As promised in an earlier thread, some photo's of RIchie's GV are now on my web page
http://www.offroading.net  

Cool mod on the rear shock mounts. What exactly did he do?  Any problems with bottoming out the shocks with hard compressions from jumping?  How's the d-shaft slip?

I'm running the same set up and wondered about modifying the shock mount locations.  Moving the bottom up would be best for ground clearance reasons.

Any word you have I'd like to hear.

I haven't really notice the bottom mount to be a problem, but I guess it could be. However, with the 3" body lift, there would be ample room for raising the upper mount higher. Thus getting a much more longer shock. This in turn would provide longer travel. Does the GV's have a single rear ds? Non-expanding, meaning slip joint in the t-case and not in the shaft?

As for the bump stops, I'm thinking the tire interference on compression should be determined to keep the tires off the body. Adding a spacer to the bump stop is a good thing.

I'm still interested in the steering shaft mod. I haven't received any response to my inquiry from Overland Components. Get any pics of this?

Bottoming the shocks would be sorted with bump stops but Richie hasnt had any problems with it or any drive shaft issues with the lift he has. The drive shaft has a slip yoke at the t-case end. I know that on my cherokee anything more than a 3in lift needed a SY eliminator, but Richie has had no vibes from it so all looks okay with his body lift.
I cant make out from my higher res photos if he welded on tags to mount the shocks or drilled what was already there.
He did show me a really cool air box mod which I am doing tomorrow and posting on my site, negates the need for a snorkle  
Did you spot his re-routed exhaust coming out of the bumper? there is a big hole in the rear cross member that allows you to do it with no cutting.

Steve

....snip....
Did you spot his re-routed exhaust coming out of the bumper? there is a big hole in the rear cross member that allows you to do it with no cutting.

Steve

I did. I did.

I liked the cut out of the bumper cover for the rear winch. Why didn't he do it for the front? I would want to see the cable as it gets motored in to keep it from being kinked.

285/60/16 tires how much do they rub when turning???
George

Updated my site again to include the airbox mod Richie has dove to his GV.

Steve

Updated my site again to include the airbox mod Richie has dove to his GV.

Steve

I noticed he doesn't have the strut cross support bar. Is this do to the 3" body lift?

Almost had a picture of the steering shaft.....

Still haven't received a response from OC (Overland Components). Could you give it a try? Getting info on their body lift for the Vitara model with the rack and pinion steering.

The pictures are of my truck, Richie still has the brace across the engine.
It seems they didnt put a strut brace on my GV  
All the other GV's I have seen have them, dunno if it a mistake or just a 1.6 thing . Send me OC's details and I will ask them for you.

cheers

Only the 2.0,  2.5 & 2.7lL have the brace :-/
George

The pictures are of my truck, Richie still has the brace across the engine.
It seems they didnt put a strut brace on my GV  
All the other GV's I have seen have them, dunno if it a mistake or just a 1.6 thing . Send me OC's details and I will ask them for you.

cheers

Sent PM.