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98/99 GV modifications

Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 10:02 am
by MrForty
Hi All

Just wondering if there is anyone out there that has done any simple mods to 98/99 GV? If so, could you please post some pics of it so I can get a rough idea of what mine could look like. Also do they make snorkels for GV's? I can't find one any where. Any help or info would be much appreciated.

Thanks a lot

99GV

Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 6:07 pm
by fordy1
Hi MrForty

My name is Tim and i have a small web shop that supplies Suv parts and i am the only one with a Snorkel. ( outdoorauto.com.au )

As far as cheap mods go the only one i know of is spring spacers, you can get a little extra lift without forking out the big bucks

also i have a recovery hitch that adds a little bling

Here is a couple pics of my rig.

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Im sure huggy or cj on here have some tips too

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 11:42 am
by TheOtherLeft
Old Man Emu suspension is probably one of the best/easiest mods you can do. It's heaps better then the factory suspension which I felt was downright dangerous around corrugated corners. OME gives about 35mm lift.

Also the biggest tyre size you can go without cutting etc is 29". I run 225/75R16 tyres which give a little more clearance.

I've recently done the diffs (5.12) plus added an airlocker. It's so much more capable then it was a year or so ago.

Regarding snorkels, another option is the V6 petrol Hilux snorkel which isn't 100% compatible but is very close. It follows the A-pillar quite well but isn't perfect. I'm half heartedly looking at one of these as it's quite a bit cheaper then some of the others on the market. Safari, Airtec and Airflow make these.

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 11:52 am
by TheOtherLeft
Forgot to add. With the OME lift and bigger tyres it still looks very stock, and hence is one less reason to attract any unwanted attention.

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 5:14 pm
by Rocky Vitara
Check your PM for my mods.

And please check out some pics of my car here http://carl.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopi ... 81#1118881

Go the GV!! :D

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 2:34 pm
by MrForty
Thanks guys, all this info has really helped. One more thing though, has anyone installed or heard about the 2.5" Calmini suspension system. Is that worth looking into?

Thanks again

Matt

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:00 pm
by Gwagensteve
Whilst the Calmini kit is quite impressive (note "quite"- it is far from perfect) it is far from a simple modification as there are a large number of replacement items, some of which are not legal for road use (brake lines, heim joint on rear A arm)

Due to the replacement structural items such as arms, the Calmini kit requires engineer approval.

I would only recommend it if you were trying to get the absolute maximum off road capability.

I am sure you woudl be happy with the OME suspension - most calmini users end up with OME front struts anyway as they are the best avilable.

Just my 2C

Steve.

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 11:11 am
by MrForty
I have rang around and emailed a few places. I seem to be getting a mixed bag of responses. I now seem to have more questions than answers. I don't want to go over the top with mods, but I definitely want to get the most out of it off road and still be my daily driver. Not sure what to do :? What does everyone recomend?

Thanks for all your help

Matt

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 11:42 am
by A12
I have an XL-7, the longer version of the GV.

My mods in include a suspension lift with custom coils (when I did mine there was no off the shelf kit), OME front struts and Tough Dog rear shocks, free wheel hubs from Vitara to save CV's, snorkle (still to be installed from fordy1) and 235/70R16 BFG Muddies. It looks relatively stock, has plenty of travel, especially when the sway bar is removed, and does not attract Mr Plod.

From what I understand for fellow XL-7 owners in the Zuke club, the King Springs with OME struts appear to be the best. The Calmini gear is expensive to get over here, hard to have engineered and not necessarily worh the effort.

Regards


Greg

GV

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 2:43 pm
by fordy1
any pics A12??

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 3:06 pm
by A12
Hopefully this weekend when I fit the snorkle. I will take some photo's of the car up on the ramps demonstrating the flex.......all this bloody rain has prevented me from working on the car...

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 3:46 pm
by fordy1
AHHhhhhhh i hate waiting as i lov to see pics!!!

Mr Forty i dont care if you get a snorkel or not but please dont fit the hilux snorkal to your GV as they a poor fit and in my personal view do not look good at all , i found this sad looking Xl7 at a car yard :cry:

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Wow what a great fit NOT!!!

Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2007 11:24 am
by Rocky Vitara
Oh thats a nasty fit :? I know I will not be getting one of those :lol:

Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 9:58 am
by MrForty
Certainly wont be fitting a hilux snokel to the GV, that's for sure :)

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 2:53 pm
by MrForty
I was talking with someone over the weekend about doing a lift on the GV. They said I might be able to wind up the torsion bars to get a bit a lift. Does anyone recomend doing this?

Thanks

Matt

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 3:03 pm
by cj
MrForty wrote:I was talking with someone over the weekend about doing a lift on the GV. They said I might be able to wind up the torsion bars to get a bit a lift. Does anyone recomend doing this?

Thanks

Matt
You might want to talk to someone else . GV's don't have torsion bars. :roll:

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 3:12 pm
by MrForty
doh, don't I feel like a goose :oops:

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 3:27 pm
by fordy1
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: maybe this might be a good coversion :lol: :lol: :lol:

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 3:29 pm
by cj
fordy1 wrote::lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: maybe this might be a good coversion :lol: :lol: :lol:
No, no and NO!!! ;)

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 3:35 pm
by fordy1
i cant stop- laughing!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 5:05 pm
by MrForty
How about an SOA?... just kidding