suzuki vitara hood
Discussion
Well the dimensions are a lot closer than i thought they would be! It might just work whackman.
Here goes as abit of a rough guide:
sj410 hood:
Screen to rear- 65" or 165cm
door to rear- 36" or 91cm
height (tub to roof)- 28" or 71cm
width- 54" or 137cm
Jago hood:
screen to rear- 71" or 180cm
door to rear- 36" or 91cm
height- 28" or 71cm
width- 57" or 145cm
Of course measurements are rounded up/down a bit but like i said a lot closer than i thought! The sj has a bit of rake on the screen and rear of hood which would account for the shorter overall length and it has a more rounded rear tub (sounds like my other half
). Only possible problem i can see at first glance is making it fit the screen width. If that makes sense?
>> Edited by okeydokey on Tuesday 26th April 08:44
Here goes as abit of a rough guide:
sj410 hood:
Screen to rear- 65" or 165cm
door to rear- 36" or 91cm
height (tub to roof)- 28" or 71cm
width- 54" or 137cm
Jago hood:
screen to rear- 71" or 180cm
door to rear- 36" or 91cm
height- 28" or 71cm
width- 57" or 145cm
Of course measurements are rounded up/down a bit but like i said a lot closer than i thought! The sj has a bit of rake on the screen and rear of hood which would account for the shorter overall length and it has a more rounded rear tub (sounds like my other half

>> Edited by okeydokey on Tuesday 26th April 08:44
Never heard of it, but i fitted mine in summer an it has shrunk!
So if it 2" two small would try an stretch it 3" in cold weather (oo'er madam!) even with heater inside.
As for Ian's suggestion can you get mahindra hoods off the shelf? with it been a 'production' car as such they might be more chance.
Anyone tried one?
So if it 2" two small would try an stretch it 3" in cold weather (oo'er madam!) even with heater inside.
As for Ian's suggestion can you get mahindra hoods off the shelf? with it been a 'production' car as such they might be more chance.
Anyone tried one?
Heater technique does work and has to be seen to be believed, we stretched an impossibly small MG tonneau to a perfect fit with aid of a fan heater. Apart from the obvious danger of the whole thing going up in flames it is straightforward.
I guess it is exactly the same idea as the floor covering guys who heat up industrial flooring to allow a perfect tailored fit to be made in upswept corners- if you try it without warming the stuff up it cracks/ snaps as soon as you try and bend it.
Not sure how much things shrink with storage but a few of the hood manufacturers always recommend choosing a "really hot day" before fitting a new hood. if using the fan heater in an enclosed space technique it might be best done when fuel tank is fairly low, (assuming the gauge works of course!!!!)

I guess it is exactly the same idea as the floor covering guys who heat up industrial flooring to allow a perfect tailored fit to be made in upswept corners- if you try it without warming the stuff up it cracks/ snaps as soon as you try and bend it.
Not sure how much things shrink with storage but a few of the hood manufacturers always recommend choosing a "really hot day" before fitting a new hood. if using the fan heater in an enclosed space technique it might be best done when fuel tank is fairly low, (assuming the gauge works of course!!!!)



Have just checked my original Jago build manual and it recommends fitting on a warm day, or in a heated garage; the alternative method is indeed to put a fan heater inside (carefully!) to heat the hood when fitting.
My hood has been stored for several years and is about 1.5" short in places. I'll give the heater method a try when finally fitting the thing.
My hood has been stored for several years and is about 1.5" short in places. I'll give the heater method a try when finally fitting the thing.
I fitted a new Belfield hood in early March.
With the assistance of SwizzSnr, the best solution in the end was to remove the rear hoop - and the hood bar bolted to the centre of the roll bar.
Draping the hood over the vehicle & securing it to the windscreen we placed a fan heater in the vehicle & one in the garage to heat the hood and garage. Every couple of hours enabled another couple of pop studs to be fastened, and eventually the rear hoop refitted.
I refitted the bar to the roll bar a few weeks later after heating the garage again.
Only now after it has stretched can I remove it with a bit of confidence, although its never a quick job to refit.
The benefit of this is that the hood is tight and fairly quiet on the move.
On the subject of fan heaters though - I would certainly keep a regular check on them & turn the one inside the vehicle to its lowest setting, leave the Geeps doors ajar & keep it away from soft trim (placing it flat on top of a large dinner plate might be a good idea!). Even then it is likely to switch itself off occasionally to cool down.
Be patient and don't be too rough with the hood.
If it looks way too small then it might not be suitable at all & not worth the effort.
Is it feasable to bring along with your Geep to any of the shows this year? Or better still, a member local to yourself might be able to pop round and offer advice?
Swizz...
>> Edited by swizz...club sec on Thursday 5th May 13:24
With the assistance of SwizzSnr, the best solution in the end was to remove the rear hoop - and the hood bar bolted to the centre of the roll bar.
Draping the hood over the vehicle & securing it to the windscreen we placed a fan heater in the vehicle & one in the garage to heat the hood and garage. Every couple of hours enabled another couple of pop studs to be fastened, and eventually the rear hoop refitted.
I refitted the bar to the roll bar a few weeks later after heating the garage again.
Only now after it has stretched can I remove it with a bit of confidence, although its never a quick job to refit.
The benefit of this is that the hood is tight and fairly quiet on the move.
On the subject of fan heaters though - I would certainly keep a regular check on them & turn the one inside the vehicle to its lowest setting, leave the Geeps doors ajar & keep it away from soft trim (placing it flat on top of a large dinner plate might be a good idea!). Even then it is likely to switch itself off occasionally to cool down.
Be patient and don't be too rough with the hood.
If it looks way too small then it might not be suitable at all & not worth the effort.
Is it feasable to bring along with your Geep to any of the shows this year? Or better still, a member local to yourself might be able to pop round and offer advice?
Swizz...
>> Edited by swizz...club sec on Thursday 5th May 13:24
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