'The Swamp Monster' Grand Vitara Site

This page documents the most recent modifications and mechanical work that has been carried out on the GV over recent weeks, being updated as and when any minor alterations are carried out, new things are purchased or when any mechanical issues with the Grand Vitara are tackled.

The 'Big Vit' hasn't been up on our ramp recently but several weeks ago did spend a week at a local garage instead! We needed to get both the mysterious cutting out problem and the oil leak (that we couldn't locate ourselves) sorted out before we went away on holiday during the summer. Both of these mechanical problems have now been successfully dealt with, meaning that fingers crossed - with regards to mechanical issues - the modified GV currently has none... for now at least!

When we purchased the Grand Vitara, the custom made snorkel featured a 'Safari' top but the pipe ran straight through to the engine with no form of air filter at all. We were aware that the Grand Vitara used to have an air filter on top of the snorkel from the photos in the 'Total Off-Road' magazine feature - and we decided that this was the set-up we wanted, as the GV needed to have an air filter of some kind! We found an air filter and have now attached it to the snorkel, replacing the 'Safari' top, as the right-hand photo shows.

Several months after we purchased the 'Big GV', we replaced the winch hook (which was broken) with a brand new one - not very exciting, but another one of those little jobs that's now out the way. Plus, after having some problems with the winch itself, we have also managed to sort out that issue - which was luckily just a loose connection. So the winch is once again in full working order and ready to see some action!

With the Grand Vitara having spent a week at the garage and with us having replaced the CD player - the GV is actually pretty mechanically sound - for the time-being at least! The only future issue that will potentially need looking at is one of the bearings, but this is not yet a pressing issue for us at the moment.

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