Suzuki Vitara across the Simpson?
Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 at 10:07
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Member - Philip S (SA)
'morning all,
A group of us are in early stages of planning a trip across the Simpson in winter next year.
Vehicles will include Prado 120 TD, and Hilux D4D with appropriate tyres, recovery gear, etc.
However my son is contemplating bringing his Susuki Grand Vitara. Its a couple years old, 4 cyl version. and I am wondering if this is pretty marginal.
A few years ago I had an earlier model of this and it was a great little car - driven carefully it was amazing where it could go - he and I took it up Big Red from
Birdsville end.
Obvious limitation is the limited range, only a 64 litre
tank, but we can carry heaps of fuel on the back of the Hilux. Other possible issues are ground clearance and whether adequate power.
My gut feeling is its do-able with the other vehicles in attendance.
Anyone done the Simpson in one of these? Any other
views?
Cheers,
Phil
Reply By: Willem - Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 at 10:18
Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 at 10:18
Phil
Suzuki's go anywhere :-)
Read
The Spinifex Trail
Cheers
AnswerID:
326665
Follow Up By: Member - Philip S (SA) - Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 at 13:38
Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 at 13:38
Willem,
A very good read!. Those little Sierras were fantastic. Great power to weight, and simple.
Not quite so sure about the recent Grand Vitara "hockey mums car" with all the bells and whistles, but yes, I think it should do it.
I had three Vitaras in a row over nine years. The first was the simple three door one and it was the best - went like the clappers. I would have had no qualms about taking that one across, given someone else was carrying the extra fuel.
Cheers,
Phil
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic) - Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 at 07:33
Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 at 07:33
Phil and Willem, when we went across a few years ago, we saw an older guy (perhaps 70s) head off ahead of using a Grand Vitara. He was alone in his car.
He had no dune flag or any
sign of an external antenna but we never saw it again so he kept ahead of us. He just gave a wave as we were over Red and headed West.
FollowupID:
593993
Reply By: Member - Old Girl (QLD) - Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 at 10:27
Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 at 10:27
They sure do. We went through the 4x4 parks every long weekend thing and you could bet there would be a Suzy having a go and we enjoyed watching them. Your not alone you will have people to help you have a ball.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Robin Miller - Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 at 10:30
Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 at 10:30
Generally do-able Phil , but you would need to raise level of its air intake if its like is was for us this year as on main dirt road before Big Red the lake over the road was 200m wide and up to 1/2m deep.
P.S. I have only taken that car 4wding once and its transmission got hot like xtrails do , so do a test beach run first.
AnswerID:
326670
Reply By: Trevor W(Brisbane) - Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 at 11:58
Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 at 11:58
Last year we saw a Nissan X trail out there and a Holden Rodeo Dual Cab loaded to the hilt towing a Jayco Pop Top so Iwould think the Suzy will be able to cross. We were in a 3.5 litre petrol Pajero and the only problems we had was oncoming vehicles. Stay way from the school holiday Period in June/July and you will have a good time.If lots of on coming vehicles then you have to climb out of the wheel tracks and move over or back down dunes and get of the road which can be difficult in
places
AnswerID:
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Reply By: ajd - Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 at 13:58
Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 at 13:58
Last time we did the Simpson, we passed Nissan XTrails, Mercedes M500 (V8), a Rav4 and a Holden Cruze.
The Suzi would do it easily.
AnswerID:
326711
Reply By: Mudripper - Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 at 14:54
Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 at 14:54
If a Suzuki can do this, then it can do anything:
4WD crazy
AnswerID:
326722
Follow Up By: Member - Bucky (VIC) - Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 at 06:27
Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 at 06:27
Sensational
Only word to describe it !
Cheers
Bucky
FollowupID:
593983
Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 at 16:19
Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 at 16:19
We went across the FrenchLine in 2006, one of the vehicles was a Kia Sportage. 3 jerries of extra petrol, extra spare tyre, and help from other vehicles to carry heavy stuff like
water.
His only issue was insufficient clearance to get over the top of about 3 dunes - just needed a short tow over the tops. He had enough power and speed to almost reach the top, but when it bottomed out, he was going nowhere - couldn't even reverse back down.
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Follow Up By: Member - Philip S (SA) - Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 at 09:19
Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 at 09:19
Yes, if a Sportage can do it, then the Suzi will. Like you say, clearance may be the main issue, and witrh other vehicles to help, should be OK.
Reckon I'll encourage him to bring it on the trip. Thanks to all for feedback.
Cheers, Phil
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