[Matt43]

Hey guys,

Hope i've posted in the right section!

I'm looking at trading a Feroza in for a Grand Vitara '98 (V6 2.0L(?) apparently), going to look at it tomorrow night.

Done a few mods to the feroza, with stock height it has kicked everyones arse in tough situations, never been caught out once in the toughest scenarios... buuuut it has its problems and its costing way to much to keep running and it gut-less, want to settle back and spend money on mods - not repairs haha. I'm looking at the GV as it seems to have a perfect balance of quality and power for my liking.

I'm looking at picking this up with 120,000Kms on it $8,500 - seems good cond. but i have my concerns about its capabilities.

Looking at pictures on these forums, the 3" lift clearance looks less than my feroza had stock (granted, it had larger A/Ts)... which concerns me... what i'm asking is how capable are these things?

I have about $2K for mods after purchase which i'm looking at a lift first off than larger A/T tyres - transferring lights, CB and some access. from the feroza. We generally go on day trips down the coast, finding whatever trail (or making our own) that we can. Is this going to be enough or am i going to be navigating around every situation?

Thanks Guys!

[Built4thrashing]

I upgraded from a sierra to a 99GV The biggest tyre you will fit without chopping guards is a 245/75/16. (30.4in). Early models dont have airbags or ABS so you are able to BL them and suspension kits are out from 1inch to 4inch. 3 inch is about the limit of the front CV"s with diff drop brackets.

Motors have some minor issues but nothing that serious. Timing chain noise and tapit noise are due to poor service history but easily treated.

Even after a big lift they dont look that tall. I think its due to the small wheel arches. Definately a better 4x4 than a Feroza and this is from someone that had a F300 Feroza

[bazook]

ive got the 98 model gv are you sure its a 2.0l v6 because mine is a 2.5 v6 they are a great car they can take a fare bit of abuse as long as you treat the motor right by doing proper servicing like b4t said. if it has starting issues like dosnt until the third turn of the key check the battery and fuel pump

[MacDaddy]

If its the GV model i think he means... it has the Vitara body, like the Estate model, but with the plastic body moldings like the GV, it had the 2.0L V6... it was the first GV... but we will need some pics to confirm exactly...

[vitzookman]

Could be the 2l 4cyl 98 GV, I would not mod it as the engine is to small for it. Only get the 2.5 if you intend to lift it and add big tyres

[fordem]

As far as I'm aware Suzuki never offered the Grand Vitara with a 2.0 V6 - the 2.0 H20A V6 was only offered in the "V6 Vitara" - both were available in most markets in '98, so if it's a 2.0 V6 then it's a Vitara, if it's a 2.0 Grand Vitara then it's not a V6, but an I4

Many people mistakenly call the V6 Vitara a Grand, but it's not - it was a mistake I made until I bought my 2.0 Grand Vitara, and realized that the badging on my sister's car does not mention Grand - just V6.

[Matt43]

Thanks for the insight guys, its definitely the 2.5L GV - took a look at it this afternoon. Auto 2.5L V6 GV.
Rego Expires next month, Seems to be leaking a tiny bit of oil from which i think could be the rocker cover. Oil seems newish, Auto Trans oil could be better, low/high ranges work fine. Tyres probably 40% left - Bit of paint damage of what looks like a scrape next to the front left light. No ABS either.

Other than that, its very tidy has most of its service history (missing 40-80 thou service details).
They want 5,300 with a trade of the ferozaof 4k (9,300$ total) - didn't expect much more from the feroza.

[Built4thrashing]

Rocker cover oil weep is normal. Sounds like a good deal. Especially if they give ya $4k for the feroza.

[MacDaddy]

Matt43 wrote:

Thanks for the insight guys, its definitely the 2.5L GV - took a look at it this afternoon. Auto 2.5L V6 GV.
Rego Expires next month, Seems to be leaking a tiny bit of oil from which i think could be the rocker cover. Oil seems newish, Auto Trans oil could be better, low/high ranges work fine. Tyres probably 40% left - Bit of paint damage of what looks like a scrape next to the front left light. No ABS either.

Other than that, its very tidy has most of its service history (missing 40-80 thou service details).
They want 5,300 with a trade of the ferozaof 4k (9,300$ total) - didn't expect much more from the feroza.

Hmmm... $9300... to me thats a grand to much for a 98 GV... a 2004 will be around $12,000... but if your gettin it for $5300... then cool...

Did you happen to hear the engine from a cold start, or was it warm when you checked it out... would be good to know if it had any timing chain rattle, and for how long it rattles..... the pre 01 GV did have a couple of minor problems, but nothing to worry about...

First thing i did when i got mine, was get a major service done, changed every oil and fluid in it... gearbox, transfer, and one diff, had oil that was definitely in need of a change... and all the running gear checked over, bearings, uni's, etc... oh, and one filter that get overlooked alot, is the fuel filter, get that changed... i would recommend using a 10W40 Semisynth motor oil, as i just switched to it, and the engine definitely runs quieter with it, i went from maybe a 2sec timing chain rattle, at cold start, to none.....

Ok i think i have gone on enough now... welcome to the world of Zooks !

[shabz]

Sounds pretty good to me!

As for capability....look around on the forum, theres a few of us with GVs....and you can get an idea of what kind of mods can be done and what they're capable of.

Check for timing chain rattle like MacBear said, good oil and regular servicing and it shouldn't be a problem.

Also my rocker cover weeps a tiny bit of oil too. Never been concerned about it though.

[Matt43]

Purchased the car about 2 weeks ago, no regrets so far. no issues except the damn seatbelt not retracting :p

Thanks for your input guys. Loving the car so far, but finding it hard to find a good lift kit.

[Built4thrashing]

i'd suggest the 40mm dobinsons lift. 40mm coils and longer struts and shocks. These guys are cheap. http://www.extremelimitsoffroad.com.au/index.htm but id shop around for the rear shocks.

[MacDaddy]

Matt43 wrote:

Purchased the car about 2 weeks ago, no regrets so far. no issues except the damn seatbelt not retracting :p

Thanks for your input guys. Loving the car so far, but finding it hard to find a good lift kit.

Wheres the Pics ?

Yep my seatbelt does the same thing, apparently all it needs is to give the mechanism a good clean... but i have got used to it now... he he...

[MacDaddy]

Built4thrashing wrote:

i'd suggest the 40mm dobinsons lift. 40mm coils and longer struts and shocks. These guys are cheap. http://www.extremelimitsoffroad.com.au/index.htm but id shop around for the rear shocks.

X 2
Dobinson kit is Good... its around the $1000 price mark...

I could mention another brand that i have on mine, but... ( looks around for for Atari ), most have a bad opinion of it, even though they have never tried it... i have given my suspension kit shit, and it still comes up smiling...

[Matt43]

MacBear wrote:

Wheres the Pics ?

I'll throw some up as soon as i get the near gear on it - ive only moved the lights over so far, pretty slack i admit

Built4thrashing wrote:

i'd suggest the 40mm dobinsons lift. 40mm coils and longer struts and shocks. These guys are cheap. www.extremelimitsoffro.../index.htm but id shop around for the rear shocks.

The choice pretty much came down to a 30mm Dobinson or 30mm Lovells - but can only get lovells in 3-4 months! I was hoping for more than 30mm, but i can't find anyone in the illawarra that can get this... I'll take a look at that site tonight.
EDIT: 35mm sorry. no mention of 40mm though (not much difference)

MacBear wrote:

apparently all it needs is to give the mechanism a good clean..

hahaha good to know - thanks, it literally barely retracts at all with my seating position

[shabz]

My 35mm kit lifted the front 45mm and the rear 65mm!

Gotta remember that theres a good chance that the suspension currently in there has sagged a little

[Matt43]

cheers - that gives me more confidence haha.
I keep looking at the car wondering how the hell i could get it over anything without bottoming out. mate bought a 98 pajero IO and it has pretty much the same clearence and bottomed out in the simplest of areas.

Think i'll order in the kit this week,

Can you tell me what steering dampers do and if it is worth adding? or are they standard in the kits? From quick research it looks like it gives a little tighter control over the steering from steering away

[fordem]

Steering dampers on a GV ??

[MacDaddy]

shabz wrote:

My 35mm kit lifted the front 45mm and the rear 65mm!

Gotta remember that theres a good chance that the suspension currently in there has sagged a little

My 35mm kit, gave me 30mm front, and 55mm rear empty, with tools, i still get 40mm... i have just seen on ebay, that the brand of suspension i have ( Ironman ), are now making a 2in/50mm spring, they are rated to 200kg, so could be quite stiff, but i will call into their new Perth store and have a chat to them about that, as $165 for a pair of 2in springs, is pretty tempting...

[Matt43]

fordem wrote:

Steering dampers on a GV ??

Apparently, I saw these on the link posted earlier - unless i read it wrong.

MacBear wrote:

they are rated to 200kg, so could be quite stiff

I generally don't have much in the car, fortunately my GF packs lighter than me on camping trips.. i think i'll stick with dobinsons for now - stiff suspension scares me after owning the feroza hahaha

[fordem]

I looked at the link and the only Suzuki that I found steering dampers for was the Sierra - I don't think I've seen steering dampers offered for anything other than live axle vehicles (the GV is independent front suspension).

Anyway - what a steering damper does is prevent or reduce violent & erratic movement of the steering linkages that can lead to loss of control - the main causes seem to be worn components (king pin bearings for example), or incorrect suspension geometry (castor) - and these are less of a problem with the independent suspension on the GV - I'm not going to say it's unnecessary, but rather I've never seen it offered.

[steak_knife]

Matt43 wrote:

fordem wrote:

Steering dampers on a GV ??

Apparently, I saw these on the link posted earlier - unless i read it wrong.

Gv's are rack & pinion.... NO dampner

Gv's are SQ on.....

[Matt43]

New Tyres will be fitted tomorrow guys, going blue Mountains over the weekend so i'll send some pics your way! Had the rear main seal go on my the first time i took it off-road, kickback also needed replacing but its running amazingly now.

[PaulSGV]

Hi Matt
I'm looking into getting new tyres & I'm just wondering what size tyres are you putting on your G.V? Thanks.

[Matt43]

Nothing too special unfortunately, sitting here while there fitting the 235/75/16s on. Bridgestone duelers, seem to look like a capable a/t. They can't fit anything bigger on without a body lift, too much rubbing apparently.

Had to order from qld, thus didn't have them before going away.

[nobes]

Regarding your seatbelt.
It quite annoyed me also so I took them out and extended the belt all the way out and clamped it like that, then soaked them in clothes washing powder in a bucket with hot water, stirring them for a while, then cleaned out with cold water. Wipe dry and let sit overnight then spray both sides liberally with silicone spray, then wipe off with a microfiber cloth after half hour. Also make sure there is no crud where it runs through at the top. Get a nail brush onto that part when your cleaning it too.
My spring was fine so I knew I needed to clean the belt and where it runs through.
Feels amazing and soft now and silicone spray won't soil your clothes.

[Sco-tie]

I would say that your GV was over priced..you got a good deal on the trade in coz they knew it was way over priced even with low kms and auto they should be the price you paid without trade in. But it sounds about right from a dealer. The seat belts get heaps of crud where the retract into so keep that clean mud loves getting in there. GVs are not high, thats a fact pretty much what ever you do to it will never bring up the belly like a cruiser or the likes. It's a different driving style due to this and you need to figure out how to make the suspension work to your advantage then you will be able to drive pretty much anything. I would also recommend a snorkel be pretty high on the list to get done early on. Don't do your mods too quickly you will want to suss out what others have done to get it right otherwise you will be swapping things or breaking things faster than you would like.
Here is a great place to see GVs of all kinds of mods and see how everyone likes them and what they use them for. Then from that you can see what applies to you and take that path. Check the front diff on the DS for any oil leaking from the cv input. Give the engine an oil flush it will get heaps of crud out of there. Run a good oil filter or at best the suzuki brand they seem to work best.
Make a build thread with lots of pics and you will get heaps of good advice as you go rather than when you have something go wrong

[atari4x4]

Sco-tie wrote:

Make a build thread with lots of pics and you will get heaps of good advice as you go rather than when you have something go wrong

[Zook_Fan]

Almost 3 year old thread guys, OP hasn't logged on since November 2011

[Sco-tie]

Bahaha I wonder how its going...