from gq to suzi

[blackmav8]

G'day all. Ive been a loyal gq driver for the last 7 years and decided i needed a change so i've aquired a 94 model sierra. The suzi is dead stock and, not knowing much about them at all, i was wondering what mods i should start with. I mainly drive rock and rutty hill climbs. The budget is about 4 grand straight up for mods and then more as time goes on. Any input for a new suzi owner would be great. Thanks, Rob

[Drover_Pete]

Congratulations on coming over from the "Dark Side"

Do you want it to be legal, and is it your daily driver or a weekend toy.
Remember QT patrols are fairly anal.

1) A transfer box with better gearing would be a first step
2) diff locks - Airlockers or auto lockers or welded (illegal but very effective).
3) Tyres: Obviously larger tyres and 7inch rims but then we get back to the legal question. In QLD the largest legal tyre on a Suzuki is approx 225.
4) Suspension: Bigger tyres (30inch) also force you into a suspension lift but you also get more travel and a better ride. 31inch tyres require a body lift as well as the suspension lift - not worth it IMO.
5) Barwork to suit your preferences

[droopypete]

1. some small muddies
2. gears to compensate for the tyres
3. diff lock in the rear (air locker or weld)
4. stop modifying at this point and have fun
welcome to the fold.
Peter.

[just cruizin']

Hi Rob,

Compared to the GQ 4 grand will go a long way.

As Pete asked is it your DD.

1. As with all 4WD mods the usual lift and tyres would be close to the top of the list.
2. Bar work would be next, with a least a decent roll bar and some sort of front bar either bull bar type or tube ( go for some thing that mounts to the chassis though so you can loss the outriggers to gain more tyre clearance).
3. Gears are a must, low range is terrible at best and when you add bigger tyres it's gone.
4. To gain extra flex for rocks I'd also think about RUF springs with longer shocks and brakelines.
5. Lockers.
6. Take out as much weight as possible to counter the extra you're adding. If you can remove the rear seats and if going bigger tyres mount the spare in the back pushed over to the passenger side. All the weight in a Sierra is on the drivers side (designed for yanks)
7. exhaust, the little 1.3 needs as much help as possible.

For your budget everything I've mentioned should be achievable if you buy smart ie second hand and if you can make your own barwork or shackles etc makes it cheaper still.

My suggestion is if you do change something so that it's not quite QT friendly make it easily reversable, keep your legal stocky tyres, shackles and what not so if you do have to get it inspected you don't have to go scratching around for parts you've throw out.

[N*A*M]

$4k is plenty... you'll have a tasty road legal weapon with that budget

[blackmav8]

thanks for the input guys. it will be a weekend toy but i want to keep it rego'd. the bar work won't be a problem as i work as a tube bender, roll former. what sort of reduction gears should i be looking at?

["CANADA"]

Depends if you still have the GQ to pillage off of

[droopypete]

. what sort of reduction gears should i be looking at?

FFFst.
Was that a can of worms I hear opening up?

I will wade into this shark filled, mosquito infested, ses pool of a question with my personal first hand experiance, I fitted a S3 rock hopper to my zook many years ago and I am very impressed with both its performance and its longevity, it was quieter than the standard case when fitted and it makes no more noise since that day, I have done a huge amount of K's and thrashed the hell out of the car and it is still going strong.
I has however turned me into a bit of a gear junkie and I have also fitted 5.125:1 diff gears as well

If I can sugest re reading my post and starting with only these 3 mods before you take on any more, I can tell you from experiance that the fun to dollar/work ratio, peaks at this point and sure the car will be more capable as you mod it further, but the fun will not increase at the same rate.

Having said that my zook has a 1.6, 34" swampers, front and rear air lockers, rear springs up front, S3 transfer case and 5.125 diff gears, power steer, 8000pd hi-mount and a chrome scull gear knob .
but I still miss the days when it was close to stock with only those 3 mods (and the 1.6 ), also after reading the list of mods I think it speaks volumes for the amount of abuse the rockhopper gears have had to endure
Peter.

[Drew]

open can o worms
search rockhopper gears
pete i know your happy with your series 3 gears

mine were not so good, they would make a nice paper weight now

after seeing many broken series 3 gears i would not take the expensive lucky dip with them, series 4 may also be flawed.

it seems calmini gears are more reliable has anyone broken them yet??