Offroad-Express

Hi all.

Been looking for a Samurai for a while now with no luck as I am looking for a road worthy daily driver to be used off road as well.

So I have decided to most likely go for a SWB Escudo / Vitara. I don't know much about them so have a couple of questions.

First of all it will definately be manual but not sure whether to go for the 1.6 or 2ltr. Would love to know what you guys would recommend.

I plan to get a 2 inch suspension lift and a 2 inch body lift and run 31s. Any problems etc with running this?

It will be my daily but I will also use it offroad hopefully reasonably regularly (nothing too serious tho, just a bit of fun and weekend trips). Are they capable offroad? Does the running gear handle amateur to moderate offroading? Does it also handle the lift?

Thanks for your advice in advance.

Also if anyone has one for sale that would be appreciated. The closer to home the better.

hi im just begining the same journey as well so i can tell you what ive figured out so far id tend to go for a efi 1.6 from what ive read so far seemto be pretty reliable as long as you sort the exhaust out on them not so sure about 2.0l v6 i think it has a different body to the 1.6 and theres a 2.0l 4cyl which id like to know more about any problems or are they thirsty not sure if they share the same shell as the v6 id try doing a susspesion lift first if its a daily driver dont go to radical for a start

yes they are very good off road. The injected suzukis would be best. the 8V has more torque but the 16v has better top end. Stick some extractors on them and that helps them out. The drive train is all good, just watch the front diff casing as they are alloy usually and can crack quite easily. A bash plate helps heaps. Also a bash plate for the tank as they tend to get dented real easy

the 8v does not have nore torque, horsepower produces torque, and the 16v had more horsepower. plus if you get an 8v they are only single point injection from what ive seen

Hi Blake, power = torque x rpm (or there abouts). You can have an engine that creates less torque but more power because it spins faster. It wouldn't surprise me if the 8v engine makes more torque down low but losses out on ultimate power.

Thanks.

What's the reason for the extractors? I have seen quite few with them fitted.

jimmyf8 wrote:Thanks.

What's the reason for the extractors? I have seen quite few with them fitted.

Reason for extractors is the standed manifolds fall apart and block the flow witch cause it to over heat and crack the head etc

I have been building mine up for a few months now
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... 18&t=30946

2inch body and 2inch lift should be fine with 31s may have sight rub, i run 2inch bodylift 3inch lift and 80-100mm guard chop with no rub at all

Also fuel tank lift is a good mod after you have done body lift

Mr Zuk wrote:

jimmyf8 wrote:Thanks.

What's the reason for the extractors? I have seen quite few with them fitted.

Reason for extractors is the standed manifolds fall apart and block the flow witch cause it to over heat and crack the head etc

I have been building mine up for a few months now
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... 18&t=30946

2inch body and 2inch lift should be fine with 31s may have sight rub, i run 2inch bodylift 3inch lift and 80-100mm guard chop with no rub at all

Also fuel tank lift is a good mod after you have done body lift

Awesome build!! That's similar to where I want to go but with a few less mods due to a restricted budget.

How much was the 3 inch lift? What did it come with and was anything extra needed?

How is it on the open road and round town with the tyres and the lift?

lincooln wrote:yes they are very good off road. The injected suzukis would be best. the 8V has more torque but the 16v has better top end. Stick some extractors on them and that helps them out. The drive train is all good, just watch the front diff casing as they are alloy usually and can crack quite easily. A bash plate helps heaps. Also a bash plate for the tank as they tend to get dented real easy

Hi lincooln, thats true about the front diff casing/housing being a bit of a week point if ya go bash it into something ie rock, tree stump an so on... I was wondering where to get bash plate for front diff and gas tank from??? Also iv heard of people lifting gas tanks for clearance to help prevent them for denting

Best bet would be to get someone to make the bash plates. I was lucky as my mate was selling his petrol tank plate and gave it to me. I have now broken three front diff casings, so if I were keeping my Suzuki I would get a bash plate made. You would need to do a body lift before you can lift the tank as there is just not that much room otherwise. Also bear in mind a body lift requires a cert, but then afain so does a 3 inch lift.

Best three inch lift would be the one from mike at winch.co.nz which is a FTS kit.

i have the v6 escudo and what a hassel getting bits for it, all the susspension lift kits and snorkels etc are all for the 1.6 body there are v6 parts around but you are restricted and you cant run 15 inch tyres unless you swap the front rotors and calipers the v6 ones are to big and 15inch rims will not fit over them, as for 4wd the take alot of abuse and are fun

jimmyf8 wrote:

Mr Zuk wrote:

jimmyf8 wrote:Thanks.

What's the reason for the extractors? I have seen quite few with them fitted.

Reason for extractors is the standed manifolds fall apart and block the flow witch cause it to over heat and crack the head etc

I have been building mine up for a few months now
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... 18&t=30946

2inch body and 2inch lift should be fine with 31s may have sight rub, i run 2inch bodylift 3inch lift and 80-100mm guard chop with no rub at all

Also fuel tank lift is a good mod after you have done body lift

Awesome build!! That's similar to where I want to go but with a few less mods due to a restricted budget.

How much was the 3 inch lift? What did it come with and was anything extra needed?

How is it on the open road and round town with the tyres and the lift?

3inch kit is from mike at winch.co.nz around $1400, get comes with everthing only other thing you need to do is get longer brake lines.

drives fine on open road, has no swaybars so i just take it easy but its no to bad, shes no racing car

lincooln wrote:Best bet would be to get someone to make the bash plates. I was lucky as my mate was selling his petrol tank plate and gave it to me. I have now broken three front diff casings, so if I were keeping my Suzuki I would get a bash plate made. You would need to do a body lift before you can lift the tank as there is just not that much room otherwise. Also bear in mind a body lift requires a cert, but then afain so does a 3 inch lift.

Best three inch lift would be the one from mike at winch.co.nz which is a FTS kit.

O i see thats how the gas tank lift works cheers lincooln, I will most prob go down the road of getting my old job (sheet metal engineers) to make me a steal bash/skid plate for the front of my V6 and try souce a gas tank armor online somewhere...
Im getting the 2" lift kit from winch.co.nz (Im not sure if its Mike iv been dealing with??) yeah good dude and doing it for a great price so can't turn it down , but yeah dose any one know someone who has this same kit for the 2L V6? Just was curios about a few things:

Will i need to add any other parts to help the lift kit work? ie camber adjusting bolts, differrent shock mounts, longer trailing arms, do ball joints go pop when you don't want them too? or any thing else anyone may have enquired whilst doing/using this 2" lift.

Will 2" lift be enough to fit 265/75r16 tires which are roughly 31.6x10.4?

Also will a pass a WOF with a locker in the rear???(A bit off the topic, i know just hopping it will)

butcherboy wrote:i have the v6 escudo and what a hassel getting bits for it, all the susspension lift kits and snorkels etc are all for the 1.6 body there are v6 parts around but you are restricted and you cant run 15 inch tyres unless you swap the front rotors and calipers the v6 ones are to big and 15inch rims will not fit over them, as for 4wd the take alot of abuse and are fun

Yeah Dude i know what ya mean, the biggest bummer would have to be the fact that 15" rims are out of the picture for us unless we mod, i'v used GV rims an powdercoated them came out all right.. But even the price of tires, for the same size tire on diff size 15" rim or 16" rim can be like 70 to 150 buks man its crazy. But by a long shot i would rather the grunt on hand of the V6 over the screaming high revving 1600cc.

With the 3 inch lift from winch.co.nz, are all those bits that it comes with required? Or could you get away with less without affecting vehicle performance?

Also with a 2 inch lift, are springs and shocks all that is required or is there extra bits needed as with the 3 inch lift?

kit comes with everything, struts, springs, shocks, cv drop brackets, drive shaft spacer, rear trailing arms, transfer drop bracket and rear shock mounts

Chairmen wrote:

butcherboy wrote:i have the v6 escudo and what a hassel getting bits for it, all the susspension lift kits and snorkels etc are all for the 1.6 body there are v6 parts around but you are restricted and you cant run 15 inch tyres unless you swap the front rotors and calipers the v6 ones are to big and 15inch rims will not fit over them, as for 4wd the take alot of abuse and are fun

Yeah Dude i know what ya mean, the biggest bummer would have to be the fact that 15" rims are out of the picture for us unless we mod, i'v used GV rims an powdercoated them came out all right.. But even the price of tires, for the same size tire on diff size 15" rim or 16" rim can be like 70 to 150 buks man its crazy. But by a long shot i would rather the grunt on hand of the V6 over the screaming high revving 1600cc.

i was lucky and came across a set of smaller disks and manual hubs so the went on and am now running 31x10.5x15 and are all i need

butcherboy wrote:

Chairmen wrote:

butcherboy wrote:i have the v6 escudo and what a hassel getting bits for it, all the susspension lift kits and snorkels etc are all for the 1.6 body there are v6 parts around but you are restricted and you cant run 15 inch tyres unless you swap the front rotors and calipers the v6 ones are to big and 15inch rims will not fit over them, as for 4wd the take alot of abuse and are fun

Yeah Dude i know what ya mean, the biggest bummer would have to be the fact that 15" rims are out of the picture for us unless we mod, i'v used GV rims an powdercoated them came out all right.. But even the price of tires, for the same size tire on diff size 15" rim or 16" rim can be like 70 to 150 buks man its crazy. But by a long shot i would rather the grunt on hand of the V6 over the screaming high revving 1600cc.

i was lucky and came across a set of smaller disks and manual hubs so the went on and am now running 31x10.5x15 and are all i need

haha well lucky you, i just forked out 260 for GV rims and powdercoating hundy each wheel.

Did you have too lift yours too fit that size tire???

I fitted 245/75/16 (30.5") on standard rims with no body lift. I had to space bump stops (5mm), bend inner guards and trim flare plastic. It's a bit of work but another option.

yep did a 35mm suspension lift and 2 inch body lift, body lift was easy aslong as you have level ground that is the key

butcherboy wrote:yep did a 35mm suspension lift and 2 inch body lift, body lift was easy aslong as you have level ground that is the key

Oh true that, Nice ...
Do you get any tire rubbing (when offroading) at all with this set up? I want too run same size tires but have only done 50mm suspension lift so far....

You bois/girls should put up some photos in here of your Vitara's/Escudo's...
It'l be good too see what your done to transform your road going vehical

Chairmen wrote:You bois/girls should put up some photos in here of your Vitara's/Escudo's...
It'l be good too see what your done to transform your road going vehical

assuming youve seen this thread??

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... &start=165

keithal wrote:

Chairmen wrote:You bois/girls should put up some photos in here of your Vitara's/Escudo's...
It'l be good too see what your done to transform your road going vehical

assuming youve seen this thread??

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... &start=165

Yes seen it (many of times over an over an over hehe ) an its a good thread with a few great builds...I like ZeusZuki V6 build on 33" yeah what a boss...
Too be frank I'm more interested in seeing the foke's 4x4 which i have been chatting with about there mods as it relate's to my build....
Cheers tho keithal

churchill wrote:I fitted 245/75/16 (30.5") on standard rims with no body lift. I had to space bump stops (5mm), bend inner guards and trim flare plastic. It's a bit of work but another option.

Hi churchill
Iv decided to go with that tire size with 2" lift im sure the rear would be fine as its a LWB lift kit going in my SWB an if front rub ill put spring spacer/or longer spring in to match the 3" longer strut im putting in.
Just need to keep a eye out for front and rear 5.125 diff or even pinion an ring if i get lucky ...

I saw your engine rebuild thread a while back, Nice work man...So did you drop a 2.5L in or was already in an recon it??? eather way that must have bit more grunt then the 2L

After seeing that it made me think sweet i cant wait for my engine too blow Do you know if the 2.7L shears the same size block?

Hi Chairman, the truck came with the GV running gear in it from factory. It one of the last V6's they made in that shape. The power is good but still could do with more...

I have a 10 bolt 5.12 rear diff you can have for $50, it needs a new input flange put on it though. I don't know how strong they areas the V6's use a 12 bolt ring gear, might be worth a shot.

2.7's are the same block as the 2.5's for all intents and purposes, they supposedly even use the same heads but the injection system is different. That's a future plan for this truck depending on funds.

Yeah us boi's and our toys, when it comes to power we can never get enough of it

I to would like more power, this is just an out there idea i wonder if there a factory or aftermarket 3L (or bigger) bore sleeve and piston kit

Oh i could be interested in your diff and thanks for the offer. Iv got my fellers out ATM so will let you know...Cheers

Chairmen wrote:

butcherboy wrote:yep did a 35mm suspension lift and 2 inch body lift, body lift was easy aslong as you have level ground that is the key

Oh true that, Nice ...
Do you get any tire rubbing (when offroading) at all with this set up? I want too run same size tires but have only done 50mm suspension lift so far....

just the usal bit on the back of the front guard when the wheel is right up in the guard and on full lock, bit of panelbeating fixes this i found with mine i got the 0 off set they just fit inside the guards on the rear to, $100 a rim new they wernt to bad i thought

keithal wrote:

Chairmen wrote:You bois/girls should put up some photos in here of your Vitara's/Escudo's...
It'l be good too see what your done to transform your road going vehical

assuming youve seen this thread??

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... &start=165

if i could get pics up i here i would not very computre literate and says mine are to big

Chairmen wrote:Yeah us boi's and our toys, when it comes to power we can never get enough of it

I to would like more power, this is just an out there idea i wonder if there a factory or aftermarket 3L (or bigger) bore sleeve and piston kit

Oh i could be interested in your diff and thanks for the offer. Iv got my fellers out ATM so will let you know...Cheers

All I've found for the v6 is a set of extractors, let me know if you come across any performance gear!

PM me about the diff if you're keen.