Just bought myself a 2003 GV

[Brad.Jones]

Hi There,

After being on many trips in the family Jeep I thought it was about time I got into it myself.
I have just bought a 2003 Grand Vitara.

How far can I take one of these stock? Without a lift, with a set of Dunlop GRANDTREK AT3.

And when I do put a lift in it, what would people recommend?
I guess I don't want anything crazy high I was think about 50mm (2 inches)
Any particular brands / kits that are better than the others?

Also I want to fit a Cruise Control Kit to it, seems like going back to the dark ages after my AU Falcon...
Has anyone had any experience fiting one to a GV?
I'd like to try and make it look as factory as possible and steer clear of those cheap and nasty
units you can get from the likes of SuperCheap.

Finally - I know it's probably a sticky on this forum somewhere but whats the best way of joining up?
I am from Geelong so I am not so keen on coming down to one of the General Meetings,
can I simply join up on the spot on my first trip with the club?

Thanks Brad

[neofitou]

Hi Brad, a club meeting is the best way to get to know the club.

But given that you are indeed in Gelong, you can join simply by paying the membership by direct debit, and letting us know youve done so, we can upgrade your user to member so you can properly see the trip section.

Our Financial year is in July, so you can get a new membership (including a T-Shirt) that will last you until then for $50 (so only deposit the $50).
You can then ask somone to bring you a shirt that is attending both a meeting and a trip your going on!.

As for your GV im not the one to ask, but there are quite a few 50mm suspension lifts availiable for them now.
One of the other members will be able to fill you in more.

[andrew_wale]

Brad.

I used to own a 1999 V6 Grand Vitara.
The Body shape was not changed until 2005/2006. So the 2003 GV, would be the similar to the 1999 GV.

When I looked at suspension for mine, there was not that many options around.
I had ARB Old Man Emu fitted. This gave it is 40mm (approx) lift.

There may be more options now though. But recommend looking at ARB.
From memory I fitted 225/75 R16 BFG Muddies without noticeable rubbing. But then again, other GV owners have mentioned that they do scap a fair bit.
What size are the GrandTrek AT3's ?

I can't comment about the Cruise control as I never had it fitted.

As for a Snorkel, I had that fitted by Suzi World but there may be other options now.
Hope to see you at the next meeting.

Andrew Wale

[Brad.Jones]

Cool, have paid the $50, email sent off to the treasurer.

I spoke with a guy from ARB about the OME kit and was told it was only going to give me a lift of 25mm (1 inch).
So I figured that seemed a little pointless considering the price they were asking for it, $1300 fitted.
Andrew can you recall any other details about the OME kit you got fitted?

So far I have been tossing up between either of these kits:
http://outdoorauto4x4.com/p/989402/gran ... -40mm.html
http://www.ironmandealer.com.au/grandvitara.htm

To keep costs down initially I was even thinking of just getting the bigger springs
as the struts and shocks on the car are in pretty good condition.
Not sure if I'd have issues with over extending them though...

The GrandTrek AT3's are 235/60/16, I'll keep these until they have no tread left (they are pretty much brand new)
or they get punctured and then I'll get some bigger more aggressive tires.

[andrew_wale]

Cool, have paid the $50, email sent off to the treasurer.

I spoke with a guy from ARB about the OME kit and was told it was only going to give me a lift of 25mm (1 inch).
So I figured that seemed a little pointless considering the price they were asking for it, $1300 fitted.
Andrew can you recall any other details about the OME kit you got fitted?

So far I have been tossing up between either of these kits:
http://outdoorauto4x4.com/p/989402/gran ... -40mm.html
http://www.ironmandealer.com.au/grandvitara.htm

To keep costs down initially I was even thinking of just getting the bigger springs
as the struts and shocks on the car are in pretty good condition.
Not sure if I'd have issues with over extending them though...

The GrandTrek AT3's are 235/60/16, I'll keep these until they have no tread left (they are pretty much brand new)
or they get punctured and then I'll get some bigger more aggressive tires.

It was about 7 years ago when I got the OME lift.
But I remember the springs being medium (I think).
So with the 225/75 R16 tyres & OME kit, I think I got about 40-50mm lift in total.
ARB are very conservative with the measurements. As the GV is IFS, they cannot lift it that much.
From memory 235/60's are original size so they are 26". the 225/75 R16's are approx 29"
As I went larger tyres, my speedo was out by 10% or so. I have to what my GPS carefully.

Any larger tyres and I would have had to start cutting.

Andrew Wale