Auto Car | 2010 Suzuki Equator | With its fully-boxed frame, 6,500 pound towing capacity, and 4.0 liter, 261 horsepower V6, the 2010 Suzuki Equator is fairly well equipped for offroad duty. But at the hands of ARB, this pickup gains more dual-purpose readiness and enough visual distinctions to strengthen its street (and trail) cred.
ARB's influence starts with an angular, industrial looking front bumper ($946) that's partially finished in black powder coat, and comes ready for winch installation. IPF Xtreme Sport Series lights ($285) offer added illumination, and side rails protect the truck's corners from brush or other offroad hazards. Lower sills facilitate stepping into the cab, while the ARB rear bumper ($766) enables an integrated towing option.
Manufactured in Australia, ARB's Old Man Emu customized suspension ($1,260) offers between 1.5" and 2" of lift. Each suspension setup is individually adjusted to compensate for bumper, winch, and bed combinations; factory rake (ie, a taller rear setup to enable loads) is preserved on all lifted ARB suspensions.
Sitting on a Thule rack ($544) is an ARB tent ($1,500) that sleeps two comfortably with luggage at the foot. Unfurled, the tent measures roughly 8 feet in length, and is about as wide as a queen-sized bed.
Finally, the ARB Equator rests on Walker Evans Wheels shod with BFGoodrich All Terrain tires; the rims have simulated beadlocks, since actual beadlocks aren't street legal in most states.
The Suzuki Equator 4X4 Crew Cab Sport starts at $30,900, and achieves an estimated 15 mpg city, 20 mpg highway. ARB add-ons on our test truck totaled less than $5,000.
The Equator's V6 engine torque allows for decent acceleration and enough oomph for aggressive passing at highway speeds, though true leadfoots might miss the mighty V8 power offered in more upmarket pickups. The ARB add-ons supplement the Equator's 4,491 lb curb weight, and though the truck's handling felt capable on the roads snaking up the San Bernardino Mountains, we wouldn't necessarily pick the ARB Equator for autocross duty… but once I explored a few tight, ice-covered uphill stretches of tarmac in Big Bear City, the Equator traversed the traction-challenged sections with ease.
(trucks.about.com)
ARB's influence starts with an angular, industrial looking front bumper ($946) that's partially finished in black powder coat, and comes ready for winch installation. IPF Xtreme Sport Series lights ($285) offer added illumination, and side rails protect the truck's corners from brush or other offroad hazards. Lower sills facilitate stepping into the cab, while the ARB rear bumper ($766) enables an integrated towing option.
Manufactured in Australia, ARB's Old Man Emu customized suspension ($1,260) offers between 1.5" and 2" of lift. Each suspension setup is individually adjusted to compensate for bumper, winch, and bed combinations; factory rake (ie, a taller rear setup to enable loads) is preserved on all lifted ARB suspensions.
Sitting on a Thule rack ($544) is an ARB tent ($1,500) that sleeps two comfortably with luggage at the foot. Unfurled, the tent measures roughly 8 feet in length, and is about as wide as a queen-sized bed.
Finally, the ARB Equator rests on Walker Evans Wheels shod with BFGoodrich All Terrain tires; the rims have simulated beadlocks, since actual beadlocks aren't street legal in most states.
The Suzuki Equator 4X4 Crew Cab Sport starts at $30,900, and achieves an estimated 15 mpg city, 20 mpg highway. ARB add-ons on our test truck totaled less than $5,000.
The Equator's V6 engine torque allows for decent acceleration and enough oomph for aggressive passing at highway speeds, though true leadfoots might miss the mighty V8 power offered in more upmarket pickups. The ARB add-ons supplement the Equator's 4,491 lb curb weight, and though the truck's handling felt capable on the roads snaking up the San Bernardino Mountains, we wouldn't necessarily pick the ARB Equator for autocross duty… but once I explored a few tight, ice-covered uphill stretches of tarmac in Big Bear City, the Equator traversed the traction-challenged sections with ease.
(trucks.about.com)
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