GVM Upgrades – CTO Industries, Kilsyth VIC

At CTO Industries in Kilsyth, Victoria, we specialise in fully engineered Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) upgrades for US trucks, including the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and RAM platforms. Whether you’re towing a heavy caravan, fitting a tray and canopy, or running a work vehicle that carries serious loads, a GVM upgrade ensures your truck is legal, safe, and capable on Australian roads.

What the Service Includes

Our GVM upgrade service goes far beyond bolting in new suspension. Every package is engineered, tested, and approved, delivering a solution via certified testing centres such as the AIC (Auto Innovation Centre), that not only increases your payload capacity but also enhances comfort and handling.

Depending on your vehicle and setup, we offer:

• Factory height or lift options up to 5 inches depending on your vehicle model
• Shock absorber choices: Fox 2.0 IFP, Fox Performance Elite 2.5 with remote reservoirs, and King Shocks
• Various spring rates based on actual load requirements
• Larger tyre sizes and more aggressive wheel offsets to match suspension upgrades

Every system is backed by compliance documentation in the form of modification/engineering plates, vehicle record of information and images, transport authority certificate, so your vehicle remains fully insured and road-legal.

Who Benefits and Why

A GVM upgrade is essential for a wide range of owners, from touring families to tradies and business owners in Australia.

Perfect for:

• Customers with trays and canopies adding extra rear axle weight
• Towing heavy caravans, boats, or horse floats
• Businesses running loaded trucks who want to safely and legally maximise payloads
• Owners seeking fringe benefits tax (FBT) savings from compliant upgrades

Benefits include:

• ✅ Increased carrying capacity
• ✅ Improved ride comfort and stability
• ✅ Legal and insurance-compliant upgrades tested beyond OEM standards
• ✅ Safer towing and handling when loaded to max GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass)

Products & Brands We Use

At CTO Industries, we only use suspension brands we trust and have tested extensively:

• Fox Shocks – From the 2.0 IFP to the Performance Elite series with 2.5-inch bore and remote reservoirs
• King Shocks – Renowned for performance and adjustability in demanding conditions

All upgrades are completed using ADR-compliant components and engineered certification, giving you peace of mind on and off the road.

Service Locations

Based in Kilsyth, Victoria, CTO Industries services customers from across Victoria, such as Melbourne, Geelong, Echuca, Wangaratta, Lakes Entrance, and Portland.

We also work regularly with interstate customers looking for trusted, compliant GVM upgrades with quality workmanship. Let us know and we can even arrange vehicle transport for you if needed.

FAQs About GVM Upgrades

What does GVM mean?
GVM stands for Gross Vehicle Mass. It’s the maximum legal weight your vehicle can weigh when fully loaded, including passengers, fuel, accessories, and cargo.

Do I need a GVM upgrade?
If your truck regularly carries heavy loads, tows large caravans or boats, or has a tray and canopy fitted, you’re at risk of exceeding the factory GVM. An upgrade ensures your vehicle stays legal, safe, and covered by insurance.

Is a GVM upgrade the same as a lift kit?
Not exactly. A lift kit raises the height of your vehicle for clearance and looks, while a GVM upgrade is designed to legally increase your carrying capacity. At CTO Industries, we can supply GVM upgrades at factory height or combine them with lift options up to 5 inches.

What is included in a GVM upgrade?
Typically, a GVM upgrade involves upgraded suspension components such as shocks, springs, and other supporting hardware. It also includes full engineering certification so your vehicle remains ADR-compliant.

Is my warranty or insurance affected?
While our upgrades are fully engineered and ADR-approved, so your vehicle remains 100% legal, insurable, and compliant with Australian standards. Some manufacturers or dealers can use this as a point of contention, though as per ACCC (consumer law) they can only deny a warranty if the failed part is due to the modifications made.

I.E: They cannot deny a warranty for a faulty infotainment system because you have a GVM upgrade. They also cannot deny a warranty if they offer the same product, such as GMSV offering a GVM upgrade to the same rating.

Can I choose the type of suspension in my GVM upgrade?
Yes. We offer options such as Fox 2.0 IFPs, Fox Performance Elite 2.5 with remote reservoirs, and King Shocks, with spring rates tailored to your vehicle’s weight and use.

Will a GVM upgrade improve towing stability?
Yes. By increasing the suspension’s load capacity and tuning it to suit your setup, towing stability and comfort improve significantly—making long trips safer, more controlled and much more enjoyable due to the improved ride quality.

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