webby954 Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 our first 4x4 any ideas to make it better off road webby ps its also the misses everyday car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webby954 Posted September 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 sorry couldnt add pic lol its a grand vitara 1.6 petrol swb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 Tyres are the key but finding a good on and off road tyre isn't easy (what split of on and off road will you be doing? Vitara (at least the older ones) were very capable off road Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaxiDriver Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 Some tyres with a more off-road bias maybe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MITCHF Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 Had 3 Discovery plus a couple of Shoguns and just sold a 3ltr Isuzu Trooper. Bought a 2001 Grand Vitara 5 door, 2.0TD. Fitted some AT's (215/70/16) It's the most economical and reliable 4x4 I've had to date. Not complicated or rusty, cheap to run, cheap to insure (£138 per yr :-), cheap parts. And the biggest benefit, my Mrs loves driving it, she moaned the others where all too big So I have lots of bonus points to go shooting more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redditch Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 (edited) Tyres are the key but finding a good on and off road tyre isn't easy (what split of on and off road will you be doing? Vitara (at least the older ones) were very capable off road Couldn´t agree more, some good tyres, maybe increase ground clearance with a lifter kit, and if you realy want to go off road serious, a winch (Either fitted permanently, or one that can be hooked up front and/or rear) Edited September 25, 2011 by Redditch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 Some decent AT tyres for everyday driving on the road and getting about your shooting ground. Wont increase fuel consumption, are quiet on the road compared to mud tyres and last longer. I wouldn't bother with body/suspension lifts (which do not give more ground clearance, bigger tyres do) it will mess up the handling and increase the chances of rolling the vehicle, plus the ride will less comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 our first 4x4 any ideas to make it better off road webby ps its also the misses everyday car its already a good off road motor, without needing to do anything to it are your trips off road, going to be driving on mud tracks to shooting areas, lamping etc, leave car as bog standard or are you going for the full off road experience, driving across fields etc, in which case, change the tyres Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webby954 Posted September 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 some of ground is farm fields some fairly wet parts and also have some forestry with good roads and some rough roads due to felling operations ongoing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 A decent Tirfor winch ( not too big ), a ground anchor, a kinetic recovery rope, couple of short scaffold boards, footpump with pressure gauge, spade, etc etc. Vitaras are pretty good as standard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 http://www.bits4vits.co.uk/store/index.php has lots of bits if you want to modify it, but decent tyres and knowing your and the cars capability plenty of owners forums for Suzi's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garygreengrass Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 Just put a set of BF Goodrich AT tyres on it,I know they are expensive but well worth the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 Just put a set of BF Goodrich AT tyres on it,I know they are expensive but well worth the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redditch Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 Some decent AT tyres for everyday driving on the road and getting about your shooting ground. Wont increase fuel consumption, are quiet on the road compared to mud tyres and last longer. I wouldn't bother with body/suspension lifts (which do not give more ground clearance, bigger tyres do) it will mess up the handling and increase the chances of rolling the vehicle, plus the ride will less comfortable. But the lift kit will generally allow the fitting of bigger tyres, although as stated, it does generally ruin the handling somewhat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR1960 Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 I believe you can still find copies of this book if you look hard. I've been told its really good, but of course I may be biased! http://www.carpages.co.uk/suzuki/suzuki-4x4-28-10-05.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrewluke Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 if involved in an accident would you still have insurance cover if you had a lift kit fitted? andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeh Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 Yes, if it was insured as modified. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR1960 Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 Most of my modified zuks cost slightly LESS to insure than when they were bog standard, so don't be shy telling your insurance company, you will need one that specialises in modded 4x4s though. Just google it there's plenty about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SniperR10 Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 I can highly recommend BF Goodrich AT tyres great in all conditions. I installed a 2" lift on my Jeep to allow for a taller tyre to be fitted. I am planning to go a little bit higher as I went on my first off-road day last month and thoroughly enjoyed it.... Try Adrian flux for insurance they also gave me off-road cover and all mods were recorded on a vehicle modification sheet. I had cheaper quotes online but none of them could confirm the lift or if I was covered off-road. One important thing is make sure you have good tow points front and rear if your thinking of going off-road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 I believe you can still find copies of this book if you look hard. I've been told its really good, but of course I may be biased! http://www.carpages.co.uk/suzuki/suzuki-4x4-28-10-05.asp Wish I'd had a copy of that when I had a zook. Do you sell one on how to turn a rangerover into a reliable method of transport ? Actually that would be a magic book, I'll do a search by author, Ali Bongo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR1960 Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 Wish I'd had a copy of that when I had a zook. Do you sell one on how to turn a rangerover into a reliable method of transport ? Actually that would be a magic book, I'll do a search by author, Ali Bongo. No mate, sorry, I only write books about zuks, I don't claim to be a miracle worker....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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