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: Davyboy on October 16, 2008, 10:51:49 PM
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I know we've seen some elements of this lift before, but it looks like FTS of Taiwan has really upped the ante on their 3" kit. Makes me wanna buy a nice used 2005 GV and go crrraaaazy!! Check it out (be sure to click on the little magnifying glass and look at all of the goodies!):
http://www.fts4x4.com.tw/modules/okshop/?okshop=main&item=12
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(http://www.fts4x4.com.tw/modules/okshop/images/uploads/1222245987.jpg)
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Is there a way to get our pricing from that site or is it an email only kinda deal?
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that does look nice.
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I'll have to look at this one closer when I get home. I can't seem to translate the site from my work PC. I really need to lift my 01 4 door!
Well, I figured out how to translate, anybody have a clue how much 28,800 yuan is in US$?
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Everyone sitting down!! 28,800 Yuan is roughly $4,200 US and given the recent slide of our loonie almost $5,000 Cdn.
Looks like the 28,800 was for the earlier model Vitara. The later 98+ shows 35,000 yuan. Both nice kits nonetheless. Likely a fair amount of weight in the kits so shipping would be costly as well.
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Everyone sitting down!! 28,800 Yuan is roughly $4,200 US and given the recent slide of our loonie almost $5,000 Cdn.
Are they including a used Vitara for that price ???
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If anyone in North America drops that kind of coin for an imported suspension that will be impossible to get replacement parts for in a timely manner, it's obvious you're tying to compensate for something... :-[
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Are you sure thats the right conversion price? I googled a conversion with the taiwan dollar and the kit came out ot approx $1100.00 Canadian.
Throw the calmini control arms in and that is a perfect kit.
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You may be right on the currency. I figured it out on the Chinese Yuan that DanR indicated but if you look at the FTS site they indicate NT35,000 which might indicate the New Taiwan dollar and your 1,100 would be right.
Wonder if there are any 4x4 shops that are importing their products?
PS
I managed to get their catalog translated and it appears they are sold out of this package. At the bottom however it indicates that different coil springs and shocks can be substituted - ARB coils and a number of different shocks - ARB, Rancho and Pro Comp. No prices were given for the substituted items.
Here is the link:
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=zh-TW&u=http://www.fts4x4.com.tw/&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=4&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DFTS%2B4x4%2Bcatalog%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-US%26sa%3DX
They also listed an interesting skid plate - actually 2 - engine and exhaust if I am reading it correctly - about $200.
http://www.fts4x4.com.tw/modules/okshop/images/uploads/1181887609.jpg
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Yeah...that price is New Taiwan dollars. About $1100 in American dollars.
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You may be right on the currency. I figured it out on the Chinese Yuan that DanR indicated but if you look at the FTS site they indicate NT35,000 which might indicate the New Taiwan dollar and your 1,100 would be right.
Sorry about that, I just saw yuan on their site. Looks like a good kit, I'd be in for one if somebody is going to put a bulk order together!
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I was going to say I'm running their 3" springs on my Calmini lift. And the pricing was not that bad
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So blacknight, how did you go about purchasing the springs?
I emailed FTS and asked them if they had a distributor in North America. Haven't heard back as yet.
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got them via VTTR 4x4. I will see if I can find more info for you
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VTTR was establishing a North American distribution center (as i recall from about three-four months ago). I wrote them asking if they were going to offer their full line of products... someone responded they were aiming at the "street racing market" (pocket rocket cars), but I don't know why they would tunr down sales of their other product lines if the market is here for them. Their front diff drop brackets plus their suspension kits/parts should sell like hot cakes. Obviously there is a demand for the products if they are sold out of their 3" lift kits right now. They and ARB offer quite a bit of products that some enterprising American hasn't latched on to yet What the hell are we coming to????!!!!
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These guys also have some nice GRand Vitara kits:
http://www.giz.com.tw/
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Nice kit. that skid plate would die on a rock tho.
I wonder how much to ship to NA also. That kit would probly be like $1500-1750 to your door :-\
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any one see their 4" body lift kit ::)
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I don't understand why it takes so long for these companies to get us a proper 4 or 5" lift kit. I want to run 31's on my rig without making it look like crap by using a body lift!
Still, the 3" that these guys are offering is still better than Calmini which is stuck at a measly 2.5". Any way we can get in contact with them?
Hmm, looking on FTS's website I noticed to my delight that they also sell diff drop brackets separately! Innnnteresting....
(http://www.fts4x4.com.tw/modules/okshop/images/uploads/1185445193.jpg)
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I emailed FTS on the 19th indicating an interest in the GVit lift kit and inquiring about a distributor in North America. No response as yet. Maybe they get a lot of requests for info or business may be good and they have all the sales their production folks can handle.
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two things: 1 the reason I have my FTS snorkle is because I went to VTTR and they got it for me. I don't think anyone reads or write endlish thier. 2nd I emailed http://www.giz.com.tw/ and got a price list (see attteched).
Geogre
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Am I finding the right conversion table? I get NT$19,200 = $575.02 US. for the adjustable and NT$18,700 = $566.99 US for the lift with the driveshaft spacer. For either snorkel I get NT$9,048 = $270.98 US. If this is right I'll be getting a kit real soon!
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LOL i fitted that snorkel.
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I guess the part that makes the Calmini lift expensive is the A-arms? That's the only major difference between this kit and Calmini.
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Am I finding the right conversion table? I get NT$19,200 = $575.02 US. for the adjustable and NT$18,700 = $566.99 US for the lift with the driveshaft spacer. For either snorkel I get NT$9,048 = $270.98 US. If this is right I'll be getting a kit real soon!
Sounds about right its $33.5 twd to $1 usd (10/24)
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I just got an email back from GIZ. I was told I'd get a discount if I ordered 10 or more kits. They didn't give a shipping quote as I didn't give an exact address. How many people would be interested in a kit if I order them? I'd might be willing to sit on 3 or 4 kits as I think they will sell sooner or later, I just don't want to invest in 10 at the moment! I'm looking at putting in my order around Thanksgiving so let me know by then.
PS, My ID used to be DanR, it's been changed!
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got them via VTTR 4x4. I will see if I can find more info for you
VTTR 4x4 info.
Contact: Margaret
E-mail: vttr.tw|removethispart|@msa.hinet.net
www.vttr.com.tw/e4X4.htm
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I just got an email from FTS today. They quoted me $1100 Canadian. That does not include shipping or taxes or import duties, but I sent them an email back with my postal code and I also asked them what their warranty/replacement policy is all about.
I am still a little leary about buying a kit made across the world from me. What happens if you break a diff drop bracket? 4-6 weeks for shipping is not going to cut it!
The Giz kit sounds interesting as well....I was just about ready to order my Calmini/OME combo this week!
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I just got an email from FTS today. They quoted me $1100 Canadian. That does not include shipping or taxes or import duties, but I sent them an email back with my postal code and I also asked them what their warranty/replacement policy is all about.
I am still a little leary about buying a kit made across the world from me. What happens if you break a diff drop bracket? 4-6 weeks for shipping is not going to cut it!
The Giz kit sounds interesting as well....I was just about ready to order my Calmini/OME combo this week!
You got a reply from FTS4x4??? (in english?)
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I have gotten 3 emails from FTS. Still waiting to hear how much shipping will be from them. I also have gotten a response from GIZ, but no shipping quote from them yet either. Both places want to know how many kits I am going to order. I asked both for a quote for 1 kit and for 10 kits. I'm leaning towards the GIZ kit at the moment!
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Looking at the two kits the FTS one looks to be a far better kit. It address almost all of the issues with a 3" lift. Only things I see missing are replacement a-arms.
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They must be selling these items so there must be folks who have installed them. I wonder if either of these companies would be prepared to put any one of us in contact with, hopefully, a satisfied customer.
I never did get a response from FTS.
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They may have responded to me because I added the name of the auto restoration company I work for might be interrested in becoming a distributor for them. I had an answer the next day.
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Do you think GIZ would be interested in sending more than one type of kit to get you the 10 kit price. My daughter would be interested in the Super Vitata (adjustable) kit for her 1993 4 door Sidekick and depending on the price I might be interested in one of the kits you listed for my 2000 Tracker. Unfortunately we live in Canada so our dollar is not in very good shape presently - about 25% less than the US dollar. Spring spacers + new shocks/struts etc (2"lift) would run $350-400 Cdn so depending on the final price these kits have potential.
I still would like to hear from someone who has installed one of the GIZ kits for some feedback.
Thoughts.
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Got another email back from FTS.
They have a 1 year warranty on all their parts...and for the 3" lift kit they want $600 CAD for shipping.
I think I'll wait for the US dollar to drop.
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Here's the shipping quote I got from GIZ.
1 kit(adjustable) shipped to Milwaukee, Wisconsin is $582.05 US for the kit, $339.53 US for shipping, for a total of $921.58 US.
10 kits would be $5,456.70 US, shipping to Milwaukee airport $1637.01 US for a total of $7,093 US.
They did say I could mix kits for the discount, the only difference will be shipping, kits weigh different amounts. I'll keep it posted here as things progress, the wife is a bit hesitant about me ordering $7,000 worth of stuff so I can save $200!
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probably a bad idea........
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I'm not digging the T case drop idea or the stock control arm idea, I like every thing else about the kit besides the shocks being "extreme". I have a baby 2 inch lift and I have positivie camber with maxed out camber bolts, I imagine that would be allot worse with a 3 inch lift. I didn't see anything about them adressing that. it would be nicer to run a custom drive shaft (especially if you could eliminate the slip yoke) rather than a transfer case drop, but then why does it appear to come with a driveline spacer if it has a transfer case drop crossmember?
about the comment on here about wanting to fit 31's without a body lift, I have 245/75/16's which are close to 31's and only 2 inches of suspension lift, no body lift. I gutted the front wheel wells and don't rub there at all except for hitting the frame while turning at full lock. As for the rear, I'm having some minor rubbing issues, but I think i can cut and hammer my troubles in that area away and still keep it looking clean.
I do wish this kit were more avaliable though, I love how it comes with all new rear links and I want to buy some diff drop brackets. If only someone other than calmini would make longer control arms.... this is why my zuk won't get any taller unless it gets a solid front axle and an upgraded rear axle to go with it.
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transfer case drop likely address issues people have with the front diff drops.. driveline extension for the rear under flex ..... these are my guesses.....
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i deal with fts all the time and they have great products.
you will notice if you look under your gv the the cross member holding the transfer case has alot of hits so the drop bracket is great to replace it and also you need 25mm shaft spacer if you dont have the cross member plus every thing is at less of an angle.
if you have an XL7 you can get the kit for a 4inch lift >:D
i just got the drop cross members in so i will add them to the store soon
http://stores.ebay.com.au/Outdoor-Auto
Tim
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if you have an XL7 you can get the kit for a 4inch lift >:D
i just got the drop cross members in so i will add them to the store soon
Tim
Humm that plus a 4 BD lift :o I may need to talk to you. :)
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I was just on FTS' site and did see a 4" lift >:( only 3"
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yes, i only know about it becuase they said they can supply it >:D
(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p213/fordy1zuk/liftedXL7s.jpg)
(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p213/fordy1zuk/IS0012-1.jpg)
somthing like that but i think the bottom one has no body lift
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the reason I wasn't digging the t case dropping cross member was that I would think it would create more of a point to get hung up on.
how's the camber adressed with those XL 7's, the ones in the pic look like the camber could be a little postive, but not too bad if they are, and they all appear to have stock control arms. and are those body lifted? if so, how much? the silver one and the white one look like they could have body lift, but I'm used to looking at my GV that has a really low profile bumper on it, so it's hard to put it into perspective from that pic.
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I agree with you, the t-case drop doesn't seem like a great idea, especially since it's right smack dab in the center of vehicle. And the camber looks wrong which is why I think this kit should come with A-arms. Judging by the fact that the towhook on the silver XL7 is below the hole in the bumper it is supposed to protrude through, I'd say it's got 3 or 4 inches of body lift.
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they do like to do body lifts LOL!!
try looking under your ride, the transfer case sits lower but i think you do not loose any ground clerance
(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p213/fordy1zuk/Outdoor%20auto%20products/DSCF0789JPG.jpg)
(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p213/fordy1zuk/Outdoor%20auto%20products/DSCF0790JPG.jpg)
(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p213/fordy1zuk/Outdoor%20auto%20products/GetAttachmentaspx5.jpg)
(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p213/fordy1zuk/Outdoor%20auto%20products/GetAttachmentaspx6.jpg)
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What does the t-case drop do for the front driveshaft angle though? If the mounting setup is the same as my Sidekick, where the engine is mounted on 2 mounts and the tranny/t-case is mounted on the cross member, when you lower the cross member, you're tilting the whole assembly slightly downward, right? So what does that do to your front driveshaft angle? Wouldn't it make it worse?
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oh yea, it's been over a year since i've had a plastic bumper cover, so I forgot about the tow hook poking through it. too bad they don't sit like that without body lifts. I'm an extreme anti-body lift kind of guy myself.... and to correct how I said my current tires only rub a little in the back with my 2 inch lift, I actually drove over a sidewalk type deal yesterday and managed to pop a front flare loose.... I'm going to do some stealthy trimming, but I'm sure it will still rub a bit... nothing a grinder with a cutting wheel woudln't fix if it were my wheeling rig.
1GV, that's a 1st gen in those last pics you posted isn't it? I have noticed my T case is just barely lower than the framerails as it is, so yes, a t case drop would infact create a low point, not to mention that cross member doesn't seem to protect the bottom of the T case too well... which would get caught on a rock if I wheeled my zuk like I wheel my yota.
I'm with olija on the driveline angle deal, yes, it would make the front driveline angle worse. the only advantage I see in that is making the T case closer to the front axle since it has one of those retarted slipyokes in the front of the T case as well as the back (suzuki's second biggest mistake on these rigs, the first biggest mistake being ifs)... nothing a driveline spacer wouldn't accomplish as far as i can see
going beyond the T case drop thing, I just don't understand what the logic is behind making a 4 inch lift using stock control arms up front when those aren't long enough for 2 inches of lift... and then they replace all 5 rear suspension links. These things seem to have allot more limitations with the control arms than the rear links... although that adjustable track bar is a must for even my 2 inch lift (I'm going to make one for mine when my toyota isn't distracting me so much). basically with this kit, the rear setup is far superior to calmini (even though that stuff woudn't be hard for allot of people to make themselves) and the front end is beyond lacking. combine calmini with this kit and you'd have something worthwhile. the aftermarket for these rigs is very dissapointing.
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thats looking pritty nice. so how do we get it???? they got some nice bumpers too. now will they fit a north american zuki?? there diffrent over there i hear i tryed emailing them but it wount let me also cant really read it
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when you drop your front diff 2 inches the angles begin to change between the tcase and front diff.. last time i checked i thought my tcase was nicely tucked into the frame, either way i have the factory skid plate, there would be room to drop the tcase a little.
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from the parts i have got over the years i have found that they have US spec Suzuki's.
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so in order to put this lift in we have to drop our trasfure case andhow much would we have to drop the front??? sorry guys do these drop brackets break often?? and how are they installed bolt on or weild on? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???
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What we need is a custom front cross member or bolt on part to lower/spread the mounting points for the front control arms, the same as what is available for other IFS vehicles. Then we wouldn't need those expensive blue control arms.
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What we need is a custom front cross member or bolt on part to lower/spread the mounting points for the front control arms, the same as what is available for other IFS vehicles. Then we wouldn't need those expensive blue control arms.
XZactly......
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all the kits i've seen are bolt on parts, you may not need to use the tcase drop but it will help with driveline angles if it's used. no other kits include this option that i have seen. i've never heard of anybody breaking the diff drop brackets either but i'm sure it would be possible somehow..
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What we need is a custom front cross member or bolt on part to lower/spread the mounting points for the front control arms, the same as what is available for other IFS vehicles. Then we wouldn't need those expensive blue control arms.
I disagree, I think the solution is more people making longer control arms.. also, last time I checked, old man emu was the only company that made a longer strut for these, they are valved too light for not running a sway bar as well.
The other thing with control arm drop brackets is that you would get the extra lift with no extra travel or clearance than you could without them. I had that kind of stuff on my toyota when I bought it and it, I don't see how it would have made it any more capable other than improving the breakover angle, which isn't the biggest deal on gv's with thier short wheel base. To me, those drop bracket kits are a way of raising your center of gravity with little if any benefit.
I say if you want a good lift, get a calmini, then add a some 1 inch coil spacer or something up front and a 1.5 inch coil spacer in the back and get longer brake lines, a longer rear axle breather tube, old man emu struts, adjustable track bar, camber bolts... and I'm sure I'm leaving something out since I haven't worked with my suspension for so long, but you get the idea... that would give you a good 4 inch lift, either that or just SAS
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You forgot FTS struts. I saw them for sale on eBay, they are about 1.5" longer than stock as well. When the Canadian dollar gets its act together I am buying the Calmini 2.5" and using FTS struts. Should be good. Not sure if I will need strut spacers on top of that or not...how's that going to work with a 2" body lift AND the factory strut tower brace?
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does camini sell there arms with out buying the kit? if so how much are they? ive emailed fts about there kit it sounds pritty good, but if we had those arms it would be better. theyre getting back to me on a shipping price to vancouver. so we see how it goes ttyl ;D
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oh, that's cool that you can get the FTS struts off E bay, I wish that were an option or if it were that i knew about it before spending WAY too much on old man emu's.
redtracker99, you can't buy thier control arms separate, I even tried to just buy thier upper strut mount relocation brackets and they told me they couldn't break up a kit. They are losing allot of business by not selling thier parts separately, they are idiots. Thier kit is still by far the best kit oon the market for these IMO.
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They will sell their kit WITHOUT the struts but they won't sell parts separately. This is why I am going FTS struts rather than Calmini.
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why not get a calmini with fts struts then?
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That's exactly what I was trying to say. I have the Calmini kit waiting to be installed in my garage, but I'm gonna just use the Calmini struts and see how horrible they really are before I swap anything out.
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Hi ,
Look at www.wolferines.de (http://www.wolferines.de) there are some more parts from FTS or VTTR .
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i have those arms instock and im very unsure about fitting them, they are very lite duty.
i will be fitting the rest though as i have used them on many zooks
(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p213/fordy1zuk/new1367.jpg)
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it would be nice if some one like LowRange could pick up some of these over sea kits and sell them as there own
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Hello from Singapore,
i am new here.
i purchased the exact same kit and it's performing really fine. I usually travel up north to Malaysia ( where Rainforest Challenge is held) for offroading during the weekend.
Just some disadvantages, i find the absorbers that i have extremely hard, more suitable for offroading then daily driving.
Might be installing Konis or KYBS tomorrow.
Anyone has any suggestions on absorbers?
Cheers
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Can you access Old Man Emu products where you are? They make quality products as well.
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Hi Nprecon,
Yeah i can order them into Singapore. But how's the feedback for it?
Was hoping to be able to find a Adjustable absorber for my ride.. but Old Man Emu absorbers arent
Any recommendations?
Cheers
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Hello from Singapore,
i am new here.
i purchased the exact same kit and it's performing really fine. I usually travel up north to Malaysia ( where Rainforest Challenge is held) for offroading during the weekend.
Just some disadvantages, i find the absorbers that i have extremely hard, more suitable for offroading then daily driving.
Might be installing Konis or KYBS tomorrow.
Anyone has any suggestions on absorbers?
Cheers
Welcome!
LET'S SEE SOME PIX!!! 8)
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Hi Epike!
Thanks for the Welcome.
About the FTS kit, i have them on for about 2 months now, been through 4 trails..
just realised from my mechanic that my CV joint is damaged.
I am quite skeptical about the absorbers that they provide. i have exactly the same front shocks as 1GV posted.
I am considering the Old man Emu absorber kit from Rocky Road, together with the 2" body lift. most likely would use the springs that FTS provided.
any suggestions?
Cheers
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Hi, i'm looking for information about the FTS kit for GV 3door, especially abuot the "Transfer case drop bracket". i'd like to know if when this bracket is on, it's lower than the chassy? and how much?
anyone can helpme? maybe with some pics..
thanks
ps, sorry for my bad english
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anyone?
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Don't believe anyone here has experience with using the basket, Balla.
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the transfer case sits about 30mm lower than the chassie with the new cross member fitted.
you then have to fit the bash plates to protect it.
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