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: brotherjack on April 30, 2009, 12:45:54 PM
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OK, so -- this is getting ugly. My mechanic says not to shave the calipers to fit the Samurai rims (insurance reasons), and also, he doesn't think the 1/4 inch spacers are a good idea for the same reason, plus he doesn't trust them long-term for something I'm gong to pound on pretty hard off-roading on a near daily basis -- and even if we did shave the calipers, I have an even older set of Samurai rims for my winter tires, and I just tried those, and they'd need a whole buch of caliper shaved and the spacers to boot if I wanted to make them fit, soo......
I visited the idea of using the stock rims with my LT235x75R15's (already own them -- they came off my 1998 Tracker), but the backspacing on the factory Tracker 15 inch rims won't work. They are 4.25 inches of backspacing, and the 3.75 inch backspaced Samurai rims put the tires within a whisker of hitting the frame -- moving them 1/2 an inch closer is a Bad Plan(tm). Furthermore, it's not like the pre-99 Trackers where you can just crank a bolt to adjust how far the tires can turn, so if I did it with the factory rims -- I'm running tires that sooner or later The Wife(tm) or I is going to get turned hard enough to get a really solid grip on the frame and probably break something.
So .... I am SOOOO not into the idea of buying brand new rims (I need 9 of them, plus the cost of having 9 tires moved over to them -- that'll break the $1,000 mark pretty easy up here Canada -- OUCH!).
Which brings me to my question -- does anybody know of rims off of another vehicle (Ford F150? Dodge 1500? etc) that's 5x5 1/2 bolt pattern, preferably about the same width as factory Samurai rims (ie: kind of narrow), with somewhere around 3.75 to 3.25 inches of backspacing? I could probably snag some from a wrecked vehicle or (or two) for about $100 a set.
Thanks,
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Well, first of all what vehicle is this for? Vitara/tracker or a Grand vitara? They have very different setups.
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2003 Chevy Tracker, the base model (manual windows, manual locks, etc).
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so this base model tracker has a 2.0L and 15" rims on it then?
if it has 16" rims right now, only a 16" rim will fit, you can get 15"s to fit, but it takes the above mentioned wheel spacers and caliper griding....
if it has 15"s right now, you shouldn't have to much trouble finding a wheel to fit.....
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Yes, it has 15x5.5 with 4.25 inches of backspacing on it, factory stock. The calipers stick out WAY too far to fit Samurai or F150 rims on it. Due to the calipers, I'm getting a bad feeling about what's going to fit (or not).
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Try one of these two options:
a 5-spoke early 1990's Ford F-150 rim. The center hole is too small because Ford hubs are smaller than Suzuki hubs, but you could get a plasma cutter and open them up a bit. The only problem with this is, you need a special wheel balancing machine to balance the wheel because most machines use a cone-shaped device to snug the wheel down when they spin it. Since the plasma cut edge will not be perfectly round, the wheel will not balance properly this way and you will have a nasty 100km/h shake. If you can find a shop that has a wheel balancer that you can bolt the wheel onto, I don't see why it would not work. I have fit one of these wheels on my base Vitara and it had lots of clearance. The backspacing is nice too, at 3.75". I think they are either 7 or 8" wide.
Other option would be a Jeep CJ rim. They are probably harder to find but in my opinion they look a heck of a lot better. You might need to grind your caliper down ever so slightly though...I have fit one on my Vitara and it fit but if you get any mud in there, could be a problem.
Otherwise it might be an idea to get some 1" wheel spacers for the front off eBay and then get some wheels with 2.75" backspacing. That's probably over your budget though.
If you look on Masterkit1's website they have a Vitara like mine, so probably the same thing as your Tracker and they have the Sidekick "bullet hole" 15" rims on it. I asked them if they needed to do any mods to get them to work and they said no, so I bought a set of the rims but I haven't put them on my truck yet so I can't confirm first-hand if they work or not.
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Try Gen1 KIA Sportage rims. They whould work.
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what's wrong with using the stock rims? you'll learn to live with minor frame rub....
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what's wrong with using the stock rims? you'll learn to live with minor frame rub....
Because looking the situation over, I'm 99% sure I will be getting more than "minor frame rub" with the tires in question (BFG Commercial Traction's) and the factory rims. At 3.75 inches of backspacing (the Samurai rims which don't clear the caliper), the clearance at the frame is marginal at best. To in-board the tire 1/2 inch closer to the frame (which the factory rims would do), that looks like plenty to allow not just a little rub, but for a tire lug to hang up on the frame.
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i run stock zr2 rims on my 03 2door with ssr's measuring just under 32inches tall, no spacers, sure it rubs a bit but you learn how to work with it, it really isn't that bad. that's the last 2cents i've got for ya on this one.
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If you're only fitting 235's on stock wheels rubbing will be very minimal.
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Anyone know FOR SURE if either of these will fit over the calipers on a 1999-2004 TRACKER?:
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Wheels/Rock-Crawler-Series-97-Black-Monster-Mod-Wheel.aspx?t_c=11&t_s=209&t_pt=100021&t_pl=3369&t_pn=PCW97-5785
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Wheels/Rock-Crawler-Series-51-Black-Powder-Wheel.aspx?t_c=11&t_s=209&t_pt=100021&t_pl=3363&t_pn=PCW51-5785
Thanks,
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When I tried (5+ years ago), no fit. I ended up buying a set of GV steely take-offs from the dealer for cheap.
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Brotherjack, I tried a set of Kragar 397 rims that were identical to those Pro Comp rims. No worky on my Vitara 2.0L. I ground down one of my calipers quite a bit and it was still contacting a fair bit. If you ran a 1" spacer they would work, but then your wheel would stick out quite a bit and you'd need to do some pretty hefty fender and bumper trimming.
On a side note, tonight I just grabbed one of my Sidekick bullet-hole rims from the basement and mounted it on my Vitara (on the side that hasn't been ground down) and it is a SURE FIT. So if you want some cheap, easy to find 15" rims, there's an option. The only thing about them is they don't look like they stick out any further than stock (didn't measure)...but you could get some 1" spacers for the front if it really bugs you. This would also make your front end flex better and ride smoother.
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Yuck -- time to revisit this one. The ZR2 rims I was looking to use have either 4.5 or 4.25 inches of backspacing (depending on which year they come from), not 4 as has been reported. So, they would be no real improvement in frame clearance over the stock wheels.
Also, it looks like the Kia Sportage rims are going to be well over 4 inches of backspace, so that's a no-go. (I haven't had a set of these in-hand to try with -- I'm just repeating internet hearsay -- someone correct me if I'm wrong).
So, still on my list of things to try:
CanadianTire supposedly has some black steel 15x7's of unknown backspacing that their computer says will work on a Tracker. They've ordered me a set, and we'll find out in a week what that turns out to be --- if they're 4.5 or less, that will work.
If I could find some old 15x6 Heep CJ rims with (I think they had) 3.75 inches of backspace, that will work if they'll clear the calipers (thanks Olija) -- but I hate to buy them without being able to lay hands on them and test-fit before I buy (and good luck with that in the middle-of-nowhere BC).
Otherwise --- I'm starting to think that no such wheel exists that will work on these, and spacers is the only option??
Anyone else have any further suggestions for some wheels to outboard the tires about half to 3/4 of an inch over stock wheels without using spacers?
Thanks,
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Ok, here's pics of what I ended up with. CanadianTire special, 15x7's (they say -- tape measure says closer to 15x6's) with 4.25-ish inch of backspace. Bone stock, no lift, and I get zero rub. I'm happy. I think it would look better still a touch wider, but at this width it is kind of nice, because it tucks them in just tight enough, that they clear the rear fender arch too (see pics).
Anyway -- for the record -- pics below are the Canadian Tire black rims listed as 15x7 (even though they're really closer to 15x6), and essentially brand new BFG Commerical Traction T/A's in Lt235x75R15C's -- no lift at all, totally stock. Pics taken on an evening's wheeling/bear hunt.
Parked in a clearing down low (no bears):
(http://xjack.org/03tracker/03tracker_01.jpg)
Parked in a clearing up high (no bears):
(http://xjack.org/03tracker/03tracker_high_altitutde.jpg)
Wheel stuffs nicely, but doesn't rub - sweet!
(http://xjack.org/03tracker/03_tracker_stuffed.jpg)
Silly poser shot:
(http://xjack.org/03tracker/03_tracker_poser.jpg)
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I wonder how they would work with 31/9.50's and Jeff's lift? If only I had brakes, then I might try them.
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I wonder how they would work with 31/9.50's and Jeff's lift? If only I had brakes, then I might try them.
I bet they'd rub at the frame a little, but would be a slight improvement from the stock 15x5.5's.
If I was starting from scratch, I'd go straight to 16 inch rims and some LT215x85R16's (30x8.5) on 16 inch Vitara rims. The width is the problem on these things more than the height. But I already had two sets of LT235x75R15's (winter and summer), so there was no way I was going to pony up the money to change to a different tire size if I could make these work.
YMMV..
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Does anybody know if the generation 1 tracker wheels (pre-99) will fit on a 2003 Tracker w/factory 15" wheels. I'm looking at some on ebay. I want the cheapest possible 15" steel wheels that I can paint black.
-Thanks
-Dan
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I currently have a set of '95 Kick aluminum wheels on my '02 Tracker. I'm betting they would work. There is no difference between the '02 and '03 model year Tracker brakes. Gen 1 Kick and Tracker wheels were interchangable with the exception of the Kick Sport model that came out with the 1.8 engine. That one had 16" factory wheels. They'll fit Trackers but I don't think the Tracker rims (15") will fit them.
http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=24673.msg202365#msg202365
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Personally, I'm a big fan of "skinny" rims and tires on these trucks. Keeps the tire out of the fender. Wish someone made a larger diameter (30-31") "pizza cutter" tire with an aggressive 8" wide tread/lugs for off roading. The original Sammies came with tall thinner tires and they went through quite abit of mud and crap in their stock form. Yeah, they were lighter, but these trucks aren't as heavy as full size trucks either. I think about the M151 1/4 ton utility trucks we once used in the military. They had 16" pizza cutter military lug style tires (biased) and we drove those things in the sand, in the mud, over river banks, in rivers, over logs in the rivers, and back up 3 foot high river banks. They were nearly unstopable. If they had had lockers in their axles I think they would have been.
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Personally, I'm a big fan of "skinny" rims and tires on these trucks. Keeps the tire out of the fender. Wish someone made a larger diameter (30-31") "pizza cutter" tire with an aggressive 8" wide tread/lugs for off roading.
Sounds like you want some 215x85R16's -- something along these lines: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?make=Firestone&model=Destination+M%2FT or you might also like these http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?make=Goodyear&model=Wrangler+DuraTrac
A 215x85R16 should be (approx) 30.5 inches tall, and about 7.5-ish inches wide. As I said, if I was starting from scratch to put some taller/bigger meats on a Tracker, that size on a set of Vitara/XL7 rims is EXACTLY what I'd be doing.
I've finally been doing this long enough to know what I want in a tire -- and tall and skinny is the bomb, and a "traction tire" (mid-range agression between an A/T and a M/T) is it.
My Tacoma's getting some 235x85R16's next time it gets tires, which are approx 32x8.5-ish.
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Does anybody know if this wheel (off a pre-99 tracker), will fit the 99 and up trackers?
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Do I KNOW they will fit? No. The lug pattern and the cut-out in the middle is the same. Will it clear your calipers in the front... I think they will. I have a set of stock Argent style OEM factory steel wheels off of my 2002. I replaced them with the '95 Kick alum rims. This is the same basic steel wheel that came with Trackers that didn't come with some style of aluminum rim from about '95 on. These same Argent style wheels came on my '95 Chevrolet Tracker tin top. I took the Aluminum 3 spoke off my '96 rag top Tracker before I sold it and switched rims and tires with the '95 tin top. The Argent style fit the '96 as well. This is the same argent style rim as I have sitting in my garage right now and the same style that is on my other Tracker in the drive way, right now. This is the reason why I strongly think those rims will fit your 2 gen Tracker.
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Does anybody know if this wheel (off a pre-99 tracker), will fit the 99 and up trackers?
I had two that looked to be identical to that one on my 2003 Tracker when I bought it (yes 2 -- the other 3 were the factory wheels -- I didn't notice it until a month later). And, yes, they cleared the calipers. They are 15x5.5 with 4.25-ish inches of backspace.
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Thanks for all the info so far guys. Does anybody have any idea if the suzuki samurai wheels will fit the gen 2 trackers?
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No experience with the Sammy rims. Sorry.
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Thanks for all the info so far guys. Does anybody have any idea if the suzuki samurai wheels will fit the gen 2 trackers?
I am 100% sure they WILL NOT FIT!!!! I have tried both the "wagon-wheel" style, and the "bullet-hole" style. The "bullet-hole" style came closer to fitting than the wagon-wheels did, but still a good 1/4 inch too close to the calipers.
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The bullet hole rims from a SIDE KICK will work, I know this 100% for sure, I have them on my vehicle. If you want pics, check the "Let's see your rides" thread! :)
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I think I'm starting to understand wheel measurements. This thread has been really helpful. What is the best rim width for the tracker setups? I found a 15" wheel I like, it appears to be a 15" with 5X5.5 inch bolt patter and 3.75 inch backspacing. The only issue is it is a 15X8" wheel. Is the 8 inch width too thick for the tracker hardware? If so, what kind of width am I looking for in a 15" wheel?
http://summitracing.com/parts/CRR-3655855/
-Thanks
-dan
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I hate to be negative, and this is just my oppinion, but those wheels are ugly. You should have just gone with stock Grand Vitara steel wheels or stock XL-7 steel wheels. They are both 16x7 and would fit without rubbing. The one's you have look like car wheels, not SUV\Truck wheels.
Ok, here's pics of what I ended up with. CanadianTire special, 15x7's (they say -- tape measure says closer to 15x6's) with 4.25-ish inch of backspace. Bone stock, no lift, and I get zero rub. I'm happy. I think it would look better still a touch wider, but at this width it is kind of nice, because it tucks them in just tight enough, that they clear the rear fender arch too (see pics).
Anyway -- for the record -- pics below are the Canadian Tire black rims listed as 15x7 (even though they're really closer to 15x6), and essentially brand new BFG Commerical Traction T/A's in Lt235x75R15C's -- no lift at all, totally stock. Pics taken on an evening's wheeling/bear hunt.
Parked in a clearing down low (no bears):
([url]http://xjack.org/03tracker/03tracker_01.jpg[/url])
Parked in a clearing up high (no bears):
([url]http://xjack.org/03tracker/03tracker_high_altitutde.jpg[/url])
Wheel stuffs nicely, but doesn't rub - sweet!
([url]http://xjack.org/03tracker/03_tracker_stuffed.jpg[/url])
Silly poser shot:
([url]http://xjack.org/03tracker/03_tracker_poser.jpg[/url])
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Hey Djchris, those are the exact measurements of the wheels i'm running. Jeff's 2" lift, 30x9.5 M/Ts, fender and quarter trimming and banging. Still rub a little in the rear on full flex. Posting from cell phone sorry if it looks funny!
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I wonder how they would work with 31/9.50's and Jeff's lift? If only I had brakes, then I might try them.
rub a lot, trust me, been there!
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BTW, djaychris mines a first gen 4-door. First and second gen may be a little different clearance wise, but still should work.
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Thanks for the help. I think those are my wheels. Top Heavy, thats a pretty cool vid in your sig.
-Dan
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Thanks for the help
No problem happy to help!
thats a pretty cool vid in your sig
Thanks, a friend of mine did the editing, he's still learning.
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I hate to be negative, and this is just my oppinion, but those wheels are ugly. You should have just gone with stock Grand Vitara steel wheels or stock XL-7 steel wheels. They are both 16x7 and would fit without rubbing. The one's you have look like car wheels, not SUV\Truck wheels.
Just my opinion -- but I think those wheels look great! There are ZR2 rims out there that are the same width and backspace that would probably do the same trick, but I'd rather have these. Makes the truck look like a utility vehicle, which is what I use it for.
And yeah, 215x85R16's would probably be better, but I already owned essentially brand new winter and summer tires in 235x75R15 that came off my 1998 Tracker. I was not interested in selling them at a loss so I could go buy new tires in 16 inch sizes.
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Fair enough, as long as you're happy than it's all good. I'm sure there are things with my XL that not everyone likes :) Congrats on the wheels than, this is a hard application to find aftermarket wheels for.
I hate to be negative, and this is just my oppinion, but those wheels are ugly. You should have just gone with stock Grand Vitara steel wheels or stock XL-7 steel wheels. They are both 16x7 and would fit without rubbing. The one's you have look like car wheels, not SUV\Truck wheels.
Just my opinion -- but I think those wheels look great! There are ZR2 rims out there that are the same width and backspace that would probably do the same trick, but I'd rather have these. Makes the truck look like a utility vehicle, which is what I use it for.
And yeah, 215x85R16's would probably be better, but I already owned essentially brand new winter and summer tires in 235x75R15 that came off my 1998 Tracker. I was not interested in selling them at a loss so I could go buy new tires in 16 inch sizes.
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Well, I decided to put 235-75-15's on my stock 15" wheels. I'm just going to paint the factory wheels black. The 235's ride nice, just a little bit of frame rub at full lock to the left.
-Dan
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Dude, just go buy some quarter inch wheel spacers. Or 1 inch wheel spacers. I ran quarter inch for two years no troubles. I've now switched to 1 inch spacer. They have been on for a year an no problems. you can run any wheel you want with the spacers.
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I hate to be negative, and this is just my oppinion, but those wheels are ugly. You should have just gone with stock Grand Vitara steel wheels or stock XL-7 steel wheels. They are both 16x7 and would fit without rubbing. The one's you have look like car wheels, not SUV\Truck wheels.
Just my opinion -- but I think those wheels look great!
Ditto.
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Cheap steelies are a great way to go for wheelin'. I love taking my dented, scratched, dirty Tracker with chunks of metal missing from the alloys through downtown Palm Springs after coming off a trail and having everybody in their Euro-luxo SUV's look on in disgust as I whip into a great parking spot they wouldn't dream of attempting in their $75k luxo-box.