[Jackdjta74]

Hi all,

I've recently purchased a 2007 grand Vitara, and I plan on doing extensive mods to it, I require some assistance with knowledge on what to do. I'm asking these questions as I can't find straight answers on what is needed. This is a project car that I plan to do all of the work on it myself over 6 months or so.

The car: 2007 grand Vitara, 1.6L M16A, 3 door SWB, JTA74, 5 speed manual 4x4.

1. Low range: this car doesn't have a low range selector switch or transfer case. Q: what transfer case will I need to add to make it have low range? Anything else needed? Is low range even possible?

2. Cruise control: Q: what do I need to add factory cruise control?

3. Lift: Q: is a 2 inch lift possible? If not what is?

4. Tyres: I would like to add 31's to the car. But I am happy to settle with 29's if that not possible. Q: Aside from guard chopping what other mods will I need to do to add larger tyres?

Thank you, Jack.

[Gwagensteve]

To be honest, it sounds like you've bought the wrong car for whatever job it is you want to do. Suzuki already made the car you want to build - the 2.4 litre car has low range. It's probably feasible to locate a transfer from a 2.4 litre manual car and swap it in, you'll need the appropriate wiring harness, switchgear etc. The catch might be that I imagine the ECU controls the transfer case. I suspect if you rigged the transfer up and switched it into low range without reference to the ECU you'll get a slew of warning lights and disabled systems - the engine speed and gear won't match the vehicle speed so it will see an error.


I"m going to suggest "factory" cruise control is impossible without the complete loom/ecu/switchgear from a cruise control equipped car. Aftermarket cruise control should be pretty easy though.

If you absolutely require low range and cruise I'd be attempting to locate a 5 speed J24 car with low range and cruise control and parting it out to get the whole loom/transfer etc, but the end result will never be as good as just keeping the 2.4 litre car and there will still be significant electronic problems to overcome.

A 2" lift isn't really possible. 45mm is the absolute limit of the front suspension bush design. In SWB cars, from my experience articulation will pretty much disappear altogether with the higher spring rates of lift springs. You will get a useful increase in ground clearance under the car but skid plates are still required.

Traditional 31's aren't really available, as is being discussed on a number of threads at the moment 245 75 16 is the biggest feasible tyre - it's just over 30" from memory. this will cause gearing issues with the lower torque of the M16 on and off road.

Honest advice - sell the M16 car and buy a J24 SWB. If you're really keen on the tallest possible tyre, buy an automatic. the torque converter will help to absorb the negative gearing effects of the taller tyre. An auto also won't stall out on you when the you're trying to go slow and the traction control engages and grabs the brakes. The manuals are really hard to drive in these circumstances. In my opinion, the traction control is poorly calibrated and as the manuals don't have antistall, if you're close to idle and the TC starts to work, the car will stall, which can be pretty frightening if the car is in a precarious spot.

[Jackdjta74]

Cheers mate, really appreciate the advice. I got the car for basically free, so I'm not just going to swap it out for the j24 though.

Not too fussed about low range as I doubt I'll really use it, I just want it there for when it may be needed.

Aftermarket cruise control is more than fine, any good brands?

Is there any aftermarket ifs replacement to get the 2" or am I stuck with 45mm lift. 45mm is more than fine though.

245/75's are perfect! Having a look at the front suspension, it looks like I'll need negative offset, any idea on what offset I'll need?

[Gwagensteve]

If you got it for almost nothing sell it for sweet profit and roll that into the right car for the job.

[Jackdjta74]

After looking at the market value of these ~6-8k you're right I really should sell it and upgrade could turn a 4k profit after repair.