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ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Grand Vitara, Vitara, Chevy Tracker (Gen. 2 Platform) 1999-2005 => Topic started by: AJMBLAZER on June 10, 2006, 11:39:55 AM

Title: So what's a naked GV look like, no body cladding?
Post by: AJMBLAZER on June 10, 2006, 11:39:55 AM
Being the land of road salt and stupid drivers Michigan is hard on vehicles.  We're planning on heading south in a few years but the GV will still see several winters of road salt before then.  I'd also like to solve some of our problems with dings, marks, blemishes, etc on the body cladding.  I swear the thing was nearly cherry when we got it less than a year and a half ago but now every cladding peice and bumper fascia has dings, dents, scuffs, marks, blemishes, etc from morons that can't park or open their doors without hitting something. ::)

We'd like to take the cladding off and have that area Rhino Lined.  The Rhino Lining guy here in town loves challenging stuff like this and since I've been a repeat customer and send him business he sorta gives me a deal.  Anyways, I want to know what's under all that stuff.  How's it held on?  Any holes or clips sitting there?
Anyone have pictures?
Title: Re: So what's a naked GV look like, no body cladding?
Post by: 99Trackerconv on June 10, 2006, 07:41:28 PM
It looks like a 4dr Tracker  ;D
Title: Re: So what's a naked GV look like, no body cladding?
Post by: AJMBLAZER on June 10, 2006, 07:44:42 PM
Smertarse...

I'm more looking for what's under the cladding, holding it to the truck.
Title: Re: So what's a naked GV look like, no body cladding?
Post by: Maroon Monsoon on June 10, 2006, 08:15:03 PM
Smertarse...

I'm more looking for what's under the cladding, holding it to the truck.


there are pins going through holes in the body. if you open one of the front doors and look through the crack there you can probably see the pins sticking through the fender (don't know how well that's worded)

I've seen one with a flare missing and they had the plastic pins still in the fender

you'll have to fill them in, I'm guessing each hole is abou 1/4 inch or so in diameter. they might be square holes, not sure..

should look pretty cool with some flares that don't connect to some stupid middle plastic things, I kind of want to do that someday when I'm ready for a paint job
Title: Re: So what's a naked GV look like, no body cladding?
Post by: AJMBLAZER on June 10, 2006, 08:16:42 PM
I think we'll just get rid of all the cladding, flares and all.  Still thinking about the bumper fascias.
Title: Re: So what's a naked GV look like, no body cladding?
Post by: Maroon Monsoon on June 10, 2006, 08:20:02 PM
it would probably look better with the bumper plastic off. kicks do and in my opinion the front will look better. a friend of mine sugested plating the stock bumper. if I did that I would holesaw the crap out of it first so the plating doesn't add too much weight and it would still be stronger in the end. was king of thinking to make it go down behind the bottom part of my brush guard... just some ideas to throw out there for ya
Title: Re: So what's a naked GV look like, no body cladding?
Post by: AJMBLAZER on June 10, 2006, 08:21:21 PM
Yeah, not sure about it all.  Also a factor is that my wife is the main driver of the GV.  She likes the Rhino Lining idea but I can guarantee you that if she doesn't like it without the bumpers I'd never hear the ends of it.
Title: Re: So what's a naked GV look like, no body cladding?
Post by: Maroon Monsoon on June 10, 2006, 11:54:09 PM
yea, perfectly understandable. I was just giving an idea or two in case you might want to give it a try. got to keep it how you want it. if people didn't want thier vehicles different than others like they would all be the same

yup, hope it all goes well. you should get some pics if you start getting rid of all the trim
Title: Re: So what's a naked GV look like, no body cladding?
Post by: AJMBLAZER on June 11, 2006, 07:23:04 AM
I've seen them without some of the trim, I know Gear took his rocker trim off when he went up to 31's.

At least the wife likes the idea.  I noticed the other day it's loose on one of the back doors. :P
Title: Re: So what's a naked GV look like, no body cladding?
Post by: Maroon Monsoon on June 11, 2006, 03:22:05 PM
yea, i've looked into removing my rocker trim off but I really wouldn't gain much at all. I would just make it look wierd. (in my opinion anyway) I've seen them with the rocker trim off and the rest on and I don't care for the look. there is allot of things hanging off of the metal but since you want to do the body work and reapaint anyway I'm sure it wouldn't be that big of a deal to get rid of that stuff and smooth it out.

I think I want to remove the rear section of my back flares and see what it looks like. they'd go right back on if it looked wierd. those wana be mud flaps that are molded in don't do anything
Title: Re: So what's a naked GV look like, no body cladding?
Post by: blacknight on June 11, 2006, 05:51:33 PM
Is this tooo naked  :o

Title: Re: So what's a naked GV look like, no body cladding?
Post by: blacknight on June 11, 2006, 06:09:48 PM
Thoughts for a tube bumper
Title: Re: So what's a naked GV look like, no body cladding?
Post by: AJMBLAZER on June 11, 2006, 06:21:22 PM
Anyone have any shots of the bumpers with the fascia off?
Title: Re: So what's a naked GV look like, no body cladding?
Post by: beerman on June 11, 2006, 06:37:01 PM
it's butt ugly! too bad i didn't take a picture of mine when it was in the "body shop", it's not pretty :'(
Title: Re: So what's a naked GV look like, no body cladding?
Post by: AJMBLAZER on June 11, 2006, 06:38:00 PM
I kinda like Maroon's idea of plating them up to look a bit ARB-ish. 8)
Title: Re: So what's a naked GV look like, no body cladding?
Post by: jeffry on June 11, 2006, 08:02:58 PM
Anyone have any shots of the bumpers with the fascia off?

This is my Vitara (not a Grand) with the bumper fascia off. I want that tube bumper blacknight posted. Where is that from?

Jeff
Title: Re: So what's a naked GV look like, no body cladding?
Post by: beerman on June 11, 2006, 08:12:25 PM
on mine the bumper is same colour as the rest of the metal.

green matal, silver plastic. you got BLACK METAL ;)

funny, it reminds me of music :D
Title: Re: So what's a naked GV look like, no body cladding?
Post by: jeffry on June 11, 2006, 08:49:36 PM
on mine the bumper is same colour as the rest of the metal.

green matal, silver plastic. you got BLACK METAL ;)

funny, it reminds me of music :D

a can of black hammerite helps ;D
Title: Re: So what's a naked GV look like, no body cladding?
Post by: Maroon Monsoon on June 11, 2006, 09:41:25 PM
Thoughts for a tube bumper


that is a sick bumper dude. I can't believe the gnarliness before my eyes. did you make that?
Title: Re: So what's a naked GV look like, no body cladding?
Post by: blacknight on June 12, 2006, 12:47:14 PM
Thoughts for a tube bumper


that is a sick bumper dude. I can't believe the gnarliness before my eyes. did you make that?

I wish that was mine.  It's a guy from Russa
Geogre
Title: Re: So what's a naked GV look like, no body cladding?
Post by: Maroon Monsoon on June 12, 2006, 05:41:50 PM
well, it's freaking awesome