Excited to receive my newly bought Suzuki Grand Vitara next week!

[dnk8n]

It is the first car I would have (part-)owned. Its a Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.4 A/T. I feel like we got a decent price, R133,500 with 135,000km on the clock. The car was in immaculate condition, very well looked after.I am joining my girlfriend for her year at a public hospital as a diagnostic radiographer. I work as a software developer, so can continue to work remotely. Need some form of internet at least once or twice a week, hope I get that!

We are going to be staying 40min drive from Ponta do Oura, Mozambique on the South African side in a little town called Manguzi. Hoping to get a little taste of some light 4x4ing and travel to Mozambique, Swaziland, etc. I also own a Kawasaki KLR 650, so can do the more technical off-road bits that the Vitara can't do (or rather, the parts I can't do in a Vitara) by bike!

So much to learn, I don't even know where to start. Need to make a list of things to buy. Any ideas / insights would be truly appreciated.

I am thinking I need:
- an electronic tyre pump for the sand
- a trailer for my motorbike (or maybe one of those xramps)
- roof racks (maybe with the two of us, I don't really need that)
- to know where the nearest Suzuki service centre is

[Patrick L]

It is the first car I would have (part-)owned. Its a Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.4 A/T. I feel like we got a decent price, R133,500 with 135,000km on the clock. The car was in immaculate condition, very well looked after.I am joining my girlfriend for her year at a public hospital as a diagnostic radiographer. I work as a software developer, so can continue to work remotely. Need some form of internet at least once or twice a week, hope I get that!

We are going to be staying 40min drive from Ponta do Oura, Mozambique on the South African side in a little town called Manguzi. Hoping to get a little taste of some light 4x4ing and travel to Mozambique, Swaziland, etc. I also own a Kawasaki KLR 650, so can do the more technical off-road bits that the Vitara can't do (or rather, the parts I can't do in a Vitara) by bike!

So much to learn, I don't even know where to start. Need to make a list of things to buy. Any ideas / insights would be truly appreciated.

I am thinking I need:
- an electronic tyre pump for the sand
- a trailer for my motorbike (or maybe one of those xramps)
- roof racks (maybe with the two of us, I don't really need that)
- to know where the nearest Suzuki service centre is

Sounds like a nice deal on good wheels-enjoy!8)

Beautiful part of the world, is Maputaland- the region from the Lebombo mountains across the vast sand flats - lovely reserves within day's reach both coastal and inland, incredible diversity of plant and animal life, stunning landscape and lake-and-seashores

Manguzi is a fairly large 'little' town, so you will get all the internet services you need, as well as most basic other products and services.


Spade
Sandbags - cheap, easy to stash away and use ,very versatile in the bush/sand/beach in general
Electric compressor is essential ( also carry manual pump for emergencies, as well as an inner tube -beyond your spare tyre)
I prefer a few small bottle-jacks rather than high-lift jack -plus a few solid short pieces of scaffold planks


- you'll be driving only in soft sand across the entire Makhathini Flats area!-also always good to have some movable weight in the vehicle-to shift over/behind rear axle (sandbags? Big cooler full of beer and ice) -Jerry can of water should always be in car-that can help too
-with the right tyre pressure ( train yourself to do it by looking at tyres only -first while use gauge and observe tyre 'bulge' at sidewalls-after a while you will fairly well be able to judge what works in the specific areas of sand
-steady momentum and gentle stopping are your friends in sand driving-I would perhaps give the new wheels a test-spin in some local dunes/sand to get a feel for it.

-if you plan on a lot of camping, I would definitely consider a roof tent as an option-then you can kit the Vitara out for comfortable travel with very easy camp setups.

Sadly, but it must be mentioned -crime in the area is fairly prevalent, so always be aware and alert and prepared.

Once into the formal reserves, you are as safe as anywhere, and you can relax in earnest!

-elsewhere- hang/travel with locals for a while to get to know places, do not carry valuables beyond necessity, beware of kids and animals in remote areas on sandtracks,

[dnk8n]

Sounds like a nice deal on good wheels-enjoy!8)

Beautiful part of the world, is Maputaland- the region from the Lebombo mountains across the vast sand flats - lovely reserves within day's reach both coastal and inland, incredible diversity of plant and animal life, stunning landscape and lake-and-seashores

Manguzi is a fairly large 'little' town, so you will get all the internet services you need, as well as most basic other products and services.


Spade
Sandbags - cheap, easy to stash away and use ,very versatile in the bush/sand/beach in general
Electric compressor is essential ( also carry manual pump for emergencies, as well as an inner tube -beyond your spare tyre)
I prefer a few small bottle-jacks rather than high-lift jack -plus a few solid short pieces of scaffold planks


- you'll be driving only in soft sand across the entire Makhathini Flats area!-also always good to have some movable weight in the vehicle-to shift over/behind rear axle (sandbags? Big cooler full of beer and ice) -Jerry can of water should always be in car-that can help too
-with the right tyre pressure ( train yourself to do it by looking at tyres only -first while use gauge and observe tyre 'bulge' at sidewalls-after a while you will fairly well be able to judge what works in the specific areas of sand
-steady momentum and gentle stopping are your friends in sand driving-I would perhaps give the new wheels a test-spin in some local dunes/sand to get a feel for it.

-if you plan on a lot of camping, I would definitely consider a roof tent as an option-then you can kit the Vitara out for comfortable travel with very easy camp setups.

Sadly, but it must be mentioned -crime in the area is fairly prevalent, so always be aware and alert and prepared.

Once into the formal reserves, you are as safe as anywhere, and you can relax in earnest!

-elsewhere- hang/travel with locals for a while to get to know places, do not carry valuables beyond necessity, beware of kids and animals in remote areas on sandtracks,

All of these points are going on my task list. Thank you so much for the sound advice!

[Patrick L]

All of these points are going on my task list. Thank you so much for the sound advice!

Pleasure.

Search also in the KZN section of the forum-lot of threads there on the area.

[ErichV]

First thing you need to do is get a lift kit and secondly radiator/sump protection.

Congratulations and remember to post a pic when you receive the vehicle.

[kippie2]

Am I right that yours doesn't have traction control? I learnt a few lessons about sand in the kgalagadi. When climbing a long dune keep it in low range and turn on at power. I am assuming the 2.4 is the same in this regard?
I drive around a bit at Mabibi just after I got my v6. You won't be needing the KLR except for some fun. The GV handles sand beautifully.

[kippie2]

What Erichv said. The lift and protection is cheap and worth every cent. I paid 5500 for the whole lot a year ago from Stofpad4x4. Wizerd also supplies these items.

[BMC]

Enjoy your GV fantastic vehicle.

I fitted the Stofpad lift kit, bash plates and the Firestone Airhelpers.
The Airhelpers make a big difference when loaded with 4 adults plus trailer.

Regarding compressor, I got rid of the 160lpm and bought a ViAir 88P, which draws 20Amp vs 45Amp and is much more compact - agent in Paarden Eiland.

[dnk8n]

Wow, didn't know I had replies. Didn't get notifications.