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Air ride helper spring

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Offline zuki709

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Air ride helper spring
« on: September 19, 2011, 07:36:24 AM »
Just wondering if any one has tryed to put the air ride kit in the front of a tracker before? If so did it work? I've notice since I had my tracker the front is a little lower than the rear. Plus I put a plow on it last year so i'd like beef up the front a little. Any suggestions?
« Last Edit: September 22, 2011, 02:51:34 PM by zuki709 »
91 Samurai in many pieces
01 Tracker MUD CHILD's 2" suspension lift & 2" body lift. air lift air bag 1000 in front. 31x10.50X15 on stock samurai wheels.

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Offline tcfootball

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Re: Air ried helper spring
« Reply #1 on: September 19, 2011, 09:18:53 AM »
Welcome!  I dont know about the air ride, but I would love to see a pic of your zuk with a plow on it. I am just about to post a thread about it.

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Offline zuki709

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Re: Air ried helper spring
« Reply #2 on: September 19, 2011, 09:42:52 AM »
I have my plow stored in one of my friends place right now but i am going to pic it up after i put my lift on with in the next month. I still have to finish my light rack on the plow so i have to get at all that stuff soon. I will post pic as soon as i get it mounted again. It's a snowbear plow and i was happy with it last year until I blew the front diff up last year >:(. But I put another front diff in and reinforced it so i am confident it will with stand the work this year. Plus with the lift on I won't bottom out like I was last year either. So no hard reversing when i get stuck this time :-[.
91 Samurai in many pieces
01 Tracker MUD CHILD's 2" suspension lift & 2" body lift. air lift air bag 1000 in front. 31x10.50X15 on stock samurai wheels.

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Offline tcfootball

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Re: Air ried helper spring
« Reply #3 on: September 19, 2011, 09:55:24 AM »
What size snowbear do you have?  Is your tracker a 5 spd? I have a 5 spd GV, so I should have the steel front diff housing.  I hope I wont run into that same issue.  How well does your rig handle in the snow when pushing?  Sorry for all the questions.

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Offline zuki709

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Re: Air ried helper spring
« Reply #4 on: September 19, 2011, 12:01:09 PM »
91 Samurai in many pieces
01 Tracker MUD CHILD's 2" suspension lift & 2" body lift. air lift air bag 1000 in front. 31x10.50X15 on stock samurai wheels.

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Offline tcfootball

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Re: Air ried helper spring
« Reply #5 on: September 19, 2011, 02:11:46 PM »
I wonder if the steel diff is stronger.  I have some decent tires on the GV now.  235/70/r16's.  Been thinking that it would be beneficial to install a rear locker for pushing snow.  Do you use a winch to lift and drop the plow?  Replying to your original question.  Maybe a spring lift in the front or a spring spacer would give you that needed space when plowing.

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Offline zuki709

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Re: Air ried helper spring
« Reply #6 on: September 20, 2011, 04:15:30 AM »
Yes i use a winch to raise a lower my plow the snowbear system comes with a winch, a control box and a switch. I should take a picture of the switch mounted in the dash for you, every one how sees it thinks it's factory. I mounted where the power mirror switch goes nice clean job. As for the spring spacer I have a 2" suspension lift and a 2" body lift on the way so the clearance should not be a problem. But I'd like to put the air ride up front so I just have to pump the bags up when the plow is on. A locker would help but there are such a limited supplie for the 2nd gen tracker / vitara. As for the steel diff it is definitely stronger, the aluminium just can't with stand the torque. I did not put alot of force on my front when I broke it. But I know now to get some one to tow me out when I'm stuck this time.
91 Samurai in many pieces
01 Tracker MUD CHILD's 2" suspension lift & 2" body lift. air lift air bag 1000 in front. 31x10.50X15 on stock samurai wheels.

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Offline tcfootball

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Re: Air ried helper spring
« Reply #7 on: September 20, 2011, 06:16:45 PM »
I am all about keeping the interior looking stock. Ie sans wires running everywhere. I do like all the gadgets in there, but it should look "installed" rather than tossed in and plugged to the lighter jack.  Were you able to source a set of bags that will fit up front?

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Offline zuki709

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Re: Air ried helper spring
« Reply #8 on: September 21, 2011, 06:49:49 AM »
No I haven't all i can find are the ones for the rear. I am thinking that they might fit but not 100% sure. I figured someone out there would of tried it by now. I am also like you I try to keep all my add on's neat and tidy.
91 Samurai in many pieces
01 Tracker MUD CHILD's 2" suspension lift & 2" body lift. air lift air bag 1000 in front. 31x10.50X15 on stock samurai wheels.

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Online fordem

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Re: Air ried helper spring
« Reply #9 on: September 21, 2011, 07:07:28 AM »
Think about it - why do folks fit the air helper springs - to compensate for additional load - how often is that load in the front of the vehicle?

Face it - you're not going to have too many people looking for helper springs for the front of a vehicle, so you're not going to have too many manufacturers offering them - having said that - measure the space inside your front & rear coils - both diameter & height with all four wheels on the ground - if the dimensions are similar, a rear helper spring should work.
'98 SQ420 Grand Vitara
'05 JB420 Grand Vitara
'16 APK416 Vitara
'21 A6G415 Jimny

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Offline tcfootball

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Offline Mikerpm4x4

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Re: Air ried helper spring
« Reply #11 on: September 21, 2011, 07:24:40 PM »
How about XL7 coils. I bought a pair from the salvage yard for $60.
If your not living life to the fullest then your not living at all.

You wont really know if your wrong till your upsidedown

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Offline zuki709

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Re: Air ried helper spring
« Reply #12 on: September 22, 2011, 05:45:54 AM »
I was thinking about the XL'7 spring are they the same dimesion as the 4cyl spring only a heavier? or are they actually higher?
That kit is pretty sweat tcfootball but not for what i use my rig for.
91 Samurai in many pieces
01 Tracker MUD CHILD's 2" suspension lift & 2" body lift. air lift air bag 1000 in front. 31x10.50X15 on stock samurai wheels.

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Offline Mikerpm4x4

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    • www.rpm4x4.com
Re: Air ried helper spring
« Reply #13 on: September 22, 2011, 10:57:11 AM »
I was thinking about the XL'7 spring are they the same dimesion as the 4cyl spring only a heavier? or are they actually higher?
That kit is pretty sweat tcfootball but not for what i use my rig for.

The fronts are the same dimensions. If it sits too high for you just cut a little off. I actually didnt want any lift in mine, just the stiffer coil, so I cut a whole ring off.
If your not living life to the fullest then your not living at all.

You wont really know if your wrong till your upsidedown

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Offline Medford

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Re: Air ride helper spring
« Reply #14 on: September 22, 2011, 09:12:59 PM »
Fordem is right, but a way around that is take your measurements call Airlift and they can tell you which ones to go with.  I just put a set on the rear that were built for a Saab 9000 because with my 2 1/2" lift that gave me the correct diameter and height.  I hope to need them for a heavy load like an elk stuffed in the back, but I really got them for when I have opposite corners in the air.  I found that the rear suspension travel would allow the rear tire to stuff into the wheel wells and rub hard, so they are my soft bump stop.  They were $80 +/- and way easy to install.  DJlantis just did his also.  I don't remember who turned us on to it, but they drive a really clean red tracker.  I saw a picture of his loaded heavy for a trip in the scavenger hunt game, nice guy.
96 Tracker LSI, 2.5" Pro Comp lift with cooper 30X9.5 STT tires.  A bit of trim and beating to make the front work.