Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Asking for a mate, what would be the most useful mods to a daily driven Vitara? It is a SWB hard top. Carby 1.6 manual.

How much suspension lift can you go, without placing undue stress on the front axles?

what size tyres could you run, without guard trimming?

there is a possibility of a rear lsd or locker in the future, but no front locker, and no transfer case gears. there will be no big modifications to it.

it will only be driven on day trips etc, nothing too hardcore.
it also has to be completely legal.

Mods being considered

Rims and Tyres
Susp lift
any tips for tuning the engine for power and/or economy
Bullbar

thanks

when i first got my vit, i put 235/75R15 on the standard vit rims. these were GY MT/Rs, and did rub a little on the chassis when turning full lock.
i also ran some 31"s with no sus lift at all, just a bit of fender trimming on the front quarters. if done carefully, no one will ever notice.
i had no problems with rego or inspections.

i started out with 1" coil spacers, with everything else stock. i had no problems with this either, not sure about where you are though. i guess every inch counts.

a lot of people also reccommend the OME kit, i think it gives 30ish mm of lift, but comes with coils 2 shocks and 2 struts. i think its the ride quality that does it for most.

or depending on where you are, i think you can get custom coils made up to suit, if you want a lift, and or better ride. but then you'll need to find suitable shocks too.

you can also do a strut mount flip, gives about 1" more of down travel.

theres a lot of options when it comes to suspension. depending on how creative you are. usually 2" of lift is max for the front CVs, as any more can break them in a heart beat. and usually when you break a CV, you can usually expect the axle shaft splines to be twisted as well.

is there any chance for a body lift on the cards? 1" or 2" is possible with no other mods, and apparently 2" is legal. and shouldn't be too expensive.
i think you can run 31"s with no cutting with a 2" Body lift and 1" suspension.

with the carby motor, assuming its all stock...... keep the timing accurate, i think mine is 10*, as oppesed to the 8* specified. keep the plugs gapped right, and check the condition of the leads. all the usual stuff. as with engine oil, i'm running 5W-50, and i think 5W-40 is specified in the shop manual. this gives a better response feel with the carby, as opposed to 10W- or even 20W- which mechanics sometimes use.

get good extractors, and a good flowing exhaust. i have a 2" with hi flo cat and muffler. not louder, but smoother.

i got a bit sick and tired of the old mikuni carby, as it wasn't performing as it should, and the vacuum operated secondary wasn't working, and with the cost to rebuild it at about $500, i wasn't happy at all. i swapped in a Weber 32/36, this brings the carby 8v motor to life for real. total cost for my carby swap was about $150 - $200, with recon weber, new plugs and leads, and a good tune up. you can check ebay for the webers, they usually have a couple on auction.

with the weber, drive it normally, and you can get as good or better economy as the old mikuni. but drive it hard, and open her all up, and you can watch the fuel needle go down. literally. my best is 174kms on a full tank, or, 415kms on a full tank.

there is also a neg side to the weber, it stalls and floods on angles (hills) above 30*, but i'[m working on it. it also has an open air filter, thats prone to getting wet, well, up here anyway. i'm also working on a snorkel adapter too.

as for bull bars and the sort, you can just get a custom tube bars made up. for a couple of bucks extra over a shop bull bar (ARB...TJM....etc.) you can get front and rear tube bars made up.

mine is also a daily driver, and its by far the most fun car i drive. just treat is as a 4wd and drive accordingly.

hope this helps, and no doubt others will help you out.
good luck
Steve

With no butchering as a daily driver I'd say go with 1" bodylift, 2" suspension lift and 30" muddies - probably something like MTR's if it's a daily driver.

Mine was a daily driver in this setup, using Hankook Muddies.

Since you've specified not harcore then some more agressive A/T's like Cooper ST-C would also be good.


The OME kit is definately one of the best for ride, and with a Shorty Vit as a daily driver that's gonna be important.... this was where I had many issues with mine.

Unfortunately their rear shocks are too short though so you'll want to find something longer... maybe Dobinsons, Deutsch Tech or Ranchos.

The other downside is they give less lift than many of their competitors....

Coil spacers 15mm at front and 30mm rear are also a viable alternative.

I have to say that mine was a better overall package at that stage than it was with the 31"s due to gearing issues.

30"s a stock vitara in good condition will have few issues with power - even on 31"s it still accelerated way quicker than my Patrol does on 33"s.

I would say no bigger than 2 1/4" on the exhaust.... 2" probably best.

performance wise a weber is the way to go unless ya spend the dollars and go to EFI. the stalling can be fixed by sealing off the stock float vents and put in a new one, lowering the fuel float level and lowering the fuel pressure. also the way it is mounted is a factor in when it stalls.

If ya mate gets the weber, ramflow aircleaner and the manifold adaptor then id be happy to install it for him for a few beers.