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93 and 99 tracker Suspension

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Offline 1bigtracker

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93 and 99 tracker Suspension
« on: March 25, 2004, 01:55:02 PM »
a friend of mines wife has a 99(i think) 5 speed tracker and he and she wants to lift it.  They where going to buy a RRO lift but i told them to wait till i asked you guys.  is the RRO lift any good?  and whats the diff. between the 93 tracker suspension and 99 tracker suspension?  could i just build a lift for it with strut spacers and stuff like that?  

thanks stu
   

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Offline 92Sidekick4x4

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Re: 93 and 99 tracker Suspension
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2004, 02:26:11 PM »
take a look at wilds he has the idea there, i am gonna brew up soemthinn liek that but make it on the metal lathe i think

my lug nuts require more torque then my engine makes ;)

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Offline 1bigtracker

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Re: 93 and 99 tracker Suspension
« Reply #2 on: March 26, 2004, 04:08:47 PM »
well this is his wifes and you know wifes.  it has to be just as good as when it started.  it can't have any vibes. or camber issues.

stu
   

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Offline jagular7

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Re: 93 and 99 tracker Suspension
« Reply #3 on: March 27, 2004, 04:24:37 AM »
Quote
a friend of mines wife has a 99(i think) 5 speed tracker and he and she wants to lift it.  They where going to buy a RRO lift but i told them to wait till i asked you guys.  is the RRO lift any good?  and whats the diff. between the 93 tracker suspension and 99 tracker suspension?  could i just build a lift for it with strut spacers and stuff like that?  

thanks stu


You need to determine the year of the Tracker. Due to the difference in years, 99 is the start of the 3rd generation Tracker (US model). The stock springs of the 3rd gen. provide a ~2" lift for the earlier gens. It's also been noted that the strut in the 3rd gen. is 2" longer than previous gen. So a swap if the springs and the front struts make a great cheap lift candidate for the earlier gens. (1st- 89 to 95, 2nd- 96 to 98). One of the major differences also in the 3rd gen. is the rack&pinion steering. Other gens. had the ball and socket steering box.
As for the suspension, there has to be a major change in the 3rd gen. Calmini, only manu with suspension systems with lower control arm replacement, has lifts of 2 and 3" for the 1st and 2nd gens, whereas for the 3rd gen. only has 2".

Now, I've got an XL7, which is a sense is a long wheelbase Vitara, 3rd gen. For a slight lift, I'm adding coil spacers front and rear. Then for the strut, I'm adding the 1st/2nd gen. strut mount. It's overall smaller in height than the 3rd gen. This shall provide better droop for the front. Rear shock will be something off the shelf. I'm also going to extend the bump stops. This one thing most people don't do, but is necessary when adding a suspension change and taller tires.

The tires are taller and thus provide a larger radius from the axle center. The change in radius is what most don't consider. Most figure the lift keeps the tire away from/off the body. On-road, yes it does to an extent. For off-road, mostly not. The suspension 'bottoms' out on either the shock, the tire to body contact, or the bump stop.
Lenexa, KS

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jookycola

Re: 93 and 99 tracker Suspension
« Reply #4 on: March 27, 2004, 05:59:53 AM »
ok, so i'm getting the jist about the whole vitara spring swap for track/kicks.  but my question is....are the vitaras struts compatible (direct bolt-on) to the track/kick?
i have access to a set of vitara springs...but not struts, would it be advisable to wait and get the proper struts?  and since this isn't a huge suspension change will the spring swap hurt my truck (i.e. CV's, tierod, etc.)

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Offline jagular7

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Re: 93 and 99 tracker Suspension
« Reply #5 on: March 27, 2004, 07:04:53 AM »
Quote
ok, so i'm getting the jist about the whole vitara spring swap for track/kicks.  but my question is....are the vitaras struts compatible (direct bolt-on) to the track/kick?
i have access to a set of vitara springs...but not struts, would it be advisable to wait and get the proper struts?  and since this isn't a huge suspension change will the spring swap hurt my truck (i.e. CV's, tierod, etc.)


Have you priced out a set of new struts from some place like Advance or Napa, or another parts stores? A strut action is 2-fold, it's a shock, but also a suspension link. If you think of it as a shock, would you use someone else's old shock? Try this, go to a parts store, and lay one each strut (Trackick vs. Vitara) side by side on the counter. Do the comparison and let us all know.

As for hurting your suspension components, any suspension change will effect the components. Some won't hardly even no there was a change, other components will be stressed to the max.  It also depends on the condition of the components themselves. Just know it's all relative.....
Lenexa, KS

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Offline Yankee Tim

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Re: 93 and 99 tracker Suspension
« Reply #6 on: March 27, 2004, 08:01:21 AM »
Quote


Have you priced out a set of new struts from some place like Advance or Napa, or another parts stores? A strut action is 2-fold, it's a shock, but also a suspension link. If you think of it as a shock, would you use someone else's old shock? Try this, go to a parts store, and lay one each strut (Trackick vs. Vitara) side by side on the counter. Do the comparison and let us all know.

As for hurting your suspension components, any suspension change will effect the components. Some won't hardly even no there was a change, other components will be stressed to the max.  It also depends on the condition of the components themselves. Just know it's all relative.....


The GV and Kick shocks and struts are exactly the same.
Yankee Tim

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Offline jagular7

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Re: 93 and 99 tracker Suspension
« Reply #7 on: March 27, 2004, 08:48:48 AM »
Quote


The GV and Kick shocks and struts are exactly the same.


No difference in overall length or the travel on the struts?
Lenexa, KS

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jookycola

Re: 93 and 99 tracker Suspension
« Reply #8 on: March 27, 2004, 10:16:50 AM »
thank you Tim.
I'm picking up the springs right now, and some struts next week end.

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Offline 1bigtracker

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Re: 93 and 99 tracker Suspension
« Reply #9 on: March 27, 2004, 12:11:34 PM »
is the RRO 4in kit for a 3rd gen tracker all good.  I.E. camber and ride.  thats what he wants to buy but i told him some of the RRO kits arn't all that great and i would ask you guys first.

stu
   

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Offline jagular7

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Re: 93 and 99 tracker Suspension
« Reply #10 on: March 27, 2004, 01:48:18 PM »
Quote
is the RRO 4in kit for a 3rd gen tracker all good.  I.E. camber and ride.  thats what he wants to buy but i told him some of the RRO kits arn't all that great and i would ask you guys first.

stu


From what I've read on RRO's site, they provide springs, spacers, struts and shocks. Nothing about replacing the lower control arm.

You still need to identify which generation model he has. To add, their kit is actually 2 different lifts, one for the suspension, other for the body. Beware of a body lift on the 3rd generation.
Lenexa, KS

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Offline 1bigtracker

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Re: 93 and 99 tracker Suspension
« Reply #11 on: March 27, 2004, 02:15:38 PM »
3RD GEN!!!

stu
   

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Offline jagular7

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Re: 93 and 99 tracker Suspension
« Reply #12 on: March 27, 2004, 03:04:45 PM »
Quote
3RD GEN!!!

stu


Ok great. Then for RRO kit (2.5" suspension + 2" body) price near $720. Kit includes lift springs, 1-1/8" spring spacers, new struts, new rear shocks, and 2" body lift kit.

I don't have a comparison for you. Just think that the $700 could be used towards something more like the belly pan, or the nerf bars, front/rear bumpers, tow points, etc.

For a suggestion, how does your buddy plan to use the Tracker?

I would think adding spacers to the stock springs, adding longer rear shocks, using an earlier Trackick strut mount for the front struts is all he would need to do. This is what I've got planned to do before end of April on the X. I'll also be doing a slight body lift (1") of my own.
Lenexa, KS

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Offline 1bigtracker

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Re: 93 and 99 tracker Suspension
« Reply #13 on: March 27, 2004, 03:11:58 PM »
its going to be 99% pavment pounder and almost never see off road.  he just wants it to look cool and fit in with his yota in his front yard. ::)

stu
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