Hi DrDave, congrats on your purchase. I too have a SWB soft-top Vit and also a LWB one. (and a soft-top Sierra blah blah blah).
Thanks Reubs, we're pretty happy with it now that I got it running properly.
drdave wrote:
Hey guys and gals,
First thing is being a soft top we would like to get a cage in the rear to protect our little girl, I cant seem to find any second hand so is this something I need to get made? We would like it to cover the whole rear passenger area rather than a roll hoop.
Not just a rollover hoop? Protect against what exactly? Other cars crashing into you? Rolling end-over-end? Because it is a soft-top?
You would need to get something custom made. Personally I wouldn't bother if the reasons are for crash safety or 'because soft-top' - just sell up and buy a hard-top. IMO hard-top or soft-top won't make much difference. Also well thought out and properly built good roll cages aren't cheap.
Honestly its because the missus is an Apache helicopter mum (not just a helicopter mum, see the Ted movie if that doesn't make sense). I would think in a roll over it would be more likely to roll toward the front of the car.
drdave wrote:
Secondly what would be the towing capacity for it? I plan on building a camper trailer setup for it and want to make sure the Vitara can tow it. I also need to chase down a tow bar and understand the hayman reece style tow bar can carry more weight, is this correct?
Towing capacity would be in the region of 450-600kg. Ball weight would be in the region of <80kg. If you need specifics I have an owner's manual.
Brand and style of towbar won't make any difference. They aren't a great vehicle to tow anything over half a tonne or so anyway.
Cool, that should fit well with the trailer with a roof top tent I plan for it. We don't need anything too flash, just somewhere to sleep and cooking etc.
drdave wrote:
At this stage we plan on going right over it mechanically and replacing the soft top for now.
Regarding soft-tops - if you want to buy Australian made deal with Austops on the Sunny Coast direct or if you aren't feeling patriotic, low range offroad in the USA.
Bugger, bit too late. I bought a top off ebay just to get us on the road faster, I'm planning a trip up to rainbow over Christmas just as a test run and wanted to get it all sorted.
drdave wrote:
Any info or advice would be appreciated.
Why 30" tyres? It isn't going to tow well without correcting your gearing.
If you are keen on keeping the 30"s then if it is Auto I would look at a diff ratio swap (carby auto vits had 4.6 ratio) to 4.8 or 5.12 preferably. If it is manual then there isn't much you can do to it cheaply to make it nicer to drive.
Its an auto (we bought it for the missus), honestly being our first 4WD I wouldn't have a clue if we even need 30 inch tyres. A ratio swap would be within my mechanical skills (not hard), I will keep an eye out for some 5.12's then, what did they come out in?
Hope that helps.
Reubs.
It certainly does, thankyou very much. Seems I need to do some learning!
