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New rig, back in the kooky Zuki gang!

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Offline Phase change

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New rig, back in the kooky Zuki gang!
« on: October 14, 2017, 05:21:37 PM »
I dunno why but the barrage of cheap Suzuki’s finally got the best of me.  I bought a 2003 tracker 4 dr, and I’m stoked! Lady was original owner and she took well enough care of it, not too nice to make it a cream puff, but original shape and she drive it easy.  So, I’m back!  I’ve been missing zooks ever since I owned a 1997 X90, the very very rare bird!  I lifted it and stuff the biggest muddies I could get underneath it and drove it for over 10 years as my primary ride and loved it.  And I’m 6’5”!  ANyway never should have sold that little gem, but here I am with a bigger zook that seems to have a better engine, better mpg and little extra power.  Great! 

So far I’ve replaced tires with 235/75, replaced spark plugs and gas cap which fixed the bucking and cel codes up nice.  Now for more important work, the 4x4 Pump is cycling and it does work in 4x but I’m not thrilled with the system so I think I want to do the front manual hubs/ actuator lockout mod. 
Question, how does the 4wd light become active if the mod is done to eliminate the air system? Or is it a non working element after mod? 

I just love the gearing on these little rigs, 4.62 from the factory is a dream for off-road tires.  It feels like it even has 4.88’s but I understand the manual trans rigs had 4.62’s? 

Is there an Eaton truetrac available for rear axle? I didn’t see one on a brief search. 

My plan so far is 1” Spring spacers, drop struts and longer rear shocks.  But if there is an easy Spring swap from another vehicle that achieves the same lift then I’d like to examine that first.   I had Spring Jeep spacers on my x90 for the entire time and I was happy with the way it handled.  I’m not extreme wheeling and stuff, just the occasional “embarrass the Jeeps” moments that tend to happen with Suzuki’s. 
2003 Suzuki tracker 4d 5sp 2.0 “piglet”
Deleted air 4wd system, Manual hubs, 2” lift, 235/75,

Old ride: 1997 X90 “jellybean” best lil car I’ve ever had

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Re: New rig, back in the kooky Zuki gang!
« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2017, 09:41:23 PM »
So if I go with a 2” coil spacer lift do I need some camber bolts to get it aligned back again?

Do I need longer rear shocks? Or some other model car shocks work?  I see mention of Crown Vic shocks?
2003 Suzuki tracker 4d 5sp 2.0 “piglet”
Deleted air 4wd system, Manual hubs, 2” lift, 235/75,

Old ride: 1997 X90 “jellybean” best lil car I’ve ever had

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Offline ebewley

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Re: New rig, back in the kooky Zuki gang!
« Reply #2 on: October 15, 2017, 12:25:16 PM »
Welcome to the forum!

Check out some info that's available through the main page. You'll find some quick answers to your technical questions.

There's an article there as well on removing the Shift on the Fly and adding hubs..

Post a pic!

-Eric

Eric L. Bewley                               
Editor, ZUKIWORLD Online                   

Suzuki 4x4 Owners Association - Please Join  The ZUKIWORLD ORDER Today!
About ZUKIWORLD Online: We are an enthusiast web site dedicated to the promotion of the Suzuki Automobile as the best and most capable vehicle on the planet. We offer product reviews, Tech tips, DIY, Travel and Adventure, Forum, Technical information, Life Style, and so much more!

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Re: New rig, back in the kooky Zuki gang!
« Reply #3 on: October 15, 2017, 01:56:16 PM »
Question, how does the 4wd light become active if the mod is done to eliminate the air system?

You can either leave the pump module in place and plug the outlet port, or, you can remove the module and wire the 4WD switch directly to the light.
'98 SQ420 Grand Vitara
'05 JB420 Grand Vitara
'16 APK416 Vitara
'21 A6G415 Jimny

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Re: New rig, back in the kooky Zuki gang!
« Reply #4 on: October 15, 2017, 10:54:23 PM »
Great thanks for this!  Today I found some samurai hubs for 20$ on cL and brought them home because they had 26 splines so I figured GTG but they didn’t bolt up quite right.   Had to fab a spacer about 3/16 to go under the hub but after that they work great.  So, I’ll try to make time to pull the front diff and get welding on those parts. 

This rig is pretty clean.  Washed it today and gosh, it must’ve spent a long time in a garage or Suzuki used top quality paint because there isn’t a spec of rust or oxidation anywhere on it.  Has a few dings but the paint is perfect.   Not that it matters, will be trail pinstriped in no time.
« Last Edit: October 15, 2017, 11:35:19 PM by Phase change »
2003 Suzuki tracker 4d 5sp 2.0 “piglet”
Deleted air 4wd system, Manual hubs, 2” lift, 235/75,

Old ride: 1997 X90 “jellybean” best lil car I’ve ever had

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Re: New rig, back in the kooky Zuki gang!
« Reply #5 on: October 15, 2017, 11:38:12 PM »
One question, the gear selector (manual) is real notchy in all gears especially 5th.  I haven’t changed oil yet but is this normal?  I’m thinking about trying some redline MTL and see how that goes. 
2003 Suzuki tracker 4d 5sp 2.0 “piglet”
Deleted air 4wd system, Manual hubs, 2” lift, 235/75,

Old ride: 1997 X90 “jellybean” best lil car I’ve ever had

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Offline ebewley

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Re: New rig, back in the kooky Zuki gang!
« Reply #6 on: October 22, 2017, 01:37:05 PM »
Digging it!

-Eric
Eric L. Bewley                               
Editor, ZUKIWORLD Online                   

Suzuki 4x4 Owners Association - Please Join  The ZUKIWORLD ORDER Today!
About ZUKIWORLD Online: We are an enthusiast web site dedicated to the promotion of the Suzuki Automobile as the best and most capable vehicle on the planet. We offer product reviews, Tech tips, DIY, Travel and Adventure, Forum, Technical information, Life Style, and so much more!

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Re: New rig, back in the kooky Zuki gang!
« Reply #7 on: October 27, 2017, 09:58:23 PM »
Some new parts installed. 

New master and slave clutch system.  Was leaking into cab and also not disengaging very solidly so decided to replace all of it. 

New front brake pads, semi met.

New window tint to match rear factory tint.  Love it. 

Let’s see, what’s next?  I should dive into front diff to lock out the air actuator but I’m not feeling like it yet. 
2003 Suzuki tracker 4d 5sp 2.0 “piglet”
Deleted air 4wd system, Manual hubs, 2” lift, 235/75,

Old ride: 1997 X90 “jellybean” best lil car I’ve ever had

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Offline ebewley

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Re: New rig, back in the kooky Zuki gang!
« Reply #8 on: October 28, 2017, 05:56:28 AM »
I say just drive it!

-Eric
Eric L. Bewley                               
Editor, ZUKIWORLD Online                   

Suzuki 4x4 Owners Association - Please Join  The ZUKIWORLD ORDER Today!
About ZUKIWORLD Online: We are an enthusiast web site dedicated to the promotion of the Suzuki Automobile as the best and most capable vehicle on the planet. We offer product reviews, Tech tips, DIY, Travel and Adventure, Forum, Technical information, Life Style, and so much more!

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Re: New rig, back in the kooky Zuki gang!
« Reply #9 on: October 28, 2017, 09:47:02 AM »
That would be the smart thing to do, and definitely what my gf would suggest too, but, she knows I can’t leave anything alone.  Ordered new rear shocks ;)
2003 Suzuki tracker 4d 5sp 2.0 “piglet”
Deleted air 4wd system, Manual hubs, 2” lift, 235/75,

Old ride: 1997 X90 “jellybean” best lil car I’ve ever had

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Re: New rig, back in the kooky Zuki gang!
« Reply #10 on: October 29, 2017, 06:22:23 AM »
 8)
Eric L. Bewley                               
Editor, ZUKIWORLD Online                   

Suzuki 4x4 Owners Association - Please Join  The ZUKIWORLD ORDER Today!
About ZUKIWORLD Online: We are an enthusiast web site dedicated to the promotion of the Suzuki Automobile as the best and most capable vehicle on the planet. We offer product reviews, Tech tips, DIY, Travel and Adventure, Forum, Technical information, Life Style, and so much more!

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Re: New rig, back in the kooky Zuki gang!
« Reply #11 on: November 04, 2017, 07:15:39 PM »
Don’t ya hate it when some jerk blocks your view of your Suzuki?!
2003 Suzuki tracker 4d 5sp 2.0 “piglet”
Deleted air 4wd system, Manual hubs, 2” lift, 235/75,

Old ride: 1997 X90 “jellybean” best lil car I’ve ever had

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Re: New rig, back in the kooky Zuki gang!
« Reply #12 on: November 05, 2017, 04:47:22 AM »
There's a Suzuki in that picture  ;) ?
'98 SQ420 Grand Vitara
'05 JB420 Grand Vitara
'16 APK416 Vitara
'21 A6G415 Jimny

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Re: New rig, back in the kooky Zuki gang!
« Reply #13 on: November 05, 2017, 09:00:24 AM »
Lol, soon only the steering wheel and the title (and you) will know the truth ;)

You can dress up a zook in a bow tie, but it’s still a zook to me

Interestingly while I was stealing the grille off a junkyard vitara I noticed the steering wheel had no branding on it, while mine has a bow tie.  To me, probably not worth swapping airbags unless someone wants to give me like 100$ for mine.  Maybe 50$.  They seem pretty cheap on eBay. 
« Last Edit: November 05, 2017, 09:03:35 AM by Phase change »
2003 Suzuki tracker 4d 5sp 2.0 “piglet”
Deleted air 4wd system, Manual hubs, 2” lift, 235/75,

Old ride: 1997 X90 “jellybean” best lil car I’ve ever had

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Re: New rig, back in the kooky Zuki gang!
« Reply #14 on: November 05, 2017, 10:01:21 AM »
I hope you got the hood as well ...
'98 SQ420 Grand Vitara
'05 JB420 Grand Vitara
'16 APK416 Vitara
'21 A6G415 Jimny