Go On, Delete That HillBilly!
The PRDX HBD (HillBilly Delete) Suspension Lowering Kit is engineered to enhance the on-road and fast dirt-road performance and aesthetics of the Mitsubishi MV Triton.�
Our HBD lowering kit has been engineered to address owner feedback about the Triton’s stock suspension, and is a dynamic upgrade for urban and fast dirt road driving. The kit lowers the Triton’s ride height by approximately 50mm front and 60mm rear, improving handling, steering, and ride comfort.�
And to be completely honest, it’s a sexy way to thumb-the-nose at the influencer led, make it higher, bigger and badder by bolting on as much crap as possible, ethos that drives Australian 4WD consumerism. That’s the hillbilly way, and we’re not for those things at PRDX.
It’s also time to recognise just how good the MV Triton is, and how much better it can be made, with some sensible upgrades. �
Features
The PRDX HBD Suspension Lowering Kit comprises the following components:
- Front Struts: Two fully assembled, custom-shortened Bilstein B6 struts with bespoke valving developed in collaboration with Bilstein’s distributor in Sydney and PRDX. Each strut is fitted with new top mounts, and Australian made, fully scragged coils.
- Rear Shock Absorbers: Two custom-shortened Bilstein B6 shock absorbers with bespoke valving, optimized for lowered ride heights.
- Rear Leaf Packs: Two 60mm lowered, 3-over-1 two-stage rear leaf packs, exclusively made for PRDX. These are not reset OEM springs (they’re rubbish, ask us how we know…) but purpose-built leaf packs that offer considerable vehicle dynamic improvements, as well as upping the ante as far as ride comfort and load handling are concerned.
- Mounting Hardware: Includes new bushes and U-bolts for the rear leaf packs.
- Compatibility: Suits all MV Triton dual-cab 4WD variants (GLX, GLX+, GLX-R, GLS, GSR) with no requirement for tailshaft spacers, reduced-height droop stops, bump stops, or center bearing modifications.
The PRDX HBD Suspension Lowering Kit complies with the minimum ride height requirements, as specified in the official MV Triton vehicle descriptor document used to obtain type approval in Australia, noting that Mitsubishi allows a +/-20mm allowable variation on suspension measurements. The information in this document is the official information used by the various state law enforcement agencies, when determining a vehicle’s compliance.
There are numerous reasons that a vehicle shouldn’t be lowered or raised beyond what is considered legal and of course, functional from an engineering perspective. We’ve set out to improve the MV Triton, within the bounds of what is considered sensible from an engineering perspective and acceptable from a legal perspective.*
Benefits
The PRDX HBD Suspension Lowering Kit offers:
- Improved Handling: The 50mm front and 60mm rear lowering reduces the center of gravity, enhancing steering response and body control through corners and at highway speeds.
- Enhanced Ride Comfort: The bespoke-valved Bilstein shocks and custom coils and leaf packs significantly improve ride quality over urban imperfections and fast dirt roads, and introduce real body control, where it was previously lacking. This upgrade addresses the stock GLX/GLX+ heavy-duty suspension’s stiffness when unladen, and the wayward sloppiness (belly flopping) of the comfort sprung GLX-R, GLS and GSR.
- Superior Aesthetics: The lowered stance (470mm front, 510mm rear eyebrow heights) compared to stock GLS heights (520mm front, 570mm rear), particularly when paired with a larger wheel, imbues the MV Triton with a subtle aggression. Once you’ve seen a lowered MV, the lifted MVs don’t look quite right anymore.
- Moderate Load Capability: The two-stage rear leaf packs, with a three-leaf first stage, outperform the stock GLX-R/GLS/GSR two-leaf springs and are able to handle loads of up to around 200kg comfortably.
- Potential Fuel Efficiency Benefits: The lower front profile may improve aerodynamics, potentially enhancing fuel economy, though specific gains are not quantified. We’re seeing 6.9L/100km on the highway (100km/h – 110km/h) in ideal conditions, which rises up to no more (so far) than 8.4L/100km with a decent headwind, and we’re running a wider and slightly taller 285/50 20 tyre.
- No Driveline Issues: Fitment of this kit produces zero driveline vibrations, eliminating the need for additional modifications common with lift kits.
- No alignment issues: There are zero issues getting a decent front wheel alignment.�
- Access and height issues vamoosed: The lowered MV Triton has no issue fitting in any underground carpark, and clears (in our experience so far), low garage and carport heights with room to spare. It’s easier to get into and out of, and tub access is improved over stock, and significantly improved over any lifted vehicle. If you’re still hanging onto your Commodore ute, a PRDX lowered MV Triton might finally be the replacement vehicle you’ve been waiting for.�
Real-World Development
The PRDX HBD Suspension Lowering Kit was developed over 40,000km of road testing:
- Testing Locations: Conducted across South Australia (Adelaide, Riverland), Victoria, and New South Wales, including urban roads, highways (e.g., Western Highway between Adelaide and Melbourne), and fast corrugated dirt roads and plenty of those disgusting country back-roads in Victoria. Where the stock car struggled, sometimes quite dramatically, the HBD lowered Triton soaked it all up and pushed on.
- Process: Involved multiple iterations, including four front coil changes, six rear leaf pack changes, and three shock valving adjustments to optimize ride, handling, and comfort.
- Supplier Collaboration: PRDX worked with Heasmans in Sydney (Bilstein distributor) to develop bespoke valving for the shortened B6 struts and shocks, and with Australian springmakers to produce custom coils and leaf packs.
- Road Conditions: Tested on “bloody horrible roads” to ensure durability and performance, confirming superior ride and handling compared to stock MV Tritons.
- Compliance Focus: Engineered to maintain usable bump-stop clearances and meet Mitsubishi’s minimum ride height measurements, per the information Mitsubishi provided in its MV Triton Road Vehicle Descriptor, used to obtain vehicle type approval.*
Vehicle Improvements
The PRDX HBD lowering kit enhances the MV Triton by:
- Sharpening Handling: The lowered stance and bespoke valving reduce body roll and improve steering finesse, transforming the vehicle’s dynamics on winding roads and fast dirt roads.
- Smoothing Ride Quality: Custom shock valving and the right combination of high-quality coil and leaf springs, massively reduces the jarring feel of the stock suspension over road imperfections (e.g., broken bitumen), providing a comfortable ride even on 285/50R20 tyres. The stock vehicle is too softly sprung in the rear, which forces the front of the car to lift, before the suspension gets a chance to work.
- Balancing Dynamics: The kit corrects the stock suspension’s imbalance between front and rear, eliminating the “soggy, disconnected” chassis feel and “belly flopping” over undulations noted by us and many MV owners.
What Sets the PRDX Kit Apart
The PRDX HBD Suspension Lowering Kit is distinct from other kits due to:
- Triton-Specific Design: Engineered exclusively for the MV Triton, by people that drive MV Tritons.
- Custom Components: Features Australian made front coils (exclusive to PRDX), shortened Bilstein B6 shocks/struts with custom valving (exclusive to PRDX), and purpose-built 3-over-1 leaf packs (exclusive to PRDX). None of this gear exists ‘on-the-shelf’ and there’s more than 12-months of work and countless driving hours involved in making it a reality.
- Extensive Testing: Developed over 40,000km across Australian roads, with multiple iterations to perfect ride and handling.
- Balanced Performance: Optimizes on-road dynamics and fast dirt road performance that transforms the Triton into a dynamic and fun vehicle to drive, addressing stock suspension flaws.
The Last Word
For all of the MV Triton owners out there who use their Triton as a family car, commuter, weekend cruiser, or highway mile cruncherand enjoy driving, the PRDX HBD lowering kit will transform the stock MV into a dynamic, focused and very comfortable driving machine. This kit really is a trans-formative upgrade.�
*Disclaimer: As is the case with most up to 50mm lift kits, this lowering kit, which has been developed within the same legal suspension variance constraints, should not require engineering approval. We’ve done our best to ensure it complies with the legal requirements in each Australian state, and that it doesn’t exceed the minimum suspension heights set out in Mitsubishi’s Road Vehicle Descriptor documentation for the MV Triton. However, PRDX Automotive (4X4 Ventures Pty Ltd) does not provide a guarantee that this kit will be legal to fit in your state, and strongly recommends that you do your own research prior to purchasing and fitting to your vehicle.�