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Getting into 4x4

Tech Talk for Suzuki owners.

Moderators: lay80n, sierrajim

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Getting into 4x4

Post by stumcg »

Hi guys, so i'm wanting to get into offroading and i'm pretty set on a sierra.
i was after some tips on what to look for and what is needed.
any advise on what other cars i should have look at would be good too :)
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Post by eldo »

give us a run down on what you plan to do in it first
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Post by stumcg »

nothing too crazy, wanting to do some travelling in it.
nothing specific, family is pretty into it, they just do day trips to anywhere and go around australia once a year, so i wanna jump on board :)
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Post by atari4x4 »

stumcg wrote:nothing too crazy, wanting to do some travelling in it.
nothing specific, family is pretty into it, they just do day trips to anywhere and go around australia once a year, so i wanna jump on board :)
If you plan to do some real touring I would look at a well set up LWB Vitara, they can be built into a very capable 4wd with the right mods & are so much more comfortable & have heaps more space than a Sierra.

Have a look through my build up thread for some ideas...

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic162392.php
---------===== LOWRANGE JUNKIE =====---------
atari4x4 build up ~ MT/R 31's, calmini, body lift, j20a, 5.12 r&p + other stuff ~
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopic ... 6&t=162392" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Post by stumcg »

hi atari, thanks for that. i had a look and they look like an awesome little forby, what do you think i'd pay for a decent one?
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Post by stumcg »

also what year model? :)
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Post by mrRocky »

What is your budget for modifications as vitara stuff can be more expensive than sierra gear. But i agree they make for a much better tourer that a sierra.
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Post by stumcg »

no budget yet.
what i had in mind was lift and a/t tyres to start with just to get used to driving it and knowing my own limits really.
But i'm only 19 and don't get paid alot :P
so moding is going to be timely.
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Post by atari4x4 »

stumcg wrote:hi atari, thanks for that. i had a look and they look like an awesome little forby, what do you think i'd pay for a decent one?
mine is 1997, it's last of the first shape with the 2.0l twin cam 4cyl SWB, the LWB's came out with a 2.0l twin cam 6cyl V6.

price is depending on how many km's & the condition, check out all the online car sales places to get an idea of price VS condition.

the mod's i'd be looking at would be the OME lift kit + 2" body lift & 30" A/T or M/T & air lockers for when you start taking on more difficult terrain.
---------===== LOWRANGE JUNKIE =====---------
atari4x4 build up ~ MT/R 31's, calmini, body lift, j20a, 5.12 r&p + other stuff ~
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopic ... 6&t=162392" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Post by stumcg »

mine is 1997, it's last of the first shape with the 2.0l twin cam 4cyl SWB, the LWB's came out with a 2.0l twin cam 6cyl V6.
cheers for that :)
i've found a few older ones that look alright. just gotta get out there and drive a few i guess!
thanks for all the help.
when i finally get one ill start a thread with everything and what im gonna do and hopefully get some other young blokes into it :D
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Post by atari4x4 »

stumcg wrote:
mine is 1997, it's last of the first shape with the 2.0l twin cam 4cyl SWB, the LWB's came out with a 2.0l twin cam 6cyl V6.
cheers for that :)
i've found a few older ones that look alright. just gotta get out there and drive a few i guess!
thanks for all the help.
when i finally get one ill start a thread with everything and what im gonna do and hopefully get some other young blokes into it :D
hey, i'm not that much older than you.... :finger: hang on, maybe +10

take a few for a test drive, LWB, SWB, manual/auto the early ones are 1.6 & keep an eye out for a clean one that has been looked after.

check for rust, 4wd damage etc & make sure the free wheeling hubs & 4wd work
---------===== LOWRANGE JUNKIE =====---------
atari4x4 build up ~ MT/R 31's, calmini, body lift, j20a, 5.12 r&p + other stuff ~
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopic ... 6&t=162392" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Post by Gwagensteve »

stumcg-

The best first step is to come along to a suzuki club meeting. There's plenty of young members in the club. Whilst the internet is great for tech and ideas, you can't put that information into context unless you actually get out and see what suzuki drivers are doing with the cars, in your local terrain.

http://vic.suzuki4wd.com

While a sierra is pretty much the ultimate day trip car, they suck at long distance work.

A vitara is quite a comfortable touring car, but won't realistically be able to stay with a sierra on a hard track, and it will take more money to try and more money for maintain.

It's always a compromise.


Steve.
[quote="greg"] some say he is a man without happy dreams, or that he sees silver linings on clouds and wonders why they are not platinum... all we know, is he's called the stevie.[/quote]
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Post by alien »

i did a 2 and a half hour roud trip on saturday in mine (sierra, lifted etc etc) - and without the 1.6 conversion it would have been unbearable - things you'll encounter in a sierra:
- underpowered (wont hold 110 up hills, especially if you have headwind!)
- easily moved by wind (mines got a half-soft top and still i stuggle to stay in my lane with a hard crosswind.
- jolty - mines softer than stock with bucket seats and still, after an hour you really need a break to stretch out.
- noisy - a huge factor contributing to fatigue, and there isnt much you can do about it.
- potentially leaky - many causes, obviously soft tops are worse (strong wind and rain together with speed usually will make for water getting in somehow.

on the other hand, like everyone's said - theyre just a weapon offroad for day trips etc.... mines my DD and i wouldnt have it any other way despite the negatives - but given a long country drive - i'd be bumming a lift off a mate with a landcruiser or pooptroll...
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Post by mrRocky »

Just man up and buy a sierra, we all know vitara's are hair dressers cars
Put some comfy seats in it and some bigger tyres and you will be fine.
If you like wearing your collar up and waxing your legs then a vitara is the car for you.
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Post by stumcg »

cheers guys :)
Tips on where to get a cheap sierra?
eXc
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Post by eXc »

mrRocky wrote:Just man up and buy a sierra, ...Put some comfy seats
Bit of a clash there me thinks! Man up, but sook on the seats :p haha
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