Vitara Suspension ideas

jeremyisme · Post by **jeremyisme** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 3:35 pm

I am following on from my topic of an LSD for a vitara. Someone suggested that the first thing I should look at doing to get better traction in muddy situation (apart from tyres!) is to do the suspension.

So my question is, what would be a suitable upgrade in suspension for a 93 LWB vitara. I had looked at some KYB shocks a while back, for about $150 a pair, but I realise now that they are prolly just the standard length, and I think I should be getting longer ones.

So, if I get shocks first, and get longer ones, it will work alright on the stock springs. Then the next step would be to get some bigger springs?

I guess these would be the first things to do, before going onto doing body lifts etc right?

I still want to be able to throw it around corners etc without worrying too much about stability. So I am not wanting to get too carried away just yet,

lilpigzuk · Post by **lilpigzuk** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 3:57 pm

Dont really have much vitara experience myself, but if the replies are lacking, logon onto outerlimits and look at the "Vitara Bible" Most questions to do with Vitaras are answered here

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... hp?t=48779

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 4:52 pm

I would go with a full old man emu kit from ARB, quoted around $1500 for the Grand Vitara, supposed to be better on and offroad. includes a 35-50mm ligt as well that shouldn't require cert.

jeremyisme · Post by **jeremyisme** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 2:15 pm

Are coil spacers legal in NZ? I remember reading somewhere that they aren't but can't remember where I read it, or if it was true.

After reading through the different articles in the "Vitara Bible" I am thinking of just doing a 2" or so suspension lift to keep me satisfied for the mean time.

If I get bigger springs, can i run the stock shocks until I buy some longer ones? There shouldn't be any probs right? Apart from missing out on some travel.

Also, I read that on the front of the vits we can just turn the shock mounts over the other way to get a bit more travel out of the shock, again, is this legal? Or more of a what-the-inspector-doesn't-know-won't-hurt-him?

Thanks

doddzee · Post by **doddzee** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 2:22 pm

Do a search on outerlimits4x4 i read somewhere there that factory nissan 200sx/silvia S13 rear coils fit in the rear of a vitara and lift it about 2" and some sort of Mercedes (might be a 190E) factory springs fit the front and give about 2" lift aswell.

Might be a cheap option if they fit.

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... hp?t=54646

jeremyisme · Post by **jeremyisme** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 2:25 pm

Yeah, it was the nissan 180 rear coils that fit in. Nothing on trademe at the moment though.

jeremyisme · Post by **jeremyisme** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 3:22 pm

So any word on if coil spacers are legal in NZ?

Thanks

mroffroader · Post by **mroffroader** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 3:28 pm

Yes and no...if there seated properly etc. then yes as some vehicles come out standard with them...but if you have ridicoulsy large unsafe ones no... just wait it up for awhile...on trademe i found some 1 1/2" lift coils for my SWB vitara for $160 second hand and they clear my 30" muddies fine...keep an eye out usually a cheap option will show up

.....just as an example i got those springs in and the front shocks are fine as they have quite abit of play in them and the back i got some second hand toyota DX corolla shocks in reasonable condition off trademe for $30 so all up and have spent a tiny fraction of the price of that OME one :roll:

turoa · Post by **turoa** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 5:45 pm

If you can, find some old commodore shocks. I measured up a set from my commonwhore and they had 13" of travel :shock:

. And they're cheap as chips if you buy them new as well

jeremyisme · Post by **jeremyisme** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 9:34 am

With regards to the 180sx coils, does anyone know the exact model car they came from?
Someone is trying to find them for me, but wreckers keep insisting on knowing the engine type etc so they can look them up.

Thanks

mroffroader · Post by **mroffroader** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 10:54 am

im pretty sure another name for a 180sx is a nissan sivlia s13...maybe look that up

jeremyisme · Post by **jeremyisme** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 10:26 am

Does anyone know where I can get longer shocks for the vitara? I have found a few places, but they all seem to have just the standard shock length.

Thanks

doddzee · Post by **doddzee** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 11:20 am

VT commodore shocks??? Heard it somewhere, check on outerlimits

mroffroader · Post by **mroffroader** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 11:45 am

jeremyisme wrote:Does anyone know where I can get longer shocks for the vitara? I have found a few places, but they all seem to have just the standard shock length.

Thanks

I have toyota DX corolla ones in mine (rear, standard front) only because i heard that commadore shocks are a bit to hard as a commadore is alot heavier that a zook

turoa · Post by **turoa** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 11:52 am

jeremyisme wrote:Does anyone know where I can get longer shocks for the vitara? I have found a few places, but they all seem to have just the standard shock length.

Thanks

As I stated earlier in the thread; commodore shocks. I have heard that the older commodore shocks fit, and the VN ones do definitely, and I assume they would've used the same style ones up until recently.

I have a VK commodore and they had 13" of travel. Really soft too

jeremyisme · Post by **jeremyisme** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 1:32 pm

oh, haha, i had been reading those earlier posts as being springs. my fault.

So you lot would recommend jsut getting some commodore shocks rather than buying specific aftermarket shocks for the vit?

Just found these.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Car-parts-accessories/Holden/Exterior/auction-73029029.htm

So what would make these fit/not fit? Just the bits that connect to the top and bottom?

mroffroader · Post by **mroffroader** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 5:06 pm

mate do what i did...take out your oringinal shocks and measure them then add the amount of lift you have given them plus a little extra and go on trademe and look around and ask questions on auctions and say can you measure them try and get them from a lighter car like a light lottle jappa i have dx corolla ones DONT BUY COMMODORE SHOCKS because they will be a bit hard as the commodore is a lot heavier than i zook or if you dont give a shit listen to some one like turoa who knows nothing about zooks and sacrafice comfort for no reason :roll:

these are what i bought they are are in good order and didnt cost very much

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... d=68996608 good luck

turoa · Post by **turoa** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 5:56 pm

mroffroader wrote:mate do what i did...take out your oringinal shocks and measure them then add the amount of lift you have given them plus a little extra and go on trademe and look around and ask questions on auctions and say can you measure them try and get them from a lighter car like a light lottle jappa i have dx corolla ones DONT BUY COMMODORE SHOCKS because they will be a bit hard as the commodore is a lot heavier than i zook or if you dont give a shit listen to some one like turoa who knows nothing about zooks and sacrafice comfort for no reason these are what i bought they are are in good order and didnt cost very much http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... d=68996608 good luck

READ OUTERLIMITS FAQ

noob :lol:

And commodores aren't that heavy :wink:

mroffroader · Post by **mroffroader** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 5:58 pm

bro i have and they said commawhore c\shox are a bit hard where mine are like standard (soft) but longer :roll:

jeremyisme · Post by **jeremyisme** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:49 am

Thanks for that. Makes more sense now.

mroffroader · Post by **mroffroader** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 11:12 am

thats alright :wink:

jeremyisme · Post by **jeremyisme** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:11 am

Ok, I have found a bunch of shocks that are longer, but then compressed length is also longer than the Vitara. I don't have longer springs yet, but my current shocks are stuffed and need replaced.

So my question is, if I put in the longer shocks, will I create problems having the compressed lengths being longer? Will it start bottoming out on the shock? They are about 60mm longer when compressed.

Or should I just keep looking?

doddzee · Post by **doddzee** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:17 am

Take your springs out and drop it on the bump stops, measure between the shock mounts and this will be your maximum compressed length. If the length between mounts is larger than the conpressed length of the shock then you will be ok. (you may want to have the shock compressed length a bit shorter that the distance between shock mounts to allow for bump stop compression).

spanky · Post by **spanky** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 10:34 pm

i have just tonight put bmw 318 rear shocks ,ithink e30 late 80s model and they fit perfect

they allow enough droop for the springs to get loose but not fall out , much better than unknown ones had before that were too long, and the beemer ones are nice and soft. off to wreckers on sat with verniers and tape to find some springs ,will post what i find later, one thing had to do was extend diff breather hose to allow for the travel.

mroffroader · Post by **mroffroader** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 3:23 pm

spanky wrote:i have just tonight put bmw 318 rear shocks ,ithink e30 late 80s model and they fit perfect they allow enough droop for the springs to get loose but not fall out , much better than unknown ones had before that were too long, and the beemer ones are nice and soft. off to wreckers on sat with verniers and tape to find some springs ,will post what i find later, one thing had to do was extend diff breather hose to allow for the travel.

yep thats what i was going to do....lucky i found my lift springs on trademe...saved me the hassle

jeremyisme · Post by **jeremyisme** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 9:34 am

Right, I got a hold of some S13 springs, and put them. But I only got 20mm of lift!!! (I still had the original shocks in them, but I am sure they weren't extended fully.
I loaded the back up with some weights, to calc the springs rates, which I post up here soon.

But it seems the S13's didn't give the lift that everyone reckoned they would. Any ideas?

icekayak · Post by **icekayak** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:57 am

Were they stock or lowered/cut?
Try pulling them out and measuring the free length of the spring.
They should be about 355mm from memory and stock vitara is about 310 i think. The lift only applies to the rear, they won't work in thr front.

Also when pulling the springs back out undo the shocks first and try extending them by hand to see if that is what is holding you back.

Cheers

jeremyisme · Post by **jeremyisme** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:53 am

Hi, they were definately longer than the stock Vit's ones. But I think the spring rates are different. So they kinda of sag down a bit, so you don't get the full 45mm lift (i.e. you don't get the unloaded difference)
The springs didnt look cut or anything.