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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: jeff1997 on March 02, 2009, 05:35:30 PM

Title: Moving the rear end back
Post by: jeff1997 on March 02, 2009, 05:35:30 PM: Has anyone ever done this. I want to move the rearend of my 97 4dr. back at least 2", more like 3". What all would need to be changed? Here's what I think but if someone has done it and has some insight it would be helpful.

1) longer driveshaft, aka spacer
2) longer trailing arms, I'd fab some out of DOM tube.
3) move the upper Y-link back
4) move the upper spring pockets back
5) move the upper shock mounts
6) brake lines lenghthened
Title: Re: Moving the rear end back
Post by: sidekicksrock on March 02, 2009, 06:03:27 PM: I think that would do it, However instead of moving the upper Y back I think I would leave the mounts where they are and fab a longer Y. Don't forget to do the Hagen over-rotation while you have it apart.

I am not sure about the drive shaft either, you may need to find a longer one at the pick and pull or have one fabbed. I wonder if the GV/XL7 shaft is longer than the 4 dr?
Title: Re: Moving the rear end back
Post by: Lindenmooch on March 02, 2009, 06:06:15 PM: Hmm...this is interesting. Maybe instead of buying a ford pickup truck and equipping it with long arm suspension...I can lengthen the tracker and gain some stability for some fast wheeling over rough terrain. No?

Sounds like a cool, radical idea....what makes you want to do this anyway??
Title: Re: Moving the rear end back
Post by: derekj on March 02, 2009, 07:28:38 PM: Would the gas tank need to be moved back? I can't remember how much room is between thaxle and tank ???

Derek
Title: Re: Moving the rear end back
Post by: Jeremiah on March 02, 2009, 08:46:03 PM: Do you have access to a welder? If so, why not cut, lengthen / sleeve the existing links? It's an idea I'm kicking around for a 2-door anyway.
Title: Re: Moving the rear end back
Post by: Zukipilot on March 03, 2009, 06:10:29 AM: If you move it back more than an inch or so, you will start getting your axle links into the gas tank and your tires into the tub of your tracker. You will definitely need to clearance the rear of the wheel wells (in between the tail light and tire) and raise (probably relocate) the gas tank.

HTH,
Zig
Title: Re: Moving the rear end back
Post by: BRD HNTR on March 03, 2009, 06:21:19 AM: I don't thin k you have three inches between the back of wheel well and fuel tank cover.
Title: Re: Moving the rear end back
Post by: jeff1997 on March 03, 2009, 04:35:13 PM: My gas tank is already moved up 3" and the rear fender wells are all but gone. Yes I have access to any shop tool needed and some other help if needed. My reason for doing this is with the lift and steel bumpers on the rear the tire sits close to the front of the rear fender well. It just looks dumb. If I put more lift on it, it will get worse. Just kicking the idea around. Thanks for the input. I will probably need a longer drive shaft not just a spacer. I could lengthen the existing one and balance it but the spacer would be easier.
(http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd215/hoepkers/SuzukiOct1120082.jpg)
See what I mean about the rear fender well.
Title: Re: Moving the rear end back
Post by: fuzzy1 on March 03, 2009, 05:02:20 PM: I dunno, it doesn't look out of place to me. Mostly perception thing from the angle of the pic + the wheelwell trimming/custom bumper. To me it looks like your rear trackwidth is smaller than in front. Maybe a set of wheelspacers to even 'em up would do it. Or is that just perception from pic angle too?
Your rig looks good overall though. Just my .02.

Fuzz
Title: Re: Moving the rear end back
Post by: Jeremiah on March 03, 2009, 06:34:47 PM: Just keep in mind, the tire moves in an arch (towards the rear) of the vehicle as the suspension is compressed. Don't move it so far that it will rub on the rear fender well when compressed.
Title: Re: Moving the rear end back
Post by: jeff1997 on March 03, 2009, 08:33:29 PM: Quote from: Jeremiah on March 03, 2009, 06:34:47 PM
Just keep in mind, the tire moves in an arch (towards the rear) of the vehicle as the suspension is compressed. Don't move it so far that it will rub on the rear fender well when compressed.
Good call ;). And I do have wheel spacers already, 1.5". The track is even but the whole tightness at the front of the fender drives me nuts. It was compounded when I put the rear bumper on.
Title: Re: Moving the rear end back
Post by: Lindenmooch on March 03, 2009, 11:04:45 PM: Looks like just an inch would be enough to make you happy...and it can clearly be done. Just a matter of it being worth all the work for just an inch. Your call.
Title: Re: Moving the rear end back
Post by: jeff1997 on March 04, 2009, 08:03:43 AM: Quote from: Lindenmooch on March 03, 2009, 11:04:45 PM
Looks like just an inch would be enough to make you happy...and it can clearly be done. Just a matter of it being worth all the work for just an inch. Your call.
That is what I'm thinking now. An inch would make it look better, but the work may not be enough to justify it.
Title: Re: Moving the rear end back
Post by: mrhawk on March 04, 2009, 08:54:27 AM: Moving it an inch doesn't seem to hard.

http://www.granitepath.com/~kd7hcg/sidekick/pictures/wheelbaseext/index.html
Title: Re: Moving the rear end back
Post by: jeff1997 on March 04, 2009, 10:35:45 AM: Thanks for the link. Some good ideas. ;)