Kermes-Vermilio's Vitara

[Kermes-vermilio]

OK, thought I would start a "project" thread for my Vitara.
It's a MY2000 1.6 8v, SWB, hard top. My aim is to be able to use it as a daily hack (55 mile round trip to work and back 5 days a week) and to have some fun in the mud on the odd occasion.

It came with a 2" lift, pro comp rear shocks, insa turbo sahara tyres, a good solid chassis and some rot on the body.

Pics of how I got it:

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[Kermes-vermilio]

First jobs were to change the cam belt (no history with the Vit so didn't know when it was last done) and urgently change the discs and pads:

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And pick up the missing arch trim

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Oh, and fit some spot lamps, every 4x4 needs them

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[Kermes-vermilio]

Next on the agenda was correcting (or at least adjusting) the camber, with a set of camber bolts.
The front wheels were sat like this ----->

After fitting camber bolts:

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Doing that made it feel much more planted and stable on the road.

Next up, attack the rot!
Disclaimer: I do not profess to be any good at welding. I do what I have to do and if it looks pretty its probably a mistake or just good luck!

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[Kermes-vermilio]

Cut it out:

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Plate it up:

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Add a lick of paint:

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Bosh!

[Kermes-vermilio]

I then pulled all the wiring back into the back of the truck (the passenger side wiring ran on the outside, behind the bumper) and extended it so it runs internally. Moved the fog light and the number plate and lights onto the back door, and painted the back door, oh and picked up a spare wheel carrier:

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Seeing as the support bar for the bumper was all rotten, I carefully crafted (bodged) the back bumper from a anus onto the back:

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[Kermes-vermilio]

The next body repair will be around the spoiler, here is a preview of that:

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There is a bit more just above where the back window is, so basically going to have to cut a section of the back roof and patch it up. Maybe when the weather warms up a bit lol.
I will slowly work forward, that is probably the worst of it to be fair.

Future things I will do are:
- Change the gearbox - it's chattery and I am not sure if it is getting worse or not, but I think it needs to be done!
- Finish body repairs
- Paint it battleship grey as I work on the repairs
- source or have built some heavy duty bumpers (and possibly a winch? maybe? are the necessary?)
- source and fit back seats and seatbelts as they are missing. I have the back seats, but no brackets or bolts
- have lots of fun in it

[ROBBIE]

Good work bud

[Ladaman]

Looking good.

I'm sure you will have lots of fun with it.

[Rhinoman]

Mine was a similar spec originally, I did 80 miles a day commuting, drove it to Tong and Salisbury Plain a few times and did the Sweden Off Road tour in it. It was very capable but still very usable.

[Anton]

Love a good build thread! Keep it up mate. That's a great looking little truck.