ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: Rod on March 15, 2004, 11:48:27 AM
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Has anyone installed the Grand Vitara front coil springs and Ford rear coil springs in a Sidekick as mentioned in the "Budget Lift" Atricle? This looks like a great inexpensve lift. I was wondering if the Ford rear springs will make the ride harsh since the Ford van weighs 5000 lbs compared to the 2200 lbs Sidekick weight?
Also, does anyone know of a discount store to buy Sidekick 4:1 transfer case gears? It looks like Rocky Road is the cheapest at $850...but that is still pricey compared to Samurai gears at $500. Or better yet, does anyone have a used set for sale?
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If you want gears, and can't afford the Calmini or RRO stuff, try the OTT Kicker3 setup that mates the kick t-case with the sammy t-case. It goes for about $600 plus shipping, you send them the kick case, not the sammy case. You end up with a change in high range (note: gearing for larger tires), fixed flanges, and 3 sets of low range!.....kick high/sammy low, kick low/sammy high, kick low/sammy low.....how's that for sweet?! ;D ;D ;D
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Does the Sammy case come with the kit, or do you have to purchase it separately?
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Has anyone installed the Grand Vitara front coil springs and Ford rear coil springs in a Sidekick as mentioned in the "Budget Lift" Atricle?  This looks like a great inexpensve lift.  I was wondering if the Ford rear springs will make the ride harsh since the Ford van weighs 5000 lbs compared to the 2200 lbs Sidekick weight?
Also, does anyone know of a discount store to buy Sidekick 4:1 transfer case gears?  It looks like Rocky Road is the cheapest at $850...but that is still pricey compared to Samurai gears at $500.  Or better yet, does anyone have a used set for sale?
Actually they were GV springs all the way around. The rear gets the ford E150 shocks. The ride is decent I just need to get the darn thing alligned as the camber is off.
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Separately. They aren't that expensive at a junk yard or any Suzuki only outfit like Hawk, Trailtough, etc.
If you have any question about whether or not that it is worth the money, just look at a few numbers.
Calmini 4.24 t-case gears: $875
Calmini 5.83s (per end, uninstalled), 13.8% lower than stock: $289.95
Calmini fixed flange conversion (not yet available)
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OTT Kicker3 (when used with a stock sammy case) 4.104:1 :$600
Stock sammy case (used) 1.4:1 reduction in high, a.k.a. 14% lower than kick stock: $250 (approximately)
No need for the diff gear modifications, or fixed flange conversion.
The t-case flange location is very close to stock kick location.
You have endless gear selections available for the sammy case for very good prices.
There is benefit after benefit to go with the kicker3 in your kick or sammy.
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Does anybody know what year or kinda price for the GV springs?I'm really intersted in trying this
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Separately. They aren't that expensive at a junk yard or any Suzuki only outfit like Hawk, Trailtough, etc.
If you have any question about whether or not that it is worth the money, just look at a few numbers.
Calmini 4.24 t-case gears: $875
Calmini 5.83s (per end, uninstalled), 13.8% lower than stock: $289.95
Calmini fixed flange conversion (not yet available)
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OTT Kicker3 (when used with a stock sammy case) 4.104:1    :$600
Stock sammy case (used) 1.4:1 reduction in high, a.k.a. 14% lower than kick stock: $250 (approximately)
No need for the diff gear modifications, or fixed flange conversion.
The t-case flange location is very close to stock kick location.
You have endless gear selections available for the sammy case for very good prices.
There is benefit after benefit to go with the kicker3 in your kick or sammy.
The stock t-case for a Sami has a 14% reduction? It's not 1:1? So upgrading to deeper gear sets only provides 18% or 20% high range reduction, whereas, in comparison, low range comes in at 4, 5, 6, and 6.5 (IIRC) ratios.
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In the famous words of one of late nights most famous sidekick, get it!
"You are correct sir!"
Hehe!
:D :D :D
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Does anybody know what year or kinda price for the GV springs?I'm really intersted in trying this
The springs I used came off a 2000 GV. Couldn't help you with a price though as these were freebies. I would check with Hawk if you can't find them in a Yard near you. Also check the GV owners on the net. If they lifted it then they prolly have a set of springs.
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how much lift do you get using the GV springs? and all you need is the GV springs?
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The article says" For the rear, we used the rear springs on a 92-02 Ford Econoline E150 van. These springs are 2 inches longer and have an additional 1.5 “ of travel. The mounting of the springs from the sidekick and ford shocks and they are identical. To gain extra front travel, we flipped the strut blate to add an additional inch of length. "
Is it a misprint? Did he mean he put the springs from the GV and the shocks from a Ford van?
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The article says" For the rear, we used the rear springs on a 92-02 Ford Econoline E150 van. These springs are 2 inches longer and have an additional 1.5 “ of travel.  The mounting of the springs from the sidekick and ford shocks and they are identical.  To gain extra front travel, we flipped the strut blate to add an additional inch of length. "
Is it a misprint? Did he mean he put the springs from the GV and the shocks from a Ford van?
Yup I meant rear GV springs and Ford shocks. Sorry bout that. The shocks are 2 inches longer and 1.5" of travel. i got that from the gabriel shock website.
Again sorry about the confusion. I was just so excited when we lifted it I must have typed it wrong. ;D
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how much lift do you get using the GV springs? and all you need is the GV springs?
I installed it on a 4 dr. Measured from the frame to the garage floor we ended up with 2" in the front and 1 7/8" in the rear. It might give you more on a 2 dr. Also the stock shock was bottomed out when we measured so it might make it closer to 2 inches.
Also food for thought. The origanal measurements that were taken sowed the rea was actually a little taller with the factory springs. Once the GV springs were on there the frame height was Identical front to back.
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Separately. They aren't that expensive at a junk yard or any Suzuki only outfit like Hawk, Trailtough, etc.
If you have any question about whether or not that it is worth the money, just look at a few numbers.
Calmini 4.24 t-case gears: $875
Calmini 5.83s (per end, uninstalled), 13.8% lower than stock: $289.95
Calmini fixed flange conversion (not yet available)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
OTT Kicker3 (when used with a stock sammy case) 4.104:1    :$600
Stock sammy case (used) 1.4:1 reduction in high, a.k.a. 14% lower than kick stock: $250 (approximately)
No need for the diff gear modifications, or fixed flange conversion.
The t-case flange location is very close to stock kick location.
You have endless gear selections available for the sammy case for very good prices.
There is benefit after benefit to go with the kicker3 in your kick or sammy.
Scuse my math, but I think 1.409:1 is a 40.9% reduction not a 14% reduction.
Perfect for 35" rubber - no good without at least 33" rubber
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I installed it on a 4 dr. Measured from the frame to the garage floor we ended up with 2" in the front and 1 7/8" in the rear. It might give you more on a 2 dr. Also the stock shock was bottomed out when we measured so it might make it closer to 2 inches.
Also food for thought. The origanal measurements that were taken sowed the rea was actually a little taller with the factory springs. Once the GV springs were on there the frame height was Identical front to back.
Tried the GV springs on my 88 2 door... less than the existing 2" kings springs in lift and ride was similar (ie totally harsh and crap).
Aussie model so your springs may be different thoguh.
Better to find someone who does decent aftermarket springs first time... your back and your butt will thank you for it.
About 4 different sets of springs in this thing now and still not right... next time will be custom not off the shelf or "that looks about right".
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Hi, I'm a new poster here, I have some questions regarding the budget lift. I have a 96 Geo Tracker 2dr with a soft top and I'm quite intriqued by this "budget" lift, me being a poor student and all. anywho will the GV springs fit on the 2door? and will the ride be excessively harsh? we got potholes everywhere here so that's not cool. Another thing. I need a cheap lift so I can slap some 235s on it thats all so are they're any other options besides sprinting for an expensive aftermarket lift. Also would springs off of another small suv work? say a rav4 or vitara, or the front coils off a small truck like an s10 or something?
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putting chevy and toyota(other than the axles)parts in a tracker not legal. lol
Stu
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Hope you have a good lawyer
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lol
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Hi, I'm a new poster here, I have some questions regarding the budget lift. I have a 96 Geo Tracker 2dr with a soft top and I'm quite intriqued by this "budget" lift, me being a poor student and all. anywho will the GV springs fit on the 2door? and will the ride be excessively harsh? we got potholes everywhere here so that's not cool. Another thing. I need a cheap lift so I can slap some 235s on it thats all so are they're any other options besides sprinting for an expensive aftermarket lift. Also would springs off of another small suv work? say a rav4 or vitara, or the front coils off a small truck like an s10 or something?
I've got the same thing as you and I'm running 235/75-15's will no problems at all. I don't have a lift but one is on the Big Brown Truck as we speak. ;D
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Hi, I'm a new poster here, I have some questions regarding the budget lift. I have a 96 Geo Tracker 2dr with a soft top and I'm quite intriqued by this "budget" lift, me being a poor student and all. anywho will the GV springs fit on the 2door? and will the ride be excessively harsh? we got potholes everywhere here so that's not cool. Another thing. I need a cheap lift so I can slap some 235s on it thats all so are they're any other options besides sprinting for an expensive aftermarket lift. Also would springs off of another small suv work? say a rav4 or vitara, or the front coils off a small truck like an s10 or something?
GV springs work finebecasue the are the right length (any more than 2" and serious problems occur. ). The spring rate is higher than a stock 2-dr Kick, but so are the other off-road springs (OME, etc.). One of the things you want out of a off-road spring is a higher weight capacity, and a frim ride to suck up BIG bumps, especially when you are carrying that extra weight.
All lifted rides befome "firmer". The set of springs we had in the 4-dr in write-up road down the road rather smooth. Suspension seemed tight and responsive.
For what it is (budget lift), it rides plenty smooth. Add some bumpers, maybe a winch, a heavy hi-lift jack, some trail spares, a big spare tire, can of gas and what not, you'll want the extra carry capacity.
Now, this is about the best way (IMHO) to lift a Kick on a shoestring. While spring spacers accomplish the same lift, they can cause the spring to over compress which will destroy coil springs quickly. Obtaining the entire 2" of lift thru the springs alone in the ideal way to accomplish "budget" lift.
I say budget as the lift in not engineered. An IFS is a complicated equation. Spring travel/length is just one of the factors of the equation. Yup, you can change it 2" and fidge some other stuff and it will work. But it's not ideal. CV angles run at a more extreme angle, and the wheel track actually narrows from stock form.
That is why there are lift kits and lifted suspension systems. The extra money that goes into something like the 2" and 3" CALMINI system gains the redesigned control arms, or A-arms. These keep the wheeltrack and suspension geometery near the stock configuration. The diff drop brackets keep the CV angles within the designed degree of operability. This change also impacts the suspension geometery and another reason the redesigned A-arms are needed.
And if you ever look at a stock arm and a 'MINI arm, you'll know why they are better, even if they weren't designed for lift.
So yeah, pick up some GV springs from a junk yard or a Zooker who lifted their GV. This is the cheap-n-easy way to lift. Throw on on 235's (29's), or even 30x9.50's for that matter. Go thrash the hell outta it and if your rig and/or nerves hold up, then think of a system down the road. When you do, you can off the GV springs to another guy looking to lift his/her Zook on a dime.
My 2 cents.
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ok, so let me get this straight.
swaping in stock GV springs give a track/kick 2inches of lift?
and have we finally decided this is GV springs all around? or is the GV front / Ford back?
and if it's GV springs i need....should they be from a 2-door or 4-door GV?
i'll do this tommorow if all i need are the springs, i have access to stock GV springs.
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Ok, so the GV springs will work then, should I sprout for the 2dr springs? I figured so much about the CV joints. I do alot of highway driving with my tracker to get back and forth to class, I"m assuming they will wear prematurely with that much stress on them but does anyone know how long can I expect them to last? I wasn't planning on lifting my tracker for awhile due to finances so if I switch springs and my cv joints go I'll be no further ahead. Is there anyway to lower the angle of the CV joint created by the springs? I"m just really curious. If I can get a decent lift for cheap and my rig doesn't blow up with my constant traveling it'd be marvelous. I don't do any major off road trips, I just want it for backwoods exploring for the mostpart. I suppose I can't expect to get much for nothing ;)