The Right Order to Modify Your 4WD: 10 Mods in Build Sequence

Before we start, we should point out that every single 4WD is different and that there is no hard and fast way that a build must be done. In a perfect world we'd all walk into our 4X4 specialist of choice with a blank cheque and pick up our complete and ready-to-rock rig a few weeks later. However, life rarely works that way and not many of us can afford to do everything in one hit. Or if we can, we might not be able to have a vehicle off the road for several weeks. Regardless, with our years of experience we've determined that some things are best done early in the build while others can wait until much later when the money tree has grown a little.

Here's the best way to modify your 4WD into a go-anywhere touring weapon.

Why the Order You Modify Your 4WD Matters

"Just bolt stuff on and go" is a recipe for spending money unnecessarily and wasting a whole heap of time. Just like building things as you need them can be fraught with costs and delays. Sure, you may need a tent for a last minute trip, so you break out the credit card and bolt up a brand new RTT or buy that new camper you've been eyeing. Works great in theory but now you're way too top heavy or the rear end of your car looks like a dog popping a squat and your suspension performance is up the creek while your steering feels dangerously unresponsive.

You need a plan, which your specialist can help with, and you need to perform upgrades in a logical sequence, so the tail doesn't end up wagging the dog.

The Build Sequence

1. Recovery Kit

While this isn't a vehicle mod exactly, it's something that should be on hand every time you head off-road. In many cases it never leaves the rig. Quick piece of etiquette: Getting bogged in your stock vehicle on the beach then expecting someone else to use their gear to pull you out isn't cool. A snatch strap, shackles (soft or hard), tyre deflators, recovery ramps and a compressor belong in every 4WD. Okay, onto the real mods.

2. Bash Plates and Underbody Protection

Prevention is cheaper than fixing damage off-road. Especially with modern vehicles having a lot of sensors, mechanical componentry and actuators hanging below the chassis in the path of rock damage (BT-50/D-Max diff lock actuator, we're looking at you). Underbody protection can save you all sorts of hassles.

3. Suspension Lift Kit

Some people choose to leave the suspension until last, believing they'll have a better understanding of the vehicle's final weight and can select the most suitable spring rates. While there is some truth to this, not everyone can afford to fit every accessory at once. A quality suspension lift provides immediate benefits, including improved ride quality, increased suspension travel, and the ability to fit larger tyres. Delaying your suspension upgrade can also limit the rest of your build.

Realistically, suspension should be one of the first modifications you make, as it forms the foundation of your touring setup. It's important to choose spring rates that suit your vehicle's current weight, rather than the weight you expect it to carry in the future. As additional accessories such as bull bars, winches, canopies or long-range fuel tanks are added, you may eventually need to upgrade to heavier-rate springs. That's why having a clear plan for your build from the start is so important.

4. GVM Upgrade

To add to the previous point, if you know you're going heavy from the start you can pull the trigger on a GVM upgrade straight away. This will save time and money over buying something that might be up to the task which you'll have to replace down the track.

5. Tyres

You've got your springs and shocks and locating arms sorted, now's the time for tyres. We know wheels and tyres give the vehicle the most visual appeal out of just about any other mod but they're an incredibly important part of the overall goal. They affect clearance and off-road performance as well as load index and speedo accuracy. When talking to those in the know, one of the first questions will likely be "what tyres do you want to run?" So much of your rig is built around the rubber.

6. Bull Bar and Rated Recovery Points

A good recovery and accident prevention kit starts with a bar and recovery points. Trying to undertake a forward recovery without them is both dangerous and often useless. The bull bar is a must for remote touring protecting against animal strikes and also provides the mounting point for a…

7. Winch

You can include these further down the list quite reasonably, but if you're going to be doing solo remote travel then a winch is a no-brainer. Fitting it at the same time as the bar saves money on labour as more often than not the bull bar will have to be removed and replaced to fit it later. Get it done all at once and you're good to go.

8. Long-Range Fuel Tank

A long-range tank is good for two things: Adding a huge amount of distance between servo stops and adding a bunch of weight to your rig. Once you've got the safety and recovery essentials sorted and your suspension dialled in, it's time to get some more fuel range.

9. Dual Battery and Charging System

This one could be readily interchanged with long-range tanks, but we reckon having the range just outweighs the ability to keep the fridge cold. Just. Anyway, many people overlook the electrical aspect of a build in terms of added weight, but it's an important one to factor in. Multiple lithium batteries, inverters, chargers, solar, battery management systems and distribution boxes can add up quick. Planning where this weight will be distributed ahead of time can also be important. This is a whole article in itself but work out the current draw of all of your 12V/240V accessories and go from there.

10. Lighting and Communications

Lights and comms are definitely a safety concern, especially when driving after dark in rural Australia, but everything above should be in place before you tick these boxes which is why they're rounding out our list instead of placing higher. They're undeniably must-haves for remote touring but you also don't need a satphone and a Starlink to head down the local beach. More often than not they're a luxury rather than a necessity. An important luxury, no doubt, but still not 100% required for common 4X4 use which is why the more-important stuff places above it.

Where to Start If You're Not Building From Scratch

Let's say you already own a rig with a few basic mods. Say, a 2in lift, some bigger tyres, lights, front bar and UHF. How do you know where to go from here? It invariably comes down to what the intended vehicle usage is. Is it a full-time tourer, work/play rig or maybe something to party hard off-road? All will have different priorities. Your best bet is to talk to an industry expert like Superior Engineering who have the experience both building and driving every sort of 4WD you can imagine. We can help you establish a proper comprehensive build plan and facilitate your next addition.

Start your build journey today by exploring Superior Engineering's full range of lift kits, GVM and BTC upgrades and massive range of suspension components. We have everything you could need for every build, budget and off-road adventure.