OME Suspenion Options

Nitrocharger, MT64 and BP-51

Suspension is one of those upgrades everyone talks about, but not everyone truly understands. And fair enough – it’s not flashy like a bar or canopy, but it’s the foundation of how your 4WD rides, handles, tows and survives the trips you throw at it.

At SG Off Road, we fit a lot of Old Man Emu suspension. Not because it’s trendy, but because it works – and because ARB and OME design suspension as a complete system, not just a shock absorber in isolation. Springs, shocks, load ratings, ride height and vehicle use all work together, and getting that balance right is what makes the difference between a comfortable touring rig and something that feels harsh, wallowy or plain wrong.

Old Man Emu’s current shock absorber range, Nitrocharger, MT64 and BP-51 – all have a place. The key is choosing the one that suits your vehicle and your lifestyle.

Nitrocharger: A Solid Starting Point for Touring and Daily Driving

The Nitrocharger is where many builds begin, and for good reason. It’s a proven twin-tube shock absorber that’s been engineered to work specifically with Old Man Emu springs, with valving tailored to suit different vehicles and load setups.

This option suits drivers who want a noticeable improvement over factory suspension without chasing extremes. If your 4WD spends most of its time commuting, towing a camper, heading away on family trips or doing the odd beach or forest track, Nitrochargers do the job comfortably and reliably.

They offer better control, improved ride quality, increased ride height and better load handling compared to standard suspension – all while remaining tough enough to cop rough Australian roads day in, day out. For many vehicles, especially those carrying a modest amount of extra weight, this setup makes a huge difference without overcomplicating things.

MT64: The All-Rounder That Does It All Properly

If Nitrocharger is the starting point, MT64 is where things really step up.

Developed by ARB’s Old Man Emu engineers, the MT64 shock absorber is designed for people who want one setup that can handle everything – weekday driving, long-distance touring, heavy loads and proper off-road work – without compromise.

The monotube design allows better heat dissipation and more consistent performance over long, rough drives. This matters when you’re loaded up, covering big kilometres, or spending long days on corrugations. The result is a suspension setup that feels controlled, supportive and predictable, whether you’re cruising highways or working through tracks.

We often recommend MT64 for touring builds, canopy setups, towing rigs and vehicles that see regular off road use. It’s the sweet spot for many customers – comfortable enough for everyday use, but tough enough to handle serious work when the trip demands it.

BP-51: Maximum Comfort, Control and Tunability

BP-51 sits at the top of the Old Man Emu range, and it’s built for drivers who want the best possible ride quality and control both on and off road.

These are internal bypass shock absorbers, meaning they’re designed to deliver a smoother, more controlled ride across a wide range of conditions. Whether you’re crawling through technical terrain, soaking up rough tracks or towing heavy loads, BP-51 shocks adapt to what the vehicle is doing.

One of the big advantages of BP-51 is adjustability. Compression and rebound damping can be tuned to suit how your vehicle is set up and how you use it. That makes them ideal for serious tourers, heavy builds, vehicles with changing loads, or owners who want to fine tune their suspension to suit their driving style.

They’re also designed and manufactured in-house by ARB using high-grade anodised aluminium, helping manage heat and resist corrosion – important factors for long-term reliability in harsh Australian conditions.

So, Which One Is Right for You?

There’s no “best” shock absorber – only the best option for your setup.

If your vehicle is a daily driver with light touring duties, Nitrocharger may be all you need. If you’re building a proper touring rig that sees big trips, extra weight and mixed terrain, MT64 often hits the mark. And if comfort, control and adjustability are top priorities for a serious build, BP-51 delivers at the highest level.

This is why we don’t do cookie-cutter suspension installs at SG Off Road. We look at how your vehicle is used, what weight it carries now (and later), how often it’s off-road, and where you plan to take it. Suspension done right transforms how a 4WD feels – suspension done wrong is something you’ll notice every single kilometer.

GVM Upgrades at SG Off Road

As vehicles become more capable, they also become heavier. Bullbars, winches, canopies, long-range tanks, drawers, fridges, passengers, and tow ball loads all add up fast – and exceeding your vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) isn’t just unsafe, it’s illegal.

The GVM is the maximum legal weight of your vehicle when fully loaded. Everything counts, from fuel, accessories, cargo, passengers, tray bodies and even the downward force applied by trailers or caravans.

Old Man Emu offers ADR compliant GVM upgrades for a wide range of popular 4WDs. These upgrades are developed through extensive testing by OME suspension engineers and approved by the Federal Department of Infrastructure and Transport for new vehicles. Once fitted by an authorised OME installer and compliance plated, your vehicle can be registered at its new, increased GVM, legal in all Australian states.

At SG Off Road, we’re authorised to supply and fit Old Man Emu GVM upgrades, and we take the time to do them properly. That means understanding how your vehicle is used, how much weight is carried permanently, and how it’s set up to tour, tow or work.

For vehicles already registered, GVM upgrades fall under state based regulations. We’ll guide you through what’s possible, what’s required, and whether a GVM upgrade is the right move for your build.

The goal isn’t just a bigger number on a compliance plate – it’s a safer, better handling 4WD that’s legal, reliable, and set up for the way you actually travel.