I just read the Mike Hagen's article about installing a front locker and was wondering if a 02 Grand Vitara Steel Front 3rd member housing is a direct bolt in replacement for the stock sidekick housing.  I plan on just taking out my current 3rd and axles and installing just the steel housing and stock 3rd, not a rear sammi like in Hagen's article.  So my qustion is, will this bolt directly in? Or will I need to machine anything?  



Thanks.

 Its a direct bolt in but you will need to add another bolt to plug a hole in the housing where the vaccum actuator for the GVs goes through. That sounds harder than it really is. Youll see what I mean when you get it. The only reason for swapping in the sami housing is to put a locker in.

Mike

Use only the housing, sell the "air diff" on ebay, as they are a COSTLY unit new.

If you can, get the steel unit from the XL7.  It has a bigger center mount boss, and the center mount is a 2pc design that won't bend like the GV/Kick mount can.