Offroad-Express

Woot! Got the LVV Cert for the Vitara yesterday, went to Neil Fraser in Birkdale, awesome guy and very positive experience.

Mods that were certed:

* 30x9.5x15 tyres on 15x8 steel rims -19 offset
* 30mm suspension lift
* 50mm body lift
* 25mm spacer on rear A-arm
* Guard extension rubbers
* Modified brakes were checked with driving brake test

The only things he requested was that I provide him with photos showing that enough of the splines on the steering column remain in contact (because the steering column is stretched with a body lift) and he also recommended that I get some good quality brake pads for the front.

I went round to BNT and picked up a set of their ceramic pads, HUGE improvement in the feel of the brakes, much more progressive.

Cost $480 all up which seems pretty reasonable.

Nice.

What happens if you want to put the standard wheels back on? Do you need another cert or can you get away with going back to factory defaults?

churchill wrote:Nice.

What happens if you want to put the standard wheels back on? Do you need another cert or can you get away with going back to factory defaults?

Interesting question, I would assume that there is nothing wrong with going back to anything factory original, but that would not match what is on your cert plate. Seems unlikely that I would want to go back though.

kernels wrote:Interesting question, I would assume that there is nothing wrong with going back to anything factory original, but that would not match what is on your cert plate. Seems unlikely that I would want to go back though.

I'd say you'd be right for WOF's but could be an out for your insurance company if you have an accident.

my bosses son's car failed a wof due to it having 17" rims and the cert plate said 15". had to re-cert it to get a wof. but it is a hoooonda so maybe they were a bit tougher on it

Bugger, it's the insuance companies that have me worried. They like to use any excuse not to pay out and it seems that different size wheels to the cert plate could be an out especially if the wof station won't pass it. (I have on road and off road wheels)

Can you post some picks of the lifted Vitara? I'm keen to do mine soon.

Just had a talk to Neil Fraser and he said that only the rim size is stated on the cert so as long that remains the same all should be well.

I should have've started a new topic for this, sorry mate!

churchill wrote:Just had a talk to Neil Fraser and he said that only the rim size is stated on the cert so as long that remains the same all should be well.

I should have've started a new topic for this, sorry mate!

No worries, will get some pics up tonight, there are a few pics in the V6 body lift thread below.

churchill wrote:Bugger, it's the insuance companies that have me worried.

Hey mate,

I work for an insurance company and basically say this.

" I have off road tyres and on road tyres the car is certified for the of road tyres as they are a different size (bigger). I will obviously have the road tyres on when Im not off road so want to make sure that it is noted that Im covered for which ever set of tyres I have on my car"

There is a link for the LVV stuff online and it basically says

Its all good aslong as its not sticking outside the guards.
I have also heard that you can go smaller than the certified size with no issues.

just my 2c

Ah yes, if the rolling circumference is over 5% it needs certification. Sounds like I have to discuss this with my Insurers.

It's always good getting opinions from someone in the industry, thanks.

anyone know where i could find dimensions of the diff a-frame spacer, need to make one up! Will aluminium be strong enough for it? also what parts will i need, is it easy enough to do with car on ground? tips would be great

I have some dimensions somewhere at home, found them on one of the other aussy forums. And aluminium is plenty (with a capital P) strong enough. You also need some longer bolts, from memory they are M10 metric fine, best to remove yours then go to the nearest faster supplier and get some that are longer.

Yes, it was trivial to do on the ground, remove old bolts, put in spacer, screw in new bolts. Probably a good idea to put some thread lock on them so they don't tend to come out too. I just used spring washers on mine and no problems so far.