Grand Vitara Shocker Options

[WaveCult]

Hi guys,

Quick question for you all...

Owning a SWB Grand Vitara soft-top, I was after a bit of added flex. Not necessarily after a full lift kit, actually my initial idea was to just get the 2 rear shockers now, and then work at the rest over time (don't want to outlay a huge amount in one go!).

Pedders at Frankston quoted me some rear shockers intended for the Gemini at $150 pair fitted (great Price I thought, considering OME would be fitted at $300... also was told Tough Dogs were around $250 plus fitting). Seeing I don't do any hard-core stuff, or towing or ever carry any load those were the "velocity sensing comfort gas shocks" which only have an extra 19mm in them from the Suzuki originals. Will also be going down to Brakes Plus (they did the shockers on the Charade and the thing handles beautifully!) this coming week for them to check spring extension and see what the options are...

In the meantime, is there any advice/suggestions you can give me? 19mm extra is noticable? Has anywone ever wanted more flex without outlaying "huge" amounts for a lift kit? (or is there any "affordable" kit out there?) What are you guys running on your Grand Vitara's (or Vitara's)?

Thanks guys!

Cheers,


Luis

[Beastmavster]

Hi guys,

Quick question for you all...

Owning a SWB Grand Vitara soft-top, I was after a bit of added flex. Not necessarily after a full lift kit, actually my initial idea was to just get the 2 rear shockers now, and then work at the rest over time (don't want to outlay a huge amount in one go!).

Pedders at Frankston quoted me some rear shockers intended for the Gemini at $150 pair fitted (great Price I thought, considering OME would be fitted at $300... also was told Tough Dogs were around $250 plus fitting). Seeing I don't do any hard-core stuff, or towing or ever carry any load those were the "velocity sensing comfort gas shocks" which only have an extra 19mm in them from the Suzuki originals. Will also be going down to Brakes Plus (they did the shockers on the Charade and the thing handles beautifully!) this coming week for them to check spring extension and see what the options are...

In the meantime, is there any advice/suggestions you can give me? 19mm extra is noticable? Has anywone ever wanted more flex without outlaying "huge" amounts for a lift kit? (or is there any "affordable" kit out there?) What are you guys running on your Grand Vitara's (or Vitara's)?

Thanks guys!

Cheers,


Luis

I am using MX62 Cressida Rear shocks which will be long if you have no suspension lift (600mm long at full extension so your rear coils will fall out and too long for upwards compression on standrad shocks. Even with my 2" suspension lift the colis need to be wired in to stop them falling out.

HQ Shocks are a good interim improvement as they are about 520mm long - 50mm (2") longer than standard Vitara shocks, and these made an instant difference to mine so are a good first step.

You may find that the Rear shocks are different. Pull one out and measure it compessed and extended. Mine were 470mm fully extended and I can't remember what they were compressed.

I've also tried Landcruiser BJ73 front shocks (553mm long) on the rear but too stiff.

Fronts are harder to do - I'm using Ironman but OME is probably worth spending the extra on in the long run for the front.

[WaveCult]

I am using MX62 Cressida Rear shocks which will be long if you have no suspension lift (600mm long at full extension so your rear coils will fall out and too long for upwards compression on standrad shocks. Even with my 2" suspension lift the colis need to be wired in to stop them falling out.

HQ Shocks are a good interim improvement as they are about 520mm long - 50mm (2") longer than standard Vitara shocks, and these made an instant difference to mine so are a good first step.

You may find that the Rear shocks are different. Pull one out and measure it compessed and extended. Mine were 470mm fully extended and I can't remember what they were compressed.

I've also tried Landcruiser BJ73 front shocks (553mm long) on the rear but too stiff.

Fronts are harder to do - I'm using Ironman but OME is probably worth spending the extra on in the long run for the front.

Thanks for the feedback... 5cms seems great... but I'll have to see what cam be done with the springs... maybe just get a spacer or something. Hope the brake-line's can handle the extra extension though! Did you have any trouble with them?

[Beastmavster]

I am using MX62 Cressida Rear shocks which will be long if you have no suspension lift (600mm long at full extension so your rear coils will fall out and too long for upwards compression on standrad shocks. Even with my 2" suspension lift the colis need to be wired in to stop them falling out.

HQ Shocks are a good interim improvement as they are about 520mm long - 50mm (2") longer than standard Vitara shocks, and these made an instant difference to mine so are a good first step.

Fronts are harder to do - I'm using Ironman but OME is probably worth spending the extra on in the long run for the front.

Thanks for the feedback... 5cms seems great... but I'll have to see what cam be done with the springs... maybe just get a spacer or something. Hope the brake-line's can handle the extra extension though! Did you have any trouble with them?

Brake line gets stretched with all 600mm of shcker travel and the bretaher hose needed replacing. For 5cm no problem though.

HQ shocks are damn cheap too.

I think you might be able to Buy antt's OME ones as he's gonna put cressida shocks in the back of his now after seeing my travel at ormeau this weekend.

[greg]

Luis,

I would suggest taking your shocks off, crossing up your car to the max - and then measuring how much travel your springs allow...

You can then check a few things:
1. if your shock are actually limiting the amount of travel your car would have.
2. if these shocks you are thinking of buying will have the amount of travel your springs have (if not, they will be limiting your travel).

cheers

[WaveCult]

OK... silly question.. HQ Shocks.. they're a brand of shocks? Shockers for Holden HQs? Bronco HQ? ... I know, I know... silly question, please let me know though!

A website to look at would be cool too if possible!

Thanks guys!

Cheers,


Luis

[greg]

i believe it would be holden HQ... but i'm not 100% sure.

like i said Luis - you really should measure up what you need before you buy... at least if you spend the extra dosh and get the Old Man Emu shocks - you know that they will have sufficient travel for the Old Man Emu springs that you may / may not buy in the future...

trust me - i am the king of buying things too small and then having to buy things again - and it sucks

cheers

[Beastmavster]

OK... silly question.. HQ Shocks.. they're a brand of shocks? Shockers for Holden HQs? Bronco HQ? ... I know, I know... silly question, please let me know though!

A website to look at would be cool too if possible!

Thanks guys!

Cheers,


Luis

HQ Holden. As made by monroe, gabriel etc.

Shockers it can be an issue if you go too long immediately - no point having shockers that are way too long for your springs or your springsd will fall out.

One exception to every rule Greg.....

unless you're suggesting buy both springs and shocks at the same time.....

[WaveCult]

Yap, something told me it was a silly question

Thanks... will be checking out spring size tomorrow and see how far I can go without upgrading springs as well... I only wanted to do the back at this stage too...

Cheers