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: beagle..t on June 07, 2015, 07:55:52 PM
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well we all know thata we lost a sh** ton of info on builds and how to fix stuff. well I build a winch bumper from scratch ...designed on paper and took it to the next level and built it to my likings. there is a lot of pics I took and got a lot of help from the forum on winch plate now that's its done im happy with the end results so what I ended up with is on 60-70# bumper and a 94# winch more than what I need but $ was right so I went for it. first pic is what I started with, then everyone said that approach angle was off so a changed it
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so then I changed it to this and extended frame rails and gained mass amount of approach angle
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too this
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and after that I decided to build everything around the way the last photo shows the winch plate. I extended the frame rails and with a lot of R&D I finally finished it so hear are all the pics
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from this stage I cut the winch plate on a angle and started designing everything around that
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from this stage I had 2 pieces bend up and I cut away access that I didn't need
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from here it was all r&d as I go. Instead of cardboard I use 28guage sheet metal because it was more rigid and easier for me to work with
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I like the ramp angle you created under the winch. No only does it provide protection for your lower radiator, it provides you more approach clearance.... something I am definitely lacking on my truck with the brush guard.
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ya I definitely like the approach angle more. From here I fiqured that with the front skid plate was so big that I needed to get some air to rad so that I don't overheat so I ground out 4 holes, 2-3" and 2=4" holes and covered with stainless metal so no sticks can ruin my day. I made the ends of the wings welded all up and painted with rock guard. Its made from 1/4" winch plate,10 guage is the wings and front skid plate. where the roller fairlead is its 3/16" steel. Bumper weights about 70# and winch is 94#. I will be lightening it up in the future with synthetic rope and a different fairlead. I think that it will lose 20# with this mod. with the roller fairlead on it only sticks out 13" from the grill to the end of the fairlead. If anyone needs info on any specific design ask away I will be glad to answer any questions
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If you painted the mesh screening over the vent holes... I wouldn't even notice the vent holes were there.
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ya ,but I like to be different. it still looks good too me, maybe later when the bumper needs another coat of paint
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They look good to me too, just saying they would completely disappear cause they don't jump out at you now.
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Looks awesome man! I want one LOL, maybe add some shackles.
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thx was going too add them but was tried of walking around it in my shop.... I can still add them at a later date, which I will probably end up doing ...just allows me to keep working on my tracker. Someday I will be finished tinkering with it..... :laugh: :laugh: yeah right. I also kept my drawings so I could build another if need be
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well alittle add-on to the bumper.....hope there bright
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I think that light bar might be blocking some of the airflow needed for cooling. (Just a thought.) Get another one and notch them into the face of the bumper. I don't know if you have room behind the bumper to keep them straight and still behind the face.
Anyway they sure spoil you, once you have used them, your normal lights almost don't seem to work.
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ya was thinking that ...but it only extends 3"on either side of the winch controller box, if it blocks to much air flow I will just have to go to an electric fan. The big light bar is only a 12" bar and others are 4". All I know is that they work and im asleep by the time its dark out ( yaya I have that strange disease) its called A>G>E. I will get to see the true effect from them soon enough
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another picture of the lights
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I didn't notice that the light bar was hiding the winch relay box, I run electric fans because of space limitations, but for air flow it is hard to beat motor driven fans if they are working correctly.
If you go to electric, buy one with the highest air flow you can fit. It only runs when you need it, and too much air flow only means it will shut off more often. Too little means overheating more often, and these motors do not like running really hot.
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that's good to know... im looking at putting 4dr GV front springs in the front with my spacers to compensate for the weight of winch and bumper, capt said that he put them in with the spacers and gained 2" in height and my tracker definitely leans forward some and im hoping that this will get me back to sitting level
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well walked around the auto wreckers and found a 2002 GV with a V6 ....too bad it was auto but it still had the front coils still in so grabbed them today 15 bucks for both front coils so will be trying them out soon to see how much lift they give me with the spacers. one thing for sure they are definitely taller by far, I will measure them and see what the difference is
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well just looking at the coils and counted the rings and the GV have 2 more coils than mine, now wondering if I should keep the spacers in or remove them ???
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The number of coils in a spring is not really indicative of the "strength" of the spring - there are several other factors that also play a part, diameter of the wire used, diameter of the former the coil is wound on and pitch of the windings also play a part.
A quick & dirty way to look at it is to compare the difference in weight of the two vehicles - the V6 model weighs roughly 175lbs more than a 4 cylinder and the bulk of that difference is in the engine & transmission so largely concentrated towards the front.
Before going with OME I considered using the V6 springs to compensate for a winch bumper that has yet to be built & fitted - if & when that time comes, I'll just upgrade the OMEs.
I'd leave the spacers in, my train of thought being that the spacers were sized for a vehicle without the additional front end weight, and the springs are going to be used for that.
Before you fit the V6 springs, put them side by side with the originals, I'm betting they are no taller (no significant difference in free length)
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ya I will definitely compare them side by side b4 I install the GV springs they probably wont go in till later in the fall going to see how bad it bottoms out
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When I up graded my springs with OME, the XL7 front springs were taller than GV, but lighter weight per inch. So if your GV springs seem to harsh, you might try XL7's. I am running the OME 955 (lifted XL7) with a modified spring seat to keep the springs from bowing outward and compressing the brake calipers when stuffing tires on turns.
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well springs were 5/8" taller and coil size were the same so when I put them in I gained that in lift in front so now I sit pretty level..... within 1/2" and looks better to me and im happy with it
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Is there any appreciable difference/improvement in the ride with the new springs in now? Handling... bumps, turning?
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handling the same, takes bumps better and no difference in turning and it sits higher in the front
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worked out like that for me to, plus seemed to do better going up 10-16" rock faces .have not done any bigger than that yet
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with the clearance of the bumper I think that 20" straight on I could do, any more and I think the bumper would hit