Dave's 'New' Grand Vitara "Build Thread" and subsequent use, etc...

It's back!

 

It first had a virtual compression test which proved ok, so I hadn't cooked the head whilst getting to a place of safety to be recovered. 

A new water pump and auxiliary belt have been fitted, and new coolant / antifreeze, and it should be good for a few more... errr... dare I say, years? LOL :lol:

Great to have it back
 

Yay. More tetris pictures will be imminent then?

Dave you would be happy if it was all plain sailing .....

I miss my old GV,,,,

I'm still off my feet waiting for my right foot to heal properly... but in the meantime my wife and I have separated after 33 years of marriage, and I've moved out of the big house and into a rented cottage...

So the GeeVee had to come with me, even though I can't drive it yet :lol: (The Jimny Buggies are still in the garage though, I've hung on to access to my man cave!), anyway, it meant after nine months languishing on the drive, it needed an MOT...

And it passed?! First time?! 

So here it is parked outside my little cottage -

 

I washed it yesterday... and looking at it I felt the front suspension had sagged a little since it's 2" lift kit was fitted? The back looks fine, but there's quite a rake to it?

So, lots of time on my hands I started googling new lift kits, as you do. and then saw the price! 

Put the kettle on, had a cuppa, and my mind started ticking over.. it can't be the front strut spacers? It must be the old tired springs and struts themselves? So I looked at car part websites for fresh items, and then my brain ticked again.. instead of putting my own personal registration number in, I jumped on eBay and found an advert for a 1.9 DDiS model, and used that registration... indeed the aftermarket springs are different part numbers for the heavier engine! So I ordered new struts and springs for £150.and will get my mate at the local garage around the corner to fit them, as he has the special machine needed to fit the springs onto the struts... Result! 

The rear springs and shocks are already new replacement lift units, so a complete refresh on the tired suspension then  I'll let you know how it turns out  

(If you look a few posts back, you can see the rake of it)

Well that's a lot of information to process.

Sorry you have had to move out.

Congratulations on the pass.

Hope the healing process is on track.

Glad you're feeling well enough to be back here and looking at parts for cars.