Suzuki Grand Vitara - Offroad!

GV88 · Joined: 16 Feb 2009 Posts: 613 Location: Brisbane

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kerway · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 8:41 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the invite GV88. Don't think I'll be able to attend Laughing

Maybe next time.............

cheers
kerway Laughing

_________________
Currently have 2012 NW Pajero 3.2ltr Turbo Diesel
did have a '04 GV 5 Door 2.5ltr V6 OME Suspension and a wishlist this long.......no more Sad

GV88 · Joined: 16 Feb 2009 Posts: 613 Location: Brisbane

Took the GV offroad last Sunday to Double Island / Rainbow beach for a beach run. At the entrance to Leisha track, I went a bit too slow on the softer sand and became bog. Fortunately it was a quick recovery without too many traffic stopping to witness the embarrassing moment.

STUCK! Embarassed

Out came the snatch strap.

Stop at the tourist stop - The Red Canyon.

The afternoon weather threatened.

The lagoon north of Double Island Point

The lagoon north to the Point

Found a small creek crossing to wash the undercarriage (lots of sand wedge between bash plate and chassis when bogged)

Water over the Cooloola Way...

And finally the shadows were quite long by the time we aired up.

Darren · Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 2:31 pm Post subject:

looks like fun! Very nice places and pics. I like the action shots: going through the water and the sand flying with the snatch strap. Cool Cool

Thanks for sharing the pics with us Very Happy

kerway · Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 10:38 pm Post subject:

Great shots GV88.
Entrances and exits off beaches are always the worst place due to the big ruts and chewed up sand. After you were snatched out, did it get through okay on the next attempt?
Just as a matter of interest, what did you let your tyres down to ? I've been letting mine down to around the 15psi mark of late.
Of course, that doesn't help the ground clearance any Mad

Love the water crossing shots.
Have you worked out what you're doing with your lift? I'm just letting the status quo remain at the moment.See what the future holds.

cheers
kerway Laughing

_________________
Currently have 2012 NW Pajero 3.2ltr Turbo Diesel
did have a '04 GV 5 Door 2.5ltr V6 OME Suspension and a wishlist this long.......no more Sad

GV real SUV · Posted: Sun May 30, 2010 3:34 am Post subject:

Hi all,

GV88, I most like the GV water fording shots. By the way, do you guys know how deep it is before crossing?

Cheers,

GV real SUV
_________________
2007 Grand Vitara 2.0L 16V A/T
Left Hand Drive 4 mode 4x4

www.suzuki-forums.com
www.newgrandvitara.net

GV88 · Joined: 16 Feb 2009 Posts: 613 Location: Brisbane

Thanks all for your comments. Cheers Very Happy

Kerway - I aired down to 22psi, to allow for some clearance. After reading all the comments regarding alignment and front bushing issues, I've decided not to fit a lift kit (unless aftermarket replacement bushes becomes available) . I bought a second set of rims from ODA and will probably run a taller set of tyres.

GV real SUV - The lead vehicle did a walk thru before attempting the drive. The water was deepest in the mid section as shown in the first [water crossing] pic. The (deepest end of the) water depth was probably slightly higher than the wheel hub. After the crossing, I immediately inspected the air intake in the engine bay and did not observe any water patch. Wink

GV real SUV · Posted: Sun May 30, 2010 11:48 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the reply GV88. good to know no water entered your GV.

I have had 2 encounters with deep water - although it was flash flooded streets. The water was up to the headlights, but I fortunately made it with no water damage Very Happy

Of course, I do not want to encounter that again, may not get lucky and stall.

Cheers,

GV real SUV
_________________
2007 Grand Vitara 2.0L 16V A/T
Left Hand Drive 4 mode 4x4

www.suzuki-forums.com
www.newgrandvitara.net

GV88 · Joined: 16 Feb 2009 Posts: 613 Location: Brisbane

Headed out to Rainbow Beach for another drive yesterday with friends from a forum. This will be another pictures only trip report as pictures say more than words. So enjoy... Very Happy

Stopped on side of road en route to Harry's Hunt to air down. The suzi is second in line.

We have had lots of rainfall in the last few weeks leading to this trip. Therefore there are more mud puddles than usual on the inland tracks.

Harry's Hut is a former logging site built in the 1950s.

River situated next to the Hut.

We started from the inland track via Cooloola Way and onto Rainbow Beach. After lunch we proceeded onto King Bore Road (another inland track a few ks north of Fresh Water - which I was also bogged on the last trip). Then inevitable, bogged at the steep exit onto the beach.

Picture angle from the beach with snatch attached. I couldn't exit the car as the water was very close to the door's edge. Sometimes good friends do come in handy. Shocked

Sadly my pride was again dented as all the other vehicles in the convoy drove through the exit without drama. Mind you they took the shallower section. Laughing

GV88 · Joined: 16 Feb 2009 Posts: 613 Location: Brisbane

This is an old trip undertaken last August 2009 to Stradbroke Island. I decided to merge all my reports together in one thread for easy viewing.

Arrived at the Big Cat barge in Cleveland at 12.30pm on Friday.

Setting up camp at Adder Rock camp ground. My Taj Mahai.

Other vehicles arriving and unpacking.

Then spotted a SWB Prado...very nice...

Wandered down to the beach to take some pictures of the sunset.

Lone figure - fishing in the distance wearing only shorts and a t-shirt. It was about approximately 14 degree at this stage. i had 6 layers of clothing on. Shocked

Day 2

The next morning, we woke early, had breakfast and set out to do some sand driving. At the camping ground entrance, mapping out the track and airing down.

At the beach entrance, came across a subie wagon bogged to the axle. We all stopped to assist, some shoving sand, others attaching the straps. I stood on the dunes with the camera. Embarassed

Suzi enjoying the view...

The group line up.

Spotted a whale playing in the distance.

Looks like they're still testing the A-Bomb.

Lunch at the keyhole.

Picture at Brown lake.

Day 3

Lunch at yuppie a-la-carte tavern.

The group

Queuing for the barge on the return leg.

A brief history of the bridge.

Barge arriving

On the barge. Suzi squeeze between the pajero.

The group on the barge.

Bye bye Straddie..till next time

A few more pictures on Pajero forum.
http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/showthread.php?p=53163#post53163

GV88 · Joined: 16 Feb 2009 Posts: 613 Location: Brisbane

Sharing some of the pictures we took at Landcruiser Park today. May 2009.

At the office...at landcruiser park.

BJ7475 first attempt at Telecom Hill after watching the Suzuki unsuccessful attempts but it did advance the furthest up the track. Mr. Green

Josh attempt at Telecom Hill.

Driving down the first tier of Telecom Hill.

At end of Tarago Trail "Cowha Falls" lookout.

Having lunch at GUM camp ground.

BJ7475 exited pig pen.

Water crossing on one of many flooded creeks.

traversing along Kings Road.

Some pictures of the rutted track. BJ7475 took short video of the drive but we only have the stills for now.

scraping and sliding down Telecom Hill backwards and flatting the ruts.

GV88 · Joined: 16 Feb 2009 Posts: 613 Location: Brisbane

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AC88 · Joined: 16 Aug 2010 Posts: 59 Location: Vancouver, Canada

Nice pictures. I like the close up of the mobile kitchen...hehe

By the way, where were all the chefs headed?

AC

GV88 · Joined: 16 Feb 2009 Posts: 613 Location: Brisbane

AC,

Thanks for the comments. The chef are designated cooks for the (very long) ferry rides in China. Sorry I can't remember the name of the destination.

kerway · Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 9:15 pm Post subject:

Gday GV88,
Great pics. Love the new ones and thanks for the trip down memory lane.