River crossing depth for GV2009 - Solved!

[JonnoGVitara]

I have been reading a few forums and apparently the river crossing depth is less with later model Grand Vitara's. Early models up to 2005 have a 58cm. Anyone know the diff breather height? Also does anyone have a pdf of the workshop manual for this model? Or a download site to get one?
Thx
Jonno

[christover1]

http://www.suzuki4x4.net/manual/

http://www.suzukiinfo.com/

[JonnoGVitara]

Thx for the manual link.

[andrew_wale]

I have been reading a few forums and apparently the river crossing depth is less with later model Grand Vitara's. Early models up to 2005 have a 58cm. Anyone know the diff breather height? Also does anyone have a pdf of the workshop manual for this model? Or a download site to get one?
Thx
Jonno

I have a complete set of workshop manuals for the 1999 to 2005 models.
I will need to find them but I know I have not deleted them.
Let me know if you need them.

[JonnoGVitara]

The pdf link has older model manuals. Thx. Just been looking thru the manuals re electronic error messages. Boy, a real lot of electrical thingys in my engine bay. 15 spare fuses just in case... Not sure I want to drown the electrics could be a very big problem. On the diff diagrams in the (old vitara) manual there are no diff breathers drawn in.
rgds
Jonno

[gwagensteve]

Old vitaras have diff breathers up to well over 58cm. I'd be enormously surprised if the 58cm figure was from material published by suzuki - water crossing capability is a warranty/liability minefield. (hell - even AM General only rate the military hummer for 60cm without a fording kit!)

In any case, I'd avoid standing water much above the sills (so roughly centre of the wheel) in any car I cared about or daily drove. Much above that and the risk of filling the interior if you stop becomes high.

More importantly, travel as part of a group, don't be the first car through, have a good recovery option (strap already on the car etc) and know where your computer is located.

PS also bear in mind Suzuki are very quick to try and avoid warranty repairs if there is ANY evidence the car has been driven off road. Whilst they aren't legally entitled to, "fair wear and tear" is pretty easy to use as an out if the car has been in water.

Steve.

[JonnoGVitara]

Thanks for the advice. Greatly appreciated. It does spoil my fun a bit. Just after i got the car I went thru a river that was waking to the top of the tyres. An OMG moment that when we got across I paused for thought...
Now I have even more knowledge I can really worry about it, or maybe not go there...

[gwagensteve]

If someone has already been through and confirmed that the base is solid and there are no rocks etc to hit, top of the tyres is feasible, but not ideal in a daily driver in my opinion.

A smooth, controlled water crossing at the top of the tyres turns into a mess if you get stuck and the car fills up

Steve.

[JonnoGVitara]

Good advice.
Yeah, the base of the crossing was packed down river pebbles, regular & crystal clear, just the water was deep.
I was not planning to stop for anything!

[JonnoGVitara]

Got to look at the Vitara on the hoist today. Very interesting. Suzy has vented the diff breather thru a 40cm tube that is semi-circled up & back down and then cabled tied within the frame on the rear diff. I couldn't properly see the front diff but the tube did leave the top of the diff so I would anticipate the same set up as the rear unit. Air intake is above the height of the mudguard - not that I ever want to be that deep but it is reassuring!