Suzuki Vitara growing up ...
- Thread starter jeffryscott
- Start date
calamaridog
Expedition Leader
I think I've said this before...
We looked seriously at the Vitara before settling on the Liberty.
I much prefered the Vitara, but the cargo area was TINY.
The XL7, which is the longer version, is TOO long.
It really is a great small SUV. I love what you are doing to it.
We looked seriously at the Vitara before settling on the Liberty.
I much prefered the Vitara, but the cargo area was TINY.
The XL7, which is the longer version, is TOO long.
It really is a great small SUV. I love what you are doing to it.
jeffryscott
2006 Rally Course Champion: Expedition Trophy
calamaridog said:
Thanks. The cargo area is certainly small - enough for an everyday runabout, but for a family trip it's tight. Roof storage is a necessity.
I looked at an XL-7 and really liked it, but went for the Vitara for gas mileage. There are a couple of folks over at zukiworld who have done many of the same mods.
How does the Liberty do off-road? I've seen one or two trickedout ones and think they look pretty sweet.
thanks again,
Jeff
calamaridog
Expedition Leader
The Liberty is strictly a mall cruiser for my wife. Easy to park and do u-turns:hehe:
But seriously, it's just a daily driver and will stay that way. Only reason we got the 4x4 is because we do some snow driving every year.
I know some people do wheel them, but I question the durability of the front end and unibody. I'll stick to the Land Cruiser for now.
But seriously, it's just a daily driver and will stay that way. Only reason we got the 4x4 is because we do some snow driving every year.
I know some people do wheel them, but I question the durability of the front end and unibody. I'll stick to the Land Cruiser for now.
jeffryscott
2006 Rally Course Champion: Expedition Trophy
Took the Vitara out today for a quick night run to test out my newly installed IPF 968 lights (anybody know of a clear cover or wire cover for them?) and to try the 245/75/16s on a trail.
What a difference both make.
I went to one of my favorite little trails near Tucson, of which I have grown familiar, (4436 off of Redington Road) and places I scraped sills, rock rails and skid plates before were never touched. The extra height of the tires, about 1.5 additional ground clearance (3-inches on the tires) was magic.
The lights were definitely an added bonus as well.
Here's a quick pick from tonight:
What a difference both make.
I went to one of my favorite little trails near Tucson, of which I have grown familiar, (4436 off of Redington Road) and places I scraped sills, rock rails and skid plates before were never touched. The extra height of the tires, about 1.5 additional ground clearance (3-inches on the tires) was magic.
The lights were definitely an added bonus as well.
Here's a quick pick from tonight:
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Scott Brady
Founder
As always Jeff, super clean and functional.
I cannot find a clear or grill cover for the lights. As they are hardened glass, they will probably be ok.
I cannot find a clear or grill cover for the lights. As they are hardened glass, they will probably be ok.
articulate
Expedition Leader
Sweet:
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2153&d=1149051771
Jeff, your Vitara is this month's subject of envy. I'll say it again: I'm impressed with your visionary approach. You've taken a vehicle that the macho-wheeler segment would likely mock for being a "latte getter" and turned it into one cool machine.
I'm watching this with interest!
Cheers,
Mark
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2153&d=1149051771
Jeff, your Vitara is this month's subject of envy. I'll say it again: I'm impressed with your visionary approach. You've taken a vehicle that the macho-wheeler segment would likely mock for being a "latte getter" and turned it into one cool machine.
I'm watching this with interest!
Cheers,
Mark
kcowyo
ExPo Original
"Latte getter" :xxrotflma
...too funny Mark!
Jeff, just a thought, but would covers from other light manufacturers, with the same measurements, fit the IPF's? They might come with a different companies name on them, but maybe you could paint over them or do something else creative and unique to them....?
Cool pics and nice clearance. How do the girls like Daddy's big little monster truck?
...too funny Mark!
Jeff, just a thought, but would covers from other light manufacturers, with the same measurements, fit the IPF's? They might come with a different companies name on them, but maybe you could paint over them or do something else creative and unique to them....?
Cool pics and nice clearance. How do the girls like Daddy's big little monster truck?
jeffryscott
2006 Rally Course Champion: Expedition Trophy
kcowyo said:
Thanks for the idea KC, I've got the opaque covers that come with them, just wanted to get clear (like the Hella's have) so you don't have to remember to take the covers off. Wire mesh would be fine as well, just need to paint them black. Was hoping somebody else with the IPF's had found a solution ... It really shouldn't be too difficult to get a generic set since they are a fairly standard size (6-inch I think).
Chloe, the 4-year-old, thinks it is pretty cool. She still asks if I miss the Land Rover though, and when I say yes, she says it's OK, you have the green one (which is in a million pieces and will probably be put together in time for her to start driving).
jeffryscott
2006 Rally Course Champion: Expedition Trophy
new additions ...
A few new things installed today. A Waeco drawer fridge and an as of yet incomplete storage drawer for recovery gear, tools, etc ... And a Blue Top Optima battery. At some point soon, I will by a battery isolator and configure my Red Top as the starting battery and relegate the blue top to fridge and winch duties.
The other new addition you can see in the pictures is my new rear bumper, fabbed up by the amazing GoodTimes. He turned a hunk of steel into a piece of art for the Vitara.
The fridge, the CD-30 model isn't as efficient as the self-enclosed units, but I believe it will serve my purpose without taking up the space a stand alone would (although, with the stand alone I could freeze things and remove it, but this I thought was a cleaner install and a decent tradeoff between design and function.)
I also installed a hot 12v adapter where the compressor is (at the right).
A few new things installed today. A Waeco drawer fridge and an as of yet incomplete storage drawer for recovery gear, tools, etc ... And a Blue Top Optima battery. At some point soon, I will by a battery isolator and configure my Red Top as the starting battery and relegate the blue top to fridge and winch duties.
The other new addition you can see in the pictures is my new rear bumper, fabbed up by the amazing GoodTimes. He turned a hunk of steel into a piece of art for the Vitara.
The fridge, the CD-30 model isn't as efficient as the self-enclosed units, but I believe it will serve my purpose without taking up the space a stand alone would (although, with the stand alone I could freeze things and remove it, but this I thought was a cleaner install and a decent tradeoff between design and function.)
I also installed a hot 12v adapter where the compressor is (at the right).
Attachments
jeffryscott
2006 Rally Course Champion: Expedition Trophy
Learned this morning the fridge definitely needs a second battery as the brand new deep cycle wouldn't start the car. I also had the fridge set to max cooling ....
Bought the battery isolator today and in the meantime, I will carry my second battery behind my seat with a pair of jumper cables. I'll need to play a bit with adjustments to figure this thing out.
One step at a time ... but it will be nice to have cold beer at the Expo Rally:luxhello:
Bought the battery isolator today and in the meantime, I will carry my second battery behind my seat with a pair of jumper cables. I'll need to play a bit with adjustments to figure this thing out.
One step at a time ... but it will be nice to have cold beer at the Expo Rally:luxhello: