the housing has no bearing on what locker you get. its the third member and more so the carrier(part the ring gear is bolted to) that determines what locker you get.

The anvil that calmini makes says that you need their suspension lift.  Do you really need their lift or just a certian amount of suspension left to fit it in.

I missed this bit first time round. The Anvil has the two outer drop brackets built in to the design so you would ideally need to modify your existing centre bracket to suit. I don't see any reason why it can't be used with any other suspension lift.

From the ARB poduct spec:

Grand Vitara front requires conversion using RD88, Vitara front third member and free wheeling hubs.

RD88 is for 26 splines shafts AFAIK you can also use the 22 spline alternative if you you have a 22 spline Track/Kick carrier. That might be covered in the Zukiworld Tech Article.

Well I guess it is time to learn about the 26 and 22 spline stuff.  S
So, where are these shafts located?  Are these the CV?
I have a 94 sidekick so how many splines do I have or does it depend on someting else?

Here are two excellent articles on replacing the aluminum front axle housing with a steel one from other Suzuki model trucks:

http://www.zukiworld.com/month_090103/feature_sidekickdrivetrainimprovements.htm

http://www.rhinoman.org/mods/f_axle.html

(found them by searching at Ack's FAQ...)

If you are interested, I have a spare aluminum front housing left over from a gear harvesting expedition for my Samurai.  PM me for details.

Hope this helps!

Well I guess it is time to learn about the 26 and 22 spline stuff.  S
So, where are these shafts located?  Are these the CV?
I have a 94 sidekick so how many splines do I have or does it depend on someting else?

The splines are on the front driveshafts. The (US) passenger side pushes right into the diff. The driver's side has a short shaft going into the axle housing that has a 3 bolt flange fitted externally.

Good
ok those are what I call CV joints, they have rubber boots on both ends.  From my car days we always just called them CV joints.  I guess the CV joint is just part of the front driveshafts. 
Good thing is i knew what they were all the time, and that feels good. I do love learning.

Now, is there anyway to tell how many splines they have without taking them out?
Does the amount of splines depend on year, engine, body etc?

So, to run and ARB, I still use the GV axle housing, then then sidekick 3rd member, and free wheeling hubs.  Does the GV axle housing need to be machined to use sidekick 3rd?

Rhinoman, I thank you a ton for putting up with my questions.  You are  a damn good teacher.   

Now, is there anyway to tell how many splines they have without taking them out?
Does the amount of splines depend on year, engine, body etc?

A 94 will have 22 spline axleshafts, stock.
---------------------------------------------------------
89-95 trackick will have 22 splines.
96+ will have 26 spline.

If at some point you want to upgrade to the 26 spline setup and you already have the ARB then apart from the 26 spline inner axle shaft and 26 spline CV all you need to get is some 26 spline sidegears from ARB to swap in place of the 22 spline sidegears.

 No machining is required on the GV housing.

Cool, I found a GV housing and 3rd  member for $350.  Not a bad price.

I am still having a hard time understand what i need to run an arb locker with the steel housing setup.

If someone could list all the parts that i need and from which vehicals very cleary.  That would be a big help. 


I swear I usually dont have this much trouble.  Maybe it cause this is a pricy ordeal and I want to get it right the first time (i will blame it on that)