A vehicle suspension connects a vehicle body to a plurality of wheels and allows relative motion between the vehicle body and the wheels. The suspension system includes a plurality of telescoping multi-stage hydraulic cylinder assemblies arranged to selectively lift the vehicle body relative to the wheels when extended and to lower the vehicle body relative to the wheels when contracted. A control valve is used to adjust a volume of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic cylinder assemblies to change a height of the vehicle. External spring packs are in fluid connection with the hydraulic cylinder assemblies to maintain spring forces on the suspension system over a range of telescopic movement of the hydraulic cylinder assemblies. Fluid damping valves are provided for damping telescopic movement of the hydraulic cylinder assemblies by restricting fluid flow between the hydraulic cylinder assemblies and the spring packs.