Recommended by Kor3y101
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. 2016?
Surprise would explain how I feel. There are some very nice rigs on here much nicer than my garbage and a wealth of information from other members
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?
My name is Dean. I come from Adelaide originally, I moved to Dubai a little over 4 years. Still a small city lad at heart, despite my recent experience to such a fast paced concrete jungle. I was lucky enough to meet my wife here, and plan to move back to Adelaide with her one day. I work as an automotive consultant for TTi Global and also have my own small automotive parts business.
The meaning behind my user name is the car I have owned the longest. It is a widebody 180sx with a sr20ve head conversion. So I see my user name differently to what most do I think. Most people might think I work with animals, but I actually read my name as V – E - T 180
How did you get started in Suzuki's & how many have you owned?
A Toyota Hilux got me into Suzuki’s……
I have owned 4 Suzuki’s:
LWB sierra
SWB Hardtop sierra
SWB Vitara which I still own
And my most recent acquisition a new Jimny.
My first ever 4x4 was a heavily modified solid axle hilux which I bought cheap slightly broken and began fixing it. The build consisted of 35’s, 6 inch lift (2 OME, 2 shackle, 2 body) a holden 308 V8 conversion and a bunch of other stuff that made it look like Marty Mcfly’s truck. I barely got to drive the car as it was always broken, and when I did get to drive it the amount it chewed in petrol was just scary. The car was far more capable than my skill at the time.
I decided I wanted something, cheap, simple, easy to work on and would be fun to learn in and drive hard! So I fixed up the Hilux one last time and sold it to buy the LWB Sierra Ute.
I fell in love with the car and bought another sierra, this time a SWB hardtop. I had to sell both regrettably to move to Dubai. When I got to Dubai I bought a SWB Hyundai Galloper (pajero). I enjoyed this car, but really missed the “lightweight” feel of the Suzuki’s. So bought the last 2 on the list.
How long did it take you to build your zook to what it is today?
My vitara has taken nearly 2 years, I have been extremely motivated and lost motivation many times through-out the build. I am currently back to motivated
The Jimny hasn’t taken much, a bank loan…..I really enjoy wheeling the pants off it as it is. I now believe in wheeling the car to the limit before upgrading or re-engineering it. Often the simplest builds are the most reliable and most enjoyable.
Any changes in store for your Suzuki?
Despite my previous comment yes I have changes planed for both.
Vitara has a lot of little things to fix, once finished I will throw on a set of 32 inch muds (currently on 29’s), a rear diff locker and a set of 4.24 low range only gears. The sr20det takes care of high range and the 4.24 will be used for some more serious wadi’s. I still need more time behind the wheel, but I am hoping I can use hi-range in the dunes most of the time otherwise I will have to re-evaluate the plan for the gears as 4.24 will be too low to gain the momentum needed to climb the big dunes.
With the Jimny I change my mind a lot as it is also our daily. But 215/80R15 Hankook ATM’s are looking favourable right now. I am also considering throwing on a set of used 235/75r15’s and seeing if I can live with the gearing. Other than that more light bars, and a 30-50mm lift with decent shocks.
What has been your best modification?
The sr20det in the vitara
What has been your worst modification?
The sr20det in the vitara
If you could have anybody else's zook, who's would it be and why?
Wow, difficult question.
I think if I was in Adelaide it would be jonno’s underdog
But if I was here in Dubai it would be hard to go past Lgp29’s soft top sierra. It’s just a simple build that would work really well in the terrain over here.
What has been your best 4wding trip?
Another really hard one!
I would say it was my first big offroad trip with my wife, it was a 5-day trip to Muscat.
We went from Dubai to Al-Ain and onto Oman. We then proceeded through Ibri and then deep into the Jebal Shams mountains. From there the mountain tracks through to Muscat. It wasn’t my most “hardcore driving” trip, but one of my favourites. Even though I mapped it out roughly, each day we didn’t know exactly where we would sleep and every morning we had to find a natural fresh water source just to bath. I vividly remember each day planning to pitch the tent before sunset, but not once did we get to pitch the tent with any hint of light. The trip ended with the last night spent in a hotel (best shower ever!) and the next day I woke up at 5am to gas it back to my country of residence for a 9am start at work.
If you could go to any place in the world to wheel, where would that be?
Moab, because Moab.
Who are you closest to in the auszooker's community?
Due to living overseas I do not go wheeling with anyone on here, however there are certain member who’s opinion I respect very much and always have a second read of. Especially when I disagree. Gwagensteve, Alien, Atari, 31zook, tanshi, MrRocky and Monley just to name a few.
I would like to wheel with Atari and Graphic X when I get back to Adelaide
Tell us what the wheeling is like in your area?
Wheeling over here really represents freedom. With a 4x4 you can go anywhere, see anything and the vast majority of this country you need a 4x4 to access. There are no speed limits or rules to govern you. There are a lot of BIG dunes, a lot of smaller but more technical dunes and rock trailed wadi’s, but very little mud. The best dune driving I have ever experienced has been here. Power to weight is a serious factor for most and hence why I bought a Jimmy…..I really enjoy driving the jimny in the terrain here as the low power, light weight, high visibility and easy to tip feeling teaches you to drive better. The low power really makes you think 2 steps ahead in regards to gaining momentum and when to hit the gas, the lightweight also makes you “feel” the dunes better. Some of the bigger dunes it just can’t climb though.
What other toys/hobbies do you put a lot of time into?
I like cars in general, I have put a bit of time into the 180sx. I also like to travel and experience different cultures.
What is it about the auszookers that brings you back for more?
The members, the tech, the builds, the realism.
What about the auszookers forum would you like to see changed?
I would like to see Gwagensteve buy a Jimny……an auto one!
Now for the million dollar question, who do you select to be the next Z.O.O.M. & why?
GraphicX. He has 2 really nice zooks’s 1 old and 1 new. Seems worthy to me.
Love it!!