Hello

BMC · Post by **BMC** » Sat May 08, 2010 8:46 pm

Hello,

I'm new to this forum and thought I may as well say "hello".

I'm new to 4x4's and have recently purchased a 1998 Grand Vitara - it's the newer body shape (1998 - 2002?). 5spd manual,2ltr,white and stock standard besides tints.'

I went over to Red Rocks today for my first off road outing ever and really enjoyed it. I did not go over devils gate as I was not sure if my Grand Vitara would cut it re ground clearance, traction as I have the stock standard tyres and me being a novice!

Please let me know if it's worth a shot next time I'm out there.....

The Grand Vitara is my daily driver so it's a 80/20 rule when it comes to off roading for me. Looking to do a few basic mods to make my ride my enjoyable. i.e A/T Tyres, recovery gear including the hooks and possibly a small lift and snorkel if anyone can confirm if I will require these (lift and/or snorkel).

Not really keen on a lift as I would like to ensure the Grand Vitara maintains driveability and comfort on road.

If anyone can provide some advice on their lift experience and if it's required for a part time "Shiny" it would be much appreciated.

Looking to do a driver traning course if anyone knows of one coming up - I assume these are worth it as I'm alway reading or hearing about people getting stuck in the bush or the Hutt River!

Cheers,

Blair

skid · Post by **skid** » Sat May 08, 2010 8:56 pm

ya best bet is to join up with http://www.ccvc.org.nz/

they are a large club that cater for folks new to wheeling

they regularly have driver training etc etc

you could tag along on our trips, but sometimes theres not much training involved, its just a case of try and keep up

and also without decent tyres ya fairly limited as to locations to go and then we get into the dents and scratches that may occur and then............

oh well ya see where I'm headed

not scaring ya off, just making ya aware as others have arrived on shiny trips only to get a few bush scratches and complain

best bet is to come on a red rocks trip if ya see one organised and take it from, coz theres no damage to be done around there :mrgreen:

coxsy · Post by **coxsy** » Sat May 08, 2010 8:57 pm

lifting alittle bit will not hurt road manners,

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Sat May 08, 2010 9:02 pm

Come along to Rallywoods next weekend and say Hi, Rallywoods tracks arent shiny friendly so park up at the hut and jump in a seat.

check out kiwi4x4.org.nz as well.

Have a chat to robo re tyres and stinky re hooks. I ran Wranglers on mine and were good on the road, found the factory AT2's very skittish in the wet.

nstacey · Post by **nstacey** » Sun May 09, 2010 8:04 am

coxsy wrote:lifting alittle bit will not hurt road manners,

X2. Mine runs an old man emu shock and spring lift. No handling prob
I run 225/75/16 with the above and only have slight rubbing on the right rear. These are about 30" whereas standard are about 27".I run them on lwb rims. Mine has suffered body damage. Currently it doesn't have 4wd. There's some problem with the front diff that I haven't bothered looking at since getting my hilux. If you're careful you should go over devils gate ok

skid · Post by **skid** » Sun May 09, 2010 8:06 am

Devils Gate will be a cinch

seen Ford Territory's around further and a Mercedes AMG500 thingy as well

plus if stock standard 3 door vitaras can get over on weeny tyres then you should be fine

pjb · Post by **pjb** » Wed May 12, 2010 1:34 pm

As for the snorkel, I don't know where the intake is on the suzukis, but expect to get wet carpet before a snorkel is required.
As far as I can see, the main advantage is keeping the engine running if you go swimming deeper than planned, in which case wet carpet is the least of your worries. :wink:

Swamped · Post by **Swamped** » Wed May 12, 2010 1:38 pm

Air intake is pretty low down on normal vitaras and escudos. Like you don't want water over the front tyres low. Don't know if its the same on the grands. Might pay to check it out.

badnuz · Post by **badnuz** » Wed May 12, 2010 1:41 pm

from memory there are no aftermarket snorkels for the grand Vit, you would have to custom make one, so best to do an OME suspension lift and fit bigger AT Tahs so your higher out of the water

nstacey · Post by **nstacey** » Wed May 12, 2010 1:50 pm

badnuz wrote:from memory there are no aftermarket snorkels for the grand Vit, you would have to custom make one, so best to do an OME suspension lift and fit bigger AT Tahs so your higher out of the water

Snorkels are available, I've got an Airflow one on mine. This doesn't fit models with ABS. If you have ABS, the only off shelf option I know of is http://outdoorauto4x4.com/p/602852/gran ... 98-05.html

BMC · Post by **BMC** » Wed May 12, 2010 7:34 pm

Thank you for all the input so far......

My GV does not have ABS - from what I have read this is a good thing when it comes to off-road.

From the advice so far and reading this forum it sounds like I will need some/if not all of the following

* Good set of A/T's - 30's max - I assume these will de-power the mighty 2ltr GV!

* Possible lift kit - say 1" - 2" max - but sounds like the 30's will fit without lift

* Snorkel - in all honesty prob don't need a snorkel as I'm a shiny and that's even pushing it! - but, as I have read it's not worth the risk of getting water in the engine system at all!

* Snatch rope

* Recovery hooks

* Shackles

The other thing I am concerned about is the under body/drivetrain. Does this generally have some kind of protection from factory - remembering I'm a shiny and won't be taking on anything too extreme. I beleive the GV's also may have factory breathers installed - which I supose is a good thing if I do happen to get a wee bit wet....

Slowly learning - I knew nothing about 4x4's 2 weeks ago - so far I have purchased one and have learnt a little - but have a lot more to learn re off road driving and equipment wise yet!

Might try Red Rocks again this weekend on my Street Tyres - but, will be staying well clear of the sand as I only have a spade and man power at present!

pjb · Post by **pjb** » Thu May 13, 2010 3:36 pm

I reckon my spade is the best piece of recovery gear I have!

skid · Post by **skid** » Sun May 16, 2010 8:32 pm

BMC wrote:Might try Red Rocks again this weekend on my Street Tyres - but, will be staying well clear of the sand as I only have a spade and man power at present!

hey dude, was that you in the white GV with roof racks ( I think) about 10am on saturday

stopped and talking to our resident whale (wgtn-newbie) briefly and then we all overtook you 2 mins later

you should of said gidday, you could of driven over Devils Gate then hopped in with me or a number of others to see the rest of the coast

:roll:

BMC · Post by **BMC** » Mon May 17, 2010 7:18 pm

skid wrote:
BMC wrote:Might try Red Rocks again this weekend on my Street Tyres - but, will be staying well clear of the sand as I only have a spade and man power at present!

hey dude, was that you in the white GV with roof racks ( I think) about 10am on saturday

stopped and talking to our resident whale (wgtn-newbie) briefly and then we all overtook you 2 mins later

you should of said gidday, you could of driven over Devils Gate then hopped in with me or a number of others to see the rest of the coast

Dam - that was me Skid in my shiny! - I made it to Devils gate and found I had a nice screw in my tyre - so turned around and went home - would have loved to have seen the coast- never been around before!

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