[disco]

Great thread sco-tie, real interesting read and my apologies I didn't search the forum myself before posting.

Atari - yeah I am leaning towards the 'monsoon' one from super cheap, and good compromise between price, and the fact I'll probably be using it 5-10 times a year, I'm not convinced the $350+$50 from ARB is the way to go.

[disco]

The girl isn't happy with the amount of money I've been spending on the car, I'm sure we've all been there.

The only thing at this stage I would consider optional is the metal under body protection. I was just wondering what people thought of it, had anyone got it done? One of the two plastic bits have already fallen off. Should I get the metal stuff? If not, should I try to reattach the plastic guard?

(The metal one I'm looking at ordering is here:
http://www.suzukiqld.com.au/grand-vitara/accessories )

[atari4x4]

how much do they want for SGP skid plates?

as much as it pains me to suggest it, but have a suss of DOA
http://www.outdoorauto4x4.com/b/30292/1/suzuki-ngv.html

[Sco-tie]

If you call ODA Tim will give you a better deal than online.

[Marko_SJ]

atari4x4 wrote:

how much do they want for SGP skid plates?

as much as it pains me to suggest it, but have a suss of DOA
http://www.outdoorauto4x4.com/b/30292/1/suzuki-ngv.html

DOA suggests that it actually did arrive.

If you do go ODA keep on top of him. My brother's Jimny bar took 6 months or more (pretty sure it was 9 months) to turn up. He had to call up/argue to cancel the express post that old mate said he'd use but didn't.

The mounts were buggered when they arrived. Not sure if that was an X-COX problem or whether Tim should have QC'd his stuff before selling.

[disco]

Cost of Suzuki part from qld is 250 to 280 plus freight and installation. I think I'd prefer them because the part comes from Suzuki.

So I'm assuming people think the underbody protection is necessary?

[Chop]

disco wrote:

Cost of Suzuki part from qld is 250 to 280 plus freight and installation. I think I'd prefer them because the part comes from Suzuki.

So I'm assuming people think the underbody protection is necessary?

Yes but not aluminium tin foil!

[steve125]

Definitely need underbody protection. Engine, gearbox and maybe transfer. You can get a plate to protect the diff but it's tucked up out of the way already. The Suzuki one looks OK (not sure it's made by Suzuki or just has a Suzuki sticker on it). I haven't heard any bad reports about the Outdoor Auto bash plate but I don't like the exposed bolt heads. The Suzuki one has a similar problem. Another option is Ironman 4x4, a guy in the club has one and it's holding up well and extends a fair way back.

[disco]

Do you think the ironman one is better? I might check them out on the weekend

[disco]

Got the SCA pump as planned, just tried it with the bikes and it seemed to work ok. My question is about the pressure gauge, when I used it in my tyres on the GV it read 30, when I drove it to the nearest air station and it read 33. Could a 5 minute drive increase the pressure like that or is the gauge crap?

[atari4x4]

gauge on the pump is a cheap POS & won't be accurate

[disco]

Figured... Gah that's annoying how hard is it to design a proper gauge >:-(

[atari4x4]

what do you expect when you buy cheap shit?

i run one of these & it's super accurate.

[Sco-tie]

Gauge will be fine as long as you use it for all the tyres and are consistent with it.

[disco]

What is everyone's opinion on a fire extinguisher? I noticed the VIC zook club only asks you take one & a snatch strap. I never even thought of it, seems a bit overblown to me. I assume we are taking about a white one, but even so... How man people out there take it with them?

[steve125]

The Vic club requirement is more to do with the age of the cars we run, more likely to have a fuel leak or electrical problem than a NGV, but it's still worthwhile carrying one along with a first aid kit. In your situation, it would probably be used around the camp than on the car itself.

With the bash plates for underneath the car, get the strongest one (3 or 4mm thick) that covers the most area, also consider how easy it is to install/remove, does it bolt straight on or do you need to drill holes.

[christover1]

Had to get my fire extinguisher out, on a road test after fitting a new donk to my Sierra.
I'd left the torch under the bonnet, and in fell onto extractors.
Was a bit scary lifting the bonnet with one hand, fire extinguisher in the other.
I was at the traffic lights, very embarrassing.

Not only a good idea for us ding bats that make mistakes,
it is also good for accidental fires started by hot exhaust in the bush.
And could help someone else.

Like all safety stuff, you hope you don't need it.

PS. Torch still worked, it was still shining, even with a big black hole in the side

[disco]

No worries thanks. I will probably get one.

Underbody - I have ordered the one on the QLD website. Thanks for everyone's help.

[atari4x4]

i carry 2 extinguishers, one within arms reach of the drivers seat & the other in the rear.

[christover1]

atari4x4 wrote:

& the other in the rear.

Is that why you walk funny

[Gwagensteve]

I can assure you it's not overblown to carry a fire extinguisher. Assuming you have a new car so you won't need one is fine, but that doesn't mean you might not need to control a camp fire, a stove that's faulty, or encounter another car that needs your help. It's a nice feeling to have something on hand. Imagine watching someone elses car burn to the ground or a campfire get out of control because you didn't have any way to help. I've (thankfully) never had to use an extunguisher in 20 years of 4WDing, but I still think carrying one is really important.

You might even come across a jeep one day.

Steve.

[disco]

This isn't really a tech question, but thought it fit best in here.

Why does everyone photoshop their number plates out when they post pics?

[Sco-tie]

The threads on here can be used as pretty much a list for any snake in the bush to lodge a defect and run your plates to find your address. More of a security thing.

[disco]

Ah right - what do you mean by 'snake in the bush'? Cop?

[Sco-tie]

Yea Cop, council worker, someone with a grudge against 4wders. All forums would have there own version of a snake in the bush trying to get info to shut them down

[disco]

My car (NGV) with a snorkel and diff breathers will be able to handle 600mm of water right? will the carpets get wet... just asking because the girl will be in the car with me....

[tanshi]

if you dont get stuck, / slow down you shouldnt get wet.

[disco]

Rad to the max! Can't wait for the first proper trip in her!

[Chop]

You going to twin falls? It was 700mm when we went through. Should be fine!

[disco]

Yup! Kakadu.com.au says its at 600mm. Either way I'm pumped