4×4 service: repairs, diagnostics and off-road tuning

The idea is to prepare the vehicle so that the changes to the suspension and the exterior do not spoil its stability on the road or the comfort of the ride, and keep the good looks of the 4×4.

Depending on the conditions the vehicle will be used in, you will learn what you need to improve its off-road ability and which equipment to choose to feel safe on and off the road. A comparison of the makes, their pros and cons, helps you choose the best option for you.

We help you weigh the advantages and disadvantages of modifying a 4×4 for better off-road ability.

Complete service

• Suspension, lift, body lift
• Fitting winches and bumpers
• Computer diagnostics
• Diagnostics and repair of petrol and diesel engines and peripherals
• Running gear
• Brakes

You will also learn about the typical weak points of the make in question.

What we help with

• Choosing a kit suited to a higher payload or to fitting a winch and bumpers later
• Advice on tyre size: taller tyres inevitably mean lifting the vehicle
• Body lift (spacers between the chassis and the body): pros and cons
• Kits suited to the particular vehicle and the terrain it will be driven on, and ways to keep it stable
• Springs chosen for the weight they have to carry
• Shock absorbers: premium or alternative options

Repair work

• Widening with wheel spacers or negative-offset wheels
• Modifying parts (wings, wheel-arch liners, suspension parts) to prevent wear or breakage
• Replacing the original suspension with a heavy-duty one that takes a higher load
• Replacing control arms, rods, ball joints, mounts, bushes
• Heavy-duty half shafts, axle reinforcement
• Transfer case and differential repairs, changing to a higher gear ratio
• Fitting differential lockers
• Reconditioning track rod ends (outer and inner)
• Reconditioning ball joints, control arms and all suspension parts
• Repair of hydraulic, mechanical and electric steering racks
• Diagnosing prop shaft problems (front, viscous, rear)
• Replacing universal joints and bearings; prop shaft replacement
• Fitting splines from a repair kit

Which winch to choose?

• Mechanical, hydraulic or electric?
• Model and rating (6,000, 6,500, 8,000, 8,500, 9,000, 9,500, 10,000, 11,000, 12,000 lb and more)?
• Where to mount it?
• Front mount: a permanent extra load of about 50 kg, which the suspension has to allow for
• Mount inside the body: no weight at the front and no load on the front suspension
• A winch that can be fitted and removed quickly

Fitting and removal of

• A winch on any kind of bumper: original, tubular, heavy-duty steel plate
• The winch control box
• A steel plate between the chassis and the bumper for quick fitting and removal of the winch
• A heavy-duty bracket for a hidden winch mount
• Moving the radiator to hide the winch
• A hidden winch mount behind the original bumper
• A rear-mounted winch (inside the body)

Fitting and removal of

• All kinds of bumpers (original, tubular, heavy-duty steel, winch bumper), welded or bolted
• Snorkel
• Spare wheel carrier
• Jack mount (Hi-Lift)
• Engine guard
• Front guard (steering rod and sump)
• Differential guard
• Heavy-duty plates and recovery points for lifting with a high-lift jack or pulling the vehicle out when stuck
• Side steps
• Heavy-duty rock sliders

You will be told what to expect at the first service and whether to choose original or aftermarket belts, pulleys, filters, oils and other consumables.

The service has long-standing partner agreements with leading importers of parts, engine oils and consumables. At Mapo you get preferential prices on the original or aftermarket parts the repair needs, whose replacement is strongly recommended after a purchase.

Parts supply