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: AZrider01 on June 30, 2008, 04:27:37 PM
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Modification to question;
Has anyone installed " Jeff's" spacer/shock & strut extension kit on to a Zuki GV ?
Are 01' Chevy-Trackers the same as 01' Zuki GV's, Because he will only state that his kits have only been installed onto Trackers of about the same year.
Hi All ; New Member here with Zuki Lift question.
I own a 2001 Zuki GV , & have already had a " 2" body lift " from " won't mention manufacturer" that was advertised to fit ( sidekick, tracker, vitara & grand vitara ) most everything in kit worked fine a few parts had to be fab'd, but overall everthing worked out OK. NOW I'm looking to put a 1-3/4", 2" suspension lift ( spacers & extentions ) " & this kit will be from a different " won't mention manufacturer " that is advertised for ( SUZUKI SIDEKICK GEO TRACKER - XL7 ) .
My question on this forum is " what experiences have any of you had with "spacer suspension lifts" ?? Are they all mostly the same " always needing some sort of part fab'd " or is there 1 or 2 "manufacturers " that are better then most all the others ??
Oh & I need to mention I'm on a very limited budget.
Thank you all in advance,
AZrider01
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Spacer lift is easy enough. Can be done with a friend in a day. And, yes - it matters where you buy them, as different manufacturers use different materials. Some last - some don't.
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Hey those are made by me!!! Yes of course I reccomend them :laugh: AZrider01, I just sent you a response through ebay.
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FWIW, Jeff's had great reviews.
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Spacer lift is easy enough. Can be done with a friend in a day. And, yes - it matters where you buy them, as different manufacturers use different materials. Some last - some don't.
OK Jeremiah, which ones have you heard of, or know of, as "good" "lasting" spacers ?? I know how personal preferences can lead to flaming on public forums, Feel free to continue this conversation vie personal e-mail if needed.
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Hey those are made by me!!! Yes of course I reccomend them :laugh: AZrider01, I just sent you a response through ebay.
Well Hello " Jeff ", I didn't realize you were a member, Well I took your advise & got on a " Zuki member forum " & asked questions & opinions , on if the kit you offer would apply/fit on to my Zuki GV .
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I have run Jeff's spacer for very close to a year and they are still holding up tough.
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I have Jeff's coil spacers on my trucklet also (a '02 Tracker 4 door) since about November of last year. No complaints from me! They are still hanging tough. The front spacers fit fine, on the rear spacers i had to grind the lip off because the springs wouldn't fit over them. I pulled out the factory spring cushions (that sat on top of the springs in the stock configuration) and set them under the coil spacers. No problem.
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FWIW, I've owned a 2000 Tracker and two 2002 Trackers and the suspensions appeared to be identical thru the 2000 and 20002 model years. I never compared the actual parts numbers, but even the brake pads were probably identicle as well. I have no doubt Jeff's coil spacers would fit '99 thru 2004 model Suzukis and Trackers.
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;D Awesome !! That's what I've been waiting to hear!! :)
Thank You to all that replyed, I will be ordering the kit from Jeff soon.
Thanks again !!
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Spacer lift is easy enough. Can be done with a friend in a day.
Something I haven't seen mentioned before, but on the 99-up Track/Vits, putting the front spacers in is made a ton easier by dropping the steering rack (4 bolts), which allows the A-arms to go to max droop. Things get even easier if you've got a set of spring compressors and a low pneumatic jack. That combo makes the whole deal a 1-man job. Add air tools into the mix and it's all done in just a couple hours.
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Thanks " beercheck "
I'll keep all that in mind when we go to install ; we were discussing just how we were going to do it.
Azrider01
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I've wondered about dropping my rack down a bit before, BC! The steering ends do take on quite an angle with a two inch lift and I can't help but wonder if this additional angle isn't shortening the life of my rack and pinion unit by flexing so much.
What have you seen used/done to perform this modification before? Possibly a quarter inch spacer plate, tapped with four machring holes so you can drop the rack down... re-thread the top bolts back into what WAS the lower mount points on the cross member then run bolts into the lower part of the rack to the lower holes with a nut securing the bolts on the lower mounting plate...? or does the lower mount portion also need to be welded/braced to the cross member as well? I'm thinking it would need welded and maybe a tab welded over this to protect the mount from being torn off from contact with a riock or something.
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Or would lowering the rack and pinion an inch or so be ALOT more complicated than that?
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The "Gear Head" on my end say's as long as your not over 2" susp. lift, & as long as you keep your Zuki aligned you "shouldn't " be hurting anything.
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I've wondered about dropping my rack down a bit before, BC! The steering ends do take on quite an angle with a two inch lift and I can't help but wonder if this additional angle isn't shortening the life of my rack and pinion unit by flexing so much.
What have you seen used/done to perform this modification before? Possibly a quarter inch spacer plate, tapped with four machring holes so you can drop the rack down... re-thread the top bolts back into what WAS the lower mount points on the cross member then run bolts into the lower part of the rack to the lower holes with a nut securing the bolts on the lower mounting plate...? or does the lower mount portion also need to be welded/braced to the cross member as well? I'm thinking it would need welded and maybe a tab welded over this to protect the mount from being torn off from contact with a riock or something.
I've only unbolted it temporarily during operations on the front suspension; nothing permanent. From what I recall, though, what you're suggesting ought to work. Never considered it before.
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I just wanted to inform everyone that the 2" spacer lift did not or would not install on my 01' Zuki GV 4x4 - 4 dr. , the spacers were too small in all spec's. Jeff & Amber did me right & refunded my money & I returned the spacers to them. Thank You Jeff & Amber.
I'll be looking else were for an inexpensive 2" lift.
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I treated you the same way I would want to be treated. We pride ourself on doing the right thing and that was the right thing to do. I just wish they would have worked. If anyone knows for sure when the front strut mounts changed PLEASE let me know. Guys ask if the parts will fit and I cannot be certain one way or another. Thaks again and see you guys on the trails. 8)
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Jeff - the lifting is the same principal though right? Can you cut spacers for the newer suspensions? Might be the first to market with a lift.... 8)
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Yes the lift is the same principle. The strut mounts are different, thus the strut spacers would not work. If someone knows for sure what the spacing on the newer strut mounts are I could make a spacer. I will need the diameter of the inner "ring" as well. I think the coil spacers are the same.
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i made my spacer it is about 2'' 5/8 inside and about 4''.1/4 outside and if you dont have strut spacers dont go over 1.125'' of thick because the struts are all extended at 1.5'' (i try it).
and if you want to make spacer for the strut mount it si 4'' inside But dont foget that the strut bar fit on top of it ,will need spacers too .
What it look the best is strut spacer ( i mean a bolt on top of the strut ) but i am affraid about the reliabilities of if .
nothing simple on those modeles
hope it can help
Marc ::)
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and if you want to make spacer for the strut mount it si 4'' inside But dont foget that the strut bar fit on top of it ,will need spacers too
I'm doing a lift on a 2001 2dr sometime next week, this is exactly what I was looking for :)
Do you have the outside diameter as well?
Thanks ;)
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no i did not mesure it but it need to be like a triangle
Good luck
Marc
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no i did not mesure it but it need to be like a triangle
Good luck
Marc
They don't have to be triangle shaped, I'm making them round like a large coil spring spacer. I'm starting off with 6.5" OD and I'll trim them down if needed. I think it's slightly too much, 6.25" OD seems to be right. This is my first 99+ lift, so it's all new to me, I'll be taking lots of pictures and notes.
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what will you do with the strut bar and could you sell a kit (just strut spacers)
good luck
Marc
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Hi all
i am happy to supply small parts for a better price and i can help on the strut spacers ;)
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/GRAND-VITARA-Strut-Spacers-98-05_W0QQitemZ220277550837QQihZ012QQcategoryZ30862QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262
i have not seen any others that let you maitain the strut brace
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Just finished a 2" spacer lift on a 2000 Tracker.
The spacer I made was 1.5" thick HDPE Polyethelene cut 4" ID and 6.5" OD with the inside edge beveled out .25" . Mounted with 2.25" 5/16" bolts. Pics to come soon once I get them off the phone.
The upper strut brace was sacraficed since this rig will be getting a 3" body lift this weekend to fit the 31's. The sway bar was also removed and put on the scrap shelf >:D
Dave
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bring on the pics 8)