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ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Grand Vitara, Vitara, Chevy Tracker (Gen. 2 Platform) 1999-2005 => Topic started by: bigbadshawn on June 26, 2009, 09:10:54 PM

Title: Before and After Lift Pics
Post by: bigbadshawn on June 26, 2009, 09:10:54 PM
Just put in my Masterkit 3-1/8" lift and installed 215/85/R16 Good Year Duratrac tires (about 29.5" tall with the truck sitting on them and 8.5" wide). Pretty happy with the kit. Lots of instructions, though not always as clear as they could have been. Figured it all out though - in about 30 hours total time from first bolt removed to last bolt installed - and I'm not a newb on the wrenches. Did have to spend a few hours drilling out stubborn bolts that wouldn't loosen before the heads stripped. One on the right strut and one on the steering arm. I don't believe people when they claim to throw in a lift in a day, there's just too many odds n ends. Unless you did it with a team of four knowledgeable guys - one for each corner. Anyway, the truck feels way better now and I bought myself a whole bunch of clearance. The tires JUST fit at full stuff in the rear. The front is too stiff to even get close to rubbing anywhere at full flex. I did remove the sway bar and tried it out but when I hit a couple of speed bumps, the front end made a kachunk noise going down them - so I put it back in and the problem is gone. Enjoy the pics.
Title: Re: Before and After Lift Pics
Post by: nprecon on June 27, 2009, 02:32:27 PM
Looks good and functional.
Title: Re: Before and After Lift Pics
Post by: Luc on June 27, 2009, 09:47:30 PM
painting the rims flat black and removing the decals would make that thing look bad ass.
that being said, looks pretty hot now too.
Title: Re: Before and After Lift Pics
Post by: nprecon on June 29, 2009, 09:44:04 PM
bigbadshawn, just curious... did you soak the crap out of all your nuts and threads with PB Blaster (or some other penetrating rust buster) the day before you began your install and still have the stubborn nut and bolt problems or did you attack them dry?? 
Title: Re: Before and After Lift Pics
Post by: 3stagevtec on June 30, 2009, 06:52:44 PM
nice!
Title: Re: Before and After Lift Pics
Post by: bigbadshawn on June 30, 2009, 08:00:06 PM
had to hit the stabilizer to control arm nuts with liquid wrench, but nothing else. liquid wrench wouldn't have helped where i had to drill out those two nasty bolts. they were just die hards... the body mounting studs came out super easy, as did most everything else. a couple of small bolts broke off when i went to loosen them, but no big deal. had a miserable time with the headlight bulb retaining clips of all things! they are a totally crappy design, making the rubic's cube look easy. dont mess with them unless absoulutely necessary.
Title: Re: Before and After Lift Pics
Post by: nprecon on July 01, 2009, 06:38:36 PM
Too late on the headlight retainer clips...  I've had to replace a few headlights over the years and the SOB that designed those clips should be shot. 
Title: Re: Before and After Lift Pics
Post by: olija on July 02, 2009, 10:42:39 PM
Looks real good, makes me actually wish I had stuck with the stock 16" wheels and got some tall skinny pizza cutters instead of 31x10.50's. Probably has alot less rubbing on the frame as well I'm guessing.
Title: Re: Before and After Lift Pics
Post by: bigbadshawn on July 04, 2009, 07:55:13 PM
possibly, but i still rub the frame pretty hard. i'll be getting a better offset rim soon. i don't like the reduced turning radius at all.
Title: Re: Before and After Lift Pics
Post by: olija on July 18, 2009, 05:30:24 PM
I find it quite surprising that your 215's rub...215 is the factory width. You would think that Suzuki would at least give you a LITTLE bit of room to play with your tire size and tread!
Title: Re: Before and After Lift Pics
Post by: fordem on July 19, 2009, 01:03:29 PM
I find it quite surprising that your 215's rub...215 is the factory width. You would think that Suzuki would at least give you a LITTLE bit of room to play with your tire size and tread!

Quote from: bigbadshawn
installed 215/85/R16 Good Year Duratrac tires

You do realise that it's not just the width that matters, right?

215 maybe the factory width, but 85 is not the factory profile, so it's a "taller" tire that requires more clearance at full lock.