Offroad-Express

Hi All

I have recently purchased a 1999 grand Vitara SWB (2.0l). I would like to put some MTs on it however there are not a lot of options available in Std tyre size (215/65/16) or "slightly" bigger. From the limited research I have done I have heard of people fitting 225/75/16 tyres but they do rub a bit. Other possible options with out spending big bucks?

1) Fit 15" rims with higher profile tyre. Unsure if they would clear Fr calipers?
2) suspension lift. I see various options 30-50mm available x Aus. These include coil spacers and shock extentions (are these legal in NZ?) or new shocks/springs. I was also wondering how this effects front camber and are camber bolts required?

Being new to this and although mechanically minded it is all abit confusing, If any one can offer some practical advice it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks In advance

15" rims unfortunately do not clear the stock calipers, changed my front wheel hubs to be able to fit the 15" wheels, details here:

http://www.andante.co.nz/blog/?cat=4

It's possible to get some 30mm lift springs from most auto suspension shops, but depending on the offset you end up going with on the rims, 30mm is not always enough to prevent rubbing. I did a 30mm suspension lift and 50mm body lift on mine to prevent rubbing with 30x9.5 tyres.

Yup, lifting the front requires camber correcting bolts, got mine off trademe ages ago, not sure if they are still on there, were noltec brand, but I'm sure you can get them from most suspension shops too. Probably around the $50 mark.

watch out for your front diff, its weak, friend of mine did 3 in a year

kernels wrote:15" rims unfortunately do not clear the stock calipers, changed my front wheel hubs to be able to fit the 15" wheels, details here:

http://www.andante.co.nz/blog/?cat=4

It's possible to get some 30mm lift springs from most auto suspension shops, but depending on the offset you end up going with on the rims, 30mm is not always enough to prevent rubbing. I did a 30mm suspension lift and 50mm body lift on mine to prevent rubbing with 30x9.5 tyres.

Yup, lifting the front requires camber correcting bolts, got mine off trademe ages ago, not sure if they are still on there, were noltec brand, but I'm sure you can get them from most suspension shops too. Probably around the $50 mark.

Cheers for that...mine is a Grand Vitara and believe that the components are different?

coxsy wrote:watch out for your front diff, its weak, friend of mine did 3 in a year

Yes I heard that they have their problems...Are these diffs generally weak our just the alloy housings if they take a knock?....A bash guard is on the to do list.

Many thanks

alloy house breaks, if given a hard time

What everyone says about the front end is correct, everything breaks on them. Diff heads, housings and cv's.

I have an earlier model and have managed to fit 245/75/16 on the standard rims. The only advantage with the standard rims is that you can get away from doing a body lift to clear tyres. I did have to space both front and rear bumpstops 5mm and do plenty of hammer work to minimise rubbing but the extra tyre size was worth it to me. 225/75/16 would be a lot easier and less damaging to the body and tyres to fit.

Spring lift, front sway bar removal, front strut spacers, longer rear shocks and hiem joint spacer also help with offroad preformance.

also pm waypa on here he hd one for a fair while

Vitara2l wrote:

kernels wrote:15" rims unfortunately do not clear the stock calipers, changed my front wheel hubs to be able to fit the 15" wheels, details here:

http://www.andante.co.nz/blog/?cat=4

It's possible to get some 30mm lift springs from most auto suspension shops, but depending on the offset you end up going with on the rims, 30mm is not always enough to prevent rubbing. I did a 30mm suspension lift and 50mm body lift on mine to prevent rubbing with 30x9.5 tyres.

Yup, lifting the front requires camber correcting bolts, got mine off trademe ages ago, not sure if they are still on there, were noltec brand, but I'm sure you can get them from most suspension shops too. Probably around the $50 mark.

Cheers for that...mine is a Grand Vitara and believe that the components are different?

I'm not sure if they changed much of the chassis and suspension when they went to the first generation of grand vitara, maybe someone else on here can confirm ? Too bad you don't live closer otherwise you could pop round and check fitment of the 15" wheels and compare the rest of the bits.

O yeah, forgot to mention, if you do a suspension lift, you also need a spacer equal to your lift for the A-arm on the rear diff.

Thanks guys...Seems as though 15" wont fit without modifications. Am still researching options to fit 205r16 kl78s on std rims. thinking that 30-40mm suspension lift will do it. Will post options once researched a little more and seek further advice before purchasing. Any other advice offered greatly appreciated. Cheers

UPDATE

15" steel rims do fit. Have just done trial fit and all ok.I am going with these and 215 75 15 Hankook RT03 which should fit nicely (only 20mm diameter enlargement so no cert required) Will do a 30-40 mm suspension lift when parts arrive which will hopefully be enough increase in clearance for what i am doing for now.

After tyres/rims next job is fabricating some bash plates and am looking out for steel front diff (Hard to find and $$$$$$) incase required.

Also just fitted some extractors as the original manifold was cracked which is apparently common with J20 engines.
Will post some pics when done

Cheers







Will post pics when done.