2005 Grand vitara - stalking vehicle additions.

[oxfordshirestalker]

Hi all,

I’m soon to become the owner of a 2005 (old model) SWB Grand vitara. The plan is for it to become my hunting shooting fishing vehicle, leaving my car for commuting, day to day use and long runs. However, whatever I do to the vitara, the end result needs to be perfectly capable of the odd long motorway run and 2-3 hour cross country drive.
It certainly doesn’t need to be an overly modified off-road beast, it just needs to cope with arable fields/margins, farm tracks, the odd woodland ride and wet grassy fields. I don’t see the need for a winch, but Sod’s law I’ll need it at some point.
My plan so far:
1. A decent set of all terrain tyres.
2. Minor suspension lift 1.5-2” (is this really worth it? Might increase tyre size a bit?)
3. Dog box and carcass tray.
4. Rear LED work lights for gralloching.
5. Some sort of light weight detachable gralloching rig (only roe, muntjac and fallow).
6. Extra forward facing lights for off-road work at night.
Do the wise people of the SD have any other ideas/thoughts/tips about what to do?
Does anyone know the biggest tyre size you can comfortably put on one of these?
Many thanks in advance!

 

[User00035]

I had an 06 GV (mk 2) which had probably marginally less ground clearance than yours. I contemplated a 2" lift kit but only because mine had the spare wheel on the rear door which meant having an extended towbar and that would often ground out in hollows and catch weeds, especially when towing (I used mine more for hedge laying work than stalking). Otherwise, for general off road use, it really didn't need lifting, and I was driving some pretty rough track with deep tractor ruts. I'd see how it copes as it is before you commit to that.

Can't help you with tyre size but Grand Vits aren't particularly heavy and they float across the ground pretty well with good AT tyres without needing anything too aggressive. I ended up with Yokohama Geolanders on mine (17" wheels). They were absolutely fine for everything except wet steep grass on hard ground when you need something with more bite. Unless you have steep ground, I'd avoid going too aggressive. No marks on the ground equals happy land owner.
I'd tried Grabber ATs before that. I think they had a tiny edge off-road over the Yokohamas but only 5%. On road the the Geolanders were are far superior. The Grabbers were lethal on snowy or wet tarmac under braking. The Geolanders were a far better road tyre and quieter. They're not the most long lived tyre on road but they're not the most expensive either.

If you fit extra off road lights, fit them high. My mk 2 had auxillary lights which were quite bright but mounted very low for road use. Off road they hid obstacles rather than lighting them by casting deep shadows.

If you're going to kit yours out with a rear-mounted gralloching rig and your spare wheel is a on the rear door, be aware that the door ram isn't very strong. If you park on ground sloping slightly to the left or even if there's a strong wind bowing, the door won't stay open. Either fit a stiffer ram or carry a prop.

 

[Utectok]

Honestly sounds crazy but I’d fit a winch I have a cheap on on mine and it’s rescued me a few times and plenty of other people probably a dozen or so in the last 5yr I carry a good land anchor to. Nothing worse than the walk of shame to the farm to get a tractor tow

 

[Utectok]

Lift kit I’d miss it is bad for on road performance and is not much use off road unless your going crazy

 

[Freeforester]

Best value Ute on the market, imo! As Finch advises, the towball does catch a bit if you’re not careful. Mine has a set of good chunky tyres and is pretty unstoppable, but they are of course rather noisy on the tar, and I would not trust them on a wet or greasy road; I don’t imagine a lift kit will improve the already precarious C of G characteristics of the GV.

Geolanders are a good dual purpose tyre, and were often the preferred choice on Subaru Outbacks which did a fair bit of off road work.

 

[Musketeer]

I have a land rover discovery 2 and was going to put a 2" lift on so that I could fit bigger wheels. After some research, I decided not to as the bigger wheels can mess with the gearing, the speedometer and the ride can become more boat-like.

I am now just fitting steel bumpers and a winch. I will put General Grabber tyres on and modular wheels.

 

[Farmer_J]

T I believe ours has had a lift kit and has had some bigger wheels and tyres fitted amongst other things. You’re always welcome down the farm to have a look around it to get some ideas if you want. I’d probably avoid doing the hole in the roof mod to yours though

 

[Rusty Gate]

Hi all,

I’m soon to become the owner of a 2005 (old model) SWB Grand vitara. The plan is for it to become my hunting shooting fishing vehicle, leaving my car for commuting, day to day use and long runs. However, whatever I do to the vitara, the end result needs to be perfectly capable of the odd long motorway run and 2-3 hour cross country drive.
It certainly doesn’t need to be an overly modified off-road beast, it just needs to cope with arable fields/margins, farm tracks, the odd woodland ride and wet grassy fields. I don’t see the need for a winch, but Sod’s law I’ll need it at some point.
My plan so far:
1. A decent set of all terrain tyres.
2. Minor suspension lift 1.5-2” (is this really worth it? Might increase tyre size a bit?)
3. Dog box and carcass tray.
4. Rear LED work lights for gralloching.
5. Some sort of light weight detachable gralloching rig (only roe, muntjac and fallow).
6. Extra forward facing lights for off-road work at night.
Do the wise people of the SD have any other ideas/thoughts/tips about what to do?
Does anyone know the biggest tyre size you can comfortably put on one of these?
Many thanks in advance!

Two sets of wheels one with mog friendly road tread & other wider suitable tread

 

[oxfordshirestalker]

T I believe ours has had a lift kit and has had some bigger wheels and tyres fitted amongst other things. You’re always welcome down the farm to have a look around it to get some ideas if you want. I’d probably avoid doing the hole in the roof mod to yours though

Hah, thanks J! I drove yours a couple of times in the early days before M completely went to town on it. This is the slightly more recent version, but very similar indeed. Should be good fun.

 

[oxfordshirestalker]

Thank you all for your replies! Quite pleased (financially) to see that lifting isn’t necessarily the best of ideas. I’ll see what I can fit on in terms of AT3s/geolanders.

very thick question, but if I were to stick a winch on the front, is a new number necessary for the mounting points, or just for looks?

 

[Utectok]

Thank you all for your replies! Quite pleased (financially) to see that lifting isn’t necessarily the best of ideas. I’ll see what I can fit on in terms of AT3s/geolanders.

very thick question, but if I were to stick a winch on the front, is a new number necessary for the mounting points, or just for looks?

Not certain I think a modification to the bumper and bracket is needed or a winch bumper. I would fit a second battery in parrellel too and voltage regulated switch to disconnect it if the charge drops to low to start off the main battery. All very easy and inexpensive a £300 winch will do too

 

[Utectok]

One of these

 

[Utectok]

I would also get a winch rope not cable the cable is horrible and dangerous dyneema rope is the way to go

 

[Lever357]

Why not look at a portable winch, they're still electric but contained in a cradle which you can mount either front or back depending upon the situation.

I used to off road a lot and knew lads who had installed lift kits but they do mess with steering, angle of propshafts, brake pipes etc so I wouldn't bother going down that route.

Tyre choice - BF Goodrich All Terrain.

Other equipment to carry - air compressor. Don't forget how helpful dropping tyre pressure can be when off road, puts more rubber in contact with the ground.

A load guard behind the front seats so that if your were to overturn all heavy items in the back don't come forward and hit you in the head.

Tow strap to put round a tree if winching.

I think that will do for now

 

[Utectok]

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[Utectok]

Or make one

 

[User00035]

One good thing about GVs is they have a strong following among off-road enthusiasts. No quite as cult as Landrovers but not far off. There's owner's forums and shed loads of after-market spares and accessories available for them. There's a lot of expertise out there and pretty much nothing you can't do to them.
On thing not mentioned is they don't have a lot in the way of bump and underside protection. They're quite plasticky, the mk 1 perhaps slightly less so than the mk 2, and easily damaged. The exhaust and diff are quite vulnerable especially if you drive after dark or through woodland, which is always a possibility with stalking.

If you really do want a lift kit, buy a decent one. I'd recommend Jimnybits:

Grand Vitara (99-05)

www.jimnybits.com

They do a winch plate too.