[zookvitara]

hey guys, i am new to this site and new to 4x4ing. i recently acquired a 97 vitara jlx soft top, pretty much stock except for extractors and 2inch exhaust.
i havnt done much 4x4ig in it but from what i have done i was pretty impressed. i have been browsing the forums here getting ideas for future mods and would like to do a suspension and body lift eventually. so i have a few questions... ive read something like commo and or hilux shocks will do the trick? anyone recommend this? if so what coils are suitable with that setup? and finally lol, how stable are these vitaras when 4x4ing? does it take much to tip them? i was kinda thinking theyd be fairly stable as theres not much weight up top...

cheers.

[Saam]

vits are way more stable than sierras thats for sure, you won't have any issues they are wider than hilux's, well your model is anyways .

Commodore shocks are good for travel because they are cheap and good lengths i dunno what sort of ride people are getting out of them though

[The_GRIZZ]

The stability of a Vitara is damn good you'll get it to some hairy situations and some strange angles in a stock one, and with a suspension lift you'll give Nissan's and Toyota's a run for their money (or just pass them and piss off up the hill and then laugh at them struggling). good luck and have fun mate

[felix]

Vitaras are the shiz. Mine is lifted 3" suspension and 2" body with 32" tyres. They're extremely stable, I have had it almost on its side, almost flipping end to end and its just sat there no problems. I'll have a picture uploaded shortly to demonstrate my point.

If you really want to get serious with it I'd highly recommend the 3" Calmini setup. It replaces everything and is great for the price you pay. Some say the shocks are rubbish and I do agree from the ride quality point of view, but they haven't broken yet so fingers crossed. You can replace them with Commodore shocks which are similar and some OME front struts.

Mine recently went to lithgow for a forum trip and showed up the locked patrols and cruisers. Mine isn't geared or locked, with the standard carby engine! Who said IFS doesn't flex.

[zookvitara]

cheers for the info guys, sounds like she has plenty of potential! and i forgot to ask...how do i adjust the tension on the main engine belt? its the 2.0l J20A engine

[robbo]

on that engine its an automatic tensioner. so if no good ur up for a new belt 5pk 13??. only takes about 5 mins to change over.

[Fluffy]

make with the pics felix..

[RIKSTR]

YEA X2

[Fluffy]

RIKSTR wrote:

YEA X2

wheres yours Rikstr ????