diffrence between 1994/1995 and 1999/2000 vitaras?

wowyswittowedtwuck · Just got MTs Joined: 01 Apr 2013 Odometer: 122

Ive gor the chance to be a 94/95 vitara or a 1999/2000 one. Im just wondering are there any major diffrences? Id always heard the older ones are better due to diff ratios and stronger CV's?

Also was having a browse on calmini site and seen the only go up to 1998? Does that mean the suspension has changed from 99 onwards?

Can anyone help?

plugspanner · Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 2:16 pm Post subject:

I have a 2000 reg (V) 4u2 vitara, the calmini kit fits it ok, the ally front diff housing is a lot weaker than the already weak earlier ones and the longer inner cv joint housing is also a bit weaker than the earlier ones, the outer cv's really are not a lot different and are easily changed.
the diff ratios are also different not just from the 4u2 but also diesel and other models.
a steel diff housing really is a must if you intend doing anything more than the odd field or green lane.
the later ones should have efi and starting and running is better, but the spanish models paint is also problem as it does not seem to stay on very well.
generally rust is the problem with them and get as good a body & chassis structure as you can.
good luck.
let us know how you get on.

Toseland · Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 2:34 pm Post subject:

Derv commercial swb's have 4.8:1 differentials as per the 4u petrols..

there were no autos in the SWB, the LWB and V6 have a chance to have 4.6:1 but more often itll be 4.8.

the design of the running gear, however, is identical.. and all parts from all other vitaras fit the suspension/drivetrain.

When buying, check these places for rust

1.rear boot floor, underneath the seatbelt mounts
2.Back of the rear footwell, corners on either side (its at the bottom of the front rear arch right above the body mount on the outside)
3.Front floorpan about halfway between the bulkhead and seat, up against the sill
4. underneath the front headlights, where the body turns around and meets the front of the arch
5. rear arches generally.

if its small amounts and can be dealt with, then itll be fine.. if there are holes in the rear footwells or bubbling visible outside, then itll be a larger job and whether to take it is up to you.

Undiplomatic · Just got MTs Joined: 10 May 2010 Odometer: 483

I would go for whichever one has less rust. You can find some rust free Vitaras (I have two such ones!) But many are pretty bad.

The later models have a neater front grille which makes them look more up to date. But the grilles are interchangeable.

wowyswittowedtwuck · Just got MTs Joined: 01 Apr 2013 Odometer: 122

Spoke to a suspension company and they claim the suspension set up if diffrent from 99 onwards? I did think they were the same,

So alloy diff , could put a steel on? ! Change the diff ratios to early but apart from that they are near enough the same.

Undiplomatic · Just got MTs Joined: 10 May 2010 Odometer: 483

I've found that the Calmini USA office is knowledgeable and responsive, so if you ask them you'll get a fast response.

You could also check the Suzuki parts catalogue to see if the suspension changed and which bits by comparing part numbers from 1999 vs earlier models. There's an online parts catalogue here: https://partsouq.com/es/catalog/suzuki/category?...del_code=SE416222

I would have thought that so long as the chassis is the same then the calmini kit would fit because it replaces virtually all of the suspension components except the front struts and it attaches to the hub and chassis. So if the struts, hubs, and chassis are the same then the kit should fit? Anyone care to confirm?

If you decide to go for a later Vitara, the diffs and CVs are easy to replace . The front axle always need replacing regardless.

If you're after a Calmini kit there's a local breaker here selling one for £350. PM me and I'll send you his details.

plugspanner · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 12:16 pm Post subject:

if you can get the calmini lift kit for that price then it sounds a bargain.
it took me 3 days working on my own to fit it all, quite an easy job really, but better with 2 people.
makes a big difference off road with some decent tyres, but a steel front axle will be needed sooner or later.
good luck

rhinoman · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 7:25 pm Post subject:

The Yanks didn't get the earlier shape Vitara after 1998, hence the 98 cut off date on the Calmini site. I tried to buy a roof rack from them once and they wouldn't sell it to me as they claimed it wouldn't fit as they 'had all the data from Suzuki' and my Vitara (actually a 4u2) was therefore the newer shape! Just to confuse the issue further they got the Vitara as a Sidekick or Geo Tracker and the GV as a Vitara.