Original owner of the 2003 Suzuki XL7 still running like new with the refreshed interior unlike it’s early model of 2001 &.2002 improvement with climate control which works far better and they moved the the stereo CD player to the top of the dashboard. I am amazed I still have it and will continue as long it keeps running like a clock.
Got one. Love it. It the second 2002 I've owned. But parts are getting hard to find in North America. The automatics have aluminum front differentials that are prone to break. The 5 speed has a steel diff that is bulletproof for off road use. An important difference between the Zuki and the list of comparables is that the Zuki is body on frame. For off road use, one can readily bolt a winch to the front. This is the last generation of true small 4x4 trucksters sold in North America. They pulled out because of poor sales numbers in the USA. Canadian sales were fine but they looked at the continental market and decided to bale. Apparently, North Americans want large 4x4s. Not this North American. I'd buy the new Suzuki Jimny the moment it hit the dock if Zuki where to bring it here.
@@XFINITYWIFIOFFICIAL If you are going to use it off pavement, it could really use a 2 inch lift. That extra length leaves it prone to getting high centered. The aluminum transfer case is in the scrape zone. Going to a 31 inch tire (215 85R16) will give more clearance as well. Be careful though as they are tippy even at stock height. Mine has flop scars. Listen for ticking/rattling in the motor. The cam chain tensioner and plastic guides go bad over time. It is a lot of shop time but really straight forward to do yourself. There are TH-cam videos on it. It's just time and patience and bolts. Other than that, change fluids regularly and enjoy.
I'm looking at buying an 02 XL7 with a 5spd manual 4x4. What concerns me is scarce parts. Are they really hard to get? I checked Rockauto and I still see plenty for sale there. I had to sell my old Celica because there were virtually no parts left except the junkyard.
@@TmX_mK2 Depends on where you live for wreckers. I'm in southern British Columbia and it 2 years (2019 -2021) for my local Pick n' Pull to get an XL7 to get a front differential. I was running another truck so I just waited. I'm sure I could have paid more and sourced it through none self serve wreckers...but I'm cheap. I could have used a GVitara but would have to find gears to match mine. You are correct in that the www has lots of routine parts. But the big stuff is missing (diffs, transfer cases, trans, engine blocks and internal bits). If you have the time and patience, I'm sure you can find any part somewhere for a Suzi and probably for the next 10 years and especially in the US. Then it will be like your old Celica. I look at the ease of finding anything for my 2000 Ford F250 and cringe at the thought of finding a cam or oil pump or door handles or windshields or something less routine that oil filters for the Suzi. But then...I might just be getting lazy. Best of luck in getting the XL7. Definitely go with the 5 speed. They are super rare here in BC. If I was 20 years younger, I'd swap mine for a manual.
Unique small SUV, with ladder frame & 4x4 transfer. The H27a engine has a tendency of loosing timing chains and bending valves due to a clogged oil intake on the carter. Takes a lot of preventive maintenance to keep them on the road after 100k miles. Replace oil often (2K), use only 10W30, keep the same brand, keep the carter clean, replace timing chain tensioners every 30K (9hour job), replace whole timing chain kit (only with Suzuki OEM, not copies) every 60K miles. I keep track of a few GV in our club, and most of them loose the chain, at one point on time or another. If I loose my 3rd chain (that I just replaced, along with a 2nd set of bent valves...it lasted 70 km (not 70K, seventy actual km), I am swaping the engine for a late 90's toyota.
0:45 the samurai wasn't a memorable name? The same samurai that outsold the wrangler? The same samurai that was all over the news after consumer reports lied? what is this guy smoking?
Suzuki cars are reliable..But their options are limited..They are not diesel experts.Their petrol engines are best in class.Suzuki's global portfolio consists currently small cars and some small SUVs like Gimny and Vitara..But they don't have market specific cars like Toyota or Hyundai..They are not trying hard to evolve or get out of that small car manufacturer image because they are quite happy with their current global sales figures I think..Here in India Suzuki sells more than 1 million cars every year..Most of their cars suit Indian market and Indian customer preferences..But in a totally different market like US a bigcar market Suzuki with their limited offerings primarily small cars cannot survive..Currently Suzuki has a partnership with Toyota..With this Suzuki is planning to expertise Toyota hybrid and diesel technology to develop new cars for developed markets while Toyota will get the small car manufacturing expertise of Suzuki in developing markets like India..
The "7" in the XL-7 name means "7-passenger", not "seventh Suzuki SUV."
Xtra Large 7
Original owner of the 2003 Suzuki XL7 still running like new with the refreshed interior unlike it’s early model of 2001 &.2002 improvement with climate control which works far better and they moved the the stereo CD player to the top of the dashboard. I am amazed I still have it and will continue as long it keeps running like a clock.
Any tips? I got the 02
I have a 2003 and I love it, runs like a champ and I want to start upgrading... any tips ?
I'm pretty sure XL-7 refers to the 7 seats
Miss my 2003 xl7. It was a very good and fun rig.
Got one. Love it. It the second 2002 I've owned.
But parts are getting hard to find in North America. The automatics have aluminum front differentials that are prone to break. The 5 speed has a steel diff that is bulletproof for off road use.
An important difference between the Zuki and the list of comparables is that the Zuki is body on frame. For off road use, one can readily bolt a winch to the front.
This is the last generation of true small 4x4 trucksters sold in North America. They pulled out because of poor sales numbers in the USA. Canadian sales were fine but they looked at the continental market and decided to bale.
Apparently, North Americans want large 4x4s. Not this North American. I'd buy the new Suzuki Jimny the moment it hit the dock if Zuki where to bring it here.
Just gotta 02 xl7 with 130,000 any advice? Automatic
@@XFINITYWIFIOFFICIAL If you are going to use it off pavement, it could really use a 2 inch lift. That extra length leaves it prone to getting high centered. The aluminum transfer case is in the scrape zone. Going to a 31 inch tire (215 85R16) will give more clearance as well. Be careful though as they are tippy even at stock height. Mine has flop scars.
Listen for ticking/rattling in the motor. The cam chain tensioner and plastic guides go bad over time. It is a lot of shop time but really straight forward to do yourself. There are TH-cam videos on it. It's just time and patience and bolts.
Other than that, change fluids regularly and enjoy.
@@stevest1300 thanks steven! its gonna be a commuter for me in a city setting any advice for frame rust?
I'm looking at buying an 02 XL7 with a 5spd manual 4x4. What concerns me is scarce parts. Are they really hard to get? I checked Rockauto and I still see plenty for sale there. I had to sell my old Celica because there were virtually no parts left except the junkyard.
@@TmX_mK2 Depends on where you live for wreckers. I'm in southern British Columbia and it 2 years (2019 -2021) for my local Pick n' Pull to get an XL7 to get a front differential. I was running another truck so I just waited. I'm sure I could have paid more and sourced it through none self serve wreckers...but I'm cheap.
I could have used a GVitara but would have to find gears to match mine. You are correct in that the www has lots of routine parts. But the big stuff is missing (diffs, transfer cases, trans, engine blocks and internal bits).
If you have the time and patience, I'm sure you can find any part somewhere for a Suzi and probably for the next 10 years and especially in the US. Then it will be like your old Celica.
I look at the ease of finding anything for my 2000 Ford F250 and cringe at the thought of finding a cam or oil pump or door handles or windshields or something less routine that oil filters for the Suzi. But then...I might just be getting lazy.
Best of luck in getting the XL7. Definitely go with the 5 speed. They are super rare here in BC. If I was 20 years younger, I'd swap mine for a manual.
Unique small SUV, with ladder frame & 4x4 transfer. The H27a engine has a tendency of loosing timing chains and bending valves due to a clogged oil intake on the carter. Takes a lot of preventive maintenance to keep them on the road after 100k miles. Replace oil often (2K), use only 10W30, keep the same brand, keep the carter clean, replace timing chain tensioners every 30K (9hour job), replace whole timing chain kit (only with Suzuki OEM, not copies) every 60K miles. I keep track of a few GV in our club, and most of them loose the chain, at one point on time or another. If I loose my 3rd chain (that I just replaced, along with a 2nd set of bent valves...it lasted 70 km (not 70K, seventy actual km), I am swaping the engine for a late 90's toyota.
233k on factory tensioners!
Happy New Year!!
I like the guys head out the window driving style lol
I still drive my 2004 XL-7 everyday it has 181000 km, I call it my Zuk Cruiser lol. Great machine don't know why they stopped selling them.
0:45 the samurai wasn't a memorable name? The same samurai that outsold the wrangler? The same samurai that was all over the news after consumer reports lied? what is this guy smoking?
Can you explain to me why there is no Suzuki in the USA anymore? my xl7 has not given any problems it has 182,000 miles, one of the best!
Suzuki cars are reliable..But their options are limited..They are not diesel experts.Their petrol engines are best in class.Suzuki's global portfolio consists currently small cars and some small SUVs like Gimny and Vitara..But they don't have market specific cars like Toyota or Hyundai..They are not trying hard to evolve or get out of that small car manufacturer image because they are quite happy with their current global sales figures I think..Here in India Suzuki sells more than 1 million cars every year..Most of their cars suit Indian market and Indian customer preferences..But in a totally different market like US a bigcar market Suzuki with their limited offerings primarily small cars cannot survive..Currently Suzuki has a partnership with Toyota..With this Suzuki is planning to expertise Toyota hybrid and diesel technology to develop new cars for developed markets while Toyota will get the small car manufacturing expertise of Suzuki in developing markets like India..
Suzuki is specialized in small cars and SUVs which are not very sought after in the US.
Still a couple of these things left in my neighborhood
What was with the Samurai dis?? That’s a classic today, a poor man’s FJ40; a cult fave like a Niva, but reliable.
I'm a proud owner of a ex3 2.7L xl7 2004
How to use the bottom N A/T P
What is the towing rate on these vehicles
3,000lb pounds kind of on the light side for a body on frame vehicle to be honest ?
@@christophercollard8409 The XL-7 weighs around 3600lbs so that was definitely a limiting factor.
Do you guys have a review of the 1995 Nissan maxima? Love to see it thank you
Nothing in your search?
@@MotoringTV pardon me?
Konby' dola li koute