VITARA (trying to make a bit more beach friendly)

[jacques]

HI everyone
i am currently the proud:thumb: owner of a 96 vitara jlx estate wagon but this is my question to all out there!

IS IT WORTH IT TO PUT LIFT BLOCKS ON THE COILS? BIGGER TYERS AND MAYBE SOME REDUCTION GEARS TO DRIVE SAID BIGGER TYRES? what can be done to increase power output? .
i will be doing SAS on the front and i intend on putting a OME or Calmini lift kit on later, much later. at the moment im just after mild mod's. i just wana go a bit easier on the beach and go do some harder 4wd tracks.

ANY and ALL INPUT is WELCOME

cheers and many thanks jacques

[Corindi]

I do a lot of beach driving and have only ever needed a tow once when towing a bogey wheel full size caravan up a sand covered ramp out of a creek. I have assisted dozens of bogged cars on the beaches for various reasons... too high tyre pressures, too little ground clearance between the wheels and driving too slow through the soft parts.

I think the most cost effective way, is to get a good set of high profile, low pressure A/T tyres, deflators and a good compressor.

My BFG A/T are maximum 35 PSI and dont bag properly till they are down to 10 PSI where they handle the sand easy.

If you do go this way, be very carefull when turning, and if your down to 10 PSI limit your speed to about 40KMH.

Hope this has pointed you in the right direction.
Cheers, dave

[Aerenandmel]

If you are going to do a lot of sand driving make sure your cooling system is in good nick, Sand creates a fair bit of drag and thus it becomes easy to over heat your car. a thermo fan is even a good idea.

I would agree with what Corindi said.

Make sure you carry recovery gear, dont rely on other people having it.

[Corindi]

Good point atari. being a vitara, he has weight (or lack of it) on his side.

Yes, definately get a snatch strap and some rated D-shackles at a minimum, as aerenandmel pointed out.

[Patrolling Paddy]

I have a new Grand Vitara and even with stock H/T rubber (can't wait till I get some good boots) I don't have touble on the beach, maybe if I was climbing the dunes that would be alot different.
With the Vitara you will have the weight (or lack there of) advantage so as stated above with good pressure (depends on your tyres but 16-20psi is common), picking your line and some recovery gear for when it goes pear shaped you should be ok in stock form.
Pesonally I would only look at the lift IF it becomes a problem but a taller tyre (not too big) would give you imediate advantage, don't go too big or then you will NEED the reduction gears. Keep it as simple as possible and you should have almost trouble free motoring.
Remember that 1 modification gets lonely and then wants more to keep it company and then it just snowballs from there.
Good luck

Cheers

PP

[MART]

Amen to that brother , Cheers Paul.

[GRPABT1]

Bir road terrain tyres will handle the sand better than muddies, you don't want your tyres to dig like muddies and road tyres or even all terrains will be better suited to sand.

[jacques]

thanks for all the input looks like i will be shopping for some decent tyres
cheers jacques

[kiwi-63]

thanks for all the input looks like i will be shopping for some decent tyres
cheers jacques

G'day mate, firstly can I say one thing, you don't need to make your words 10 foot bloody tall!! We can all read what you have here without doing that!

You have one of the best trucks for sand driving straight off the shelf. I think I'd rather drive a zook straight from the showoom to the sand than even the mighty 100 Landcruiser! You don't need any special tyres for the sand, I agree with one of the above posts. H/T tyres are well suited to the sand, they don't dig in like more aggressive tyres. I have travelled up Tewah beach in my zook with H/T tyres no probs, just adjust your pressures to suit. I think from memory I dropped mine to about 18 psi