Offroad-Express

ok i've just joined so i though i'd introduce myself first. i'm just 15 years old but my dad, little brother and i are keen to get into 4wding. me and my dad are into hunting and a 4wd for that would be great to.
so we don't have any car for the offroading yet. but i was hoping for some advice on one that can be used for offroading, hunting, normal driving (going to be my drive around car) and $5000 is the budget for now.
thanks

For 4wding and getting into tight spots Id say get a Suzuki,very good offroad and heaps of aftermarket parts available. For a hunting wagon Id say get a ute, older beam axle hilux could be the go!

Hi Someone, welcome to the group where abouts are you?
Would suggest a suzuki but depends on where you want to take it and how many people you want to have in it at the same time

I'm in the northshore area, couldn't figure out where to add my location.
There would probably be 3 people in the car most of the time, it would be for beginner 4wding so not to extreme places.
I have heard the the axle or something on a Suzuki is weak and break often?
Thanks

someone wrote:I'm in the northshore area, couldn't figure out where to add my location.
There would probably be 3 people in the car most of the time, it would be for beginner 4wding so not to extreme places.
I have heard the the axle or something on a Suzuki is weak and break often?
Thanks

G'day and welcome to ORE
Zook (mainly the IFS Vitara's) only break axles if your front wheels come off the ground and you come down on it at full noise, they are prone to breaking the front diff mounts as they are alloy, to get around this you have two options, either replace the front diff housing with a steel V6 one or adjust your driving style to match the weakness, just back off a little just as the wheels crash down I drive my Zook pretty hard but am mindful of their few weaknesses and so far haven't broken the front *yet*

If you have 3 up Id look at a 5 door Vitara as space is pretty limited in the 3 door model, the 3 dr is better offroad but the 5 dr climbs better, if you go for a vitara one thing you must do is get rid of the factory cast exhaust manifold asap and replace with extractors, as they are very prone to collapsing and blocking the exhaust causing high head temps which leads to cracked heads.

cheers Meece

as meece said. I only have one complaint about my SWB Vitara. Its too short. the LWB Vitara's are much better at climbing. and if you can get one that is already lifted that is a good start too.

Cheers
Lincoln

Zook (mainly the IFS Vitara's) only break axles if your front wheels come off the ground and you come down on it at full noise, they are prone to breaking the front diff mounts as they are alloy, to get around this you have two options, either replace the front diff housing with a steel V6 one or adjust your driving style to match the weakness, just back off a little just as the wheels crash down I drive my Zook pretty hard but am mindful of their few weaknesses and so far haven't broken the front *yet*

This actually applies to most 4wds. Crashing down will destroy all but the strongest diffs either inside or out. when the wheels hit the ground they have the most traction they will ever get due to the weight of the vehicle times the force of gravity and so stuff breaks. I've seen hiluxs destroy diffs doing this even when backed off before landing.

So youll be sweet. 4wding is an average priced sport if you don't drive like barry crump, the faster and harder you go the more expensive it gets.

we are now the proud new owners of a 1995 suzuki escudo nomad, can't figure out if it has diff locks but a lot of the other suzuki models do so i'm guessing it does.
suzy's engine seem's pretty grunty for the little car, can't wait to get it off the road.
i got no idea about extractors and was also wondering what kind of tyres would be good for the suzuki on and off the road that aren't too expensive?should we be looking for second hand tyres?
thanks

someone wrote:we are now the proud new owners of a 1995 suzuki escudo nomad, can't figure out if it has diff locks but a lot of the other suzuki models do so i'm guessing it does.
suzy's engine seem's pretty grunty for the little car, can't wait to get it off the road.
i got no idea about extractors and was also wondering what kind of tyres would be good for the suzuki on and off the road that aren't too expensive?should we be looking for second hand tyres?
thanks

most Nomands are open diff'ed (the Helly Hansen 3dr escudo's came out with rear LSD's from memory) the easiest way (and safest) to test for LSD's id to jack both rear wheels off the ground and spin one of the wheels ... if the wheels turn opposite directions then it's an open diff, if they both turn the same direction then it's LSD'ed or locked.


Ive got 30 inch Hankook RT 01 on mine and they do an excellent job, 31's can be made to fit but your gearing will suffer, as it is the 30's raise the gearing a fair bit.

just be weary of secondhand tires off trademe, sometimes you can get a good deal but most of the time people are trying to sell bald silage tires at new prices.