Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hey Guys,

I think I have come across a good buy on a V6 1996 vitara. I am going to check it out tommorow. I was just looking through the Bible, and couldn't find much on these models. Is this because there are problems with them? Everyone seems to be talking about the 16a / 16b engine, and never the H20 (I think it's the H20?)

Should I not be looking at the V6? It seems like a good buy to me (based purely on price and talking to the owner.

Cheers
Chris

The Number one problem with this model are the timing chain tensioners. (CJ will be able to elaborate more) but typically these motors make a horrible rattly grinding noise like a collapsed bearing. This is something like a $1200 fix as the radiator etc needs to come out. If you ignore it it can lead to timing chain failure which is quite expensive.

If it has already been done it will be a nice motor. If not, you will have to budget for it.

I wouldn't buy a manual one - the engine has very little inertia (feels like it has no flywheel) so it can be hard to drive a manual one gently. The auto's are excellent though - they eliminate this problem.

Note, they are a "wide track" vitara so they are about 75mm wider in the rear axle and the chassis is 75mm wider spaced. this is no big deal, but Calmini suspension is not available for this model. (requires custom diff drop brackets)

The larger front brakes on this model do not permit the use of 15" rims

Some of these cars have airbags, others don't. I would avoid the airbag model as it is far harder to legally modify.

Anything I missed CJ?

Steve.

So what is your opinion on getting one over a 16a ? I haven't seen any 16b's in price range (under $4000 realistically...but may go a little higher)


Wide track won't bother me...won't that just make it more stable anyway? I don't plan any major modifications, it's a 2nd car for getting to work (race my current daily driver) and a bit of fun on beach/bush on weekends. I may get a bit more serious, but I'll never be doing anything knarly in it.

It is a manual, so I'll take what you said into consideration.

Why are air bag models harder to modify? Cause bars etc can set the air bag off? I didn't ask if it had air bag, but it came with optional factory bull/tow bar...if that means anything (which I doubt it does! haha)

Cheers
Chris

They are a much nicer car than a G16 engined car. They have nicer interiors too.

It is generally not legal to body lift an airbag car, and there are heaps of complications with bullbars etc. If it has a dealer fit bar, It won't be an airbag model.

There is no problem with the wider track, but for two cars that look the same, there is less parts interchangeability between the 1.6 engined cars and the 2.0 than you would imagine.

It sounds like at the price you are talking a bout, it would be a good buy even if the tensioners weren't done.

Steve.

haveing owned a 2 door version of this car i would jump at the chance to get the 5 door and lately i have seen many 2L done up!!

The H20A (2.0 V6) has a couple of common problems. One is the No. 1 timing chain tensioner that is very obvious to the ear when you start it up and let it idle. It will have a very obvious rattle. The parts to fix this aren't that expensive, it is the labour cost to pull everything apart to get to it that costs. If you can do it yourself you will save $$$. The other thing you may find is a leaking rear main seal.

Pretty much everything you can do to the 1.6 model you can do to this one. The only issue as Steve has mentioned is the Calmini 3" suspension front diff drop brackets won't work without modification (cutting and welding) due to the wider chassis spacing. Talk to Calmini though about this if you do want this suspension as they have been working on some new brackets for this model (Sidekick Sport in the US). The wider track though is a good thing for stability. The V6 also runs 16" rims with larger brakes and it has the biggest (70l) fuel tank. Personally if I was looking for one for offroad work and that you may modify I would not choose the ones with ABS and airbags (not too common anyway). Engineers don't like bodylifts with airbags. The ABS could be disconnected though.

If you have found one for around $4000 it's very cheap. Post up more details of it and its condition after you have checked it out.

Gwagensteve wrote: Anything I missed CJ?

Steve.

Learned you are coming in the ways of the Vitara young Gwagen

see this thread if you are interested in helping me with this particular 4x4

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopic.php?t=99939