[aznstyler]

Hey guys. Need some help here, what will I need to run 33" or 35" on a swb 89 vitara? I currently have a 2" lift with 31" but want to run 33 or bigger.

[SierraDan]

IMO:
Diff swap.
Body work.
Better gearing.
Auto.

[Gwagensteve]

aznstyler,

What you will need will depend a lot on what you want to do with the car, where you live, and what expectations you have for the performance of the car when it's finished. Let's be honest here - a Vitara was designed around 26" tyres and as a comfortable, urban 4WD. 33's or 35's are a very big step.

I'm going to assume you want to actually drive off road, and have a reliable car you can enjoy. There's a big difference between "fitting" bigger tyres and "using" bigger tyres.

It's quite possible to run 33's on a Vitara with bumpstop spacing and guard cutting alone, however, a carby vitara will be a complete pig to drive on road with 33's on it - let alone 35's. The gearing is just too badly affected, and you can forget about off road driving altogether you'll murder the clutch and won't ever be able to drive slowly enough to enjoy the added traction/clearance of the bigger tyres.

Things are better with a vitara with more power and an automatic, but it's still going to be pretty bad.

You can fit reduction gears to the transfer case which will gear the car off road quite acceptably, but it's still going to be terrible on road.

The front end is just too too weak. Upgrading to a steel front axle will help, but CV's are going to be very marginal. Full lock and some power and they will fail. It's possible to upgrade to hilux CV's (search here and on Google for the "Hagen widening mod") which will let the fit.

Sure, you could look at dropping $3K+ for a trail tough trail slayer kit, source hilux axles, lockers, 5.29 gears, transfer gears, and then put the whole thing together and try to get it legal, but really, add up the costs of all this work and you'd have to question whether you have the right car for the job if you require 33's or 35's to get the job you need done. GQ patrols are pretty cheap.

Steve.

[SiKiD_01]

stick to 31"s.

I've done 33"s on a swb carby. all the above is true.



you will need to do a lot of cutting. and this is just the rear.






I had 3" suspension, and 3" body lift and a lot of cutting. gearing was all stock with 5.12's.

[PORL]

Wow^^

[droverdave]

If that is 33", i hate to see 35" on a poor little vitara.

I like the green though.

[Jerryx4]

Gwagensteve wrote:

aznstyler,
however, a carby vitara will be a complete pig to drive on road with 33's on it - let alone 35's.

OMFG I don't think a carb vit would move... Mine is a total kent just running 29's (235/75/15 M/T's) and is so friggin slow off the line and needs nuts revved off it to get up steep tracks in 1st low range.

[aznstyler]

Hmmmmm.. Makes me wonder if I should keep the car or get a typical GQ. I got 2" lift ATM and 31" but I want more diff clearance.

[droverdave]

What do you want more diff clearance for? you getting stuck on your diff?

[tanshi]

if you think a GQ would be a better option then a GQ is for you.

[Chester]

I agree with tanshi, its a suzuki its not going to be like a patrol, get the GQ that would probably suit your need's more...

[Gwagensteve]

But get ready for less diff clearance than a vitara on 31's unless you're prepared to spend up on the GQ for gears etc. in general, I think I'd rather drive a sorted, geared vitara on 31's than a patrol on 35's.

Steve

[aznstyler]

Went out first time in the vitara over the week end and got stuck a few times on the diff. So that's why I want to try get more clearance

[atari4x4]

the solution is cheap & simple, learn to drive better lines.

[SiKiD_01]

atari4x4 wrote:

the solution is cheap & simple, learn to drive better lines.

I second that. I ran two of my vitaras on 31s with on issues. Just fit some lockers if you're still getting stuck.

[atari4x4]

SiKiD_01 wrote:

atari4x4 wrote:

the solution is cheap & simple, learn to drive better lines.

I second that. I ran two of my vitaras on 31s with on issues. Just fit some lockers if you're still getting stuck.

same here, i've been on 31's for years & it's a good combo.

[SiKiD_01]

don't waste your money on a pootrol,

just save it and get some zook portals. (whenever they become available)

[jdk81]

Get the diff shaved.
If you can get an inch out of your diff, thats the same diff clearance as 31 to 33s.

[tanshi]

IFS front end is going to be an issue with shaving

[atari4x4]

front diff is pretty well tucked up anyway, a good skid plate will help but it's usually the rear pumpkin that gets hung up for me.

[SierraDan]

Yeah no need to shave an ifs diff
Learn to drive before spending money.

[aznstyler]

SierraDan wrote:

Yeah no need to shave an ifs diff
Learn to drive before spending money.

learn to drive? What If I got the money to spend? Can't I build my rig up?

[aznstyler]

SierraDan wrote:

Yeah no need to shave an ifs diff
Learn to drive before spending money.

Learn to drive? What if I have the money to spend ?

[droverdave]

But wheres the challenge?

Got any pics of how you got stuck last time?

I got stuck with my 27" road tyres in a mud puddle, most fun i had all day!

[aznstyler]

Nah no pic. I take 4x4ing as a hobby and willing to spend money on it. If I see a mud hole, I don't plan on thinking twice wether I'll make it thru I want to take the challenge

[atari4x4]

Do you breath through your mouth?

[Matthew]

aznstyler wrote:

SierraDan wrote:

Yeah no need to shave an ifs diff
Learn to drive before spending money.

Learn to drive? What if I have the money to spend ?

Sounds like you need a patrol.

[Gwagensteve]

aznstyler wrote:

I don't plan on thinking twice wether I'll make it thru I want to take the challenge

Sounds like you need a patrol.

Steve

[Red89]

aznstyler wrote:

Nah no pic. I take 4x4ing as a hobby and willing to spend money on it. If I see a mud hole, I don't plan on thinking twice wether I'll make it thru I want to take the challenge

Nobody said anything about not accepting a challenge they merely suggested not to give up after failing at the first attempt.

[atari4x4]

Post a pic of your current set up, 31's with only 2" lift on a Vitara would be a tight fit unless you hack the shit out of it...