[chillipepperz]

Happy New Year to everyone at Auszookers!

I would appreciate some advice and observations from experienced Zookers...I have owned a Ford dual cab and a Patrol in the past and driven a 100 Series down Madigans Line, but have been out of the 4x4 scene for far too long.

Money is tight, so I am now considering purchasing a 98-2000 GV and would like some guidance with the following:

1. Can the GV be set up for remote are travel for 2 people i.e. I would like to re-visit the Simpson Desert (French Line etc)?

2. How does the GV perform on a trip like this fully loaded with 2 adults?

3. What fuel economy can I expect in the desert and on road (open and city)?

4. How does the Ironman suspension rate? It appears much cheaper than the OME.

5. Does the GV have a rear LSD?

6. Does anyone know of a good GV in Adelaide worth buying and what do I need to look out for?

Thanks guys and gals! Your advice is much appreciated and hopefully I can repay the board one day with some advice of my own.

Cheers!

Chilli

[royce]

Hi chilli and welcome to Auszookers

I think a GV will do what you want just nicely, have a look at Bruces and Vitzooks threads in the members section for some ideas.

I would suggest possibly looking at later models as well, the only bugbear with the early ones is the weak alloy front diff, easilly fixed by fitting a steel diff and housing from on 03 on GV but the cost of doing it might make it more worthwile to buy one with it fitted factory

I am pretty sure 15l/100km is about normal heavilly loaded with roof rack and so on, as to suspension, OME has the runs on the board so to speak as a good package for the vitaras and is definately worth the money

[ZX1990]

Hey Chilli

1. Can the GV be set up for remote are travel for 2 people i.e. I would like to re-visit the Simpson Desert (French Line etc)?

Shouldn't be a problem - we just spent 2 weeks in Tassie (drove down from Brisbane) plenty of space for camping gear etc for 2 people, although not quite the same as the simpson.....

2. How does the GV perform on a trip like this fully loaded with 2 adults?

No problems - the manual V6 has enough power to still overtake and cruise comfortably at 110-115 kph. Thats with a roof tent fitted, and taller tyres (225/75-16)

3. What fuel economy can I expect in the desert and on road (open and city)?

This depended on the weather - headwinds killed us totally (tent has massive windage) - fuel consumption jumped to 15 l/100k, averaged around 11.0 l/100k over the 7500km - best was on the great ocean road without the tent, 9.1 l/100k. Around town we are averaging 11.5 l/100k.
Not sure about the desert - but on Moreton/Straddie we average around 16l/100k...thats in low range thru the tracks, and high range on the beach...

4. How does the Ironman suspension rate? It appears much cheaper than the OME.

Not sure - I just have Coil spacers from Bruce adding 30mm in lift, and just added the bigger tyres - 225/75-16's which add an extra 28mm of height as well (almost 60mm in extra sidewall height!)

5. Does the GV have a rear LSD?

Unfortunately No. But air lockers are available.....

6. Does anyone know of a good GV in Adelaide worth buying and what do I need to look out for?

Check out car sales and the usual sites...look out for a good service history, and timing chain rattle on startup from cold...also side seals on the front diff seem to be a weak point (one of mine has just gone)

Hope this helps a bit!

Cheers

James