[Mouse]

Hi there
im still looking at getting a xl7 and have notices some model differences, like fuel consumption and power, I have found a 2004 same as this one
http://www.redbook.com.au/cars/research ... x=0&eapi=2
but notice it has a much higher fuel consumption for not much more power compared with this one
http://www.redbook.com.au/cars/research ... x=3&eapi=2

can anyone tell me why? what did they change to get the more power? is it worth it for the extra fuel your using? Is there any other differences or problems im going to run into upgrading suspension bull bars etc?


Thanks
James

[magnat]

2004 is the face-lift model.
They gave the front end a new nose with a new grille and headlights.
I am not 100% confident but I think they made changes to the exhaust and Redesigned the Air filter box in comparison to the 2002 model.



The biggest issue with the 2004 model is getting bar work for it.
The 2002 and early 2003 models had the same front bumper and front headlights as the standard Grand Vitara so Bullbars from these can be grafted to the 2002/ Early 2003 Model XL-7 without too much effort
but the 2004 model had a completely different front end.

I have looked up the Dobinson website and they have nothing listed for the 2004 model so there may have been some suspension changes aswell..

Which is the main reason I went with the 2002 Model instead of the 2004...

[Abraxix]

if you want a bar for the 2004, I’ve found a few places will do them for the same price as a new one for a 2002 model, comes down to what you want it to look like.
I’ve spoken to a few suspension people and they've all said to me it's the same running gear they will sell me a complete kit for $1000 (fitting myself) no issues with doing that,

EFS will sell me a complete kit for $1249
Dobbsons will sell me a kit for $1189
2002 Calmini 2.5" is worth i think it was $1059
2004 Calmini 2.5" is worth $1159

so the kits are actually really reasonably priced in comparison to year models..

can confirm there is more power out of the 2004 (my parents had a 2002 for 11 years before we sold it and now me and my wife have bought the 2004 - it's so much better in so many ways. however when you state fuel economy, the parents 2002 would get around 460k's to a tank our rig so far have only put in two fuel tanks and we've gotten between (on both) - 450k's / 470k's so fuel economy I say is the same lol if not averages out to be similar..

You’ll find that the AusZookers community seems to think the face lifted XL7's are funny looking and don't like them. i like it and i don't regret it lol the bash plate I bought was a complete bolt on from OutDoor Auto 4X4 only the front plate is different you can then fit the rest of a under body kit from 2000+ models! soo that didn't fuss me in the slightest still got protection lol
the power difference I believe comes in terms of and Magnat is correct the exhaust is .25mm larger (from what I read) the 2002 is 2" and the 2004 is 2.25" exhaust..
can both be upgraded to 2.5" easily from everything I’ve read costs the same as it's all the same mounting points and such!!!

so there's some info for you to read through some one can correct me if i am way off however after asking all the questions and doing a ton of reading and wiki'ing and problem searching on many other forums that's what I found oh and also the 2004 engines came out with no problem fault like the 2002 timing chain stuff did

[Abraxix]

^ wow edited for typos

[GeckoXL7]

I thought the 2001 was 2", Aug 2002 to early 2003 was 2.25, and 2003uplift to 2006 model was 2.5inch.
My Power is 135KW, Im pretty sure dare i say it REDBOOK specs are wrong on the XL with lower fuel consumption. 9.6L/100k is highway also the power would be around the 135/136KW

When measured my old exhaust it was 2.25 ordered replacement tail pipes and there two inch. Exhaust does make a big difference on the XL, mine is straight through at moment which has a bit of a improvement still with the 2Inch tail pipe but does feel i can get a lot more, there is still quite a bit of back pressure, once go dual 2inch ill post the differences, engine pipes are 2inch then go down to a 2.25 where it gets quite restricted.

Autos there is the 5speed option. Transfer has gone (push button) and interior has also had a good uplift with a few extras.

2001 to July 2002 had timing chain prob, mine was aug 2002 and is ok.

I wish mine had the 2004 interior. ESP the limited edition.

[magnat]

Fuel tank Bash plate upgrade is Essential so is the transfer case bash plate..
These are the Two area's that get hammered off road..
XL-7 has great power for mud work.. I have a Manual 2002 XL-7 and performance is pretty spirited for a 1.8tonne or so 4x4.
With careful Highway driving the best I have gotten has been 550k's..
The long wheel base is a draw back on the more tricky trails.. so a 50mm lift kit is advised if you intend on going touring..


2002 XL-7's are rated at 130kw depending on where you read and the 0-100kph is supposed to be 10 secs for the Auto 4 speed.
Not sure what the stats are on the manual..


I advise against the ECB bar... purely because you cannot mount a winch to it but for Headlight protection it was the Best I could find at the time..

[Built4thrashing]

The bar on my GV is from a 2001 XL7 and I have a winch in it........

You need to make your own crable for the winch to sit in and then affix the alloy bar to that,

See my build thread for how I did it.

[Sco-tie]

Same I have an alloy tjm with winch plate in it bit of work to fit but worth it

[Abraxix]

*sigh the want for a DMX custom bar / XROX bar...

did you guys fit them your selves? get some one to fit it for you (specifically the bullbars you have) ?

[GeckoXL7]

Xrox bar will be ok.

My bar came fitted was baught with the car from new as a package from Opposite lock with IPF Rally Lights, but easy enough to install by yourself.

I used Galv 6mm steel brackets on a TRex winch mounting plate to position it and bolt it up, there is a bit of playing around to allign it all. Had to cut into the chassy lip and hammer it down and then welded all the brackets in place and have it lots of coats of paint. The 4x4 air acuator sits on the cradle next to the winch.

[magnat]

Has it been tested Gecko ??

[GeckoXL7]

Yes, not to recover my vehical though, have pulled away some quite large trees that collapsed either in camp sites or on the road.

[Mouse]

Thanks for the replies, some interested stuff here!
Has anyone put a calmini 2.5 kit on a 2004 limited Ed? I have emailed calmini with no firm answers yet after I send a pic maybe ill have something more solid.

James

[GeckoXL7]

I only looked into it on my 2002, but postage turned me off it and did my own stuff with a Combination of Giz and originally Dobinsons

The kit for the 2004 is here http://www.calmini.com/detail.php?b=2&m ... &p=1007&n=

But the thing i would confirm is the rear spring size, if the 2004 GV and 2004 XL7 kit is the same?. i have tried putting my XL-7 springs in the rear of a GV and they where larger in diameter., its a pitty they just dont sell the parts individually as the only thing i would get is the Control arms.

One thing that is worth having if raising the XL-7 is a Tail Shaft Center bearing lowering bracket, FTS sells them but cant go direct and have to go through Outdoor Auto. I say this as if go a certain height the center bearing can start clicking.

[murcod]

We've got a 2004 XL-7 Limited 5spd auto (well, technically a "Classic" as it was imported through the QLD dealer network.)

It has the traditional transfer case lever for selecting 2WD - Neutral - 4WD High - 4WD Low -> there's no push button selection on the dash. I think that's only on overseas models?

The fuel economy difference is out there - and worried me before we bought ours. My lead footed wife gets around 14.0l/100km in suburban Adelaide driving, she could do a lot better by changing her driving style!

The 5spd auto is awesome and it really gets going from the lights. IMHO it's worth getting the upgraded model for that feature alone if you must have an auto. It's one of the best auto transmissions I've driven (I normally hate them!)

[xl76]

Hey there
I have a 2004 xl7 with about 211klm wouldn't worry to much about the fuel economy as the 2004 are a little better all round over previous models .
put a set of 225/70/16 tyres a set of 50 mm coil spacers and a set of commodore wagon rear shocks and you will go most places except hard core.

[murcod]

Koni shocks give an awesome improvement to the ride and handling, but I don't think they're any longer in length (so won't suit a lot of people on here who want more wheel travel off road.)

PS: I ran Commodore wagon Monroe gas shocks on the rear of my Feroza many years ago! I found it a bit under damped- but that was with uprated leaf springs. The standard XL-7 rear shocks are useless, even when near new....