[N.T.]

After careful deliberation I am seriously considering buying a Grand Vitara. This will likely happen pretty quick and I'm not quite up to speed.

The reason behind my decision is mainly because I'm after an auto and the pricing on the used GV's are quite reasonable.

3 quick questions

1. The first thing that came to my attention is the crazy amount of engine choices. My price bracket doesn't allow for the diesel. But out of the

three petrol options of 2.4 4cylinder, 2.5 6cylinder, and the 2.7 6cylinder which is the best for the power to economy ratio or are any of them lemons???

2. Is there any thing nasty I should be aware of or to look for when purchasing a GV around 2002 to 2006 with around 80,000 - 130,000 ks in the auto.

3. Is this rig going to be o.k to lift 2 inches put 31's under and go offroading in. I'm not looking to enter it into the next tough truck comp but will it do some decent low range work with out smashing tie rod ends and cv's ect ect (my driving style won't include hitting ledges at full noise)

Thnx in advance for any info to these 3 questions. I have got some great info so far from doing a few searches and will continue to do so now. Cheers.

[magnat]

Like all 4x4's you need to have them properly inspected.

Most things to look out for are Rust.. This can form on the inner edges of the Barn door at the back and around the door frames.
Also check for signs of cracking around the rear tyre mount. Due to the weight of an All-terrain tyre.. if it has been offroad cracking can occur.
Slide underneath and look for any Large dents in the bottom of the floor panel. Give way it has been given a hard time off road.

Make sure ALL the electricals work properly.. All dials illuminate with the lights.
Find a Grassy area or a Dirt carpark and make sure there are no issues with the transfer case.. It Shouldn't flash the 4x4 light any more then once.. and no clicking or grinding.


31's are not going to fit with 2 inches.. 29's are possible with minor chassis rubbing..
and since it has airbags... that rules out body lift..

[just_cruizin]

The early 2000's vits are only fitted with a shock sensor, no impact sensors. This means you can fit a body lift however best to check with who ever you get to approve it

[klutched]

b4t did 31x10.5 silverstone extremes with 3" lift I think and some grinder action. I've got 3" lift 2" body and 32s on a 2.5L v6 auto. If you want to go that big rubber best to do a 5.12 diff swap as well. My low range is pretty good always get asked if I have crawler gears :S You will probably kill some CVs especially if you put a front locker in.

[N.T.]

klutched wrote:

b4t did 31x10.5 silverstone extremes with 3" lift I think and some grinder action. I've got 3" lift 2" body and 32s on a 2.5L v6 auto. If you want to go that big rubber best to do a 5.12 diff swap as well. My low range is pretty good always get asked if I have crawler gears :S You will probably kill some CVs especially if you put a front locker in.

Mate what year model do you have that allows the body blocks, keen to get the 31's under her

[just_cruizin]

My 2004 I have fitted a body lift to. As I said it's only got a g force shock sensor, no impact sensors so the body lift does not impair the function of the airbag activation.

[Sco-tie]

I wouldn't be putting a BL into any car with air bags, i would much rather have them operate as per the factory than not work if they were needed. If you are going down the 31+ tyre path you will need to be doing some good lift, guard chopping, off set rims, diff drops, 5.12 diff gears, and be kind to your CVs.
As for engine sizes the 2.4 is post 05 with the newer body model not so easily modified. the 2.7 is out of the 7 seater model which will have a longer wheel base and is heavier hence needs the 2.7. The series you are probably after would be the 2.5L V6 98-04 GV you can get 2.0L V4 gvs but they are pretty gutless. Have a read though the GV threads and you will see any problems that people have had with stock components and after market gear and what works with each set up.

[zoukshin]

I guess you are looking at a GV3 (2005+) with that kind of engine options ? (no diesel GVs in this part of the world)
If you need inspiration, check this out: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=33254 - one of the best GV3 builds around. also viewtopic.php?f=4&t=42374

[klutched]

N.T. wrote:

klutched wrote:

b4t did 31x10.5 silverstone extremes with 3" lift I think and some grinder action. I've got 3" lift 2" body and 32s on a 2.5L v6 auto. If you want to go that big rubber best to do a 5.12 diff swap as well. My low range is pretty good always get asked if I have crawler gears :S You will probably kill some CVs especially if you put a front locker in.

Mate what year model do you have that allows the body blocks, keen to get the 31's under her

Can body lift any year, but like just_cruizin said check with someone to make sure it can get approved. I have a 99 model with no abs or airbags which is good because I can body lift no worries and also I don't need a winchbar that is air bag compatible.

This is B4T's GV - viewtopic.php?f=4&t=17450
Running 31x10.5R16 Silverstone mt117 xtremes, 40mm Springs and Spacers I think.



Sitting on 245/75R16 (30s)



This is Ninjamoses' GV - viewtopic.php?f=4&t=27787
Running 245/75R16 A/Ts (30s) on -12 DC's, 2" Body lift and 2.5" Calmini Lift Kit.



When it was sitting on 235/85R16 (32s)


Here's mine - viewtopic.php?f=4&t=32683
Running 235/85R16 Mudhogs (32s) 2" Body lift 3" suspension lift with 1" spacer in the rear



All of these GV's are the 2.5L V6 except ninja he's done the 2.7 conversion

[magnat]

So lucky Klutched ...
Body lift with SRS has to be engineered in NSW and its up to the individual Engineer wether they will approve it or not..

But the general consensus is NO body lift with Airbags in NSW.

[Built4thrashing]

To fit 31's to the GV without a BL is easily possible.


What I did.

Font end.

40mm King springs
20mm coil Spacers
25mm bumpstop spacer
Diff drop brackets
Adjustable camber bolts
Dobinson struts (40mm longer)
Free wheeling hubs


Rear.

40mm Dobinson springs
40mm coil spacers
40mm bumpstop spacer
extended panhard bracket
Pajero rear shocks (quite stiff but I use the GV to tow)
relocated upper brake line
Unbolted hand brake upper retainer brackets



I run 1510 lockrights in both diffs with 4.8 ratios.

To fit the 31's I had to do some creative massaging at the rear of the front guards. Nothing over the top. At the back it was just remove the mud flaps and trim the plastic behind the mudflap.

I find CV's are the weak spot in the driveline but they are quite simple to swap once you know what your doing and are a lot cheaper to fix than a diff, t/case or a gearbox.

The biggest problem I find is tyres scrub on the front cross member to the point it can stop the wheel or tear off the outer tyre lugs. Ive made a slipper bracket to stop that but tyre still rubs.

[klutched]

magnat wrote:

So lucky Klutched ...
Body lift with SRS has to be engineered in NSW and its up to the individual Engineer wether they will approve it or not..

But the general consensus is NO body lift with Airbags in NSW.

Well I don't have airbags so it shouldn't be an issue if I wanted to get mine engineered. I should probably do that soon. Not sure if I need to get a body lift mod plated if I only have 2" or not

[zoukshin]

Built4thrashing wrote:

The biggest problem I find is tyres scrub on the front cross member to the point it can stop the wheel or tear off the outer tyre lugs. Ive made a slipper bracket to stop that but tyre still rubs.

Same with 30's - mine rub a good deal at full lock.short of going the rims-with-more-offset way, not much can be done. Do you have pics of that slipper bracket ? keen to see.

[klutched]

zoukshin wrote:

Built4thrashing wrote:

The biggest problem I find is tyres scrub on the front cross member to the point it can stop the wheel or tear off the outer tyre lugs. Ive made a slipper bracket to stop that but tyre still rubs.

Same with 30's - mine rub a good deal at full lock.short of going the rims-with-more-offset way, not much can be done. Do you have pics of that slipper bracket ? keen to see.

Jeez you get scrubbage on the front crossmember with 245s? When I run my 265s I don't get scrubbing up there only from the rear of the wheel on the chassis.

[droverdave]

Depends on the offset of the wheel too.

[Chop]

klutched wrote:

zoukshin wrote:

Built4thrashing wrote:

The biggest problem I find is tyres scrub on the front cross member to the point it can stop the wheel or tear off the outer tyre lugs. Ive made a slipper bracket to stop that but tyre still rubs.

Same with 30's - mine rub a good deal at full lock.short of going the rims-with-more-offset way, not much can be done. Do you have pics of that slipper bracket ? keen to see.

Jeez you get scrubbage on the front crossmember with 245s? When I run my 265s I don't get scrubbing up there only from the rear of the wheel on the chassis.

I'd say Zookshin is talking about chassis rub not cross member.

[klutched]

Chop wrote:

klutched wrote:

zoukshin wrote:

Built4thrashing wrote:

The biggest problem I find is tyres scrub on the front cross member to the point it can stop the wheel or tear off the outer tyre lugs. Ive made a slipper bracket to stop that but tyre still rubs.

Same with 30's - mine rub a good deal at full lock.short of going the rims-with-more-offset way, not much can be done. Do you have pics of that slipper bracket ? keen to see.

Jeez you get scrubbage on the front crossmember with 245s? When I run my 265s I don't get scrubbing up there only from the rear of the wheel on the chassis.

I'd say Zookshin is talking about chassis rub not cross member.

But B4T was talking about the crossmember

[Built4thrashing]

Front bolt in crossmember.

[Built4thrashing]

Tyres rub on this bolt on crossmember







and on chasis.





so I made these to help tyre lugs slip past the sharp edge without catching.

[zoukshin]

Chop wrote:

I'd say Zookshin is talking about chassis rub not cross member.

And you would be right - sorry, crossmember is still fine.

[zoukshin]

b4t: nice.

By the way. your recovery-point-which-is-not-one looks almost as bas as mine

[Built4thrashing]

yeh that needs fixing. Had a big moment last trip out and nose dived into a wash out and it bent the recovery point down at a 90* angle..

Haven't had time to fit a better option yet.