Skid plates and Diff guards

[VitaraHead]

Hey guys, I have just bought a Vitara JX (1994) 5 door lwb, I do some fairly knarly greenlaning etc but I have grounded the Vitara a few times as it is at standard ride height. Does anyone know where I can get Diff guards and/or Skid plates for it without shopping over seas?
Many thanks in advance

Chris

[furrywoolyhatuk]

Bits for vits is worth a look:

http://www.bits4vits.co.uk/store/index.php

Or of course egay if your feeling brave!

Iv a got a 1990 jlx vit swb and I just put a bash plate on the front and that has helped, by fitting some slightly larger Tyres I raised the height by around an inch. Iv got a body lift and suspension lift to go on next. But with just a set of Tyres it's w great off road machine out of the box. Went out on Thursday around the Surrey lanes in the wet mud and it was great!

[eltax91]

A girl with a vitara in my off road club has improvised and used an old roadworks sign as a 'skid pan's so to speak. Seems very effective...

[VitaraHead]

Thanks for your input guys.
I have taken it through some pretty rough stuff already as standard and like you said, a very capable machine, I used to be a die hard Landy fan untill I got my V8 Classic rangey stuck!!! Lol
Thanks again guys

[300bhp/ton]

Diff guards will only lower your under axle clearance. Unless rock crawling I'd not bother tbh.

A lift and bigger tyres are likely sensible off road mods.

[Caractacus]

300bhp/ton said:

Diff guards will only lower your under axle clearance. Unless rock crawling I'd not bother tbh.

A lift and bigger tyres are likely sensible off road mods.

That's not really the best advice...

The drop is by mm, or at least it is on my 110. I reckon if you're going to hit the protection just because it is there (due to the drop of a few mm) it's best to be safe than sorry, surely?

If rocks etc, are passing that close I'd rather have the protection - Too close for comfort imho.

BTW, I needed my protection this weekend while up in Brechfa with West Wales Laning, and judging from the marks underneath I'd have clattered the rock no matter what.

[300bhp/ton]

Caractacus said:

That's not really the best advice...

The drop is by mm, or at least it is on my 110. I reckon if you're going to hit the protection just because it is there (due to the drop of a few mm) it's best to be safe than sorry, surely?

If rocks etc, are passing that close I'd rather have the protection - Too close for comfort imho.

BTW, I needed my protection this weekend while up in Brechfa with West Wales Laning, and judging from the marks underneath I'd have clattered the rock no matter what.

I think it depends on the skids and guards. Have seen plenty of vehicles hung up on such items and it's not usually a few mm, it's going to be min of 1/4" to maybe a whole inch depending on design.

Also mud, sand, grass aren't really an issue, it's only rocks. But if I'm honest I don't know of a single case where I've know the diff casing be damage though most 4x4 use. Not saying it doesn't happen, but it's certainly not the norm.

[P I Staker]

300bhp/ton said:

I think it depends on the skids and guards. Have seen plenty of vehicles hung up on such items and it's not usually a few mm, it's going to be min of 1/4" to maybe a whole inch depending on design.

Also mud, sand, grass aren't really an issue, it's only rocks. But if I'm honest I don't know of a single case where I've know the diff casing be damage though most 4x4 use. Not saying it doesn't happen, but it's certainly not the norm.

The Vitara front diff is notoriously weak, shock loading or a clobber can crack it in several places. I have also dented diff pans on Land Rovers before now.

The diff guard that B4V supply (Or did, i cant see it anymore?) is 5mm, a 5mm reduction in clearance is nothing. It also helps the vehicle slide over things rather then getting caught up, protecting the cross members.

Edited by P I Staker on Tuesday 1st November 22:47

Edited by P I Staker on Tuesday 1st November 22:47