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Which 4x4 Suzuki - pls. advise...

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Maverick27

Which 4x4 Suzuki - pls. advise...
« on: January 12, 2008, 11:17:58 AM »
Hi,

I'm keen on buying a short wheel base 4x4 Suzuki. Pls. advise model (Jimny, Samurai, Sierra), year,etc,etc..that is worth buying ?!

Thanks - Mave

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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: Which 4x4 Suzuki - pls. advise...
« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2008, 12:04:33 PM »
What do you want to do with it? Where abouts are you? You haven't filled in your location but you say Sierra so I guess that you're in Aus or NZ?
2000 Vitara 1.6, 3+3 Lift, 33"MTs, 5:83s, LWB brakes, Winch, Snorkel, Safari Rack
1986 SJ413K PickUp, 1.6L conversion.

OBD1 - Full diagnostics on a PC/Laptop: http://www.rhinopower.org

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Maverick27

Re: Which 4x4 Suzuki - pls. advise...
« Reply #2 on: January 13, 2008, 08:30:47 AM »
I'm live in Kenya where roads are terrible & cost of running a car quite exhorbitant. Pls. advise which Suzuki 4x4 will serve the purpose to do a run around with minimal maintenance costs.

Mave

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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: Which 4x4 Suzuki - pls. advise...
« Reply #3 on: January 13, 2008, 09:59:31 AM »
I'm live in Kenya where roads are terrible & cost of running a car quite exhorbitant. Pls. advise which Suzuki 4x4 will serve the purpose to do a run around with minimal maintenance costs.

Mave

In that case I'd suggest a Samurai. Good off road and very simple to maintain.
2000 Vitara 1.6, 3+3 Lift, 33"MTs, 5:83s, LWB brakes, Winch, Snorkel, Safari Rack
1986 SJ413K PickUp, 1.6L conversion.

OBD1 - Full diagnostics on a PC/Laptop: http://www.rhinopower.org

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Offline ack

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Re: Which 4x4 Suzuki - pls. advise...
« Reply #4 on: January 13, 2008, 01:29:43 PM »
X2!

Look for a Samurai or as it's known generically, the SJ-413.   In North America, we have the leaf-spring model.  Unfortunately, the front springs sag after a while so you might go for a newer coil-spring version. 

If you cannot find/afford a coil-spring SJ-413, there are kits available to intall new or used Jeep YJ springs or Samurai Rear Springs up Front (RUF) with simple hand tools (does a hand drill count?)

Good luck to you!
Ack

'88 Samurai, '88.5 Samurai TT, '11 Ford Transit Connect XLT
Ack's FAQ  http://www.acksfaq.com

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Offline daddyizzle

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Re: Which 4x4 Suzuki - pls. advise...
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2008, 03:49:52 PM »
I'll say this much about the leaf spring samurais, and maybe it's all in the shocks, but my experience with dirt roads would lean me towards coil springs. I don't drive on dirt roads alot but when I do, I can really feel every little bump. That's with stock samurai leaf springs. Luckily I drive  mostly paved roads so the leafs do fine.

-Adam
If all criminals were behind bars, there would be no one left to patrol the streets.

86 Samurai Tin-Top stock with a Harley 44 sidedraft carb

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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: Which 4x4 Suzuki - pls. advise...
« Reply #6 on: January 14, 2008, 05:04:08 AM »
The coilers are supposed to ride better but they weren't available in all markets. You'll have to do your research to see what you can get, a lot of countries still got leafers. I've no idea where Kenya gets its Zuks from. I don't believe that Maruti ever made a coiler, Santana made some but switched back to leafs when they went all diesel. Late Jap models are coil sprung but petrol engined.
« Last Edit: January 14, 2008, 05:09:15 AM by Rhinoman »
2000 Vitara 1.6, 3+3 Lift, 33"MTs, 5:83s, LWB brakes, Winch, Snorkel, Safari Rack
1986 SJ413K PickUp, 1.6L conversion.

OBD1 - Full diagnostics on a PC/Laptop: http://www.rhinopower.org