Hi everyone, new to the site, this being my first post. I think I might just get some interesting answers to this one. I'm in the market for an off-road vehicle. It's been a while, and I mostly used Land Rovers in the past. I want something this time that I can modify over time from standard, or near to it.

I finally settled on the idea of a Suzuki SJ, gathered as much info as possible, web sites etc., viewed one or two for sale. Since they haven't been produced for so long, they're proving to be a bit thin on the ground in the condition I want. Some of the part-modified ones I've seen are not what I want.

After researching more and more on US off-roading sites the last few days, I'm turning towards the idea of a SWB two-door Vitara (aka "Sidekick"), as they're newer and more plentiful.

I'd be really interested to hear everyones' views and comparisons re. off-road ability, modification experiences, better / worse than SJ and so on. The only engine available standard in the SWB here in the UK is the 1.6 litre petrol (diesel in five-door only). How is this reliability-wise and performance measured against the earlier1.3?

In short, any information whatsoever would be of great help and appreciated...


Overdrive.

find a "jimny" ... not sure how plentiful they are in the UK,, but it's the closest thing to a late model solid front axel suzuki you can get. (spain manufacture from what I gather and exported to the other countries on the cont and BVI, etc)

They never came to the US, but I want one ...

find a "jimny" ... not sure how plentiful they are in the UK,, but it's the closest thing to a late model solid front axel suzuki you can get. (spain manufacture from what I gather and exported to the other countries on the cont and BVI, etc)

They never came to the US, but I want one ...

Thanks for that. There are plenty of Jimnys here, but not modified / off-road ones from what I've seen, and they aren't something I've looked into seriously yet. They are very car-like compared to the SJ / Samurai, at least outwardly, but that's not beyond changing! So you believe their suspension set-up to be a better basis than the Vitara?

you could also look at the escudo

http://www.suzuki.co.jp/dom4/lineup/escudo/

I really don't know why I gave you that link it's in japanese

you could also look at the escudo

http://www.suzuki.co.jp/dom4/lineup/escudo/

I really don't know why I gave you that link it's in japanese

It's alright thanks I managed with the language conversion pack. I think that's an updated version of the larger 5-door Vitara we have here called the Grand Vitara. Ideally I want small!

I heard somewhere recently that the SJ is still being manufacured in some parts of the world, don't know how true, but I guess enough people would buy them if import was posssible...

You could try to locate a used vitara 2dr. not sure what's in England


This one is a 2000


http://www.desperateseller.co.uk/make/Suzuki/SJ/SJ.html
this site is in england I think

You could try to locate a used vitara 2dr. not sure what's in England


This one is a 2000

We have plenty of those, 2-door similar to that (from as low as 1,500 dollars in your money for something tidy), and they seem the obvious successor or alternative to the SJ range, that's why I'm interested to hear views from guys who've taken mods to the same extent as on Sjs in the past, find out if they can be made as effective as the old Samurai...

I think they compare better to the sidekicks. than to the samurai's and SJ's

The Jimnys are starting to get more common. Have a look on KAPs website, they do a lot of mods. Vitaras are much more common nowadays and there are quite a few people making parts. Jimnys command much higher prices because they are still a current model, similarly with GVs. The 1.6 is a solid engine as long as you don't overheat it, the 8V seems more reliable but the 16V has lots more power. Vitara can take bigger tyres more easily which gives better ground clearance. Have a look on difflock.com there a lot of people there running Vitaras and SJs and a few Jimnys too. Your best bet is to go to a meet and chat with a few owners. The Vitara is a much nicer car to drive than the SJ and has much more interior space too.

what about this it is sunder snoopy's new look.

Thanks for the replies guys  

Rhinoman, I'll have a look at the site you suggested.

Tracker:- I guess almost anything looks the part when modified like that! Nice...

So you believe their suspension set-up to be a better basis than the Vitara?

What I like about the jimny is the solid front axel versus the IFS of the vitara ... Also, it's using coils (not leafs) which IMO is a step up from a sierra.

SUZUKI JIMNY
Specifications
BODY:
Three-door
CHASSIS:
Separate ladder-frame chassis
ENGINE:
4-cylinder 16 valve fuel-injected 1.3L
TRANSMISSION:
Five-speed manual or Four-speed automatic
4WD SYSTEM:
'Drive Select' dual-range (high/low) four-wheel-drive
MAXIMUM POWER:
59 kW |removethispart|@ 6000 rpm
MAXIMUM TORQUE:
104 Nm |removethispart|@ 4500 rpm
SUSPENSION:
Front - three-link coil spring, rigid-axle & stabiliser bar
Rear - three-link coil spring, rigid-axle
BRAKES:
Discs/drums
FUEL TANK:
40 litres
OVERALL HEIGHT:
1670mm
OVERALL WIDTH:
1600mm
OVERALL LENGTH:
3625mm
CURB WEIGHT:
1025kg (5 M/T)

Thanks for that... the solid front axle thing does weigh on my mind a little. I'm no off-road expert, but it seems important, maybe a better basis. However, I'll listen to points of view from anyone that consider the Vitara set-up as equal...

The Jimny is a good vehicle, I'm not knocking it. My gf has one (stock but been off road). It isn't that high in stock form and is pretty much the same size as the Vit. There aren't as many parts available for it yet, there are a few lift kits but correcting the steering geometry requires replacement trailing arms and it is very twitchy running more than a 2" lift without them. A 2" lifted Jimny will still struggle to clear 215s. I think in a few years time it will replace the SJ as they all get older and wrecked by offroaders and as more become available at lower prices. At the moment you need to consider the size of your budget, which you haven't stated.

Vitara's, i love mine with a bit of lift they are a very capible vehicle and will do most things a landy does except brake and sink in the mud. if your a tall and chunky like me u fit in them too much more elbow room than a SJ, sami or landy. (have to open a truck cab landy door so i can move my leg to brake!!!) plenty of power and torque from that revvi little 1.6 8V or 16V motor buy one spend the cash u save on bits like winches and tyres