vitara live axle

kawasaki green · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 4:48 pm Post subject: vitara live axle

finnished the live axle conversion after alot of cussing it is done and it works

19dan92 · Gate Opener Joined: 18 Dec 2011 Odometer: 13

Look forward to doing another one

kawasaki green · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 4:59 pm Post subject:

yea lets have a nother go

parrotveasey81 · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 5:01 pm Post subject:

is that vit front springs you have used??
did you fit the vit front diff in the sj axle??

kawasaki green · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 5:11 pm Post subject:

used a sj axle with vitara springs but these are 3" lift springs just depends on how mad you want to go i think it is lifted about 8" but unsure as dont have a referance

parrotveasey81 · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 5:52 pm Post subject:

kawasaki green · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 5:58 pm Post subject:

the springs are a bit hard but i have got a big bumper. i found this problem with the diff so i changed it for a 1990 thanks to 19dan92 took his as the sj has a different input and my diff had different out put splines to an sj but as the pre 1995 has the same ration and the right splins it works did take me a day to sort it. now have a box full of diff bits

19dan92 · Gate Opener Joined: 18 Dec 2011 Odometer: 13

Didn't no about you taking my diff though did I haha robbed it on the sly

N.R.G97 · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 6:12 pm Post subject:

hmmm well done, it looks ok, but i would have a rethink on the cage, dont want to upset anyone but im not sure i would trust it, also do you not find it digs in at the back, it looks like it hangs down quite a way, why? wouldent you be better to cut it down to the mounts?

parrotveasey81 · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 6:13 pm Post subject:

what have you done on the rear to match the hight of the front Question

vitara_mad · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 6:22 pm Post subject:

im planning on live axel on my vit soon ive got a sammy axel ready & some jimny rear arms

what size wheel spacers did you have to use to get the front same width as the rear ???

aniesigh · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 7:20 pm Post subject: Re: vitara live axle

[quote="kawasaki green"]

quote]

in my opinion i would at least remove those misalignment spacers but ideally those rose joints want to be double shear mounted.
looks good though Cool

kawasaki green · Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 1:44 am Post subject:

the cage that i have was my first atempt prob going to cut it off and start again the back dosent dig in the ground it is way too tall for that. i havent put any spacers on it yet wont get any for a few weeks as i am going to get them made allong with the prop spacer.
also i havent matched the back just right yet got to get on to vosa and see if i can weld 2 springs together. if not then i will use 3" spacers. also move the shock mountins and get rid of the top ball joint and put two arms in.
and the spring cup isnt mounted wrong the top cut is a bit wavey

silver zuk · Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 12:40 pm Post subject:

weld 2 springs together you are joking Shocked

fat zuke · Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 12:55 pm Post subject:

weld 2 springs together you are joking

my thoughts exactly Rolling Eyes

nicks90 · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 1:37 pm Post subject:

nice effort and dont feel downhearted...

but there are some major issues with that conversion.

the panhard rod mount on the axle is way too far extended forward. The force transmitted through there can be immense and having it 9-12" in front on a bit of welded bent box section is seriously bad. It isnt even closed off at the mount either. I would not be surprised if the mount bent, or the box section tore off the axle or the axle tube bent with that much rotational force on it.
as is the front radius arm mounts. Neither end is finished, as they all have different profiles, they arent boxed (both look open ended facing rearwards) and there is no bracing to the axle tube.

Munkee · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 7:26 pm Post subject:

How have you reinforced the chassis after cutting out the IFS crossmember?

Confused

kawasaki green · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:09 pm Post subject:

the panhard bar is a close to the axle is i can get it as told it has to be infront ot the track rod and on a lock you could squease a fag paper between the bracket and the track rod. also there is bracing which runs from the bracket and axle tube

scotty wong · Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 2:58 pm Post subject:

well done for giving it a whirl,looks like you have some skills and the facilitys to help ya.but you need to do some more research into this,you done the big work now have a good look at it and take on board what these guys are saying they can help.

and ditch that cage before it kills ya tube no where near man enough especially with that much lift a sit will make you feel safer than you are.

scotty

weldingscotty803 · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 6:58 pm Post subject:

I think you lads are being a bit hard on Mr Green, he has had a go at something most people would find hard to even start. Fair enough, some of the brackets and fixings look abit on the iffy side, but at least he's had a crack at it. i am sure most of you who are taking the **** out of him were born to modify 4x4's???? I didn't see Mr Silverzuk converting his zuk to coils (no offence meant). Are people really this shallow??? Give the lad a break, give constructive critisism, or tell him in a kind way that its a death trap or a cracking effort.
I'm not trying to make an argument on Mr Green behalf as i've never met the lad.
scotty wong and nicks90 both gave replies that were constructive, and i am sure Mr Green will take these on board.

btw, you've had a good go at the conversion and there are a few bits and bobs that need tidying up, mainly neatness of brackets and strengthening of some brackets.

its a leaning curve for most of us, even the most experienced have to ask questions.

. · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 9:42 pm Post subject:

Please try to be constructive. Slagging matches will not be tolerated

kawasaki green · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 8:19 pm Post subject:

to let you all know i have now bought a pipe bender and doing some practicing then going to cut it all off but trying too find some hard core pipe too

weldingscotty803 · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 8:24 pm Post subject:

tbh, i would leave the cage off totally. maybe just have a hoop in the rear. i dont like full external cages, unless they are a really tight fit.
if your still going ahead with the external cage i'd be inclined to use cds tube. more expensive but its stronger. do a search on here for roll cages, brings up a few interesting builds.

r_ogilvy · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 11:00 pm Post subject:

if its a hydraulic jack bender you may have to pack it with sand to get a nice bend as i did. and i had to modifiy the formers slightly to give the tube a tight fit and grease the former aswell as 90 degree bends make the former hard to get off. but its well worth giving it ago it saves you money.

N.R.G97 · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 3:59 pm Post subject:

for an external cage i would use blue band steel, cds is strong but it will work harden alot faster than blue band especialy if it get bashed against trees etc