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ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Grand Vitara, Vitara, Chevy Tracker (Gen. 2 Platform) 1999-2005 => Topic started by: Trackerprts on February 18, 2011, 10:17:34 AM

Title: Struts for lifted 99+
Post by: Trackerprts on February 18, 2011, 10:17:34 AM
The Monroe mounting & length specifications has this.
PART STRUT BODY LENGTHS PARTS
NO.      Type  Length  Comp.   Ext.        Trav.    PACK
71590   B7    12.250   8.750    15.250c  6.500   P808          1999+ Tracker Vitara XL-7
171831  B7   13.250   10.500  18.500    8.000   P1394       Oldsmobile cutlass 1988-1997


The length is the overall of the strut body.
All other measurements are from the center of the top bolt hole of the lower mounting bracket.
 

Would these work with a 2" lift?
Title: Re: Struts for lifted 99+
Post by: AJMBLAZER on February 18, 2011, 10:49:07 AM
Are those the rear shocks or the front struts?

Does the Olds have the same knuckle dimensions as Tracks/Kicks/Vits?
Title: Re: Struts for lifted 99+
Post by: Trackerprts on February 18, 2011, 11:39:07 AM
Does the Olds have the same knuckle dimensions as Tracks/Kicks/Vits?
I don't know I believe so because it is the same body.
this is the front struts.
Title: Re: Struts for lifted 99+
Post by: AJMBLAZER on February 18, 2011, 02:11:03 PM

I don't know I believe so because it is the same body.

What?
Title: Re: Struts for lifted 99+
Post by: Shadow on February 18, 2011, 02:31:43 PM
I think I read somewhere that somebody tried these. If I blow out another OME strut I might try these. I got an OME strut warrantied because it broke inside, and the new one is already leaking.
Title: Re: Struts for lifted 99+
Post by: AJMBLAZER on February 18, 2011, 02:34:34 PM
Ugh, don't tell me that.  I wanted to get some OME struts to go with my OME springs.  Tires are angled funny.
Title: Re: Struts for lifted 99+
Post by: Trackerprts on February 18, 2011, 02:40:48 PM
http://catalog.monroe.com/monroe/productImageDisplay.do?product=71591&locale=en&catalog=MONROE (http://catalog.monroe.com/monroe/productImageDisplay.do?product=71591&locale=en&catalog=MONROE)

http://catalog.monroe.com/monroe/productImageDisplay.do?product=71831&locale=en&catalog=MONROE (http://catalog.monroe.com/monroe/productImageDisplay.do?product=71831&locale=en&catalog=MONROE)

The mounting on the bottom looks the same.

I have not verified that.
The one for the cutlass is for the rear.
Title: Re: Struts for lifted 99+
Post by: AJMBLAZER on February 18, 2011, 02:44:13 PM
Look the same as in mounting flanges with holes in them.

I'd definitely try to get my hands on a set of each and measure and compare in person.
Title: Re: Struts for lifted 99+
Post by: Trackerprts on February 18, 2011, 02:55:45 PM
You would not have to go with Monroe struts.
Other cars are

Oldsmobile  Cutlass 88-97
Chevrolet Lumna 90-94
Pontiac Grand Am
Title: Re: Struts for lifted 99+
Post by: AJMBLAZER on February 18, 2011, 02:57:10 PM
You're missing the point.  There are probably THOUSANDS of applications of struts that have similar appearing setups.  You want to find a set that has the exact same mounting point dimensions as the Track/Kick ones do.

The brand doesn't matter, the application and it's dimensions do.
Title: Re: Struts for lifted 99+
Post by: Shadow on February 18, 2011, 03:06:41 PM
Ugh, don't tell me that.  I wanted to get some OME struts to go with my OME springs.  Tires are angled funny.

Yep. I put OME HD springs on the front of my GV which is only .5"s bigger by their spec's. I wheeled it over the summer doing 4wd passes and started to hear a creak in the front right. I couldn't figure out what it was and when I jacked it up to rate the tires I notices the strut was cock eyed. Called ARB and sent pictures. They said it was because I wasn't running a winch bumper up front lol. Even if I had a winch when wheeling the strut would become fully extended at times.  Finally after many calls they replaced it. Whats funny is that they said they 'never' had that problem. My stepdad works at an off-road shop and when they have problems with ARB products they say the same thing.

I'm not even going to try and warranty this one, and I don't want to pay 150 for another strut. I'm about to just go with spacers and lifetime struts, or compare a set of these struts posted on here.
Title: Re: Struts for lifted 99+
Post by: AJMBLAZER on February 18, 2011, 03:44:44 PM
My problem is just the alignment issue that the OME struts fix.  However if they aren't reliable or great then $150 is a tough nut to swallow.  $150 for any other setup puts me into the realm of lower end external reservoir bypass shocks.  Fox, Bilstein, King, etc.
Title: Re: Struts for lifted 99+
Post by: Shadow on February 18, 2011, 04:23:55 PM
My problem is just the alignment issue that the OME struts fix.  However if they aren't reliable or great then $150 is a tough nut to swallow.  $150 for any other setup puts me into the realm of lower end external reservoir bypass shocks.  Fox, Bilstein, King, etc.

I know what you mean. The alignment was perfect except toe in on the first set, and on the replacement. I don't know WTF I didn't want to spend money on Calmini, and OME gives an awesome ride. For 150 per a strut a person should have a good backup on warranty.
Title: Re: Struts for lifted 99+
Post by: nprecon on February 24, 2011, 09:30:04 PM
The pic you have posted for the Cutlass appears to be the wrong pic although it is listed for a Cutlass.   There are two struts listed for two versions of the Cutlass.  The other with the dimensions you quoted in your first post are for the 171831 (which I believe is in the pic bellow).  I can't tell if the added bracket on the top of the strut comes off and/or where the shoulder is located on it from the pic.

http://catalog.monroe.com/monroe/partImageDisplay.do?catalogCode=MONROE&partNumber=171831&viewCode= (http://catalog.monroe.com/monroe/partImageDisplay.do?catalogCode=MONROE&partNumber=171831&viewCode=)
Title: Re: Struts for lifted 99+
Post by: Trackerprts on February 25, 2011, 03:55:05 PM
I went to the parts store 171831 is the same strut as 71831 the first number 1 is with all the mounting bracket and dust cover.
The mount looks like it is 3/16" wider witch can be taken up by a spacer and the mounting holes are 1/4" further out from the strut body witch I think will work.
I just don't have the money to spend on trying and alignment. I might try to get some used.
Title: Re: Struts for lifted 99+
Post by: nprecon on February 25, 2011, 06:50:46 PM
Yes, they are relatively the same except the strut body is a bout an inch+ longer on the 71831 than the 171831 model and the 171831 strut body is right at one inch longer than the stock strut of a Tracker/GV.  Maybe the longer shaft would be more durable. Who knows?  The Oldsmobile Cutlass model weighed around 3,300 pounds so the weight between the two vehicles is similar... within +300#s or so.
Title: Re: Struts for lifted 99+
Post by: Trackerprts on March 11, 2011, 08:20:29 PM
I'm now running the 71831 struts they are smooth on the road. I had to slot the bottom hole to get them to fit. I flexed the suspension  and had about 1 1/2" to 2"  of strut left so ti was not compressing the strut too much.
Title: Re: Struts for lifted 99+
Post by: gsherred on March 12, 2011, 05:56:27 PM
the struts from a Cutlass Supreme are probably the rear ones these cars do have a 4 wheel independent suspension.  The fronts use coils on the strut body.  The rears use a fiberglass leaf spring that mounts in pockets at the bottom of the suspension knuckle. meaning the rear struts have no provisions for putting the coil on the strut body.  Just my 2 cents.  I would like to try it on my tracker when I get Jeff's lift
Title: Re: Struts for lifted 99+
Post by: Mikerpm4x4 on March 12, 2011, 09:08:12 PM
I already tried this about 4 years ago and they are way too soft the internals are far too weak. I also went through the monroe strut catalog and could not find anothet suitable donor.
Title: Re: Struts for lifted 99+
Post by: nprecon on March 13, 2011, 10:47:44 AM
If those 71831 struts are for the rear of the Oldsmobile, that would make sense.  There is a heck of a lot more weight and pounding on the front end.