Do I need a Light Rigid licence after a GVM upgrade?

Only if the certified GVM goes over 4,500 kg (NB2). An NB1 upgrade at or under 4,500 kg can still be driven on a standard car licence. We confirm the target rating with you before the truck is plated.

Can I keep a GVM upgrade on a car licence?

Yes. If the certified GVM stays at or under 4,500 kg, the vehicle remains NB1 (or NA if it stays at or under 3.5 tonnes) and a C-class car licence still covers it. That is the usual path on Silverado 1500, F-150 and RAM 1500, and the choice for HD owners who do not want Light Rigid.

Why do GVM upgrades use 4 inch McGaughy's and BDS kits?

The 4 inch McGaughy's and BDS kits are the suspension we use most for GVM work. They add the spring rate to support the new rating, give tyre clearance, and still ride like a daily driver. On some late-model HD trucks BDS does not make a 4 inch kit — we spec the closest matching BDS 5 inch system instead.

What else is involved besides the lift kit?

The kit is the hardware. A legal GVM upgrade also needs load-rated tyres, brakes and chassis checked against the new rating, then an engineer's certificate and a modification plate. We scope that before we order parts so you are not surprised at inspection.

How do I start a GVM upgrade on American trucks?

Pick the 4 inch McGaughy's or BDS kit that matches your year and cab, or send us the VIN. We confirm whether NB1 or NB2 is the right ceiling, quote supply and install, and book the truck for a mod plate once the kit is on.

GVM Upgrades

Q: What is the difference between NB1 and NB2?

NB1 is the Australian Design Rules category for medium goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes and up to 4,500 kg GVM. NB2 is over 4,500 kg and up to 12 tonnes. Crossing 4,500 kg is the change that affects licence class and some heavy-vehicle rules.

Q: Does Tough Trucks issue modification plates in-house?

Yes. We supply the kit, install it at Arundel or Mackay, and complete in-house modification plates for the GVM upgrade. Call 07 5500 0095 to start the paperwork for your VIN.

GVM upgrades for American trucks in Australia

Tough Trucks supplies, installs and certifies Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) upgrades for Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150, Ford Super Duty and RAM. Most of that work sits on a 4" McGaughy's or 4" BDS suspension kit — heavier springs that carry the new rating, with a lift that clears proper rubber and still rides like a truck you want to drive every day.

We complete the engineering in-house, including modification plates. Shop the kits below, pick your platform, or call 07 5500 0095 with the VIN.

Silverado 1500 · Silverado 2500/3500 · F-150 · F-250 · RAM 1500 · RAM 2500/3500

NB1 vs NB2 installations

The figure that matters is 4,500 kg. Stay at or under that certified GVM and the vehicle remains in NA or NB1 and can still be driven on a standard car licence. Cross 4,500 kg and it becomes NB2 — a medium goods vehicle. That is the path when a canopy, slide-on or touring build needs real payload, but it also means a Light Rigid licence and heavy-vehicle road rules.

1500-series trucks (Silverado 1500, F-150, RAM 1500) usually come in as NA and take an NB1 upgrade so they stay on a car licence. HD / Super Duty trucks (Silverado 2500/3500, F-250, RAM 2500/3500) often arrive already at about 4,490 kg NB1. Payload disappears once you add a bar, winch and canopy — that is when an NB2 upgrade earns its keep, or we plate an NB1 package if you want to keep the car licence.

4" McGaughy's and BDS kits

Tough Trucks is the exclusive Australian distributor for McGaughy's Suspension. The 4" McGaughy's kits are our biggest GVM sellers on Silverado 2500/3500, F-250 and RAM 2500/3500. BDS 4" kits cover Silverado 1500, F-150 and RAM 1500, and they sit beside McGaughy's on the HD trucks. Where BDS does not make a 4" kit for a late-model HD, we spec the matching 5" BDS system.

GVM upgrade FAQs — NB1 and NB2

Which trucks can Tough Trucks GVM-upgrade?

Silverado 1500 and 2500/3500, F-150, F-250/F-350, RAM 1500 and RAM 2500/3500. Open the platform collection for the 4" McGaughy's and BDS kits we use on that truck.

What is a GVM upgrade?

A GVM upgrade is an engineered increase to the certified Gross Vehicle Mass. It raises the legal loaded weight so a canopy, touring fit-out or heavier body stays inside the rating. Tough Trucks supplies the suspension, installs it and issues the modification plate in-house. Call 07 5500 0095 with the VIN to start.

What is the difference between NB1 and NB2?

Australian Design Rules split goods vehicles by GVM. NA is up to 3,500 kg. NB1 is over 3,500 kg and up to 4,500 kg. NB2 is over 4,500 kg and up to 12 tonnes. The line that changes how you drive the truck is 4,500 kg.

Do I need a Light Rigid (LR) licence?

Only if the certified GVM goes over 4,500 kg. That moves the vehicle into NB2 and a standard car licence no longer covers it. Stay at or under 4,500 kg (NB1) and a C-class car licence still applies.

What else changes on an NB2 installation?

Besides the LR licence, NB2 is treated as a heavy vehicle: 0.00 blood alcohol, higher tolls on many roads, and some states cap heavy vehicles at 100 km/h. Registration and insurance also follow the new category. We walk through that before you commit to a rating over 4,500 kg.

Can I complete a GVM upgrade and stay on a car licence?

Yes. If we plate the truck at or under 4,500 kg it remains NB1 (or NA if it stays at or under 3,500 kg). That is the usual brief on 1500-series trucks, and the choice for HD owners who want more payload without Light Rigid.

Why 4" McGaughy's and BDS kits?

Those are the kits we use most for GVM work. The 4" McGaughy's and BDS systems add the spring rate to support the new rating, clear larger tyres, and still ride like a daily driver. On a few late-model HD platforms BDS does not make a 4" kit — we spec the closest 5" BDS system instead.

Does Tough Trucks issue modification plates in-house?

Yes. We supply, install and complete in-house mod plates at Arundel and Mackay. The plate is what makes the GVM legal, not the lift kit on its own. Call 07 5500 0095.

What else is involved besides the suspension kit?

Load-rated tyres, brakes and the chassis have to match the new GVM. Then an engineer's certificate and a modification plate. We scope that before parts are ordered so inspection is not a surprise.

GVM figures, licence class and heavy-vehicle rules depend on the certified rating and the state of registration. We confirm the path for your VIN before the truck is plated.