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ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Grand Vitara, Vitara, Chevy Tracker (Gen. 2 Platform) 1999-2005 => Topic started by: BackWoodsTracker on April 25, 2012, 07:54:52 AM

Title: Home made body lift ?
Post by: BackWoodsTracker on April 25, 2012, 07:54:52 AM
Will this be as easy as getting some 2" square tube, drilling some holes and putting them in? I've searched and read alot about the 2" bl, but nothing about making your own. I see people say they've done it, but no write ups. I know when I first got my Tracker I saw a great write up on 1, but I can't seem to find it now. My thoughts are to use the original mounts and just put the 2" tube under them. Here's my problem, that just sounds too easy! Any help or a shove in the right direction would be great. I'll need new rubber real soon and I want 31's!
Title: Re: Home made body lift ?
Post by: samuraidan on April 25, 2012, 08:01:34 AM
i think the issue you'd run into is that the body stud wouldn't be long enough. SR Custom's kit comes with stud extenders.

You'd also probably want to address your steering as well, i think most kits come with spacers to make sure your steering shaft is at a safe angle and doesn't get bound up during turns.

If you wanna tackle the job with a DIY lift, then go for it! But body lift kits aren't all too expensive and it might save you a bunch of headaches. Just my two cents.
Title: Re: Home made body lift ?
Post by: bush buster on April 25, 2012, 10:42:25 AM
what Dan said...also you can't just replace the studs with longer ones because they are welded to the body, hence the need for sleeve extensions.
Title: Re: Home made body lift ?
Post by: BackWoodsTracker on April 25, 2012, 11:46:53 AM
Hmm, I am a machinist that can make the extensions. I hadn't really thought about the steering issues though. I guess I'll look into SR Custom's kit. I'm just a penny pincher when it comes to things I know I can make. I was thinking about cutting a window into the tube, holes top and bottom, use the factory stud to secure it to the tube, and drill and bolt the bottom through where the stud went before. I know I've seen a write up on it 3 or 4 years ago. I even had it saved on my old computer, just can't find it now. That guy didn't address the steering issue though. I guess I'll wait and see if'n the wife will let me spend some of my overtime money on a body lift. That might mean I'll have to stick with factory rims >:(.


EDIT:

OK, after looking at SR Customs site, I can handle the steering extensions too. I was picturing something a bit more involved than that. I think I'm a gonna make me a lift pretty soon!
Title: Re: Home made body lift ?
Post by: BackWoodsTracker on April 26, 2012, 05:54:29 AM
Well, after adding up what the materials will cost, plus my time to make the lift, SR Customs kit looks priced pretty fair. I'll have to mull it over for a while to see what I want to do.
Title: Re: Home made body lift ?
Post by: samuraidan on April 26, 2012, 10:32:55 AM
i know what you mean about making your own stuff, but if making your body lift could really be done easily and for cheap then i think everyone would be doing it. Sometimes you just gotta pay to play.

You'd have to be pretty well set up to make your own kit faster and for less then just ordering one from a shop like SR Customs.

Plus i can tell you that they are a great company to deal with. Great service and fast order processing.
Title: Re: Home made body lift ?
Post by: BackWoodsTracker on May 08, 2012, 05:41:01 AM
Lift and tires are going to have to wait again. I just took my dog in to have some lumps removed. It's going to be a bit more than I'd like to spend on a dog, but she's been a great dog, she's worth waiting on tires!