Hello Guest

lift kits

  • 12 Replies
  • 4434 Views

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

*

Offline tracker 2002

  • 6
  • 0
  • ZUKIWORLD Online!
lift kits
« on: August 06, 2015, 04:48:12 AM »
This is my first post here ,so please bear with me.I have a 2002 tracker LXT sport 4 dr,2 liter,auto.I'm tired of dragging parts when off road and would like to lift it,so i can run 29" or 30".I have googled kits and found some but none list the LXT sport,or am i missing something.If someone has done one of these can you help me out.Also i use this as a dayly driver.

     thanks Mike

*

Online fordem

  • 4327
  • 170
  • Gender: Male
Re: lift kits
« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2015, 06:37:38 AM »
The LX, LXT, etc. are trim designations and have very little meaning as regards mechanicals.

From a suspension view point you can break the Trackers down into two groups, first generation (89~98) & second generation (99~05) - with the exception of the actual springs, all gen 1 suspension parts are the same, and again with the exception of the springs, all gen 2 parts are the same.

Your car, being a 2002, will be a gen 2, any lift kit for a gen 2 will bolt on, however, if that kit comes with new springs, you will need to verify with the supplier of the kit what springs are required, based on body style & engine size - the front springs may be different (the V6 engines are roughly 200 lbs heavier than the I4) and four door body style is also heavier than the two door.

I'm not certain that I would want to run 30s on a daily driver, I think 29 would be as high as I would want to go (I'm currently running 225/70R16 (about 28.5) on a 2.0 Grand Vitara in the same body style), in addition to the raise in center of gravity caused by the lift, the larger tires also impact general stability, braking and gearing, which in turn affects acceleration & fuel economy.  A two inch suspension lift should clear 29s, however, depending on rim offset you could find they rub the frame on full lock.
« Last Edit: August 06, 2015, 10:01:30 AM by fordem »
'98 SQ420 Grand Vitara
'05 JB420 Grand Vitara
'16 APK416 Vitara
'21 A6G415 Jimny

*

Offline nprecon

  • 2318
  • 52
  • Gender: Male
  • ONWARD... through the fog!
Re: lift kits
« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2015, 09:22:12 AM »
Wow, Fordem... you picked up a lot of disassociated files in your post there.

Anyway, X2... LXT/ZR2... etc are all the same Tracker trucks with very minor and superfluous body cladding added.  The biggest difference is whether they are the 4 cylinder or 2.5 V6 engine... and even then, only the engine being the major difference.

I also agree that adding 30" tires would be an issue, but my reason concerns the differential gearing in your truck.  Will your truck pull 30" tires?  Yes.  Will it negatively affect your mechanical gearing?  Yes.  Your auto tranny can compensate the loss of mechanical advantage from running taller tires but it can't eliminate the loss.

So, yes, you can add taller tires as long as you realize you will experience a slight loss of accleration/perceived power from your truck. 

As far as suspensions, I'd recommend an Old Man Emu's strut, spring and shock suspension to anyone considering an aftermarket suspension.  The OME suspension improves the ride and the handling of your truck over stock suspension.  The OME suspension only provides about an 1 1/2" of lift, but this is the suspension I have run on my truck for over three years and 30" tires fit perfectly with the lift.
'02 Chezuki Tracker with a 2 Liter and 5spd.  It works for me!!!

*

Offline tracker 2002

  • 6
  • 0
  • ZUKIWORLD Online!
Re: lift kits
« Reply #3 on: August 06, 2015, 04:16:51 PM »
I like what you are saying.Would you suggest this kit?Standard 2.5" Item List:
2- Front Old Man Emu Coils
2- Rear Old Man Emu Coils
4- 1" Coil Spacers
2- Front Old Man Emu Long Travel Struts
2- Rear ES3000 Series Long Travel Shocks
1- Front Camber Alignment Bolt Set
1- Rear Upper Control Arm Bracket
2.5" kit will fit 29" tires or more with trimming.

3.5" kit will fit 30" tires or more with trimming.
Also does all the models in 2002 use the rear 4 link and are adjustable links needed.I use this tracker for bird hunting,and not to go out and try to kill it ( it has 200000km and  bought it as a demo in 2003)so you are likely right and 29 will do. Thanks Mike

*

Offline tracker 2002

  • 6
  • 0
  • ZUKIWORLD Online!
Re: lift kits
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2015, 04:22:27 PM »
The LX, LXT, etc. are trim designations and have very little meaning as regards mechanicals.

From a suspension view point you can break the Trackers down into two groups, first generation (89~98) & second generation (99~05) - with the exception of the actual springs, all gen 1 suspension parts are the same, and again with the exception of the springs, all gen 2 parts are the same.

Your car, being a 2002, will be a gen 2, any lift kit for a gen 2 will bolt on, however, if that kit comes with new springs, you will need to verify with the supplier of the kit what springs are required, based on body style & engine size - the front springs may be different (the V6 engines are roughly 200 lbs heavier than the I4) and four door body style is also heavier than the two door.
Thank you for the info,very helpful.What got me was all the sellers pointing out that most kits would not fit the sport.

I'm not certain that I would want to run 30s on a daily driver, I think 29 would be as high as I would want to go (I'm currently running 225/70R16 (about 28.5) on a 2.0 Grand Vitara in the same body style), in addition to the raise in center of gravity caused by the lift, the larger tires also impact general stability, braking and gearing, which in turn affects acceleration & fuel economy.  A two inch suspension lift should clear 29s, however, depending on rim offset you could find they rub the frame on full lock.

*

Online fordem

  • 4327
  • 170
  • Gender: Male
Re: lift kits
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2015, 06:39:11 PM »
First - there is no real Tracker "Sport" - the Sport you keep seeing referred to is the Sidekick Sport, a relatively rare vehicle, for which there was no Tracker equivalent, and the truth is that many of the lift kits do fit - by the way - that lift kit you've listed appears to be for a gen1 (the gen2 doesn't use that upper control arm bracket), and based on what's listed, it should fit the Sport - if it had replacement control arms, that's when you'd have issues.

In the list that you have there, only the springs & the front struts are Old Man Emu - the rest is "cobbled together" by the vendor you're sourcing it from.

What I have, and what I think nprecon was referring to is just the OME springs, front struts & rear shocks, nothing else, not even camber bolts, and my alignment is within factory spec. - this is a suspension package designed & engineered by an Australian firm reputed to be one of the best in the business.

It is a bit on the pricey side, especially if you look at it from a price per inch-of-lift aspect, but like nprecon says, well worth it in terms of ride comfort & handling.  It provides about an inch & a half of lift, which clears my tires with no problems - I do have rub marks on the left side frame rail, those were from a short period where I was driving the vehicle before I had it aligned (rod ends & rack ends were also replaced), and there was more lock left than right, so the 225/70s are a close fit, but, having tried them, I'm willing to go to the 235/70R16s.
'98 SQ420 Grand Vitara
'05 JB420 Grand Vitara
'16 APK416 Vitara
'21 A6G415 Jimny

*

Offline beagle..t

  • 1239
  • 16
  • Gender: Male
Re: lift kits
« Reply #6 on: August 06, 2015, 08:30:06 PM »
it also depends what you what to spend there is also a coil spacer lift that I have in my 2002 mind you im  a 2dr and have modified it a lot (gear change)to compensate for larger tires. I run coil spacers and 2" body lift, panhard bracket, steering extenders vit 4dr springs in front for winch bumper and winch and im sure there is more but this is what mine looks like
new rig aka "the mule" 2002 tracker
V6 swap auto  ,2 dr ,2" BL,2" jeffs kit 512 gears warn hubs and 30/9.5/15 BFG AT

*

Offline tracker 2002

  • 6
  • 0
  • ZUKIWORLD Online!
Re: lift kits
« Reply #7 on: August 07, 2015, 05:44:03 AM »
What is a panhard bracket ? What size are your tires,and are your rims off set and how much.(i was looking at 1")

*

Online fordem

  • 4327
  • 170
  • Gender: Male
Re: lift kits
« Reply #8 on: August 07, 2015, 06:44:13 AM »
The rear suspension is what's known as a live axle, four link with panhard rod - the four links are the trailing (or control) arms that position the axle "front to back", and the panhard rod positions the axle "side to side".

Because of the design, as the axle moves up & down, there is a certain amount of back & forth and also side to side movement, and when the vehicle is lifted, the axle moves forward and to the right - the panhard bracket relocates the axle end of the panhard rod so that the axle is "re-centered" under the vehicle.

Coil spacer lifts are probably the least expensive way to lift the vehicle, however, they need to be matched with either longer struts & shocks, or, strut & shock spacers/extenders to be really effective,  and they will only provide lift, wheras a spring lift, like the OME one provides lift, along with increased load capacity and wheel travel or articulation.
'98 SQ420 Grand Vitara
'05 JB420 Grand Vitara
'16 APK416 Vitara
'21 A6G415 Jimny

*

Offline tracker 2002

  • 6
  • 0
  • ZUKIWORLD Online!
Re: lift kits
« Reply #9 on: August 08, 2015, 03:53:38 AM »
It does get confusing when one says 2" lift i can run 29" tires and some one else 1.5" you can run 30" tires!!!!

*

Offline beagle..t

  • 1239
  • 16
  • Gender: Male
Re: lift kits
« Reply #10 on: August 08, 2015, 07:12:14 AM »
the tires I have on are 30x9.5x15 the rims have a off set but I cant remember but its not enough as I had to grind a bit off front calipers. The set-up im running now works for me for now, there is a few more add-ons I want like steel diff in front, lockers, and waiting for alter ego to finish testing there true 4" lift and put it for sale to the public and I will probably end there  :laugh: :laugh: ya right ....it never ends. one mod = another one
new rig aka "the mule" 2002 tracker
V6 swap auto  ,2 dr ,2" BL,2" jeffs kit 512 gears warn hubs and 30/9.5/15 BFG AT

*

Offline nprecon

  • 2318
  • 52
  • Gender: Male
  • ONWARD... through the fog!
Re: lift kits
« Reply #11 on: August 08, 2015, 07:51:19 AM »
I like what you are saying.Would you suggest this kit?Standard 2.5" Item List:
2- Front Old Man Emu Coils
2- Rear Old Man Emu Coils
4- 1" Coil Spacers
2- Front Old Man Emu Long Travel Struts
2- Rear ES3000 Series Long Travel Shocks
1- Front Camber Alignment Bolt Set
1- Rear Upper Control Arm Bracket
2.5" kit will fit 29" tires or more with trimming.

3.5" kit will fit 30" tires or more with trimming.
Also does all the models in 2002 use the rear 4 link and are adjustable links needed.  I use this tracker for bird hunting,and not to go out and try to kill it ( it has 200000km and  bought it as a demo in 2003)so you are likely right and 29 will do. Thanks Mike

I've taken my four-door Tracker equipped with the Old Man Emu suspension and 30" tires off road trail driving and into the field for dove hunting many times.  I've NEVER experienced a problem "dragging" the the floor board or frame of my Tracker on anything to date.  As stated, you get about an inch and a half of lift from the OME suspension and you will get about another inch from the larger diameter tires.  Your frame will be at least 2" higher off the ground.  Unless you are just running over large logs or rocks... this set up should be perfect for your application and improve the ride and handling during regular driving on the road.  A locker in your rear diff would take you farther, even without a lift, but that is another discussion.

Most "30" inch tires on the market today are MAYBE a half inch to an inch larger in diameter than a 235/75 series tire.  There really isn't that great of difference in diameter between them.  They fit fine into the wheel wells of the Trackers on the stock, factory rims.  When you start going with wider rims or after  market rims is when you start experiencing issues with fender clearance BECAUSE the different back spacing of the rims and the wider rims push your tires out under your fender's sheet metal.  I get very minor frame rub on the frame when I turn full lock.  It isn't an issue and doesn't hurt anything... except it makes a shiny spot on your frame from the rubbing when it occurs.  Having to turn your steering  wheel full lock (left or right) doesn't happen every day.

The pic below is my truck with only the OME suspension on it and 30" tires on stock Tracker rims.
« Last Edit: August 08, 2015, 08:10:53 AM by nprecon »
'02 Chezuki Tracker with a 2 Liter and 5spd.  It works for me!!!

*

Offline nprecon

  • 2318
  • 52
  • Gender: Male
  • ONWARD... through the fog!
Re: lift kits
« Reply #12 on: August 08, 2015, 08:07:17 AM »
It does get confusing when one says 2" lift i can run 29" tires and some one else 1.5" you can run 30" tires!!!!

Again, there is not a huge diameter difference in a 235 series and a 30" tire.  A typical 235/75/15 series tire is 28.5" in diameter.  30" tires vary from 28.75" to 30" in diameter.    If you have the plastic cladding around your wheel wells on your Tracker model, it may be an issue with a full 30" tire.  Measure the tire before you buy it.  Don't take the specs on the web site as factual.  My Cooper S/Ts are a full 29" in diameter and run fine.  I'm pretty sure I could fit a full 30" tire under my Tracker, BUT I would have to tap in the back of the wheel well a little.

The only tire I can think of that is advertised as a true 30" tire is the Firestone Destination MT and I doubt you would be happy running an MT on the hard ball for 90% of your needs.  Road pavement driving chews up old school Mud Terrrain designed tires pretty quickly.  I don't know about you, but I don't care to have to buy new tires too often.

I have Toyo Open Country MTs on my Jeep.   They are designed to run on paved surfaces far better than the old school mud terrains... and they make far less noise than the Cooper tires I run on my Tracker while driving.
« Last Edit: August 08, 2015, 08:17:02 AM by nprecon »
'02 Chezuki Tracker with a 2 Liter and 5spd.  It works for me!!!