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 Silverado 2500/3500?

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.

Silverado 2500/3500 GVM Upgrade

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.

Silverado 2500 and 3500 GVM upgrades

GMSV Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD land in Australia right on the NB1 ceiling — typically around 4,490 kg. Add a canopy, fridge, bar and winch and you are out of payload before the first trip. A GVM upgrade is how you make the truck legal for the way it actually gets used.

The hardware we use most is the McGaughy's 4" Premium Lift Kit with M84 shocks (reservoir option if you want it), including the ZR2 / AT4X-specific 4" kit. Tough Trucks is the exclusive Australian McGaughy's distributor. Beside that we spec BDS 5" FOX kits for 2020–2026 HD trucks — BDS does not make a 4" kit for this generation, so 5" is the BDS GVM match.

Supply, install and in-house mod plates. Call 07 5500 0095 with the VIN. Half-ton owners should start on the Silverado 1500 GVM page.

NB1 vs NB2 on Silverado HD

You already sit in NB1. An NB1 package keeps the car licence and can recover a little payload, but there is not much room under 4,500 kg. An NB2 installation is what unlocks a usable rating for a heavy canopy or touring build. That means a Light Rigid licence, 0.00 BAC and heavy-vehicle tolls and speed rules. Plenty of 2500 owners take NB2 deliberately; plenty of others stay NB1 on purpose. We will not talk you into the wrong one.

GVM upgrade FAQs — NB1 and NB2

Which McGaughy's 4" kit fits my Silverado 2500 or 3500?

2020–2026 2500 uses 52452 (M84) or 52404 (M84 reservoir). 2020–2026 3500 uses 52455 or 52405. ZR2 / AT4X 2500 uses 52454. Confirm gas vs diesel and cab with us before you order.

Does a Silverado 2500 NB2 upgrade need an LR licence?

Yes, once the certified GVM is over 4,500 kg. If you want to keep a car licence we plate an NB1 package instead.

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.

All GVM upgrades · Silverado 1500 · RAM 2500/3500 · F-250

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.