Grand Vitara 1600

[JimmyConwayNW]

I have acquired a 51 plate Suzuki grand vitara soft top no less. I have had it out this evening and surprisingly it has been very capable off road ,far more than the previous l200 and RAV4 I have had a dabble with.

Contemplating keeping it and making it a bit more off road spec I just wondered if there was much point as in is it robust enough and where to start with off road mods.

It's a 1 owner never off roaded car not a bit of rust on it and underneath is very healthy.

[scrwright]

Had one, with some ATs it was a really good offroader. I only fitted some sill rails and abused it. Some pictures here
http://offroading.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&amp...

Edited by scrwright on Friday 3rd April 12:29

[JimmyConwayNW]

Where do I start with mud tyres ?

Have had it out on a very rutted muddy 4x4 Greenlane track this morning and I thought it would have got completely stuck. This car has amazed me it's very capable.

[Spare tyre]

They are excellent

Find a local club and get involved

I have a standard Jimny with mud tyres and its excellent

[DUMBO100]

I used to work for Suzuki and enjoyed quite a few off-road demo days. The GV, Vitara and Jimny are all surprisingly capable off road. Enjoy

[furrywoolyhatuk]

Something like a insa sahara would be good mud tyre. Might be worth getting a cheap set of steel wheels to use if its your daily.

This thread on difflock is useful:
http://forum.difflock.com/viewtopic.php?p=573860&a...

[JimmyConwayNW]

2" lift kit and some Mud Max black star tyres have been fitted. Amazingly capable off-road on some rough green lane tracks can't wait to go to a pay and play in the next couple of weeks.

[SystemParanoia]

be careful with that alu front diff.

the diesel model has a steel one, worth a swap once you kill the original

[JimmyConwayNW]

Got a bit carried away and ended up going through some deeper water than I thought. Think I've killed the engine.

[SystemParanoia]

i have a spare 1600 8v engine in the garage if you have

but in the mean time just pull the spark plugs and blast it with carb cleaner whilst cranking it over
change the oil and you should be good to go

[JimmyConwayNW]

It's alive and runs. Alternators goosed other than that it's a tough old bird lol.

[JimmyConwayNW]

Clutch has gone. Oh dear. Must have burned it out when trying to get it out of sticky
Situation.

Have also now fitted snorkel and wheel spacers.

[boobles]

I bought one of these 2 weeks ago. Not taken it off road yet. Few marks on bodywork but mechanically it seems fine.
Had new clutch fitted in December along with new roof. The garage also spent £200 getting it through the MOT for me.
Having the centre caps made for me as 2 of them were missing.

Anyone know where I can get a new sticker to replace the transfer box one by the gear stick please?

Edited by boobles on Sunday 10th May 08:24

[boobles]

Emission light came on yesterday but it's still seems fine to drive.

[JimmyConwayNW]

Been permanently on since I have had mine also. Just a lamda code so have left it and spent money on wheel arch extensions.

I will upload some pics of it soon been meaning to do that.

[boobles]

Going to get my mate to plug it in to get code etc.
Not to worried about it though.

[boobles]

Sorry to highjack this thread again but can anyone identify the wheels on my Vitara please?
I think they are Oz wheels but there are no markings. I am trying to source 2 of the center caps but struggling to find any as not knowing for sure what make the wheels are.

[callyman]

Not stamped on inside of rim?

Normally something stamped in there.

[boobles]

callyman said:

Not stamped on inside of rim?

Normally something stamped in there.

Yep they are OZ wheels. Finding the centre caps is proving to be extremely difficult though.