Congratulations on being selected for Auszookers Zook Owner of the Month!
How does it feel being honoured with the nomination for Z.O.O.M. 2013?
I feel very honoured.
So tell us about yourself. Who are you, What's the meaning to your username, Where do you
live, and what do you do for a living?
G'day all. I got my username from my Suzuki Club nick name.
My full name is Christopher, but due to flopping my Sierra on it's side,
and it getting caught on super 8 movie film (makes me sound old),
Kenn called me Christ-over.
That name stuck, so I decided it was a good username.
I had to add the 1 on the end, because I stuffed up an early forum register,
so needed to reapply with a new ID
Because of that username many Christian organisations have contacted me since LOL.
I live in the very outer Eastern suburbs of Melbourne Victoria.
But although suburban, I am right on the edge of 4wd country,
so it is the best of both worlds.
My house is owned by the government, I get subsidised rent.
And I'm lucky enough to have one with a garage, though small.
Many don't even have off street parking.
I haven't worked for a long time.
I exist on a disability pension, due to medical problems and severe hearing loss. Though with the modern technology now available in hearing aids, and modern day medicine, I get by ok.
Those who I have met will have noticed the computer chip stuck to my head, that I hear with.
How did you get started in Suzuki's & how many have you owned?
After owning a Moke for nearly 25 years, I learnt the value of light weight, cheap, rugged and simple for off roading. Towards the end Mokes started getting collectible and expensive, and I tended to sit around discussing what I used to do, instead of actually doing anything.
So a light, cheap 4wd was an obvious step so I could keep offroading on a tight budget.
I hate to admit it, but I got a Lada Niva first, which owned me.
Losing my job, health and money meant giving up the Niva (thank goodness)
Bought a Suzuki Carry 800cc which was great, but I missed the wheeling.
(I did wheel it though, it wasn't too bad)
Research lead me to getting a 1983 LWB Sierra, which gave me the modifying bug.
Had it for around 15 great fun years. Slowly lifting, locking, bobbing and all the usual stuff over that time.
Towards the end, I started needing and wanting an auto, coils, efi, bigger donk and other goodies, and got a desire for longer trips
Researched buying an entire Vitara to do another rebirth of my Sierra.
Due to a desire to do longer touring trips, and getting older, I realised doing up a Vitara was a better, cheaper and easier option. Chose the model, LWB, year etc by researching on Auszookers. Needed info, available mods, parts, prices etc.
How long did it take you to build your zook to what it is today?
My Sierra took its entire 15 years of ownership to build, was never really ever finished
My current Vitara has taken 2.5 years to get to current stage.
It came with some mods already done, like body lift, OME suspension and rear locker.
Any changes in store for your Suzuki?
No major plans to change anything, its pretty much what I need now.
But it will get tires with tread one day, and other normal consumables.
Maybe a rear draws or shelf thing.
I bet I modify something one day, though, it is an addiction after all.
My matching camper trailer may get electric brakes fitted, and maybe an extra tent top, for the occassional more luxury, easier trips.
What has been your best modification?
Hard to name one, but lower transfer gears is up there.
Rear discs was an extreme improvement, too.
And all the front diff jobs.
CV stubby conversion, steel diff, diff drop brackets and Spartan locker
Sierras best mod was fitting a 1.3 and LJ 4:9 diff ratios, brought my gearing to 10% under stock with 31's on.
Best mod on my camper trailer was converting to shackle springs and shocks, instead of slippers.
What has been your worse modification?
For the Sierra the worse mod I did was bobbing the ute tub, not that I didn't like it, just I did such a rough job. Looked pretty bad up close, but a few Adventure Tour dents soon had the rest of Zook looking the same
For the Vitara I haven't done any mods that I hate yet. Time could change that.
But fitting strut spacers was a mistake, as I stuffed up my measuring, and they were way too big for my set up. Went back to strut top flip instead, with some new hex washers from AZ.
If you could have anybody else's zook, who's would it be and why?
Can't name one, there are too many.
I often lust after peoples cars, or parts, or mods, but researching often makes me realise that what I have suits my needs, my health, my budget etc..
If I could have another car as well, then I lust after all Adventure Tour capable cars,
especially LJ's and Sierras. Though we do have a Vitara on 34's planning to go on this years Adventure Tour, which would be fun.
What has been your best 4wding trip?
In the Sierra would be the Suzuki Clubs Adventure Tours, especially the conquering of “Killer Hill”
In the Vitara would have to be the AZ Beachport trip.
(1st real trip since building the Vit. Rest have been research and development type trips)
And the driving of Rocky Track in Toolangi. was a special moment
If you could go to any place in the world to wheel, where would that be?
In the USA would be the famous Rubicon Trail lwould be fun.
In Aus it would be the Simpson Desert Crossing, as I have been planning/thinking on it for ages,
and I am still not sure if I'll make the trip this year.
Who are you closest to in the auszooker's community?
Not naming any individual/s.
But I feel closest to those I have wheeled with, spun spanners with, and those I've shared info and ideas with.
I like to pretend I'm close to our nicer lady members LOL
Tell us what the wheeling is like in your area?
We have a great variety of wheeling round my area, except no sand/beach/dune driving.
To get sand is a long way away in top NW of the state.
We have steep rocky tracks, thick bogs, river crossings, black soil, greasy clay, loose shale,
off camber and large rutted tracks
Hard core tho still existing, is getting sparser.
What other toys/hobbies do you put a lot of time into?
Photochopping. I'm a tragic addict.
You Tube Videos is a common pastime.
Trying to keep up with modern technology (getting harder as time slips by)
Auszookers is a hobby for me, too.
And the internet itself is a big part of my life.
(possibly because I live alone and don't go to work?)
Have been lusting after RC crawlers lately, maybe a later in life hobby.
What is it about the auszookers that brings you back for more?
Good Zook Tech.
Good Zooker Peoples.
It is like a social club, I live alone, but never feel lonely.
(Sounds a bit/lot dorky but is true)
What about the auszookers forum would you like to see changed?
Nothing really.
There is enough freedom to have fun.
And enough rules to keep it fun.
A good balance.
And plenty of good tech.
So if there is just one bit of advice you would give someone just starting out with Suzuki 4wds what would it be and why?
Buy Zook, learn to drive it with a group of similar Zooks, before modifying anything.
I have seen too many very enthusiatic people buy a Zook,
read up on the extremely modified Zooks,
spend months and/or years in the build,
and lose motivation before getting in the bush.
Building/modifying/maintaining as you go is less stressful on the body and wallet,
and more likely to suit your real needs, rather than what you think you need.
And is much less likely to involve family bust ups
Main Vehicle Specs
Year: 1993
Make: Suzuki
Model: SE Vitara LWB
Colour: Red
Driveline: 4sp Automatic 4:24 Transfer gears. Front and rear auto lockers.
Steering: Power Steering box with HD idler arm fitted
Suspension: Old Man Emu and Dobinsons front struts
Tyres/Wheels: 31 x 10.50 x 15 Couragia mudders
Armour: Alloy bullbar. With sump, auto and transfer case skid plates
Interior: Stock everything, but after market guages fitted.
Exterior: 50mm body lift. Sun roof.
Recovery gear: Snatch strap. Shackle. Tree puller type hand winch.
Other/Clubs: Suzuki 4WD Club Victoria.
Parting Comments: Zooks Rule Da Bush. Vitaras Rule Da Zooks
Now for the million dollar question, who do you select to be the next Z.O.O.M. & why?
tonyevans because I think he is interesting character, lots of Zooks, and I'd like to see what is behind that cool beard
