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Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
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Author:  Philbilly [ Wed Jun 15, 2011 3:12 am ]
Post subject:  Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
G'day all.

The other week I picked up this 93 JLX Vitara nice and cheap. It's un-regoed so that's the first (and boring) priority.

Now the fun parts. Next on the list is will be fitting a one of these 2' body lift kits from this site. :)

Followed by putting on a set of these Maxxis Bighorns in 235/75/15. :D

Now the questions- With the two inch lift kit pictured, will that will give me decent amount of room for the Maxxis tyres?

I'm not planning on doing any full-on offroad stuff, just trails, beach and poke around properties I hunt on. Will these two simple mods get me out of trouble for the trails, beach and paddock cruising?

Cheers,

Phil
Author:  samb0rg [ Wed Jun 15, 2011 4:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
You'd be able to run those 235/75 without the body lift if you are keeping standard offset rims. But a bodylift can't hurt in case you want to move to 30" tyres later on or have non-standard rims :)
Author:  alexvitara [ Wed Jun 15, 2011 4:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
a suspension lift would be ideal over a BL(body lift) but they are more expensive. if you can afford a spring lift i would recommend that be your first mod, followed by tires and then BL later on if you want to fit bigger tires (but then you get issues with gearing)
Author:  MacDaddy [ Wed Jun 15, 2011 5:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
alexvitara wrote:
a suspension lift would be ideal over a BL(body lift) but they are more expensive. if you can afford a spring lift i would recommend that be your first mod, followed by tires and then BL later on if you want to fit bigger tires (but then you get issues with gearing)


X 2
I would go Suspension lift, over a body lift, anyday !
A better suspension changes how the Zook handles Alot, its like a different car afterwards, and gives you better ground clearance, which a body lift wont do !
You can get a suspension lift kit for a round $800, but cheaper if you buy the springs and shocks separate, but i find the kits are good value... :wink: :D
Author:  TheRealCJ [ Wed Jun 15, 2011 9:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
Yup, I'm running 235/75 Federal Couragias with a 2 inch spring lift.

As long as your rims aren't too large an offset, you should be fine.
Author:  Brett [ Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
get some budget spring spacers from low range and some vr commodore wagon rear shocks for the rear and your set for suspension. bump stop ext/ hagan mod or guard chopping is the next step but thats for 31's and bigger
Author:  stocker [ Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
Philbilly wrote:
G'day all.

Now the questions- With the two inch lift kit pictured, will that will give me decent amount of room for the Maxxis tyres?

To Answer your First Question Phil, Yes, that will sought out the clearance for your tyres :)


I'm not planning on doing any full-on offroad stuff, just trails, beach and poke around properties I hunt on. Will these two simple mods get me out of trouble for the trails, beach and paddock cruising?

A 2" Suspension Lift Will go along way, not only for offroad capability, but for Comfort whilst cruising also, My LWB Was rough as guts travelling until i got a decent Kit under it.

A bit of protection helps too. the Fuel Tank is easily damaged, and also A Bull bar would help too esp if your travelling where there are roo's (so thats basically everywhere) and other such stupid creatures

Author:  MacDaddy [ Wed Jun 15, 2011 1:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
Brett wrote:
get some budget spring spacers from low range and some vr commodore wagon rear shocks for the rear and your set for suspension. bump stop ext/ hagan mod or guard chopping is the next step but thats for 31's and bigger


While the spacers will give lift, you are still stuck with the stock spring load rating, action, and stock spring travel, which means less flex and ability... a lifted suspension kit, makes a big difference ! :D
Author:  Philbilly [ Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
Thanks for the tips! :)

Now I'm thinking hold off on the body lift and put the $$ towards a suspension lift kit. I just spotted these on Ebay. They're Ironman kits, but are they any good? With a kit like this I wouldn't need the body lift for tyre clearence etc, right? :? Any feedback would be good. :)

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/IRONMAN-35mm ... 2a11429ffb



Cheers,

Phil
Author:  TheRealCJ [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 12:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
Iron Mans are okay. Pretty good for the price.

If you're on an extreme budget, those ebay kits are fine, but if you have a bit of wiggle room, I'd save a little more and get a different set.

Put it this way: I got a 50mm suspension lift, Dobinson Springs and struts, and Tough Dog rear shocks, for just over a grand.
Author:  alexvitara [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 1:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
Philbilly wrote:
With a kit like this I wouldn't need the body lift for tyre clearence etc, right?


no, 235/75 will fit fine
Author:  Philbilly [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 2:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
Cool, thanks for that. I did read a bit about the Ironman kits, not too flash by the sounds of them. I'll keep saving :wink:

Hey, did you get your Dobinson springs and Tough Dog Rear shocks from the one dealer? If so, from who?

Thanks mate.

Alexvitara, thanks mate, one less thing to buy :wink:

Cheers,

Phil
Author:  TheRealCJ [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 2:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
I don't know whereabouts you are, but I got mine from Tim at www.outdoorauto4x4.com.au

I paid about $1080 fitted, but obviously I didn't have to pay for shipping. Any decent 4x4 workshop should be able to order the springs and shocks in.
Author:  larry [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 3:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
order from america.

http://www.rocky-road.com/kicklift.html

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/index.ph ... -kits.html

im gunna buy the low range one soon, you get the OME suspension for half the price of arb + you get extra stuff like camber bolts, coil spacers and rear control arm spacer. THAT is good value.
Author:  Philbilly [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 3:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
Hey Larry, those low range 2.5" lift kit looks the goods, and a good price too. :)

But with a 2.5" lift, is there any other mods needed to fit it? Or will it go right in and be ready to drive?

Cheers,

Phil
Author:  TheRealCJ [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 3:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
Anything over 2 inches and you start putting too much pressure on your CVs. So unless you're prepared to spend another 3-400 getting diff drop brackets, I wouldn't bother. It you'll find yourself having to replace a CV joint every few months if you push your car hard.
Author:  larry [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 3:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
if your worried about more than 2 inch, then just leave the extra coil spacers out and youv got OME suspension for half the price. ;D

i was planning on installing without the spacers too, as i have to keep my dad happy.. i mean be safe and legal -.- lol
Author:  Philbilly [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 3:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
I see 8) So if I leave the extra coil spacers out from that Low Range kit it's gunna be a 2" lift and no other mods or trashed CV joints? Not keen to get diff drop brackets to safely run that other 12 mm.

Just want the Vit a bit higher for the bigger tyres and more track / beach rut clearence, and be comfy (to some degree) with a safe ride.

Thanks for all ya help, I'm learning heaps :)

Cheers,

Phil
Author:  TheRealCJ [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 4:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
Yeah, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to fit a set of 235/75s with that kit.

If course, if your springs have sagged at all, you'll find yourself a bit higher than 2 inches anyway ;)
Author:  larry [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 4:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
theyre a 1 inch spacer, and the OME stuff is a 40mm lift (pretty sure) so youll get almost 2 inch lift from it without the coil spacers :)

235s fit without lift anyway, but looks and performs better with lift aswell.

i wish i did half the mods i spend time researching:P, lots of good info here
Author:  Poita [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 4:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
Anyone got a postage quote from Low Range on those kits?

I got quoted just under $1000 for an OME kit fitted here in Adelaide. No idea what they would be like compared.
Author:  larry [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 4:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
that sounds like a good price to me, iv heard quotes of 1500 for ome gear.

i have no idea what shipping will be, hopefully not too excessive..
Author:  larry [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 5:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
ok so its like 700 for shipping using the calculator thing :/ :(
Author:  Brett [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 8:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
MacBear wrote:
Brett wrote:
get some budget spring spacers from low range and some vr commodore wagon rear shocks for the rear and your set for suspension. bump stop ext/ hagan mod or guard chopping is the next step but thats for 31's and bigger


While the spacers will give lift, you are still stuck with the stock spring load rating, action, and stock spring travel, which means less flex and ability... a lifted suspension kit, makes a big difference ! :D


the stock spring rating is good if your not carrying huge loads, i dont and my cars a daily so its perfect for me. travel is more in the front because of the spacers in the shocks so more down travel (not good but i haven't broken a cv yet) as for the rear with vr wagon shocks the top of my 31's sit just above the bottom of my sills when flexed up and the rear springs are loose even with the spacers in. flexs pretty good. ill get a pic tomorrow if i get a chance
Author:  Philbilly [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 10:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
Would be good to see a few pics, Brett.

Looked for ya build thread but failed :oops:. You wouldn't have a link to it?

Cheers for ya help.

Phil
Author:  tombutt [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 10:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
mate you will need spacers higher then 30mm if you want to run commo shocks as the springs will fall out and tend to squash all sorts of things

i have dobinson front struts and they seem pretty good and over standard are a big improvement in ride and control you can fit bigger tyres they 235/75 with the right offset and small bump stop spacings or cutting the gaurds

how ever watch the front diff as they like to crack the housing
Author:  SierraDan [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 11:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
Spacers and stock springs are heaps flexy and comfy.
Author:  MacDaddy [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 3:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
Philbilly wrote:
Thanks for the tips! :)

Now I'm thinking hold off on the body lift and put the $$ towards a suspension lift kit. I just spotted these on Ebay. They're Ironman kits, but are they any good? With a kit like this I wouldn't need the body lift for tyre clearence etc, right? :? Any feedback would be good. :)

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/IRONMAN-35mm ... 2a11429ffb

Cheers,

Phil


I Wont say to much, but will say this, i know a fair few here think Ironman is crap... but, a few here have Ironman now, and they seem happy with it... and i have had the Ironman kit in my GV for 9 months now, and i use it offroad a fair bit, and i am Very Happy with it ! :D
There is a 2in kit available as well... :wink:
Author:  Brett [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 7:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
http://www.auszookers.com/index.php?nam ... ic&t=20350
Author:  tombutt [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 9:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Minimal Mods Vitara Off-Road Ability?
TheRealCJ wrote:
Anything over 2 inches and you start putting too much pressure on your CVs. So unless you're prepared to spend another 3-400 getting diff drop brackets, I wouldn't bother. It you'll find yourself having to replace a CV joint every few months if you push your car hard.


Sorry but I have to disagree with you I have 2.5 lifted coils and twin lockers and still havnt broken a cv the angle is not that bad on them and I usually don't drive very nicely And in saying cv's is your worry is dumb the alloy housing will give in before a cv does
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