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'06 Suzuki GV ... Soft Roader :(

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 8:47 am
by Coatesy
Hey All,

After looking at options for my '06 GV, I'm a little disheartened ... It seems as though this car was designed as nothing more than a soft roader ... It may sound harsh, but the only difference between the GV and a RAV4 is that the Suzuki has a Transfer Case ...

Low Range isn't worth anything when the construction of the Car seriously limits what you can do :(

I am despirate to get the thing lifted, as the rear end has dig itself into the ground on some steep down and ups ... though it looks like I can't even do a body lift because the car is monocoque with an integrated ladder frame.

Can anyone help me with anything they've heard about ways of getting the GV off the ground and turning it into more of a 4WD and less of a RAV4??

Thanks.

GV

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 9:37 am
by fordy1
when you lift it with a good kit with lots of down travel , add some big tyres and add a snorkel you will very capable compared to a stock gv, you will be surprised at the places you will get it but the car was designed for the mass market who drive on road. besides the wait for accessories is long with a new zook. i had a coil sierra for 2 years and had nothing for it , went to a 98 2L vitara same problem now there is parts for them .

i have a 04 GV and there is parts for it, its been around since 98, so in time you will get what you want but its a case of how long.

but with the above additions your car will be an awsome allrounder!! and the series 2 rav4 was a suzuki design paid for by toyota!

Image

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 10:31 am
by grimbo
I think, unfortunately, you are right, they have turned into a soft roader. Although they are nicely built and drive great their offroad capability is lacking. I can't see any of the aftermarket people offering more than token accessories like brush guards, roof racks.

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 10:57 am
by nicbeer
Have u checked whats under there?

ie: do any other spring manuafcturers do a spring same size/coils. spacers.
and lockers \, it may be a diff thats already in use or look at the US market also.

Nic

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 12:22 pm
by Squik
Have Calmini got anything? :?

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 1:27 pm
by suz_rolly
Serch the net its your freind ;)

http://www.rocky-road.com/grandvitara.html

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 1:31 pm
by nicbeer

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 1:40 pm
by grimbo
suz_rolly wrote:Serch the net its your freind ;)

http://www.rocky-road.com/grandvitara.html
well there you go Glenn brings out the new stuff again.

Fordy1 you psted a ic from that page but didn't actually mention that it was about a lift kit available for the 06 GV :?

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 2:55 pm
by Guy

gv

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 3:13 pm
by fordy1
sorry grimbo i was just trying to show you still can do some hard tracks in a gv, that is from a track called rattle snake . poeple just stopped in thier tracks to see a almost stock gv make it.

things for new gv

2 inch suspension rockyroad
sliders/side step rockyroad
snorkels Outdoor Auto
protection plates Outdoor Auto
big tyres any tyre place
winch mounts Outdoor Auto is working on it!!

what else do you need!!!!

Re: '06 Suzuki GV ... Soft Roader :(

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 3:29 pm
by CV Smasher
Coatesy wrote:Hey All,

After looking at options for my '06 GV, I'm a little disheartened ... It seems as though this car was designed as nothing more than a soft roader ... It may sound harsh, but the only difference between the GV and a RAV4 is that the Suzuki has a Transfer Case ...

Low Range isn't worth anything when the construction of the Car seriously limits what you can do :(

I am despirate to get the thing lifted, as the rear end has dig itself into the ground on some steep down and ups ... though it looks like I can't even do a body lift because the car is monocoque with an integrated ladder frame.

Can anyone help me with anything they've heard about ways of getting the GV off the ground and turning it into more of a 4WD and less of a RAV4??

Thanks.
Once we chop the rear bumper and tow bar the departure will be heaps better.
You will love it!!!!

Chris

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 4:42 pm
by Coatesy
Hey all,

I'm feeling a lot better about my car now ... looking forward to sorting out the Tow Bar ... Thanks, Chris :)

Thanks to everyone for your input ... you've turned up things I hadn't found.

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:34 am
by Coatesy
Hey again, guys ...

I've ordered the Rocky Road suspension kit ... so I'm looking forward to that :)

Does anyone know if there is anything else I can do as well as this kit to lift the car a little morre ... I'm already looking at bigger tyres (245/75/R16) ... Is there anything else that would give me a little more height??

Thanks.

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:58 am
by grimbo
can you body lift the new GVs, are they body on chassis or monoque

gv

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 11:31 am
by fordy1
you will find that that is the size fitted to the usa gv, besides that plus lift should give u 4 inches of lift. :D

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 11:36 am
by Coatesy
The design of the new GV's are Monocoque ... but with a built-in Ladder Frame ...

So you couldn't say they're body on chassis ...

That's why I'm asking the question ... I'm not sure I can do anything else aside from the Rocky Road kit ... unless there is some way of adding a different kind of lift on top of the Rocky Road kit ....

So, the question is ... can I get further lift after the kit has been installed?? ... is there any such thing as spacers for this design??

gv

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 11:56 am
by fordy1
the rocky road kit is all spacers. if you still want more then when the arb kit you want is available fit it aswell with RR kit and get longer shocks!!

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 2:21 pm
by Coatesy
So, I could use the spacers from the RR kit and then use longer shocks with the other Suspension Kit??

gv

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 2:31 pm
by fordy1
yes

the rr kit lifts the vehicle useing the stock supension and new shocks for the rear, so if u put a taller suspension the vehicle will be higher again u might have to replace the shocks if they top out , the only thing u will have to watch out for is the CV angle. bar that it would be one bad ass GV

for gv info you should try http://www.metatrox.net this has some great in how to's ( your rr lift )

t

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 2:52 pm
by grimbo
Coatesy wrote:So, I could use the spacers from the RR kit and then use longer shocks with the other Suspension Kit??
the shocks do nothing in regards to lifting the vehicle

gv

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 3:38 pm
by fordy1
yes they do not lift the vehicle but if you have longer suspension why keep the shorter shocks??

Re: gv

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 4:06 pm
by grimbo
fordy1 wrote:yes they do not lift the vehicle but if you have longer suspension why keep the shorter shocks??
wasn't sure if he was thinking the shocks actually lifted the vehicle or not so thought to clear it up

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 4:13 pm
by fordy1
:cool: cool.

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 4:35 pm
by CV Smasher
Coatesy, get out your angle grinder cut out all suspension arms, throw away the diffs.

Now you can fit coilovers, 3link a frame front and rear on hilux diffs!!!!

I think you may have some warrenty issues hahaha :lol: :lol:

gv

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 4:52 pm
by fordy1
yes fit hilux diffs then u could be riding on a pair of :bad-words:

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 4:40 am
by Metatrox
As of right now Rocky Road is the only one makign a lift. I have received a couple insider comments on a couple other companies looking at manufacturing lifts. I'm glad to see other poeple wanting to lift their NGV and use it for more than running to the store. There are also a few companies that make skid plates for under body but non located in the USA. Plus non of them will export here.

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 8:41 am
by Coatesy
I definately feel like I'm in the minority, taking it off the bitumen ... but it really does handle off road really well.

I've done the six foot track from Jenolan Caves to the Cox's River in the Blue Mountains and I had no problems at all ... took eveything I through at it ... including some decent ruts ... and that's in it's stock form!!

I can't wait to get the suspension and lift done ... then I'll put some bigger tyres on.

I also heard that KAM Differentials (UK Company) are developing a rear diff lock which should be out in around six months ... that's on the list!

Should be able to go most places ... :)

gv

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 9:20 am
by fordy1
any picts of your beast??

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:23 am
by Coatesy
Here is a current pic ... I'll post more when I have the mods done.

Image

gv

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 11:01 am
by fordy1
2L or 2.7L ??