shock has been developed in regards to the original twin-tube design. FoamCell and FoamCell Pro are twin-tube designs that have been adapted by our RnD team, allowing for greater heat dissipation. Our FoamCell Pro features a twin-tube design with more oil capacity than Reservoir shocks and a low likelihood of overheating. It has a 3-inch diameter and fits the largest shock body that can fit within a coil.

When out exploring rough terrain, there is always the risk of puncturing a tire and your shock failing. With the FoamCell Pro, you won’t need to worry, as they can withstand up to 1/8 inch exterior wall puncture. Regarding durability, a larger eyelet has been added to allow for the bushing to absorb high frequencies.

Unsure which One to Choose from?

At the end the day, picking the right shock absorber depends on a multitude of factors. The main factor to be taken into account is your frequency and level of offroading along with the purpose of your 4WD. At Ironman 4×4, we provide three shock absorbers that utilize the twin-tube technology: Nitrogas, FoamCell and Foamcell Pro. If your 4×4 is your daily use, camping and weekend offroading vehicle, then NitroGas and Foamcell are a better choice. For an overlanding setup and the ability to conquer any terrain, FoamCell Pro or FoamCell are more suitable since, both can handle a heavy load while providing a smooth ride. During overlanding or camping, the load on our 4×4 increases due to the camping gear and supplies.

If you’re still unsure which type suits your needs, visit us or give us a call. Our experts will be happy to explain the difference and recommend a good fit for your 4×4 beast. All our kits are backed up with 3years/60,000 km warranty upon manufacturer defect.

We are proud to announce that our facility in Jafza, Dubai is now completely ready for business. The team’s hard work and dedication has finally paid off and we are one of the first 4×4 components and accessories manufacturers in the Middle East to have such a facility. This state of the art facility in Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai, UAE, serves not only as a warehouse but also as a flagship dealership demonstration centre where customers, business partners and potential dealers can come and experience all our products under one roof.  

As explorers, sometimes we find ourselves trading in comfort for the thrill of adventure; however, how much is too much? Yes, we are rough and tough, but no matter how much we city-folk love the outdoors, our bodies aren’t used to such conditions. Since the beginning of time, we have all seen the hype about starry nights – with Van Gogh even painting them. But what these glamorizations leave out is the various issues we face outdoors (maybe that’s why Van Gogh was painting them instead of sleeping under them). Not to mention the lack of AC or heating, leading to an increase in shivering or sweating.  But there is no need to worry as we are here to give you those much-needed tips and tricks to enjoying an evening out camping. 

Bon-Firetite

Who hasn’t seen a beautiful bonfire in those Facebook camping groups and wished they could recreate the same fire without having to maintain it meticulously. Bonfires are a great way to stay warm and cook but maintaining them can be a challenge. Hence, our suggestion is to pack a decent amount of tinder – such as wood or paper- to ensure the fire is well maintained.  

Another temperature tip is to pack extra warm layers. We know you may be short on space, so we suggest you ditch some unnecessary items -aka the camping radio – it didn’t work last time, it won’t work now. 

Tent-atively Thinking 

Tents also play a vital role in how good your night sleep will be. For example, our Ironman 4×4 Roof Top Tent comes with a high-density foam mattress making the tent floor softer than the standard thin waterproof fabrics. Now, no one is a fan of being watched while sleeping, considering that seems to be the plot of almost all stalker movies, so privacy is important to allow for a worry-free night rest. Our tents come with a popup window awning so no one will see that weird sleeping position you have. I mean, the tent will, but it won’t tell. We’re sure you’ve all seen The Revenant with Mr Leo having a wrestling match with a bear, making his starry nights less starry. But maybe if he had our Roof Tent, it all could have been avoided (we know Leo is never going out to the woods again). All jokes aside, having a rooftop tent will ensure you are out of reach from natural elements and any creepy crawlies. All of us camping veterans have come back with battle scars, specifically speaking mosquito based battle scars. No matter how tightly you seal the tent, there’s always one pesky mosquito that manages to sneak in. That’s why our Roof Top Tent comes fitted with a mosquito net! Speaking of mosquito net, if rooftop tents aren’t your thing, but you still want to avoid mozzie bites, then check out our awning room which also comes fitted with a mosquito net! Our awning room is 2.5m by 2.5m zip-up room that attaches to your awning, providing more space than traditional tents for all your supplies!

That Wasn’t Us

We swear that the light tap on your arm wasn’t us. Although being in the desert means we get to avoid bears as well as coyotes, it doesn’t mean we’re in the clear. The desert is home to scorpions, mosquitos and other creepy crawlies, some of which can give some nasty bites.  It is much easier to spot them during the day but as night falls it gets tricky to spot these stealth mode experts.  Hence, a good lighting setup is required to ensure that you can continue to avoid and spot anything nearby. Our team is full of hardcore overlanders, and their advice is to tie a LED lamp to a fishing rod placed firmly into the ground. Due to the powerful beams of LED, your whole camping area will be illuminated, helping to ensure you don’t wake up to any surprise bites. For a sturdier alternative, stay tuned because Ironman 4×4 is coming out with just the solution. We can’t say too much but let’s just say that this sturdy alternative doesn’t need you to leave your comfy chair to adjust its position and is bright enough for there to be no need for a bonfire. 

Feeling Prepared? 

If the above has already got you feeling prepared and hyped imagine the wonders these tips can do when you try them out. There are many more things you can do to enjoy a night outdoors, that have been tried and tested by our outdoor-loving team. So, if you’re heading out for a trip, don’t forget to stop by and we’ll be happy to recommend some gear as well as share some personal tips for that special night out.

A lift kit a crucial modification to SUVs that boosts their capabilities when it comes to taking them off-road. Simply put, lift kits provide those precious extra inches of ground clearance that might just help your SUV overcome big obstacles it couldn’t cross in stock form. However, lift kits are not plug-and-play accessories, as they tend to alter the driving dynamics of a truck.

If you have always dreamt of fording raging rivers, crawling up steep hillsides, and in general make your SUV work for what it was meant to do, a suspension lift is one of the most important modifications you can do to your truck. A suspension lift involves swapping out your stock springs and dampers with a set of elongated ones that raise the entire SUV, chassis and all, increasing ground clearance in the process.

One might argue that raising the frame of the truck also raises its centre of gravity, which tends to make the SUV unstable. Nowadays though, extensive research has been put into suspension lifts that takes into account the new ride height and related issues that might crop up. Modern suspension lift kits are rated to handle the forces that come into play when the centre of gravity is raised.

Suspension lifts have the clear advantage of imparting the truck increased ground clearance, the importance of which cannot be understated. Why go around obstacles if you can simply go above them? A smaller benefit with suspension lift is the ease with which you can now access your truck’s underbody. It makes inspecting and repairing your SUV’s drivetrain, differential, and chassis much simpler. Lastly, if you choose the right suspension lifts for your prised SUV, you can also benefit from improved ride quality over both smooth and broken surfaces.

This is not where the goodness of lift kits ends. In addition to the extra ground clearance, a lift kit also increases suspension travel. This results in some significant changes to the SUV’s dimensional specifications. For one, you get increased suspension travel, which automatically adds a few extra degrees of wheel articulation. Secondly, approach and departure angles go up substantially, and so does ramp breakover angle. With the right suspension lift installed, you can safely take your prized SUV dune-bashing without having to worry about being bogged down in sand

A third and mostly overlooked advantage of lifting your SUV is the massive road presence it acquires. People tend to automatically clear the way for a big vehicle as soon as they notice it hurtling towards them in the rear-view mirror. This is another advantage of a suspension lift: not having to worry about other drivers coming too close to your truck, or having to squeeze into tight gaps in traffic. Those gaps usually widen for you.

So there you have it. Not only does a suspension lift make it easy for you to pilot your truck through harsh off-road trails as well as spirited dune bashing, it can also clear the road for you if you are in a hurry. With a lift kit installed, you will finally see the true capabilities of your SUV!

Did someone say UCA is in the house? No, we aren’t talking about an offroading rapper, although that would be super cool. We are referring to a silent hero of 4x4s, the Upper Control Arm. The major of offroaders tend to have a vague idea about what a UCA is, but we still would like to provide a comprehensive definition. It is also important to know when your UCA might be having issues. 

Firstly. what is a UCA? No, it’s not a pro wrestler either, although… Okay, no more distractions. Upper Control Arms connect your front wheels to your 4×4 and define wheel travel, suspension durability, and wheel alignment. If you’re thinking of getting your 4×4 suspension modified or feel your drive needs improvement, replacing the upper control arms is essential.

So what are the symptoms of a UCA that needs replacing?

Wow, that was the second driver to honk at you for accidentally veering into their lane. If you notice your 4×4 veering left or right without your input, that can be one of the symptoms. Boy, this is quite a bumpy ride, don’t you think? The next symptom is tires being unevenly worn out inside or out. For regular offroaders, tire wear is common; however, if you are also experiencing other symptoms it may not be a coincidence.

Hey, we don’t mean to interrupt, but your steering wheel seems to have been left on “Do not Disturb” mode. Oh, wait it doesn’t have that mode? Well, then let’s introduce the next potential symptom: An increase in Steering Wheel Vibration. Without the support of the UCA, the insecure wheels end up wobbling, which results in steering vibrations and rough drive.

Wait, what was that noise? It seemed to have come from inside the car… No, don’t get the bat, this isn’t a thriller flick. Faulty UCAs tend to make a noise after bumps, braking and hard turns. 

If you are experiencing any of the above, then it is wise to bring your 4×4 to us ASAP so that our experts can replace your 4×4’s UCA with our Pro-Forge Upper Control Arms.

Why our UCA?

The Pro-Forge Upper Control Arms, are manufactured from 6082 T6 alloy with silver anodised corrosion protection. Ultimate strength is achieved using a drop forged method of construction that hammers the arm into shape using a precise die. During this process, the grain structure of the alloy is aligned with the new shape and any imperfections are removed. This results in a much stronger and more durable product than a cast, machined or fabricated arm.

Low maintenance components which follow the OEM philosophy ensure durability is not compromised. Bushes and ball joints are replaceable with OEM compatible or Genuine components. They allow you to fit bigger wheels leading to further increased ride height. They provide corrected wheel alignment and a greater operating clearance around the arm. Our UCAs are ADR compliant with a 3 Year 60,000km warranty. 

They also offer Optimised Wheel Alignment at Raised Ride Height. If you like big tires and cannot lie, they also offer more Clearance for Larger Tyres and Increased Lift. Another advantage of our UCA is an Improved Ball Joint Angle. But mainly, you should go for our UCAs as they provide High Strength and Durability.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms or are looking to get lifted; then bring your 4×4 down to us.

One might often fail to understand the importance of air filters in their vehicle. However, it is crucial for all the vehicle owners to know that air filters are one of the most important parts of the vehicle and that one should not wait until the mechanic asks it to be changed to be upgraded.

Hence, upping your air intake system at the right time can have jaw-dropping improvements in the performance of your vehicle. An upgraded air filter system comes with a thicker hose that helps in better filtering and improved cooling box so that the vehicle can breathe easily.

Thus, a snorkel…

A snorkel is an additional equipment that can be attached to your 4×4 to keep your air intake system healthy. Special care has to be taken before one takes his/her vehicle on to rough terrains. Dust can really have an adverse effect on your drive if not tackle properly.

Air filters being at a much lower height are vulnerable to concentrated dust due to which they tend to get clogged. However, a snorkel will help you overcome that. Being higher than a stock air filter, a snorkel stays away from the concentrated dust. This will lead to a significant amount of fuel saving, keep the air filter clean and achieve a bigger airflow.

Taking a vehicle off-road is a real challenge. While taking your vehicle off road, you have to think about all the possible terrains that might come in the way. One of the toughest parts of rough-terrain is deep waters. A snorkel which stands tall at the same height as that of the truck’s roof will keep the intake dry even when most of the vehicle is submerged under water. This will avoid total breakage of the engine due to hydro-intake. A snorkel induces additional pressure increase in the air intake, obtaining an optimal flow for engine needs.

An Ironman 4×4 snorkel proves to be one of the most crucial accessories when it comes to frequent adventure trailing while improving the vehicle’s performance on normal roads as well. However, there are a bunch of measures that one should keep in mind before getting one installed. This depends on the type of 4×4 you own and the rating pertaining to the wading depth that it carries as well as buying a snorkel that is specially made for your vehicle.

Our team organized a season starter 4×4 drive in the wadis of Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. What started off as a simple plan with about 5-6 SUVs soon ended up as a 20 car event. We’re excited and keen on doing more of these drives looking at the great response we’ve received for our first drive. Keep an eye on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Ironman4x4ME for our upcoming drive announcements.

A winch can be one of the most viable options when it comes to recovering a vehicle out of strife during off-roading, particularly when you’re travelling without any other vehicles. What is a winch? A winch is a mechanical device that consists of a rope, chain or wire cable that is wound around a rotating spool called a winch drum. The rope spins rapidly with the help of the car’s battery or a power steering pump that helps in pulling out one’s car from being bogged or stranded. What kind of a winch? The three main types of winch that are sold in the market include the power take-off winch, hydraulic winch and an electric winch. However, these winches might be a wise choice for frequent off-roaders. The ones who do not take their 4x4s on tough terrains often can opt for a mechanical one. This not only saves the driver from unnecessary expenses of getting an electric one installed but also reduces the weight of the fixated equipment on the vehicle. A mechanical winch is favourable under several circumstances as it can be carried anytime and does not need to be mounted on the vehicle. The option to use the winch at the rear should not be understated, as the easiest way out of a stuck predicament is going back the way you came in. However, even mechanical winches have their own disadvantages. This includes its availability during unprecedented situations and needless to say, the physical efforts required to operate it. On the other hand, being a frequent 4×4 driver, using a mechanical winch might become exhausting. Hence, one can use an electric winch which is connected to the car’s power system that provides with the required amount of power to extract the vehicle. Setting up the mount One of the most common ways to mount a winch is to do so on to a bull bar. However, one must make sure to have a winch-compatible bull-bar to ease the mounting. At Ironman 4×4 we have a wide range of bullbars available for a host of 4x4s. Most of all the winch-compatible bull-bars come with a winch cradle with standardised mounting holes to accept many winch brands of varying capacities. Steel cable or synthetic rope? Occasional 4×4 drivers with a mechanical winch do not possess the option to have synthetic ropes. However, when it comes to electric winches, synthetic ropes are now been considered as a viable option. Until a few decades back no synthetic ropes were developed which was strong enough to safely pull out the vehicle. However, they are one of the most widely used options majorly because of its weight which can make the equipment 10 to 15kgs lighter. Winch accessories Mounting your winch and choosing the right rope is, however, not the end of the job. In order to successfully carry out winching one might need several accessories including rated shackles, winch extension strap, tree trunk protector, snatch blocks, cable damper and gloves. These additions not only helps in successful winching of the vehicles but also helps keep the ones indulging in the recovery safe. Ironman 4×4 has a wide option of winches to choose from. You can visit our dealers across the Middle East to learn more about our products.