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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: Quaddawg on July 09, 2006, 06:20:47 PM

Title: Who here runs a front locker in their Kick?
Post by: Quaddawg on July 09, 2006, 06:20:47 PM: I am about to give the Trail Tough front locker a try... I think........ lol...

Who here runs one, or welded in the front?

What has been your experience?
Title: Re: Who here runs a front locker in their Kick?
Post by: biker on July 09, 2006, 06:24:36 PM: I really want to try this setup in mine but I'm afraid of the front housing and shafts not being able to take the stress. I've been holding off looking for a GV housing but they are like gold up here. :'(
Title: Re: Who here runs a front locker in their Kick?
Post by: Quaddawg on July 09, 2006, 06:31:54 PM: Exactly..

I don't want the calmini stuff, so an Anvil is out of the question, and I can't find the steel gv stuff either.

I would REALLY like to do what Hagen and Co.Ã‚Â have done, and use a rear diff/axle cut down and made into an IFS front... with Toy axles... BUT... that is a bit above my equipment, and experience level at the present. (kits would be nice Mike!!!!)

I can order the drop out section for a few hundred, then do a widening, and use Stan's adapters for Toy axles... but that still leaves me with an alum. housing..

ah poo.....Ã‚Â Ã‚Â the remedys are expensive and time consuming..

That is why I am thinking about going ahead and just trying the locker.. I am sure I will break something.. but I just wanted to hear a few people say they do it with no real problems... as I am prettyeasy with the skinny pedal, I know how to NOT break a rig. I have only broken one CV and one diff mount ear...Ã‚Â The diff mount is not a problem, as it is now braced, and I don't think it will break again.. but as far as just shattering my housing, I am not sure...
Title: Re: Who here runs a front locker in their Kick?
Post by: cj on July 09, 2006, 08:29:14 PM: Yep, knowing the weakpoints and driving accordingly will make a difference. I run an ARB in my front and had no problems with it in the alloy housing until I put the Calmini lift in. The problem was the 1/2" holes in their brackets being to big for the 12mmÃ‚Â bolts and allowing movement to occur. I have seen a couple of solutions including welding up the area on the RHS of the housing making it solid where the bolts go in. Making a strap for the rear crossmember so that the tail is held down on both sides will help too. Also came across this brace someone made up.
Title: Re: Who here runs a front locker in their Kick?
Post by: locjaw on July 09, 2006, 08:47:28 PM: hate to say it guys, but if you want to make the front stronger it takes lots of time at the wrecking yard and a bit-o-money for the parts
it's a crap shoot with a front locker and the alloy stuff
SAS all the way
my .02
jason
Title: Re: Who here runs a front locker in their Kick?
Post by: Maroon Monsoon on July 09, 2006, 08:54:10 PM: I've heard someone on here put a ford 9 inch diff front and rear on a track/kick. you'd have to fab the crap out of the one for the front and find some decent CV's for it but it would be sooo sick
Title: Re: Who here runs a front locker in their Kick?
Post by: AJMBLAZER on July 09, 2006, 10:05:10 PM: Toyota IFS front like what's his name from the Philippines did?
Title: Re: Who here runs a front locker in their Kick?
Post by: ack on July 10, 2006, 03:33:01 AM: Hey Quaddawg -- great to meet you at the Melt!

The Hagen front end (modified rear dif with custom inner axles) sure looked beefy enough to get the job done!Ã‚Â Plus, it performed well in the Rock Rage at the 06 Melt!

BTW, a lifted Grand Vitara (or Grand Viagra as it said on the rear glass) did exceptionally well in the same Rock Rage competition without a SAS.

Overall, lots more IFS folks there this year!

(http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/2532/dscf02601bm.jpg)

I was beat out by on the RTI for the Stiffie award by Tim Porter in a stock 3-door tintop who won the Limp award at the RTI event last year with a score of nine billion (IE his truck nearly drove off the top of the ramp).
Title: Re: Who here runs a front locker in their Kick?
Post by: pdasilva on July 10, 2006, 06:28:26 AM: Im running a front locker hagen style with no problems,works very well.I did upgrade to steel housing though to prevent breakage.
Title: Re: Who here runs a front locker in their Kick?
Post by: FNG on July 10, 2006, 07:56:04 AM: I am useing trail tough front 3 pin carier and lockrights and still have an alum front houseing.
it seems to be holding up ok so far. ;D
Title: Re: Who here runs a front locker in their Kick?
Post by: SnoFalls on July 10, 2006, 08:03:23 AM: I've got the TT front locaker in a alum housing too and no problems ...

I got mine done a little over a year ago, and have used it fairly hard.
Title: Re: Who here runs a front locker in their Kick?
Post by: ADavis on July 10, 2006, 09:25:59 AM: I have a lock-rite and no problems (stock housing). Once you learn how to drive with it the axle snapping stops. Watch out for hopping and backing up stuff...especially with the wheels turned sharply. As with anything, there are limitations but I absolutely love having a locker in the front.
Title: Re: Who here runs a front locker in their Kick?
Post by: Zukipilot on July 10, 2006, 09:57:29 AM: I trashed many CV's with mine in a stock set up (sami carrier w/ lockrite in stock housing), but I drive mine HARD. Hence, why I saved up and bought an Anvil and beefed up the CV's. If you drive your truck reasonable and watch your driving, (dont mash the gas with the wheels turned hard either way, let off the gas when the front goes airborne, dont hammer tha gas in reverse, etc...) You should be able to make a stocker front end last a while. Just be ready, the more you realize what your truck can do with front and rear lockers, the more you will try and the harder you will hit obsticles. So sooner or later you may have to upgrade the front end.

Zig
Title: Re: Who here runs a front locker in their Kick?
Post by: Quaddawg on July 10, 2006, 10:10:31 AM: EXCELLENT!! That is just what I wanted to hear.. and thanks to ACK, I have a spare carrier housing anyway.. lol.. I have spare CV's I have been carrying since I broke one at the Badlands earlier this year. SO.. I am all spared up.... TIME TO LOCK HER UP..

AND MITCH!

Invite me to ORR!!! I wanna wheel with ya buddy, kept missing you at the Melt...

Where is ORR??? I will come!!!
Title: Re: Who here runs a front locker in their Kick?
Post by: FNG on July 10, 2006, 10:23:44 AM: ORR is local to me in borden IN.its only open the 1st sunday of the month,the next one will be
08/06/06.I am also going to try to get some people to go to Haspen acres soon,maybe sometime next month. ;D
Title: Re: Who here runs a front locker in their Kick?
Post by: Quaddawg on July 10, 2006, 10:45:17 AM: Keep me posted, I will do Haspin, AND ORR if I am invited.

I just can't get enough of wheeling this baby truck.
Title: Re: Who here runs a front locker in their Kick?
Post by: FNG on July 10, 2006, 11:48:55 AM: You are invited to orr,but you may not want to drive that far just to wheel a new place.ORR is
not a bad place but really is not that big and we only wheel 11am to 4pm so it may not be worth the drive for you.I will keep you posted on haspin. ;D
Title: Re: Who here runs a front locker in their Kick?
Post by: Jeremiah on July 10, 2006, 01:52:35 PM: I've poked around with the same question - most people sad avoid backing up while locked, and you'll be all good. If you do go SAS (which I don't like) - don't do ford 9". It's too big and overkill, go with 8". MUCH better clearance on the bottom (in fact, you can shave a bit off the bottom still) and it's MORE than strong enough for out little 1.6L
Title: Re: Who here runs a front locker in their Kick?
Post by: Quaddawg on July 10, 2006, 03:19:14 PM: I wouldn't mess with a ford 8.8 or 9... I would just use a Tracker rear, cut down, and IFS'd ala Hagen and crew.

I have a brace that has eliminated the reverse breaking of the mounting tab... So an easy foot will help keep the pinion from spitting out of the housing.

I am going to order one in the next couple of days, and probably do a little write up on the install.. if I have the patience... lol..

ACK, it'll be coming your way for the FAQ!

I have been chomping at the bit to spend a few bucks on the Turtle.. and I have finally decided that the best bang for the buck at this point would be $300 for a front locker. Can't WAIT to get it in!
Title: Re: Who here runs a front locker in their Kick?
Post by: biker on July 10, 2006, 06:17:35 PM: You guys sure know how to dangle candy in front of a guy :o Must resist urge to buy........arghhhhhhhh.........must resist ::)