Lifting a Hilux: Old Man Emu, Tough Dog and registration

In short: An Old Man Emu suspension lifts the Hilux Vigo and Revo by about 50 mm; on the Hilux GR the front springs are designed for 40 mm. It consists of front springs, shocks and rear leaf springs that you choose according to the permanent load. For the steering geometry there are reinforced upper control arms, from Tough Dog for the Vigo and Revo and from Old Man Emu for the GR. Then comes a wheel alignment and registration with your inspector.

Last updated: 27 Oct 2026

What “+50 mm” means on a Hilux

The lift stated in product titles is a guide value. For the EL105R rear leaf spring for the Revo, for example, Old Man Emu states “about 50 mm depending on vehicle configuration”. How high your Hilux ends up depends on its starting condition, equipment and payload. The Vigo, Revo and GR have independent front suspension with coil springs and leaf springs at the rear. That is why a suspension kit consists of several parts that have to match.

Old Man Emu: which part for which model series

According to our supplier, Old Man Emu is an Australian brand of the ARB group. The table shows a selection from our range per model series. You will find all parts under Hilux suspension & lift and Old Man Emu.

Part	Vigo (2005–2015)	Revo (from 2015/2016)	Hilux GR (from 2024)	Hilux from 2026
Front springs	progressive +50 mm (4001)	progressive HD +50 mm (4000), other rates	progressive +40 mm (4026)	progressive +50 mm (4007)
Front shocks	Nitro+, BP-51	Nitro+, MT64, BP-51	MT64, BP-51	MT64 with adjustable spring seat
Rear leaf springs	incl. 600 kg (EL071R)	+50 mm medium, +300 kg, +600 kg; parabolic springs	U-bolts for EL105R, EL106R and PB006R in our range	none active yet
Rear shocks	Nitro+, BP-51	Nitro+, MT64, BP-51	MT64, BP-51	MT64
Upper control arms	Tough Dog TDCA002	Tough Dog TDCA002	OME UCA0013	none active yet

Front springs

According to the manufacturer, the progressive OME HD +50 mm springs for the Revo may only be fitted with OME MT64 or Nitro+ shocks. The 4026 springs for the Hilux GR are designed for +40 mm and, according to supplier data, intended for vehicles with heavy accessories at the front, such as a bull bar.

Shocks: Nitro+, MT64 or BP-51

• Nitro+ is the lowest-priced of the three ranges and is available for the Vigo, Revo and many older Hilux models.
• MT64 is a monotube gas shock with an aluminium body and a 64 mm inner diameter. According to the supplier, the MT64 front shock for the Revo is designed for lifts up to 50 mm and only for progressive OME springs.
• BP-51 uses an internal bypass and a remote reservoir. Rebound and compression can be adjusted separately. At the front, the BP-51 comes as a pre-assembled strut with spring. You need the matching fitting kit, which we stock separately for the Vigo, Revo and GR.

Rear leaf springs

At the rear, choose according to the load that stays in the vehicle. For the Revo there is the OME +50 mm medium leaf spring, the EL106R with +300 kg and the EL107R with +600 kg. According to the supplier, the leaf springs are sold individually. Order bushes and shackles separately. According to the supplier, the medium spring is intended for vehicles without a particular permanent load. With a canopy, drawers and a water tank, look at the +300 or +600 kg versions. Work out your weight first.

Tough Dog on the Hilux

From Tough Dog we stock the reinforced upper control arms for the Vigo and Revo. When a vehicle with independent front suspension is lifted, camber and caster change. According to the manufacturer, the control arms are built for a lift of about 50 mm and bring the geometry back into a suitable range. They are supplied as a pair. For the Hilux GR, Old Man Emu offers its own reinforced upper control arms for lifts up to 50 mm. We currently do not stock Tough Dog springs or shocks for the Hilux. The other Tough Dog parts are under Tough Dog.

Choosing springs by payload

1. Take the kerb weight and permissible gross weight from your vehicle documents.
2. Add everything that will be in the vehicle permanently: canopy, drawers, bull bar, winch, skid plates, tools, water.
3. Include fuel in a larger tank. Under the EN 590 standard, diesel weighs between 0.82 and 0.845 kg per litre. A 126-litre tank adds just over 100 kg.
4. Choose the front spring rate by the weight at the front and the rear leaf spring by the permanent load on the rear axle.

If you buy the suspension first and fit heavy parts afterwards, the springs will no longer match in the end. So plan the final weight before you order. Our overview Kitting out a Toyota Hilux covers the other areas.

After fitting

After any change to springs, shocks or control arms, have a wheel alignment done. The fitting notes for the parts say the same. Fitting is best left to a specialist workshop.

Registration: what the StVZO says

The following points describe the German rules in general terms and are not legal advice. Your inspector decides which documents and inspections your vehicle needs.

• When the operating permit lapses: Under § 19 (2) StVZO it lapses if a modification can be expected to endanger road users, changes the approved vehicle type or worsens exhaust or noise behaviour.
• Parts with approval: Under § 19 (3), the operating permit remains valid if the part has its own operating permit, type approval or EC type approval and you observe its restrictions and fitting instructions.
• Inspection: If the approval only takes effect after the installation has been inspected, this inspection must be carried out and confirmed without delay.
• Carry the documents: Under § 19 (4), you carry the approval or proof of inspection in the vehicle and show it on request.
• Individual approval: If no suitable approval exists, § 21 StVZO applies. You then apply for the operating permit at the registration authority, with a report from an officially recognised expert.

If you combine parts from different brands, such as OME springs with Tough Dog control arms, check beforehand with your inspector how they assess the combination. Ask us before you buy which documents are available for your part.

Frequently asked questions

How much higher will my Hilux sit with Old Man Emu?

For the Vigo and Revo, the manufacturers state about 50 mm; on the Hilux GR the front springs are designed for 40 mm. The exact value depends on equipment and payload.

Which shocks suit the progressive OME springs?

According to the manufacturer, the OME MT64 or Nitro+ shocks. With the BP-51, the front spring is already part of the strut.

Do I need new upper control arms?

The Tough Dog and Old Man Emu control arms are built to correct camber and caster after a lift of about 50 mm. A wheel alignment shows whether your vehicle needs them. If in doubt, ask your workshop.

Does the Revo suspension fit the Hilux GR?

Not throughout. The GR has its own front springs, its own MT64 and BP-51 shocks and its own control arms. At the rear we stock U-bolts for fitting the Revo leaf springs EL105R, EL106R and PB006R to the GR.

Is there suspension for the Hilux from 2026 yet?

The first parts are available: OME MT64 front and rear shocks and progressive +50 mm front springs. Leaf springs and control arms for the new generation are not active in our shop yet.

Do I need to register the lift?

That depends on the part's documents. The rules from § 19 and § 21 StVZO are summarised above. Your inspector makes the decision.

We answer questions about choosing parts on +49 5101 8159430 or at hello@trail-setter.com. All parts are under Hilux suspension & lift, other accessories under Toyota Hilux accessories.