Q's regarding Suspension for Suzuki Sierra

R

Ron McGrice

Guest

• Oct 30, 2003

• #21

"Trentus" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> But convincing the wife to give up her Station wagon, for a family 4WD
> isn't proving to be the easiest job. Especially as she refuses to
> drive a manual, so that means an automatic, which limits me to
> something like a Pajero, Patrol, or Cruiser, which are expensive and
> rare in auto, and since the only way we'd then afford to RUN this
> thing would be if it was turbo diesel, as my wife has no intention of
> ever feeding the thirst of a petrol family 4WD, so it has to be TD
> auto, which means even rarer, and more expensive.

Trenuts, there are a couple of options. My little Sister has a Rav4
which she has clocked up 230,000km on with no trouble, and loves going
bush in the thing. It is cheap to run and will do what you Suzuki does.

The next one is a Jeep Station Wagon, simple, drives like a car, has an
economy similar to an older Falcon and will also go most places off
road.

And the third, a lot of people are fitting GM 4 speed autos to manual
4WD's, including diesels. The big advantage is the 4th gear, being
overdrive. Great for the highway. BTW an auto is great for sand, etc.

Although I'm not very fond of 4WD's and bush, after 30 years in the
Army, my wife wants to go places where cars won't so I'll probably buy
an older Range Rover automatic. My back is buggered and they are one of
the smoothest to ride in over the rough.

Ron

 

M

Mike Harding

Guest

• Oct 31, 2003

• #22

On 30 Oct 2003 21:37:34 GMT, Ron McGrice <Newsguy.com> wrote:
>
>Trenuts, there are a couple of options. My little Sister has a Rav4
>which she has clocked up 230,000km on with no trouble, and loves going
>bush in the thing. It is cheap to run and will do what you Suzuki does.

No it won't.

Mike Harding

 

D

Dan---

Guest

• Oct 31, 2003

• #23

Trentus wrote:
>

>
> Can you turbo a 1.3 litre?

Oh **** yeah.

> Where would I look to find such a mod?

Check this mob out it may be right up your ally.
<http://www.suzisport.au.com/modification.htm>

> That would be worth considering.

Ineed.

 

A

ant

Guest

• Oct 31, 2003

• #24

Trentus wrote:
> "adam_c" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>> Are you from Sydney by chance?
>
> Originally yes, but now from Canberra.
> BTW, I might point out these mods aren't just for looks.
> I'm a member of a 4WD club, and Canberra being "bush capital" has
> massive amounts of 4WD territory around it, which I fully intend to
> utilise to the max.

Have you discussed options with the guys at kaos 4X4 in Belconnen? They
specialise in doing dreadful things to Sierras...especially going by the
photos on the wall!

ant

 

D

Dan---

Guest

• Oct 31, 2003

• #25

Ron McGrice wrote:
>
>
>
> Trenuts, there are a couple of options. My little Sister has a Rav4
> which she has clocked up 230,000km on with no trouble, and loves going
> bush in the thing. It is cheap to run and will do what you Suzuki does.

Probably close in some areas but the Rav 4 is like the CRV fairly
limited to off roading ability. Plus real 4x4's have 2 speed transfer
case.

 

A

ant

Guest

• Oct 31, 2003

• #26

Trentus wrote:

> My long term plan is to change the "wife's" car for a family 4WD, and
> keep "my" zook as the daily commuter and weekend fun-mobile. That way
> when the whole family want to go on a club trip, we'd take the
> "wife's" car. And when it's a severe trip, or it's just me and maybe
> one mate, we'd take the beefed up zook.

Get her a long wheel base Vitara wagon! Trouble is, I think the old ones are
better for the dirt and rocks than these new Grand Vitaras. Bit iffey about
them, they're a tad plush.

ant

 

A

ant

Guest

• Oct 31, 2003

• #27

Trentus wrote:
> I've already had the zook outperform a LR Discovery through a muddy
> boghole (he tried twice and failed both times, I got through first
> go), I'd love to turn it into a stealth weapon with lockers etc so
> that it outperforms even more of the club vehicles, whilst LOOKING
> like a toy. Passing those bogged Cruisers and Patrols in a vehicle
> they see as a speedhump, sort of appeals to me.

My Vitara already does that in deep snow. I feel very evil when I spy a
Disco, as for some reason, it's going to get into trouble, I don't know why,
but every Disco in the snow struggles big-time. Driver or car, not sure.
And due to the ground clearance, it murders Subeys on steep tracks with lots
of rocks, too.

ant

 

R

rnf2

Guest

• Oct 31, 2003

• #28

"Trentus" <[email protected]> wrote

> So it looks like the zook needs to be the main 4WD for a while longer, and
> serve the secondary purpose of a short 5-6km daily commuter for work. All
> up about 60kms a fortnight for work, and easily 300kms a fortnight
off-road.
>
> Trentus
>
>
(twin?) Turbo the Zook.

rhys

 

R

rnf2

Guest

• Oct 31, 2003

• #29

"Trentus" <[email protected]> wrote

> Yep, that's why I'll keep the smaller tyres and rims for the on-road daily
> commute, and put on the 31-32 muddies for the weekends (besides I can't
> afford to scrub bare a set of muddies by driving on road with them
> regularly)
> How I'll run two speedo's is another question all together. I think I'll
> have to use the GPS unit for a daily commute speedo, and get the zook's
> speedo calibrated for use with the muddies.
>
> Trentus
>

Work out the speed diff with Muddies Vs Standard, noting where on the dial
the needle is when doing set speeds, then take the glass off the speedo case
and paint in those speeds at those places on the dial, a bit like some cars
have both Miles and Kmh, you will have both Mud and Standard. It will help
if you mark it in a different colour too.

rhys

 

A

adam_c

Guest

• Oct 31, 2003

• #30

That's a great idea Rhys!!!

Adam


"rnf2" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Trentus" <[email protected]> wrote
>
> > Yep, that's why I'll keep the smaller tyres and rims for the on-road
daily
> > commute, and put on the 31-32 muddies for the weekends (besides I can't
> > afford to scrub bare a set of muddies by driving on road with them
> > regularly)
> > How I'll run two speedo's is another question all together. I think I'll
> > have to use the GPS unit for a daily commute speedo, and get the zook's
> > speedo calibrated for use with the muddies.
> >
> > Trentus
> >
>
> Work out the speed diff with Muddies Vs Standard, noting where on the dial
> the needle is when doing set speeds, then take the glass off the speedo
case
> and paint in those speeds at those places on the dial, a bit like some
cars
> have both Miles and Kmh, you will have both Mud and Standard. It will help
> if you mark it in a different colour too.
>
> rhys
>
>

 

P

Pete

Guest

• Oct 31, 2003

• #31

"Dan---" <[email protected]> wrote
> >
> > Can you turbo a 1.3 litre?
>
> Oh **** yeah.

"Oh **** yeah."

LOL!!!!

I can just imagine Dan rubbing his hands with glee about the thought of
chucking a turbo onto something - anything - automotive!!!

 

P

Pete

Guest

• Oct 31, 2003

• #32

LOL.

Ron McFaggot/McLoudmouth/Mcuneducatedopinion thinks a RAV4 is an
offroader!!!!

LOL LOL LOL!!!!!

"Mike Harding" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 30 Oct 2003 21:37:34 GMT, Ron McGrice <Newsguy.com> wrote:
> >
> >Trenuts, there are a couple of options. My little Sister has a Rav4
> >which she has clocked up 230,000km on with no trouble, and loves going
> >bush in the thing. It is cheap to run and will do what you Suzuki does.
>
> No it won't.
>
> Mike Harding
>

 

R

rnf2

Guest

• Oct 31, 2003

• #33

"Pete" <nospam@petewoz-ear> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> LOL.
>
> Ron McFaggot/McLoudmouth/Mcuneducatedopinion thinks a RAV4 is an
> offroader!!!!
>
> LOL LOL LOL!!!!!
>
No low range = no SERIOUS offroad capability.

I've seen a '89 Holden Commodore drive past a stuck RAV4, detouring into
worse terrain to get arround. The Comm is only 2WD.

rhys

 

T

Trentus

Guest

• Oct 31, 2003

• #34

"Ron McGrice" <Newsguy.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Trentus" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
> > But convincing the wife to give up her Station wagon, for a family 4WD
> > isn't proving to be the easiest job. Especially as she refuses to
> > drive a manual, so that means an automatic, which limits me to
> > something like a Pajero, Patrol, or Cruiser, which are expensive and
> > rare in auto, and since the only way we'd then afford to RUN this
> > thing would be if it was turbo diesel, as my wife has no intention of
> > ever feeding the thirst of a petrol family 4WD, so it has to be TD
> > auto, which means even rarer, and more expensive.
>
> Trenuts, there are a couple of options. My little Sister has a Rav4
> which she has clocked up 230,000km on with no trouble, and loves going
> bush in the thing. It is cheap to run and will do what you Suzuki does.

Thanks for the suggestions and advice, though I'm not sure I'd agree with
the last comment.

In a recent test done at "The Mineshaft" (The mineshaft
http://www.zipworld.com.au/~mullet/photos/ROC03/Mineshaft.jpg is a steep
slope they jump cars off the top of during the "Rally of Canberra"
www.roc.com.au )
Subaru took all the most popular soft-roaders - Rav4, CRV, etc - out there,
drove them half way down, then tried reversing them back up.
The RAV4 was one of many that either didn't make it, or did a damned hard
and messy job of it. (of course all the Subaru's made it just fine) The
Suzuki does the Mineshaft both forwards and backwards and even in the rain
when the slope was slippery to the max.
So I wouldn't exactly say the Rav4 is the equal of a Suzuki off-road. And
that was before I even thought about doing the mods.

Thanks for taking time to give me some suggestions though.
I do appreciate it.

Trentus

 

M

mudgutz

Guest

• Oct 31, 2003

• #35

mudgutz laughing at ron............. agreeing with mike........no it wont
"Mike Harding" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 30 Oct 2003 21:37:34 GMT, Ron McGrice <Newsguy.com> wrote:
> >
> >Trenuts, there are a couple of options. My little Sister has a Rav4
> >which she has clocked up 230,000km on with no trouble, and loves going
> >bush in the thing. It is cheap to run and will do what you Suzuki does.
>
> No it won't.
>
> Mike Harding
>

 

M

mudgutz

Guest

• Oct 31, 2003

• #36

yeah ron knows heaps about 4wding.......LOL>>>>>>NOT
"Pete" <nospam@petewoz-ear> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> LOL.
>
> Ron McFaggot/McLoudmouth/Mcuneducatedopinion thinks a RAV4 is an
> offroader!!!!
>
> LOL LOL LOL!!!!!
>
> "Mike Harding" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > On 30 Oct 2003 21:37:34 GMT, Ron McGrice <Newsguy.com> wrote:
> > >
> > >Trenuts, there are a couple of options. My little Sister has a Rav4
> > >which she has clocked up 230,000km on with no trouble, and loves going
> > >bush in the thing. It is cheap to run and will do what you Suzuki
does.
> >
> > No it won't.
> >
> > Mike Harding
> >
>
>

 

T

Trentus

Guest

• Oct 31, 2003

• #37

"ant" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Trentus wrote:
> > "adam_c" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >
> >> Are you from Sydney by chance?
> >
> > Originally yes, but now from Canberra.
> > BTW, I might point out these mods aren't just for looks.
> > I'm a member of a 4WD club, and Canberra being "bush capital" has
> > massive amounts of 4WD territory around it, which I fully intend to
> > utilise to the max.
>
> Have you discussed options with the guys at kaos 4X4 in Belconnen? They
> specialise in doing dreadful things to Sierras...especially going by the
> photos on the wall!

Yep, that's who does all my Suzuki work.
They're the ones recommending the Calmini Suspension and lift kit.
I'm normally really impressed with them, but I recently asked them to quote
doing the whole lot in one go, thus saving on labour, but was a little
underwhelmed by the lack of response. It took me a week to get the quote,
and in the end he seemed to just be writing things down from his head, I got
the impression he didn't believe I was seriously going to get it done.
Little does he know I've just received a fair inheritance, and am planning
on spending a very small portion of it (max around $7k) on the zook.
I would have gotten them to do the suspension had a good friend with all the
tools I could ever want, including a vehicle hoist, offer to do it for me
for free if I help him. That will save a big chunk on the suspension alone,
as the labour portion was going to be around $800. Which is enough to pay
for a Bull-bar.
I will however continue to use them for as much as possible, they've been
very good to me so far.
And as I've barely had the money to do the most basic things, to come in and
ask for a quote on $7grand worth of mods would have left them a little
sceptical I suspect.

Trentus

 

T

Trentus

Guest

• Oct 31, 2003

• #38

"rnf2" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Trentus" <[email protected]> wrote
>
> > Yep, that's why I'll keep the smaller tyres and rims for the on-road
daily
> > commute, and put on the 31-32 muddies for the weekends (besides I can't
> > afford to scrub bare a set of muddies by driving on road with them
> > regularly)
> > How I'll run two speedo's is another question all together. I think I'll
> > have to use the GPS unit for a daily commute speedo, and get the zook's
> > speedo calibrated for use with the muddies.
> >
> > Trentus
> >
>
> Work out the speed diff with Muddies Vs Standard, noting where on the dial
> the needle is when doing set speeds, then take the glass off the speedo
case
> and paint in those speeds at those places on the dial, a bit like some
cars
> have both Miles and Kmh, you will have both Mud and Standard. It will help
> if you mark it in a different colour too.
>
> rhys

Its for brilliant suggestions like this that I come here.
There's always someone out there who's smarter than the average bear.

Thanks Rhys.
Trentus

 

T

Trentus

Guest

• Oct 31, 2003

• #39

"Lon Stowell" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:vRbob.64260$e01.216009@attbi_s02...
> Approximately 10/29/03 23:51, Trentus uttered for posterity:
>
> > "Dan---" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >> ant wrote:
> >> >
> >>
> >> > Because even though I love my Vitara, Trentus' Sierra is a very able
off
> >> > roader, as any serious off road drivers know. Anyone who calls them
> > "toys"
> >> > doesn't know much about Sierras.
> >>
> >> Agreed they great little 4x4's and I have seen Vitara's and Sierras
plus
> >> the re-bodied Sierra's (Jimny) do hard core 4x4 work and always have
> >> been impressed with them. Sure they aint no powerhouses but put a turbo
> >> on them.
> >
> > Can you turbo a 1.3 litre?
>
> Turbo or super. Heck you can turbo a Subaru 360 if you are nuts
> enough.
>
> > Where would I look to find such a mod?
>
> Google aftermarket turbo kits for Suzuki. Nitrous kits also
> available.

Pardon me, but, HOLEY SH!T a turboed and NOS equipped Sierra!!!!!!!!
Now that's a scarey proposition!!!!!!
Can just see the effect of nitrousing up a sand-dune. I'd sure want soft
suspension for the landing, cause I don't doubt she'd get some really
substantial "air" off the top of the dune.
What an amazing thought.

Trentus

 

R

Rainbow Warrior

Guest

• Oct 31, 2003

• #40

Ron McGrice <Newsguy.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Trentus" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
> > G'Day all,
> > I have some money to put into making my Suzuki Sierra a more
> > formidable little beast.
> <snip>
> > Thanks in advance
> > Trentus
>
> Easy, **** it off and buy a proper vehicle. Those things are a noisy,
> rough, gutless little toy. If you like Suzuki's so much, spend your money
> on the bigger thing. What do they call them, Vitara or some thing like
> that?
>
> Ron

Knowledgeble and helpful aren't we?

--
Pat
Brisbane, Australia
http://homepage.powerup.com.au/~mangey/
Who needs lockers when you got secondaries.

VH4000-> CL3500/4300-> GH2600-> S2A2300/3000->
GJ1600/2000->RR3500/3900 ->GQ4200