all my body mounts were fine, came off no problem, the one problem i did have where the large philips head screws holding the back bumper cover on were  a pain in the ass

all my body mounts were fine, came off no problem, the one problem i did have where the large philips head screws holding the back bumper cover on were  a pain in the ass

Lol, most of the bumper cover bolts are still in the frame on my Tracker, but the covers are off

Well all of this advise is causing me to have confidence in the project again but I will wait a few weeks.  Oh yea,  And the phillips screws?  stripped every one of them as well as some bolt heads.    Used all new sockets, phillips screw drivers of the right size etc.  I just have to redrill, retap etc lots of new holes and make the stuff I broke right again.   And did I mention that I messed up the shift housing (auto shifter) in the center console.  Its ok though I fixed it and it works as good as new.  

Now I remember why when I was a house framer they never let me do the fine detail work. . . only the heavy stuff . . .

Now I remember why when I was a house framer they never let me do the fine detail work. . . only the heavy stuff . . .

the truth comes out! LOL!

I know what you mean though, I'm a heavy wrench myself. I'm just too much of a perfectionist and too stubborn to give up until it's right! LOL!

Well all of this advise is causing me to have confidence in the project again but I will wait a few weeks.  Oh yea,  And the phillips screws?  stripped every one of them as well as some bolt heads.    Used all new sockets, phillips screw drivers of the right size etc.  I just have to redrill, retap etc lots of new holes and make the stuff I broke right again.   And did I mention that I messed up the shift housing (auto shifter) in the center console.  Its ok though I fixed it and it works as good as new.  

Now I remember why when I was a house framer they never let me do the fine detail work. . . only the heavy stuff . . .

Glad to hear you're going for it. Get some PB Blaster at NAPA and spray the bolts everyday until you're ready to tackle it again.

Anyone else with tips or things to watch out for feel free to reply!!!  The help on this forum has been unreal!
PB Blaster it is.  And a wire brush to clean the threads, fix the front body mount, drill out and tap new bolt holes for the rear bumper,  drill some new holes for the rear bumper cover next to the screws that I "screwed up"   And patience and set aside 3 days to cover any problems that come up, figure out how to move that one stubborn brake line bracket. . .

Do the whole thing after Cristmas when its a bit cooler.  

I can make this work!



PS.  One easy thing was the front grill.  Only held in by one bolt in the middle and just unsnaps and snaps back in easily.  I'm going to try to replace it with one from a 98 Sidekick which I think looks better.  Hope it has the same attachement points.

Lol, most of the bumper cover bolts are still in the frame on my Tracker, but the covers are off

hahahaha same with mine, i love the zip cutter   took care of the bumper cover bolts no problem

hahahaha same with mine, i love the zip cutter   took care of the bumper cover bolts no problem

I just yanked and twisted my covers off.

Only tool I believe in is the good old BFH.

ahha lol my BL went in fairly easy, but after i puit it in it wouldnt start, turns out soemthign happend to my o2 censor so i needed a new one, runs good now, preparign to do my 2" spring spacers next. cant wait

98 Body mounts are differnt from the captured ones pictured.  



They are like mine with the Capured nut and bolt easily accessable.  





I replace mine with new nuts and bolts after i wrung them off.   But I still don't like the body mount to bushing set up.  

ANd      All my rear bumper cover bolts wrung off too.  

Well I have the tools to pull out the broken bolts.

Gonna soak the bolts and nuts with PB Blaster.  

The front body mount is still gonna be hard to get to from the top but I may just leave that one off.  

That left front brake line is still going to be tough but I will figure that one out too.  

May have to drill and tap the rear bumper bolt holes to make that work but now I have the tools so that will be ok too.

Now does anyone know the real deal on whether I have to do something with the steering linkage?   This is a 98 model so anyone know for sure?

Thanks everyone
Dave

A 3" body lift needs steering shaft
mods, a 2" seems to work without

Wild

I have a custom 4" BL and had to
add a 3 or so inch section of tubing

On mine, the steering shaft was a little short. I had to loosen the bolt at the steering-box end of the shaft for it to slide a little while I lifted the body... The groove for the bolt to ride in and hold the shaft to the splines is elongated to allow for this movement without disengaging.

what i don't understand about this is i have a 4inch body lift and i didn't have to adjust anything. i just took the brake line out of the front driver side wheel well clip and disconnected 2 little body-wire clippies by the fuel tank. and i never had a problem.  

Now add 3" of suspension lift  

I have 7" total lift and many more travel,
things get a little stretched at full droop

I took the brake line on the drivers side
(left) for you UK and Aus zukers  
and put a Crescent Wrench (adjustable spanner)
on it and rotated the steel tube 90* down,
no more tight brake lines, I did also loosen it
from the strut too so it reaches better now.

Wild