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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: Mesjr on February 15, 2017, 06:14:23 PM

Title: 06ish grand vit
Post by: Mesjr on February 15, 2017, 06:14:23 PM
Has anyone heavily modded a 06 grand vit ? Solid axles ? Solid rear long travel front ?
 I'm looking at building another rig and am done with 4cys .
Title: Re: 06ish grand vit
Post by: beagle..t on February 15, 2017, 07:28:30 PM
aren't 06 unibody?
Title: Re: 06ish grand vit
Post by: fordem on February 16, 2017, 05:05:43 AM
Yes they are, but that doesn't mean you can't modify them - having said that, based on what I know of the JB series, I would not choose that as a platform for the sort of modifications being considered.
Title: Re: 06ish grand vit
Post by: Drone637 on February 16, 2017, 10:48:19 AM
What year did they switch from a longitude to a transverse setup for the motor?
Title: Re: 06ish grand vit
Post by: fordem on February 16, 2017, 02:07:08 PM
As far as I know ALL GVs are "longitudinal" motor, not certain about the newer Vitaras, but if the GVs are now transverse that is news to me.
Title: Re: 06ish grand vit
Post by: BRD HNTR on February 17, 2017, 06:15:38 AM
What year did they switch from a longitude to a transverse setup for the motor?
You are probably thinking about the XL7, and that change was in 06 with the 3.6L only.  They still had the longitudinal 2.7L for a more years.
Title: Re: 06ish grand vit
Post by: ebewley on February 18, 2017, 09:44:01 AM
I'm totally looking for a 'last gen' Vitara to build... I've had one on my lift and I think that there are some cool options to make a trail rig. As for solid axle and all that, I don't know.. It may be where the state of the art in rock crawling is headed or just my frame of mind but I'd like to make a robust fully independent vehicle.

-Eric
Title: Re: 06ish grand vit
Post by: fordem on February 18, 2017, 01:00:09 PM
Ummm - a 'last gen' Vitara might mean different things to different people, depending on your interpretation of 'last'.

Suzuki brought the Vitara name back for 2015, but, since they've pulled out of North America, it's not offered there - the new Vitara is your typical uninspiring FWD/4WD cross-over SUV, for those of you in the US, think Nissan Rogue, it's about that size & shape.  A 'last gen' Vitara in North America would perhaps be the SQ series (generally considered gen 2) which is live rear axle and IFS.

On the other hand, Eric, since I notice you mention 'fully independent' you might be meaning a 'last gen' Grand Vitara, which would be the JB or JT series - they are quite robust in terms of the strength of the unibody, but, the independent suspension is a bit of a let down - next time you look under one pay close attention to the following areas ...

In front - take a look at the control arms - the rear bush is a vertically oriented rubber bush that depends on a couple of narrow rubber "necks" to allow it to flex - they tear pretty easily.  This is a design better suited to a FWD sedan, which is where I first saw it (on a 2003 Lancer), although I've since learned that Toyota has been using it on Corollas since the late 90's, and it is quite common on other makes.

At the back - again the control arms - notice that slight V in the shape - you're going to be dragging it through the dirt on pretty much every soft surface - pay attention also to the shape of the exhaust, you're going to be dragging that too.

Other than that they're pretty nice vehicles - I have a 98 SQ420 & an 05 JB420 - both with the J20A engine, and of the two, I'd much rather drive the SQ.
Title: Re: 06ish grand vit
Post by: Mesjr on February 18, 2017, 04:14:02 PM
I'm all for ifs . Not sure about IRS yet . I like going a different rout . I haven't kept up with suzukis in the last few years . My 99 was a let down . Was my wife's DD and went through 2 2l motors bye to timing chain failures . I was collecting parts for a sas for that but I'm done with 2l . Not enough power anyway . Was looking for a v6 vit when I came across a 06 2.7 with a 5spd 👍. My wheels have bin turning ever since . Long travel ifs on a subframe and a solid rear .
Title: Re: 06ish grand vit
Post by: Mesjr on February 18, 2017, 04:19:26 PM
I have not bought it yet , just trying to get info now . What about transfer cases ? Are any of them interchangeable . Could I use the one off my 99 ?
 I'd probably put a duvorced toy on it too .
Title: Re: 06ish grand vit
Post by: BRD HNTR on February 19, 2017, 06:51:43 AM
I'm totally looking for a 'last gen' Vitara to build... I've had one on my lift and I think that there are some cool options to make a trail rig. As for solid axle and all that, I don't know.. It may be where the state of the art in rock crawling is headed or just my frame of mind but I'd like to make a robust fully independent vehicle.

-Eric
I have been watching for MY next build for quite a while, with the intent to go FIS, so it will be interesting to see where you go with this.
Title: Re: 06ish grand vit
Post by: fordem on February 19, 2017, 07:13:56 AM
I'm all for ifs . Not sure about IRS yet . I like going a different rout . I haven't kept up with suzukis in the last few years . My 99 was a let down . Was my wife's DD and went through 2 2l motors bye to timing chain failures . I was collecting parts for a sas for that but I'm done with 2l . Not enough power anyway . Was looking for a v6 vit when I came across a 06 2.7 with a 5spd 👍. My wheels have bin turning ever since . Long travel ifs on a subframe and a solid rear .

You might want to look at how you're treating those motors...

The J20A is a perfectly good engine, and quite reliable when properly maintained, the probable reason you had multiple timing chain failures was poor maintenance, cheap parts, or both, treat the H-series V6 engines the same way and you can expect the same problems, they also use timing chains with hydraulic tensioners.
Title: Re: 06ish grand vit
Post by: Mesjr on February 19, 2017, 10:25:11 AM
I bought the last motor with 60k miles on it . Used recommended oil viscosity , changed regularly.
Title: Re: 06ish grand vit
Post by: olija on February 19, 2017, 06:13:48 PM
It would be a ton of work to convert a 3rd gen GV to solid axle, even just in the rear. You'd be far better off starting with something that has at least a solid rear axle and then if you need to, convert the front end. Why not just get a 2nd gen GV and work with that...it's not a bad platform and the other advantage over the 3rd gen is that you wouldn't have to reinvent the wheel all on your own. Other people are working on these rigs and building them up. Nobody does anything with the 3rd gens in North America. Maybe in places like Australia they see a little more fanfare but unless you're doing relatively tame wheeling, it's not a great platform to start modifying. Beats the crap out of something like a Jeep Patriot or Ford Escape off road though.

(http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/419/2501/26046250120_original.jpg)

(http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac357/zooks4life/recently%20downloaded/GetInline_zpsvyllldho.jpeg)
Title: Re: 06ish grand vit
Post by: fordem on February 20, 2017, 06:58:30 AM
Whilst I agree with most of what was said, I want to point out that it's a little misleading to claim that nobody does anything with the third gens in North America, and more than a little ironic when you bring the Australians into the picture - I can think of at least two North American vendors offering third gen lift kits, both of which I know are being used in Australia.

Rocky Road Outfitters & SR Customs both offer kits for the third gens.
Title: Re: 06ish grand vit
Post by: olija on February 20, 2017, 08:29:45 PM
What I meant was nobody does anything beyond the basic spring or spacer lift, mildly larger tires, etc. The OP is asking about swapping in solid axles front and rear and building a wild off road machine. The 3rd gen is NOT a great platform for something like that. It's way more work compared to something else that has even just a rear solid axle (ie: 2nd gen), not worth it in 99% of people's opinions. However, the 3rd gen IS a great platform for someone who wants something a little more rugged than a Patriot or Escape for mild four-wheeling. The 3rd gens are popular in places like Australia because their style of 4wd is more about surviving a traverse from point A to point B than about conquering trails and obstacles for fun. They two activities are similar but different. I have also noticed that the Nissan Pathfinder R51 (same era as the 3rd gen GV) is very popular there...but here, you'll see about 2 dozen lifted 4Runners before you see one lifted R51.
Title: Re: 06ish grand vit
Post by: Mesjr on February 24, 2017, 02:54:14 PM
Im not afraid to modify , wiring is my akelies heel . I can build most anything .
 I've done several tracker sas swappes .
I'm pretty mechanically inclined and I work in a custom fab shop .
 I want a v6 and I want a standard trans . I'd like to look at one to see what it would entail .
Title: Re: 06ish grand vit
Post by: Mesjr on December 13, 2017, 06:01:47 PM
So I didn't get the 06 but I looked at a wrecked 09 today . It's a 2.4 5 spd .
 I actually think it would be easier to modify than I originally thought ..... but does the subframe also hold the motor in ? I'm guessing it does . 
And will any of the previous gens transfer cases transmissions swap ?
Title: Re: 06ish grand vit
Post by: ebewley on December 13, 2017, 06:24:45 PM
Yeah... I like that 2.4 better than the V6 from the previous years... I think a sub-frame lift would be the way to go. The back, super easy... The front lift it the same and then do basically an 'engine lift' to get those pieces back in place... I'm just dying to try this. I think 33" on a Gen3 would be fairly easy. ..and driveable.

-Eric
Title: Re: 06ish grand vit
Post by: Mesjr on December 13, 2017, 07:15:06 PM
I was thinking ditching the subframe all together. The Vit has problems. It rearended a SUV and the core support is trash along with everything between the bumper and the motor . It started right up though and no apparent frame sub frame damage .
 But if you were doing something along the lines of simpler you could probably put spacers between the subframe and frame .  I offered 5 and they countered at 750 .
I think it may need a rack and ps pump , trans won't shift it just wiggles and bags are deployed. Oh and no throttle . Don't know if it's drive by wire or cable .