ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Grand Vitara, Vitara, Chevy Tracker (Gen. 2 Platform) 1999-2005 => Topic started by: Jeff@TireBalls on July 12, 2006, 07:41:56 PM
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Sean of Aftermarket4x4 just posted this answer to my question in the vendor section of Zuwharrie....
Any chance you will be making skids for Grand Vitara's?
I can make anything that there is a market for, but at this time I have only had two people ask for GV skids. I need about 10 sales to get these into production. The 2 and 4-door gas tank skids are done and selling and there is a large market for them.
Sean
http://bbs.zuwharrie.com/content/topic,32550.15.html
I know there are at least 10 of us here that could get this rolling.
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I'm one of the two asking for the skids. I started a thread on the same subject June 28th to pretty lukewarm response. The "if you build it they will come" line isn't going to work is it?
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You guys just need to order 5 each and resell them ;)
I would help you out, but I have the ZR2 package and the stock skids seem to be holding up pretty well so far.
You might try posting on the Suzuki Grand Vitara yahoo group. There are a few people there interested in off road accessories that I haven't seen on other forums.
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/suzukigrandvitara/
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the factory ZR2 skidplate is pretty good, i dunno how much the go for but they are worth the look
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Jeff|removethispart|@TheQuadShop
Did Sean give you a price on the front skid?
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Nope
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the factory ZR2 skidplate is pretty good, i dunno how much the go for but they are worth the look
I bought my ZR-2 skids from Hawk and have beat them up pretty well and have been happy with the performance. New they are something like $500 for the pair (diff and transfer case) and I think I got a used set for $100.
Jeff
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Thanks, I'll be giving them a call.
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I gotta remember to make that phone call...
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Been doing some research online, and found that the Tracker ZR2 skid plate set goes for about $180-$200 plus shipping. I think I'll order them in a couple of weeks for my Grand Vitara. Hopefully these sites really do have them. In case anyone else is interested, they are GM part#12497302, and are referred to as "Steering Link and Transfer Case Shield" or simply "Shield." They are two pieces, and I assume they would come with mounting hardware. Here are some sites that list them:
www.1stgmcparts.com
www.gm-car-parts.com
www.gmpartsdirect.com
You could try your local Chevy dealer as well, but I'm sure these internet retailers are probably cheaper. Hope this solves the skid plate crisis for us!
Dave
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chevy dealers charge way to much for our parts, but these skids are good and solid..
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Did you try Hawk Strictly Suzuki?
Been doing some research online, and found that the Tracker ZR2 skid plate set goes for about $180-$200 plus shipping. I think I'll order them in a couple of weeks for my Grand Vitara. Hopefully these sites really do have them. In case anyone else is interested, they are GM part#12497302, and are referred to as "Steering Link and Transfer Case Shield" or simply "Shield." They are two pieces, and I assume they would come with mounting hardware. Here are some sites that list them:
www.1stgmcparts.com
www.gm-car-parts.com
www.gmpartsdirect.com
You could try your local Chevy dealer as well, but I'm sure these internet retailers are probably cheaper. Hope this solves the skid plate crisis for us!
Dave
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I've tried Hawk about 5 times in the last 8 months, and they either don't have a ZR2 on the lot, or they need to go take a look on the lot, or something. In any case, they either don't find them, or don't bother getting back to me on it. At this point, I'd rather just get 'em and be done with it! I don't think it's very high on their priority list, so that's fine. I'll just get brand new ones for the extra $100 bucks.
Dave
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I tried Hawk too, and they said they didn't have any ZR2s on the lot and that they rarely get them anyway.
Thanks for the website links Davyboy. I'll have to try those $200 isn't too bad.
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Okay...here's the deal with the Tracker skids. I ordered mine from www.gm-car-parts.com. I called them on the phone, since providing a VIN number would have been wierd. After all, I'm ordering a gm part for my Grand Vitara (Tracker twin) and would be supplying a Suzuki VIN #. I also wanted to verify the years that they applied to, and see if there was a variation for manual transmission models (it seems that they fit 99-04 Trackers, and hopefully GVs, with the same gm part number applying to manual and auto tranny). I'm hoping for the best. BTW, they are readily available....at least that's what the guy told me. He said the computer showed several available in the local area (Michigan?).
Anyway, come to find out, the skids are considered by GM to be an aftermarket accessory, not a "OEM" part. Because of this, the pricing structure found on most internet sites is incorrect ($180-$200). Most of the gm parts engines on the internet will apply a discount that is based on OEM parts, not "Aftermarket" parts. To make a long story short, the skids were a little more expensive than the computer suggested, and I needed to authorize the order at a slightly higher price (about $220). I got my skids for $239 and change including shipping. I'll let everyone know how they work out when I get them. Good luck, and to hell with all those aftermarket companies that haven't made 'em yet!! Haven't they heard of "if you build it they will come?" LOL.
Dave
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Please post hardware used after the install. Nuts, bolts, washers, etc. and pics of mounting points. Thanx! I've looked into the OEM stuff as well.
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Well...got the two Tracker skid plates yesterday. Came to $235. It's been raining here since I installed, so I'll get some pics and post 'em up soon. They come complete with mounting hardware, and the front plate was a no-brainer. Just four holes to line up.
Unfortunately, the transfer case skid plate doesn't fit quite right. It mounts to the pipe-like crossmember about half way down the frame using two brackets with welded nuts, which works beautifully. However the other end of the plate just sits against the wide crosspiece. There is no way to secure it on the GV. I'm thinking the Tracker must have a slightly different crosspiece, with two holes to mount the skidplate. I WILL take pictures for all to see, so it'll be clear what's going on. At any rate, it will be easy to secure it to the crosspiece. In actuality, it may not even be absolutely necessary. The plate, as it stands now, is anchored solidly at one end, and if it contacted a rock, it would only flex about 1/2 inch before contacting the transfer case. I'm sure it would still protect the TC quite well. For peace of mind, I will have something fabbed, though.
As far as materials go, they are 3mm black painted steel....very very solid. Unfortunately, there is no hole to drain the oil pan, so the front plate must come off for every oil change! That sucks, but 'tis better than no skids at all! Pics coming soon!
BTW, if anybody has a GV or Tracker with the GM transfer skid installed, and it bolted at all four corners correctly, please take a pic and post it here. I'd really like to see what's going on with my setup, and why it didn't work. Thanks.
Dave
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i took some last night and ended up deleting the damn things accidentally, i'll take some this weekend but won't be near a computer so they'll be posted next week if somebody else doesn't get to it...ÂÂ
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hope this helps
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Is there something extra for them to grab onto on that crossmember or are they simply bolted onto holes/mounts on the crossmember?
Hate to spend $250 and find there's nothing there... :P
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Okay.....what in the world are those bolts attached to in the first pic? ??? That is what I don't understand, because on my GV, there is nothing there but air. Are there a couple of steel tabs with threaded holes or what? The second pic shows the other end, which mounts in precisely the same way as my GV, so that's fine. I just tucked the front end of my skid above the lip on that crossmember and it's floating there. It would probably flex on a hard hit and contact the transfer, but I doubt it would cause a problem. Still, I'd rather have both ends anchored. Thanks a lot for your reply. ;D
Dave
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BTW, what is that black box shaped object behind and to the right in the picture, if you don't mind me askin'? I don't have that on my GV either. Thanks.
Dave
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Could it be something like a muffler clamp? ???
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i'll try to get you a pic from the top of the skid so we can see what's up there, i don't know.. that black box, good question, it has a skid plate on it too?!
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The bolts should hold on to something like a U, but upside down. Mine is similar. It is an upside down U that goes round that tube, I'll try to find a pic.
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No....I'm talking about the other end, in the first pic. I know that there is a U shaped bracket that goes up over the pipelike crossmember, but what does the other end (2nd pic) attach to? BTW, the other black box thingy is on the wrong side to be related to the muffler. I can see a hanger for the exhaust line in the foreground of that pic, so I know it's not part of the muffler. What in the world is it? That's my question...
Dave
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Oh, I see. I don't know either ???
Mine doesn't have that thing either, nor does it have that sort of square where the pipe meets the box part of the frame. Mine is Japanese and the one in the pic is probably Canadian built, is that why there is this difference?
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i'm in canada and mine i believe is the canadian version because the zr2 doesn't come loaded up with crap like AC and such as the US models do. so i was told by the old chev dealer anyhow. i'll get that other pic up for you soon as i can.
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Okay, I took some pics of the Tracker skids on my 1999 GV. The front one, which fits great, is the last pic and the others are of the transfer case skid. You'll notice that the front of that skid has nothing to mount to (unlike Trackers), but the back mounts just like on the Tracker with the u-shaped brackets etc. For now, I just have the front tucked under(or over, depending on how you look at it) the lip of the crossmember. Will probably have something fabbed up to fix this. I'm interested to see how this skid mounts to the Tracker. Sorry it took so long for these posts.
Dave
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shit, sorry i haven't posted the pics up yet, forgot all about it, whenever it stops raining i'll crawl under and take some more pics for ya.
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So if one was to make front and transfer case skid plates from aluminum, how thick should the aluminum be - 3/16 or 1/4? Comments please.
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Given the choice, I say 1/4 inch if it's aluminum. 3/16 would be plenty in steel, but I would do 1/4 in aluminum. The GV is light, and 3/16 aluminum might work if there's lots of solid anchoring points, but why chance it? If your gonna make 'em, I would say make extras and try to sell them. Seems a lot of people are looking for skids, and nobody makes 'em. Might be able to sell some on ebay and recover your money!!
Dave
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So if one was to make front and transfer case skid plates from aluminum, how thick should the aluminum be - 3/16 or 1/4? Comments please.
you could get away with 3/16 if you put bends in it. As for me I made mine out of 3/16th steel and can jack my xl-7 up by it ;D
George
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Bzzr2,
Sorry to bug you about this, but any chance you could get a pic up of how that skid plate mounts. I hate to make you crawl under there, but I'd really like to see the difference between the GV and Tracker at that mounting point. Thanks a bunch if you can do it for me.
Dave
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i have the pic on my camera, evenings have been hectic, i will do my best to resize and post this evening.
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Finally got around to reinstalling my skids. When I swapped out the 4cyl/5sp for the 6cyl/auto, I also swapped out the tranny crossmember. When both crossmembers were out, they were slightly different, but not much. Didn't realize that part of what was different was two holes where the front of the t-case skid plate mounts.....they don't exist on the xl-7's auto crossmember.
SO....I'm in the same boat as you now, nowhere to bolt the front end of the rear skid plate. The rear end of it that mounts to the tubula cross member holds it firmly enough that I'm not concerned over it flopping down or anything, but I'll probably have a tab extension welded onto it to throw a bolt through at some point. I nice fat branch going up over it could conceivably leverage it down.
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Once this ironed out.... it would be awesome if someone can make a FAQ or an instruction sheet on the dimentions and bends required
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Finally got around to reinstalling my skids. When I swapped out the 4cyl/5sp for the 6cyl/auto, I also swapped out the tranny crossmember. When both crossmembers were out, they were slightly different, but not much. Didn't realize that part of what was different was two holes where the front of the t-case skid plate mounts.....they don't exist on the xl-7's auto crossmember.
SO....I'm in the same boat as you now, nowhere to bolt the front end of the rear skid plate. The rear end of it that mounts to the tubula cross member holds it firmly enough that I'm not concerned over it flopping down or anything, but I'll probably have a tab extension welded onto it to throw a bolt through at some point. I nice fat branch going up over it could conceivably leverage it down.
They do on my 2002 xl-7????? Which is where I bolt the back of my front skid plate too. If I get the time a will try to get a pic.
George
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here's a close up pic of the front of the skid mount on my zr2. hope this helps.
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Okay....so this confirms that not all crossmembers have the protruding tab with two mounting points for the skid plate. Are those welded nuts that are attached to that tab???? My two bolts for that part of the plate didn't come with nuts, so I'm assuming those nuts are welded to the tab. Thanks for any info.
Dave
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Are those welded nuts that are attached to that tab????ÂÂ
THAT I can affirm with certainty.
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If anybody is interested in a ZR2 front and t-case skid plate, I've got a set for sale (sold my Vitara and am selling the offroad bits).
pm me if you want, asking $100 plus shipping, or pickup in Tucson.
thanks, Jeff
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For the guys that have already made a skid , could you post some pics or a pattern for the skids ??? ( pls include , lengths , angles , e.t.c. ) ::) ::)
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If anybody is interested in a ZR2 front and t-case skid plate, I've got a set for sale (sold my Vitara and am selling the offroad bits).
pm me if you want, asking $100 plus shipping, or pickup in Tucson.
thanks, Jeff
Jeff, you have a PM.
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Hi all.
Been having similar troubles down here with the cross member. Bet the thing badly doing some rocky tracks. Notice the slight banana curve in it....not good.
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/built4thrashing/My%2099%20Grand%20Vitara/IMAG0211.jpg)
First i started to make my own replacement crossmember. It ended up being too weak compared to the stock one and the extra clearance it created exposed the t/case to damage. It had more bracing on it than shown in photo below
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/built4thrashing/My%2099%20Grand%20Vitara/100_7556.jpg)
Next i reshaped the stock cross member and welded a skid to it. It protected the t/case but if it hit a rock hard enough it may bent the cross member.
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/built4thrashing/random%20shit/100_7585.jpg)
The design ive settled on is a bolt on skid plate that bolts through the gearbox cross member and clamps to the tube chasis brace. Its very simple and quite effective. All it requires is a hole drilled through top of cross member.
here is the un-finished prototype....
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/built4thrashing/Snapbucket/CC48A709-orig.jpg)
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The stock Tracker ZR2 transfer case skid plate mounted similarly, anchoring on that tubed cross member. My transfer case crossmember has the flange on the crossmember with the two nuts welded to it (even though my truck is not a ZR2 model) for mounting a factory type skid. Your skid appears to be wider than the factory ZR2 skid and should provide you better coverage for your transfer case crossmember. In addition to more protection, attaching it to the tubed cross member should strengthen/provide more support to your transfer case crossmember.
I've noted many of the 2000+ year model GM "Jimmys" had aluminum front and molded belly skid plates on them that were surprisingly beefy in thickness (about 1/4"), even on models that were not ZR2 models. Not all of them came equipped with these though and I am not at all sure which models did or did not.
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Hi all.
Been having similar troubles down here with the cross member. Bet the thing badly doing some rocky tracks. Notice the slight banana curve in it....not good.
The design ive settled on is a bolt on skid plate that bolts through the gearbox cross member and clamps to the tube chasis brace. Its very simple and quite effective. All it requires is a hole drilled through top of cross member.
here is the un-finished prototype....
([url]http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/built4thrashing/Snapbucket/CC48A709-orig.jpg[/url])
That is very similar to what I use on my Tracker. I have mine bent up on sides for strength, and welded it into the center section. Still use the bolt through.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_86HP5-adsWc/TXbrxyOXxsI/AAAAAAAAIYI/MzkFkxM95A4/s800/DSCF0297.JPG)(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_86HP5-adsWc/TXbrySW018I/AAAAAAAAIYQ/YVmzr_SzgKg/s800/DSCF0299.JPG)
I have bowed my 3/16" pans sliding over some very solid rocks.
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I'm building mine out of the two wing extensions off of an old FJ60 winch bumper. They are very heavy as well, at least 3/16" if not 1/4" channeled and the ends are curved slightly which would facilitate sliding over crap versus digging in. I like your idea for posting to the rear cross over.
Initially I was just going to weld an extension plate up to the crossmember and sandwich it to the crossover with a suitable muffler clamp. Your skid has given me another "more better" idea for it. Thanks much.
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To hold the back of my front section, and the front of the back section I welded a couple of small plates onto the crossmember at the bellhousing. I welded nuts to the skidpan and bolted through the plate into the skidpan.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_86HP5-adsWc/TXbrzGiWgXI/AAAAAAAAIYY/-NUndNuqd50/s800/DSCF0300.JPG)
I have the same thing going forward for the back of front skidpan. The front overlaps the back. These small plates just hold it up and in place, as all the force will be pushing it up into the crossmember.
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Good ideas, thank you.