Suzuki XL-7 - any good...?

Thanks for the opinion, Muppo. Do they have a centre dif lock? The Suzuki web-site doesn't mention this. Also, do you happen to know if after-market stuff from ARB etc made for the Vitara fits the XL-7, or are they yet to bring out stuff for them yet?
Thanks,
Mike.

I'm somewhat anti-ARB anyway - while their stuff is very good they should include the rubber gloves and vaseline you need to lube your a*** up with to pay for their prices. It's a violation of the highest order.....

The current ARB accessory list makes no mention anywhere of the XL7 - but most of the parts are the same for SWB, LWB and Grand Vitara models - although the diff locks need to be modified for the GV and probably would also need to be modified for the XL7.

ARB Lists no V6 snorkels - but then I wouldn't be playing in Bonnet deep mud in a $39,000 electric everything toy anyway......

GV's have different springs and front struts to standard SWB and LWB Vitaras - you'd probably find the V6 GV is the same part as the XL7. While it's possible the spring rates are different for the heavier weight and longer wheelbase - they arent for the Vitara SWB/LWB so I'd guess the GV/XL7 would likewise share components.

Then again this is Suzuki - they redesigned the air filter, levers, oil filters etc almost EVERY year on their sports motorbikes so that they could prevent aftermarket manufacturers from making cheaper competing parts.....

LOL, might be fine on road Muppo, but get it off road & the Jack will blow it away - there is no comparison.

Damien, the problems with the Vitara's are limited to suspension travel issues and maximum tyre size (even 31's are damned hard to fit).

For those who do distance highway work, gravel or dirt roads, sand and mud the Vitara will kill the Jackaroo. It's more comfortable, cheaper to run being smaller and lighter and much more pleasant to drive.

While the turbo diesel jackaroo may match the fuel economy of the petrol Suzuki it will cost far more when maintainance is required - go check prices for your diesel injectors or diesel servicing costs.....

If you mainly do heavy trail work then the Jackeroo will be better - it can take bigger wheels and other lifting mods a little bit easier.

You also rubbished someone else who had issues with their Jackaroo on thread "35k for a 4x4 - (PostID: 3349)"

Maybe he's been unlucky and had a problem you didn't.

I'm just advising caution - after all all I'd need to do is get some WD40 out. The worst case scenario would mean I need a secondhand engine, diff, or gearbox - all of which are cheap for the old Vitara.

With something new - what's the price of a replacement engine, auto and computer for an XL7 or a V8 Landcruiser? Even if you can afford to take the $40k car bush it's still gonna hurt and there's no chance in hell of a warranty claim - you'd have to be able to prove that you didn't go deeper than wading depth.

I'm sure that a few people here have heard of late model cars getting stuck for a few hours in water and being virtually written off due to fried electrics or destroyed motors.

A mate of mine has a 99 Patrol and he uses it very hard - but the only thing he won't do with it is stick it neck deep in mud. His wife would kill him if he did and blew it up. She only yells at him when he scratches it....