Hi guys, i am about to get a new set of tires and I want to get a set of 31'' but my axles are stock, the only thing I have changed is the ring & pinions wich are 5.125 now( stock is 4.625). Is it ok to use them or I am going to blow it of to easily? How weak are those aluminum axles?
                        Thanks
                         Gui

it's ok with 31"!!! I on 31" and is good on trail at 12 psi!!!

Yes you can! Are you cvs level? If they are you shouldn't have a problem. But....then again, I've heard of people destroying them on 30's. Are you locked up front? I f you are your chances of breaking cv's will be increased.

I broke an axle on 29s with a 2" lift. I replaced it with another ally casing and it lasted another 2 yrs, it was still OK when I fitted the steel front. I was going to 33s and didn't want to push my luck.

If your romp on it...anything will break.

Ive heard of people using larger tires and being ok though

I am using 235/75 r15 now, they are almost 30'' with no problems, It is what most of us use here in Sao Paulo, Brasil. So I do not have much feedback on 31''. And here I see a couple of guys on 33'', 35'' and even a 37''
I do not want to go 33'' by now, 31'' will be fine I just want to know if that will be pushing to far with stock aluminum axles??? Can I still push it a bit without blowing it? I am not worried about CV's I am worried about blowing the third member and destroying my ring & pinion.
                  Thanks
                    Gui

Ring and pinion shouldn't be much of a problem.

The weak parts seem to be the CV joints, and the mounting tab on the rear of the front 3rd member.

I recommend getting spare CV's, and  reinforcing the mounting tab, or running a support over the tab.. They usually break in reverse it seems.

I take it pretty easy on my rig, and it's still fairly easy to break things with a heavy foot, or even by accident, like a foot slipping off the clutch in reverse (did it)


All in all, 31's are fine, just be prepared to fix it now and again. Steel componants are available for the front. I will get the upgrades in time. (when I get tired of fixing the aluminum)

Thanks Quaddawg,
I am worried about breaking the ring & pinion, it took me a while to get those 5,125
I already have a spare third member, and I plan to make a brace for it.
Steel parts are easy to fin in US...here they are quite hard and expensive, but If I get the chance I will get them.
What have you broken so far? you said you broke the suport tab and what else?
I am realy easy on the gas pedal, and my car has no clutch : )
I saw you've got a interesting suspension, do you use 2'' inch lift springs and 2''coil spacers at the same time? have you done anything else? I need a bit more lift to clear the 31'', or perhaps some fender trimming : )
              Gui

Gui,

I have just the 2in springs front and rear. That is all the lift I have. I don't like to lift a vehicle, I like to keep them low as possible.  I trimmed to get the 31's on it. I need to trim more, I still rub a bit now and then.

Other than the springs, I added good BDS struts and strut extentions, and a camber correction bolt, and BDS off road shocks in the rear. The ride is not bad at al

I have broken the tab off of the housing, and need to brace it this time.

I have broken a passenger side CV also.  I am VERY easy on my truck, but still they will break.

Automatics are easier on parts I think.. more "give" in the connection through the torque converter. This is my opionion, but I might give an automatic a try, my next one I think will be auto.

Nice talking to you, yell anytime.

How much do those grand vitara's third member's cost?
                     Gui

  I'm running 31" Swampers, with an aluminum front housing, but I built a brace for the front of the third member that strengthens the mounting points. I also use an ARB locker in the front, as well as back, and have been doing some pretty serious trailing and rock climbing without any problems. Careful use of the throttle, Use commen sense. If you get to a point where you are not moving forward, back up and try another line. I posted some pics of my modification to my front diff, you should be able to find them under search " diff mods."

How much do those grand vitara's third member's cost?
                     Gui

Just the housing is close to $300 new, from Hawks Suzuki.. I am STILL trying to find the componants in a junk yard (wreckers)

Here is Bentparts brace, and a picture of a simple top brace (further down)

http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=10122.0

I e-mailed hawk's and they are probabily to rich already and they did not want to mail to Brasil. But with 500,00 I can get the full housing here, but it is realy hard to find since suzuki is out of Brasil since 2002, and there are to little g. vitara around.
Hey bentparts, you did a realy good job i looks awesome, do you have any more pics? I am going to builto one based on yours sincce it looks like the beefiest one.
                 Thanks
                  Gui