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feroza vs sierra

Tech Talk for Ford, Mazda, Daihatsu & Makes that currently dont have a home.

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feroza vs sierra

Post by suzuki newby »

Hi all
I have been tossing up which 4by to buy out of a sierra or a feroza to use as an every day driver as well as weekend warrior, nothing to extreme just lifted and 29s/30s with some subtle engine tweeks here and there as i have not been fully bitten by the bug yet.
So my question to you people (ferozians?) is, what would you do (lift, engine, tires etc) if you wanted to make a daily driver feroza that is capable off road and more comfotable on road if possible whilst not spending the GDP of a small counrty (is 6ish grand i good number?). I waill be posting the same Qs to the sierra (sierraites) people and look forward to hearing the results.
And one last thing how is the gearing on the ferozas with 29s or 30s can they still maintain comfotable highway speed and economy.
Thanks.
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Post by DeVooluff »

IMHO:

Feroza = bigger, more space, more driver comfort.
Sierra = cheaper and easier parts, more 4x4 options.

Stock standard the Feroza can outperform the Sierra off-road, but it doesn't take much to turn the sierra into an off-road monster. Some of the options you can put on the Suzi are simply not available for the Feroza.

Easy mods are extractors, unifilter, aftermarket springs, wind up the torsions, decent tires. Sway bar removal is meant to work a treat off-road, I just drive in the city too much and corner too fast to warrant it. A decent driver upgrade is supposed to work wonders too.

As a daily driver, I'd prefer the Feroza just for that little bit of extra room. Neither will carry any more than 2 happy campers for anything but the shortest distances but the Feroza does highway speed a little better. I also think it looks better, but that doesn't really count for much. :)

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Post by Goatse.AJ »

For moderate offroading and touring, and as a DD, the Feroza wins hands down.

There are way too many people that get bitten by the "mod to the extreme" bug, but never do anything more than moderate offraoding. The Feroza is MUCH more robust, has AIRCON, power windows and mirrors, removable hardtop, etc.

You can get a 2" + lift for next to nothing if you're prepared to do some of the work yourself. Stock springs with extended shackles greatly improves rear articulation. If it's a later model with just a single rear leaf, then $25 at a wrecker will get you some extra leaves to lift the rear a little more.

The front is as easy as winding up the torsion bars and shaving the bump stops.

With the above mods, you'll fit 30" tyres with no problems and no rubbing. A 1" or 2" body lift will allow you to fit 31" tyres.

Not sure where you are, but that would help in recommending the better of the two, as in knowing what the majority of the terrain you're likely to encounter will be.

If you're in really rough, steep, rocky country, with relatively short travel distances to where you go wheeling, then I'd say the Sierra. But if you're somewhere that you have to travel a bit, and it's hot in summer, wet, cold and muddy in winter, then I'd say seriously consider the Feroza.
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Post by suzuki newby »

Yeah thanks, im in hervey bay so would be playing at fraiser island and various tracks around the region mainly sand to get to fishing/camping spots and a bit of exploring, nothing really extreme which is why i think a feroza would be a good choice as i would like to do a bit of longer driving to get to some places.

Alot of people talk about extended shackles and wound up torsion bars, whilst i have no problems with the shackle idea but doesnt the wound up torsion bars make the ride quite hard or is it not really a problem.

Seeing as they only have two leafs in the back is it possible to get extra leafs added that would raise it 2" (is this enough for 30s) and then play with torsion bars to match, this way the ride mght be better and handle more load. Does any one know if extended shackles are legal in Qld.
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Post by Goatse.AJ »

Ok, here's another BIG plus for the Feroza if you're spending time on the beach.....The body panels are galvanised, which means they're MUCH less prone to rust.

While extended shackles are not legal, I'll think you'll find a heap of people run them on all sorts of different vehicles without problems. However, be aware that if you are involved in an accident and they are found to be the cause, then you're in the poo.

Winding up your torsion bars a moderate amount will give quite adequate lift and ground clearence and enough room to clear 30" tyres. Certainly the ride will be a little firmer, but still very acceptable, especially compared to a Zook.
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Post by suzuki newby »

Really thats great about the galv body i did not know that!
Sorry about all the Qs but i am one of those people that likes to research stuff before jumping into it.
Seeing as i will not be able to afford wide track model is it advisable to get a larger offset on the wheels to make the whole ride a bit wider and thus more stable presumably.
Not that im really into speeding but can ferozas sit on 110 comfortably on long drives, if so what revs are we talking, it took on for a test drive the other day but could not get on the open road to test it out was quite pleased with the ride though compared the the sierra i drove before hand.
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Post by Goatse.AJ »

No worries about the Q's, we've all gotta start somewhere.

Have a look at my site (haven't updated it for AGES): http://blackcockatoos.tripod.com for some pics of a couple of the bigger Narrow Tracks that used to be around. Go to the "Trips" section.

I've got a heap of other pics floating around at home (including a bit more hardcore wheeling) if you're interested.

Most people tend to go for wider tyres and bigger offset wheels to improve stability.
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Post by lay80n »

As far as performance stock off-road, the sierra will be better where the engine power difference isnt really noticable, like slow in rocks etc. On the beach the power difference stands out, but otherwise i have found that a sierra will slightly have the edge. All depends on the driver mostly, as stock standard neither bar is very capable.

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Post by spongebob »

Having been a previous suzuki owner (stockman lj80 with a sierra motor and gearbox transplant) i had this question a while ago....

This is now my second feroza....

things to consider...

fristly from what you have said you will be doing fraser etc - (have been in both)

1. Firstly you want the the feroza wide track version (feroza 2 sxp or sx), wider than the suzi and allows you to travel in the sand tracks a hell of a lot better...
2. as stated galv body, looked after will be far better than the sierra - (has some nasty rust areas).
3. although the sierra is lighter - good for sand, with a decent set of extractors on the feroza, the additional torque works better.
4. the suspension setup of the suzi allows for more travel (no tortion bar) although travel is best for rock hopping etc not beach work - so would suggest the feroza here..


I would suggest drive both - but make sure you drive a few ferozas, many are not tuned and are stock standard (ie the most rediculous looking exhaust ever) make sure you have a go at one that is well sorted as they are a pretty heavy truck so poor performance will be a definate downer.... lastly the finish and interior of the ferozas are far better than the suzi - hense you will be more likely to pay more....

Good luck! might see you over at frazer!
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Post by HotFourOk »

As said, for comfort, room and a bit more power.. go the Feroza.

For pure offroad abilities, the Sierra wins with the amount of aftermarket accessories available.

For sand work, the Feroza with a lift will go quite well, with a bit more space for your gear.

I've also heard the gearing for normal driving in the Sierra is a little high.. and sitting on highway speeds the tend to rev a bit.

The torsion bars do not get harsh when you wind them up. It is a dream to drive compared to a stock Sierra, which can be quite choppy.

In short, the IFS of the Feroza makes for a more comfortable ride, although you lose some flex when offroad. If its mainly beach work it wont worry you... If its pure rock work, you could struggle :D

Just go drive as many as you can and take the one you like! :)

It seems as though you had a preference, judging by your name on here... lol
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Post by Mudsierra »

I've owned both, feroza SXP II, and a holden drover

Feroza - Great comfy, good highway driving, bit more room than sierra, smoother ride than stock sierra, many comes with EFI, i don't think i have heard any carby models feroza in australia yet. Parts for the feroza would be harder and bit more $$$ to get.

Sierra/Drover - Smaller, plenty aftermarket parts/mod, many older model has carby, while the newer model.. not sure what year onward got efi? i could be wrong.....also.. can get motor out of other car such as some holden barina, suzuki swift etc, eaiser to get them.


I reckon that WT sierra has a better chance to roll over on its side than a WT feroza :finger:


hope u get my drift.....am thinking of selling my feroza one day. :cry:
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Post by murcod »

Don't think anyone has answered the revs @ 110km/h question? You'd be looking at 3700RPM roughly from memory. 120km/h is 4000ish.

When they're tuned properly they accelerate quite well even at those speeds. I've been fully loaded (luggage pod on roof, loaded trailer etc) and overtaken other cars on flat sections getting up to over 145km/h fairly easily.
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Post by built4thrashing »

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i have had both. the feroza is a good all-rounder. It can cruise the fwy at 110kmh and also get you to some of those hard to get places but it cant match the seirra off road. You can fit 31's under a feroza quite easily by just winding up the torsion bars and extended shackles in the rear but its best to do a 2'' BL as that allows you to retain some front travel.
After market parts are hard to get for ferozas as they were not as popular as the seirra.

you really need to decide what you will use the it for most. if ya only after an occasional weekend 4wd that is driven long distanced frequently then the feroza is the way to go but if ya only gonna do short week day trips and bush bash every weekend the go the sierra.

if i was after a daily driver that was to be used sdometines off road then i go the fez.
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Post by ferguson »

murcod wrote:When they're tuned properly they accelerate quite well even at those speeds. I've been fully loaded (luggage pod on roof, loaded trailer etc) and overtaken other cars on flat sections getting up to over 145km/h fairly easily.

what sort of revs were you doing at 145km/h ?
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Post by nebivedu »

ferguson wrote:
murcod wrote:When they're tuned properly they accelerate quite well even at those speeds. I've been fully loaded (luggage pod on roof, loaded trailer etc) and overtaken other cars on flat sections getting up to over 145km/h fairly easily.

what sort of revs were you doing at 145km/h ?
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Post by suzuki newby »

Thanks guys for your quick and infomative replys.
I think i will go for the feroza as they seem to offer more of what i need as an every day car as well as whatever else i may want on the other days (i am test driving a few today before i make anything final).

Now i just have to find one.........

I dont suppose an one knows of any places around her where (Hervey Bay or ther abouts) i can go and get some info on extended shackles/new leafs?
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Post by Bowhunter »

PM sent.
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Post by murcod »

ferguson wrote:

what sort of revs were you doing at 145km/h ?
Don't know! It was a few years ago and I wasn't concentrating on the revs so much as safely overtaking in the limited space I had. ;)
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Post by MightyMouse »

IMO for a daily driver with a tad of off road the roza's a good choice. BUT if you wan't to go the whole off road thing then the lack of parts are an issue. Can be fixed however - but not just off the shelf.

My roza ( when it was unlocked ) could keep up with sierra's 99% of the time in medium trips - and was much better on the bitumen.

Just don't buy a roza then get the hardcore off road bug - anything can be fixed, but a roza is significantly harder.

I would also say that in general the Roza is a better built vehicle than a zook - they are SOLID if nothing else.
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Post by droopypete »

suzuki newby wrote:I dont suppose an one knows of any places around her where (Hervey Bay or ther abouts) i can go and get some info on extended shackles/new leafs?
And so it begins :)
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Post by Mudsierra »

Just driving back home from brissie, had the gear in 3rd, at 85km/h, rev at 5000rpm. going up the range.

just to give u some idea that's all
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