Vitara 4wd activation system

[Harps]

Hi Guys,

Looking at getting a Vitara. I have a few questions. The car must be a 'real' 4wd.. So...

Do all the vitara models have centre diff locks?? Do any earlier model ones have manual locking front hubs?

What are you thoughts on the carby model compared to the EFI? Is the EFI 'alot' better?? What about in terms of fuel usage?

Thanks,
Harps

[christover1]

Hi Guys,

Looking at getting a Vitara. I have a few questions. The car must be a 'real' 4wd.. So...

Do all the vitara models have centre diff locks?? Do any earlier model ones have manual locking front hubs?

What are you thoughts on the carby model compared to the EFI? Is the EFI 'alot' better?? What about in terms of fuel usage?

Thanks,
Harps

Vitaras are part time 4wd, ie not constant 4wd, so there is no centre diff lock, when in 4wd its permanently locked in the centre.
early ones do have manual freewheeling/locking hubs, which many fit to later ones.
EFI is a lot better, but therefore a lot dearer. very early carby vitaras have 3 speed auto option, but efi ones have electronic 4speed auto option.
I haven't heard of a lot of probs with vitara carbies
christover

[Beastmavster]

older vitara carburettors have some components in them that are likely to be worn but it's no worse than an other vehicle of a similar age.

A carby rebuild if required is about $350 or about $55-70 for the kit if you can do it yourself.

Vitara is a real 4wd - part time 4wd system and all the usual bits that come with that (unlike Disco II's).

They do have IFS... but then so too do Hiluxes, Landcruiser 100's etc.

What do you intend to do wiht it? For light 4wding, beach work and as a daily driver they can be very effective with a little lift.

If you intend more serious 4wding then there are better options.

[sierrajim]

if you want to save some time and money, and you want a "real" 4wd, don't buy a Vitara. I've been there and done that.

You can do a search and find out all you'll need to know regarding CV's, gearing, tyre clearance, suspension etc etc.

A Vitara is still a "real" 4wd but does have limitations like any other vehicle. Being fitted with IFS, the limitations are greater.

[Harps]

older vitara carburettors have some
Vitara is a real 4wd - part time 4wd system and all the usual bits that come with that (unlike Disco II's).

They do have IFS... but then so too do Hiluxes, Landcruiser 100's etc.

What do you intend to do wiht it? For light 4wding, beach work and as a daily driver they can be very effective with a little lift.

If you intend more serious 4wding then there are better options.

Thanks for that.. I was actually refering to the Discos.. Couldn't remember which model.

Its a pity about the IFS.. :(..

I am looking for a vehicle that is small, cheap to run (fuel usage), and reasonably capable.. and reasonably strong..

My current vehicle is a 80 series, 4inch lift, JTII, diff lock, etc, etc..

Bought a house.. Different priorities.. Less money.. Still want to go out, but I think I will stop doing the hard stuff. Move more into the camping, etc kind of thing. I mean a relatively standard vehicle witha reasonably capable driver can do most tracks in the high country, etc..

[Beastmavster]

Running more than 30" rubber on a vitara will mean that you'll start breaking stuff.

Having said that 30" rubber on a vitara is far more ground clearance than a Patrol or Cruiser on 33"s.

[Harps]

Running more than 30" rubber on a vitara will mean that you'll start breaking stuff.

Having said that 30" rubber on a vitara is far more ground clearance than a Patrol or Cruiser on 33"s.

What is standard tyre size?? I might check it out on the Suzuki site

Can you get stronger aftermarket CVs etc???

[Beastmavster]

Standard tyre size is 26.3"

30"s is a big increase.... almost 2" under the diff and 4-5" everywhere else after the suspensionlift so it's actually a lot of clearance.

I think I had something like 250mm clearance at lowest point (rear diff) in this setup.

Most real 4wds are like about 180-200mm in stock form as a guideline.

[Beastmavster]

Can get stronger cv's axles etc but it all costs money. If that's your plans then invest in Hilux axles swap and go for 33"s+

You'll be competitoion ready then

[Harps]

Standard tyre size is 26.3"

30"s is a big increase.... almost 2" under the diff and 4-5" everywhere else after the suspensionlift so it's actually a lot of clearance.

Hahah... How is First Low after this increase??

[Harps]

Can get stronger cv's axles etc but it all costs money. If that's your plans then invest in Hilux axles swap and go for 33"s+

You'll be competitoion ready then

Yeap. Not sure I will go that far... At least not from day one. I am after a cheaper car.. .. What is important, is that it is good to know there are options. Some vehicles you are stuck with their weak components..

So the only real limitation is IFS.. Its funny, I previously always said I would never buy an IFS vehicle

[Beastmavster]

The weakness of axles and diffs with 31" + tyres is probably more of an issue to the IFS.

Driving style seems to have a major impact on this - I never broke front CV or rear axle but Antt or GV_QLD for instance have done a few - Heavier cars with more power though.


That includes snatching people out in reverse (big no no) and flat out in forwards then reverse repeatedly in the mud.


As I've said more than once my Vitara on 31"s and welded rear (buy an airlocker) could do everything my current ride (Rear Difflocked Maverick on 33 and a bit tyres) could do and more besides...

If that sounds like it's good enough to do what you want to achieve offroad it'll be way better on road, more comfortable and cheaper to run than just about anything else.

If you want to keep up with mates with Cruisers on 35"s then it's not your car.

[Beastmavster]

There are aftermarket axles and cv's available to beef up these weak parts. The US market has heaps of modded Vitaras (trackers over there).

It's just they havent really taken off here since we kept getting the Sierra until what 1997? The US had been cut off from them for about 5 years or more by then.