Offroad-Express

I've decided that my next car is likely to be one of the first generation grand vitaras, probably 2000 to 2004 model.

Has anyone done any mods on one of these ? I assume their chassis is fairly similar to the earlier model V6 TD11W vitaras ?

kernels wrote:I've decided that my next car is likely to be one of the first generation grand vitaras, probably 2000 to 2004 model.

Has anyone done any mods on one of these ? I assume their chassis is fairly similar to the earlier model V6 TD11W vitaras ?

ey there Kernals, just about to do one up myself...have the 1999, 3 door with j20a in it

Hey man, there are some differences from what I've read. The drive train is very similar to the V6 Vitara's but one major difference is the vacuum disconnect free wheeling front diff. I have a spare centre if you can have for free if you want.

Other differences:
Rack and pinion steering
ABS, optioned?
Airbags, optioned?
Rear suspension gets rid of the Hiem Joint and uses a Panhard rod
Wheels get a wider offset
More weight
Front suspension is different

I think generally they're a step up in comfort and it looks like there is more space in them.

Had the 1st gen pug diesel one, petrols still have alloy diffs, on lwb abs sensor is behind the bumper, tjm do/did do a compatible bar for it, aliarc had one but don't sell one due to airbag issues. have got some pics of the front towhook install somewhere if you want. mine ran really well on wrangler at/r's ... found the grantrek at/2's dodgy in the wet

a mate had one, front diff exploding , at odd time vaccum 4x4 not working but he had fun with it, we rebuilt the standard bumper to take a demountable winch

I bought a 2003 for the missus to use. Probably will never go into 4wd
We had an earlier Vit as her car and it stood up to the brats learning to drive in it etc, so figured we would give a newer one a go.
Seems alright, they don't do anything outstandingly good or bad, just seem to be a good honest little wagon. And at the $10k to $16k bracket they are not overly exspensive either. I wouldn't be looking at one for it's offroad ability though as there are far better options in that price bracket.

Awesome, thanks for the info guys. I see there is a 2005 diesel GV on trademe with about 100k on for $16k, really tempting me now.

I find that I'm doing quite high k's at the moment with hunting, but not any real serious offroad stuff. If the suspension is similar to my V6's then it will do anything that I want to do with it.

Did they all come out standard with 16" wheels ? If so my steel wheel and tyres won't fit over the calipers (again), I think this time I may just stick with the standard wheels and get some ATs instead of the MTs

Jerry wrote:....on lwb abs sensor is behind the bumper........

there is a first for everything...

the abs sensors are located in the front hubs and on the back diff housing.
the Diff engagement Pump is located on the backside of the front bumper reinforcer.

The Pug deisel engines, despite going great when they are going do have a few issues. Water runs down thru the bonnet scoop, thru the intercooler and rusts the rear injectors into the head. I have head of a couple of cases of workshops having to get special tools made up to remove the back 2 injectors to be able to then undo the head bolts to get the head off.

strx7 wrote:

Jerry wrote:....on lwb abs sensor is behind the bumper........

The Pug deisel engines, despite going great when they are going do have a few issues. Water runs down thru the bonnet scoop, thru the intercooler and rusts the rear injectors into the head. I have head of a couple of cases of workshops having to get special tools made up to remove the back 2 injectors to be able to then undo the head bolts to get the head off.

Thanks strx7, your input is always appreciated. I will try and look for any indication of issues there. Do you know whether the J20 engines have any common issues. I'm not 100% set on a diesel, if a good petrol one pops up I'd gladly jump at that too.

Did they all come out standard with 16" wheels ? If so my steel wheel and tyres won't fit over the calipers (again), I think this time I may just stick with the standard wheels and get some ATs instead of the MTs

Hi Hein, I have a SWB 1999 J20. Goes well, Apparently common fault is cracked exhaust manifold , Mine was cracked when I purchased it and have since replaced with extractors. I have replaced the std 16" alloys with 15" steel rims to mine which JUST clear the calipers. Have fitted 215/75x15 Hankook Dynapro MTs which seem to work well. Next step is Bash plates as cross members seem to act as grader blades and still considering a small lift. I like mine it drives very well.

EDITED: tyre size

Jerry wrote:Had the 1st gen pug diesel one, petrols still have alloy diffs, on lwb abs sensor is behind the bumper, tjm do/did do a compatible bar for it, aliarc had one but don't sell one due to airbag issues. have got some pics of the front towhook install somewhere if you want. mine ran really well on wrangler at/r's ... found the grantrek at/2's dodgy in the wet

Heya Jerry, Interested in seeing tow hook pics if you have. Havent got around to sorting mine yet.....Cheers

Vitara2l wrote:

Did they all come out standard with 16" wheels ? If so my steel wheel and tyres won't fit over the calipers (again), I think this time I may just stick with the standard wheels and get some ATs instead of the MTs

Hi Hein, I have a SWB 1999 J20. Goes well, Apparently common fault is cracked exhaust manifold , Mine was cracked when I purchased it and have since replaced with extractors. I have replaced the std 16" alloys with 15" steel rims to mine which JUST clear the calipers. Have fitted 215/75x15 Hankook Dynapro MTs which seem to work well. Next step is Bash plates as cross members seem to act as grader blades and still considering a small lift. I like mine it drives very well.

EDITED: tyre size

Cool, thanks for the info mate. I will probably get a LWB one, so might find the front brakes are a little bigger, will have to wait and see.