[Flanderz]

Hello all,
I always considered a Jimny to be my only Suzuki pick, however due to Vic rules and seeing some of the members Vitara's I decided to go test drive a 2012 GV3 3 door with 2.4 Auto. I was very happy with the way it drove. So I thought I'd go to ARB in Dandenong to ensure that airlockers, liftkits, bars etc are available, after basically being laughed at for asking, and being told that you cant lift it at all, I wasnt very impressed.
After looking through over 100 pages on this site I know that lifts etc are possible. Is there a year that I should be chasing to do mods to? Or should I just go back to my original plan of chasing a Jimny? I'm not locked into any particular model, although I'm leaning towards a SWB. An Auto would be a bonus so my wife can also drive the vehicle.
I usually go camping around Licola area, nothing that my 2010 Ford Ranger Dualcab cant get through. It only has AllTerrains fitted. Although it does require a little more clearance. So I know that I'll need a mininum of a 2" lift, but would prefer more.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thankyou

[laurie]

welcome
just laugh right back at them and take your money elsewhere works for me
have a bit of a look around here lots of info and smart people who like to help
i would stick to a 99, 00 for mods leaves more money spare and gives more options

[BlueSuzy]

I wouldnt go to that arb store again.

Although old now, Jims are still being sold new in Nsw. Vic wont sell them because they dont and will never have stability control. Vic is in a different, safer country...

You may have to hunt alittle, but there is a few lifts for them and bullbars. Some other guys on here will know more.

[christover1]

Chen lifted his, but sorry I don't know details.
They have traction control, so for High Country trips, should be fine

[christover1]

This vid shows a NEW GV, a Sierra, a Jimny Sierra AND A lwb older Vitara (mine)
At Avon River in High Country.
May help your decisions.

[zooks4life]

Well, although that arb was a little loose, you cannot get air lockers for them unfortunately but a heap of places do 2 inch lift kits (2 inch being the maximum) dobinson, king, ironman etc and I think old man emu do a 20mm lift from arb? As for bullbars arb do the best one being winch compatible. There's a couple of snorkals available as well. Skies the limit with roof racks. Bash plates should almost be your 1st mod. I have an 09 swb and I don't think there's a difference between a 12 to a 09 apart from a different grill. There's this guy called outdoor auto who does a lot of work with new gv's maybe give him a ring to boost your confidence again! Hope this helps!

Here's what I done with mine
viewtopic.php?t=12961

[zooky08]

cant the gv3 take a vitara center alowing airlockers to be fitted?

[Fatzook]

zooks4life wrote:

Well, although that arb was a little loose, you cannot get air lockers for them unfortunately but a heap of places do 2 inch lift kits (2 inch being the maximum) dobinson, king, ironman etc and I think old man emu do a 20mm lift from arb?

I've cycled the suspension of one of these IRS GV's, and anything more than a 40mm lift will result in suspension components making contact with each other on droop. 40mm is all you want if you have any mechanical sympathy.

[bailey08]

from what i've seen, if you plan on leaving the black top at all you need a model that has traction control.

works abit like having lockers. makes up for lack of travel.

[zooks4life]

I thought they all came with traction control post 06?

[Flanderz]

WOW didn't expect such a response. By the way it takes about a week to back through the forum history
Thanks christover1 for the videoclip, it's a good comparison between the different models. (although I know that 10 vehicles of the same model compared to each other will bring up different results, even from just driver input alone).
And zooks4life, that is EXACTLY what I was picturing with a GV3, or a Jimny for that matter. It's absolutely awesome. Just a great simple little setup. Throw food and clothes in, and away ya go.
I never even thought about Traction Control (DUH!)
From my limited experience in the bush, my ONLY issue was ground clearance in my Ranger. It was well and truly outperforming a mates fully loaded 80 series landcruiser. And another lifted rodeo. I found power to almost be the least important thing for myself (not to say that I'm sure there are times it is required) So I know that buying any Suzuki will do exactly what I need.

Kinda off the topic but, does anyone know that if I was to buy a brand new Jimny from NSW or QLD etc. Can I then re-register it in Vic, or will they simply not allow a 2011/12 Jimny due to ESC saftey laws?

Thanks again for all the info guys. This is a fantastic forum. And when I get one I can hopefully give some help back

[Fatzook]

Flanderz wrote:

Kinda off the topic but, does anyone know that if I was to buy a brand new Jimny from NSW or QLD etc. Can I then re-register it in Vic, or will they simply not allow a 2011/12 Jimny due to ESC saftey laws?

If its build date/ compliance date is AFTER the commencement date of the new laws, then you cannot register it.