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ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Grand Vitara, Vitara, Chevy Tracker (Gen. 2 Platform) 1999-2005 => Topic started by: Stagecarpenter on July 31, 2010, 05:10:52 PM

Title: Missing strut brace
Post by: Stagecarpenter on July 31, 2010, 05:10:52 PM: Hey everyone,
Second post here.I posted this in the beginer section, thought I would ask here to.I just purchased a 2001 GV.It has a Calmini 2.5 inch lift and a 2 inch body lift. Someone left the strut tower brace off,and I'm looking to make a new one.My problem is I don't know the center to center spacing for the brace.I would also consider buying a used one to modify if anybody has one to sell.Thanks in advance !
Don C.
Title: Re: Missing strut brace
Post by: nprecon on August 03, 2010, 05:20:34 AM: Check out your area pick-n-pulls. I just saw one in my local yard last Friday. Wasn't even looking for one. They are available and the angles are spot on because they are set/made at the factory.
Title: Re: Missing strut brace
Post by: sir lance on August 03, 2010, 02:14:05 PM: also make sure when you bolt it back on that both tires are off the ground...... other wise the struts will be slightly like this /\, and the bolt holes wont line up
Title: Re: Missing strut brace
Post by: Stagecarpenter on August 03, 2010, 02:39:32 PM: I found one today at a local salvage yard.The problem is,after the body lift the tops of the struts are down in the fender holes about 2 inches. I may have to cut the fenders,I'm not sure yet.
Thanks for the reply
Don C.
Title: Re: Missing strut brace
Post by: Novadon on August 04, 2010, 11:13:10 AM: I'm minimally up to speed on knowledge about modifying our 4WD platforms, but isn't there suppose to be an additional spacer added to correct the height / strut mounting disparity when adding lift? :-X
Title: Re: Missing strut brace
Post by: Stagecarpenter on August 04, 2010, 05:46:16 PM: It's possible, I am new to the whole lifted suzuki thing. This is my fifth suzuki,but they have all been stock till now.It just seemed to me that the strut brace should be there. The height of the strut towers look stock to me ,but I could be wrong. The body lift has raised the fender wells but not the engine.The fenders are in the way,but I would not have to cut much to get it to work. If anyone has experience with this issue I would welcome any advice.
Thanks ,Don C.
Title: Re: Missing strut brace
Post by: BoGiggers on August 05, 2010, 05:12:15 AM: Sorry I don't know the answer to that one yet,(newbee) but that makes me wonder about something else. When I put on a 2 inch suspension lift and get a \ / camber maybe I could remove the strut brace and lower the jack until the wheels are like l l , cut my strut brace in the middle, grind a little out, bolt the two ends back in and weld the center back together? No new camber bolts...

Hmmm...

BoGiggers
Title: Re: Missing strut brace
Post by: AJMBLAZER on August 05, 2010, 02:11:05 PM: Bo, no, you shouldn't. Fix it right.

Quote from: Novadon on August 04, 2010, 11:13:10 AM
I'm minimally up to speed on knowledge about modifying our 4WD platforms, but isn't there suppose to be an additional spacer added to correct the height / strut mounting disparity when adding lift? :-X

Yes, there is. He's missing pieces along with the strut brace.
Title: Re: Missing strut brace
Post by: Stagecarpenter on August 05, 2010, 02:55:16 PM: Looks like I need some strut bar spacers,anyone know where to get them ?
Title: Re: Missing strut brace
Post by: AJMBLAZER on August 05, 2010, 03:07:55 PM: Calmini should have them. Dunno if they'll sell them separately though.

When I lifted my GV an age ago I didn't use them, kept the brace in the stock position, and put strut extenders on the end of the strut shafts. Worked well. Dunno where to get them anymore though.
Title: Re: Missing strut brace
Post by: blacktrack99 on August 05, 2010, 04:36:17 PM: jeff1997 sells spacers for the strut brace in addition to his coil and strut mount spacers. I run Masterkit1's body lift. A little pricey, but it came with really nice spacers for the brace and blocks to relocate the bumpers. I'm not sure if they'd sell them a la carte, but Jeff probably would at a very fair price.
Title: Re: Missing strut brace
Post by: jeff1997 on August 05, 2010, 04:51:14 PM: How big do they need to be? I make 1" ones now that go with my strut spacers. When the struts are dropped the brace drops with it. The brace will then not clear the motor on top. Using a body lift may further complicate things, I know it did on my Gen 1, 1997.
Title: Re: Missing strut brace
Post by: bzzr2 on August 05, 2010, 06:53:30 PM: just trim the fenders a little, put something on the cuts so it doesn't rust and done.
Title: Re: Missing strut brace
Post by: Stagecarpenter on August 05, 2010, 07:38:46 PM: I think the spacers need to be about 2 inches thick. Would hard rubber spacers work ? If you don't mind Jeff could you e-mail me a quote at artformoney|removethispart|@yahoo.com. I need to take care of this soon.
Thanks guys
Don C.
Title: Re: Missing strut brace
Post by: AJMBLAZER on August 05, 2010, 07:44:28 PM: No. The rubber would just let stuff vibrate and move that is meant to be hard mounted firm...hence the bar.
Title: Re: Missing strut brace
Post by: BoGiggers on August 06, 2010, 09:40:05 AM: Found the strut extenders on the Boondocks site...$50

BoGiggers
Title: Re: Missing strut brace
Post by: Stagecarpenter on August 06, 2010, 01:20:17 PM: What is the Boondocks site and how do I find it ?
Title: Re: Missing strut brace
Post by: BoGiggers on August 07, 2010, 01:05:31 AM: Sorry, should have added the link. The strut extenders are half way down the page.

http://boondoxmotorsports.com/zuk_suspension.html (http://boondoxmotorsports.com/zuk_suspension.html)

BoGiggers