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2007 Vitara LWB 5sp "Trekker" - advice re lift etc
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Author:  henpecked [ Wed May 11, 2016 6:26 pm ]
Post subject:  2007 Vitara LWB 5sp "Trekker" - advice re lift etc
Yes I'm new here, but I'm not too bad with forum etiquette, so I've searched my little typing fingers (2 of them!) to the bone trying to get advice re the JD627 and lift kits etc - but not much has shown up so--

We needed something to tow our tiny Off-road camper trailer (280Kg all up), and to provide room in the back for the dogs. The old brumby would not do it without a Ej engine transplant and even then the dogs still don't get A/C on a hot day :( ( unless I put my partner in the ute tray, and she doesn't like that very much anymore.) 8O

We will go on dirt tracks ( Arkaroola and Flinders Ranges) and associated crossings, but not any serious off-road excursions just yet, certainly not rock-climbing or simpson desert dune acrobatics. So I thought a well powered 6 with a true low range might be best So--

So we bought a 2007 LWB manual black model JB627 - with 155468 Kms on the clock for $8000. Stamp duty $280 , 12 month rego $830
Needed new rear shoes, and front and rear drums and front rotors machined, so put new wheel cylinders in the rear as well - $460
Only had one key so getting 2 more with transponders and remote $ TBA

had not had the 150K service so going to get that last one done and stamped off by Suzuki dealer in Adelaide - just so the service book looks good.

This was a demonstrator and we got it off the first owner - after noting this blurb on some web sites from 2007 - bold is what was in the car now

"The powerful Grand Vitara V6 5 door Trekker is the perfect vehicle for the ultimate adventure holiday and includes front and rear floor mats, bonnet protector, headlamp protectors, front slimline weathershields, a 300Lt luggage pod, fog lamp kit, roof racks, tow bar kit, cargo net and cruise control all priced from only $30,990. "

This site talks about a GPS - but I've never seen one in a 2007 ?

http://www.motoring.com.au/trekker-vitara-back-on-track-3404/

It has a tow bar but not a factory one, and has alloys with good tyres and spare. It also has the factory front nudge bar and an electrical 12v outlet in the back cargo area.

We will go on long trips (think Adelaide to Alice via cooper pedy) . So I thought just an alloy bar, a small lift, some underbody plates , perhaps a snorkel with good filter, upgraded radiator and a cargo barrier for the dogs etc. Got a cargo barrier for $150 but everything else -- ?

I'm actually posting because wide open for advice re all of the above


LIFT KITS
I see Ironman 45mm lifts for $880 https://www.superiorengineering.com.au/4x4-suspension/suspension-lift-kits/ironman-4x4-suspension-kit-45mm-liftperformance-with-gas-shockslwb-23912?filter=170,355
Dobinson 40mm for $1080 https://www.superiorengineering.com.au/4x4-suspension/suspension-lift-kits/dobinson-40mm-lift-kit-suzuki-grand-vitara-2005-on-25005
Monroes for $995 http://www.onlinesuspension.com.au/p-5375-suzuki-grand-vitara-05-on-suspension-lift-kit.aspx
WCS for $908
Anarchy for $990
Old man Emu kit EK2601A1 with 20mm $??
THEN there is my favorite shocks KYB for $800 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/331010842077

but none of these have camber bolts OR body spacers -

I can get camber bolts here from
Ironman $16 http://www.ironman4x4.com/category-products/suspension/camber-correction
or Pedders from Suzistore for $115 https://www.suzistore.com.au/four-wheel-drives/grand-vitara/grand-vitara-jb627/suspension415093129/BOLTS-CAMBER-ADJUSTING-3914-detail.html

Do I need some body lift blocks as well ? If so where can I get some info please ? - When I lifted my brumby and put in longer travel front struts and stiffer/longer front springs, i did away with the strut tower spacer blocks but kept the rest of the body blocks.

would really like some advice and help on the selections.


RADIATOR/COOLING
would really like to upgrade the radiator from stock, but I can find nothing - is this because the stock jap radiator is fine in 48 degrees C ambient outside temp ?


UNDER BODY
Ironman Engine and gearbox $395 https://www.superiorengineering.com.au/4x4-driveline/under-vehicle-protection/suzuki-grand-vitara2005-on-ironman-4x4-engine-bay--transmission-guard-22044?filter=170,355
Guard Kit Engine - $750 https://www.suzistore.com.au/four-wheel-drives/grand-vitara/grand-vitara-jb627/accessories1426604589/GUARD-KIT-LOWER-ENGINE-3641-detail.html

Is there a rear diff protector anywhere ?

SNORKEL
can only find two so far
Cane Toad $150
Safari $500




any and all help / assistance and opinions are more than welcome.
Author:  zooks4life [ Wed May 11, 2016 8:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2007 Vitara LWB 5sp "Trekker" - advice re lift etc
There is really no body lift for these, though there is info of people in greece doing it.... its not needed. Try Fts4x4.com a company in indonesia if u want a rear diff guard., again not really needed. I wouldnt be concerned with a radiator although a auto cooler might be on point. Lift tyres underbody protection will get u anywhere these are capable of going.these are paramount in my opinion
Author:  watermouse [ Wed May 11, 2016 8:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2007 Vitara LWB 5sp "Trekker" - advice re lift etc
Welcome to AZ,

Sorry I can't help with suspension recommendations. You will find the "JB" Grand vitaras are commonly referred here as the New Grand Vitara or NGV. Be careful that you are not looking at products for the SQ Grand Vitara's but it looks like you are onto it.

Body blocks for the NGV is a bum steer. They are monocoque chassis/body so they cannot be lifted this way.

Your radiator will be fine. If it looks ok leave it alone. The 2.7 was a mature engine system by the time they planted them in the JB GVs. It is a good one.

Your car will be awesome in the Flinders without much modification, just get decent AT tyres and you will drive pretty much all of it.

Others may pitch in with their opinions and knowledge for the rest (two terms used here with liberal interchange)
Author:  steve125 [ Thu May 12, 2016 9:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2007 Vitara LWB 5sp "Trekker" - advice re lift etc
The 'factory' tow bar looked exactly like the Hayman Reese bar I had except for the Suzuki sticker. A tow bar is one of the best offroad accessories for a NGV, great rear end protection.

Lift. Don't bother, 30mm is not worth $1,000. 45mm? Ask if that is guaranteed or an approximate.

If you want lift and offroad performance fit some 245/75 16 or 245/70 17 tyres.

What's wrong with the radiator?

Bash plates. YES. Go Ironman.

'Good' airfilters are made from paper not foam. If you fit a snorkel put a Donaldson pre cleaner on it.

Not sure you can get an alloy bar anymore. ARB is the only option I think
Author:  henpecked [ Thu May 12, 2016 9:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2007 Vitara LWB 5sp "Trekker" - advice re lift etc
Thanks to all three of you for taking the time to answer.

Thanks for the info re rear diff guard and bash plates, Fts4x4.com looks good, I'm wondering if the suzistore is re-selling the same kit ?

The cars is still running 16's, and the tyres are all good, also I will want to change the camper trailer to the same rims and tyres , so I'll probably stay with 16" but I will look for AT versions with slightly greater diameter eventually - although that seems to be legislatively more difficult these days.

Nothing wrong with the radiator, I'm just used to having trouble with radiators from japan in the Australian climate on long trips ;(

Filter for snorkel noted.

Transmissions manual so a dedicated cooler not likely at this stage, given I'm told that the factory radiator should be OK

If I find that the shocks and/or springs are gone I'll look at a lift kit then.

May well get the camber bolts anyway if they are only $15

thanks , I can't see any reputation points on this forum , but thanks again.

I'm still open for more advice.
Author:  steve125 [ Fri May 13, 2016 12:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 2007 Vitara LWB 5sp "Trekker" - advice re lift etc
henpecked wrote:
May well get the camber bolts anyway if they are only $15


Lift it first before buying camber bolts. A few NGVs needed them but many, mine included (Ironman lift), didn't require them.

Search for NGV and you'll find answers to most questions. search.php?st=0&sk=t&sd=d&sr=posts&keywords=NGV

And have a read of zooks4life build thread viewtopic.php?f=4&t=33254
Author:  ZUZUKI [ Sun May 15, 2016 12:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 2007 Vitara LWB 5sp "Trekker" - advice re lift etc
The rear bush on the front control arm is in a horizontal plane - more of a car idea than a 4wd idea & will hate a large lift (40+mm is a large lift on this car) - that is why the OME kit is conservative at 20ishmm - won't need camber correction at 20mm & many get away without it at 40mm.
IMO suspension is 'undervalued' by most people, as in $1000 is 'too much to pay', but unlike most other mods, you actually get a benefit from better suspension every time you drive the car. This car especially suffers from half arsed suspension 'kits'. Instead of turning the car into something you will enjoy driving, poorly developed suspension will turn it into a chore.

Bigger lifts don't add to the capability of this car, you just loose down travel & the (typically) stiffer springs mean you also loose up travel unless hitting a dip at high speed.
245/75R16 will fit on the stock wheels you have, with little lift - lots of choice of brands & patterns in A/T & M/T.

Only have experience with Safari Snorkels, but if you've seen the bits you get, especially the complicated moulded rubber intake tube onto the air box, I wouldn't be trusting the quality of anything you could buy for $150.

The plastic under engine splash shield is definitely worth replacing with something more robust - the bottom of the radiator is vulnerable. The exhaust as it goes under the rear suspension is a low point & not practicable to re-route anywhere else, so if you keep hitting the underside of the car, you're driving the wrong line, or the wrong car. Having said that, the type of 4wdriving you say you are planning to do will be fine with this car.

If you are going on long drives (especially at dusk / night), where there are roos, then an alloy bar is better than your factory nudge bar (which is barely adequate / robust enough to mount lights on) but a steel bar is worth it's weight in piece of mind.

Fuel range might be an issue - the 2.7litre H27A is thirsty enough to start with & it gets worse quickly with bigger, chunkier tyres, aerodynamic impediments & weight like a camper, even is it is only 280kg (which seems impossibly light).

I've not seen factory GPS in a NGV of your cars age. Would be horribly out of date, no longer up-datable anyway, so probably best it's not there - use a Hema HN7 or tablet / phone & app.

Have fun, Rgs, Michael
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