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Strut Towers

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Offline 90LSI

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Strut Towers
« on: August 11, 2008, 04:32:21 PM »
Hey all, Im new here.  Just been browsin' and lookin at all the info on track/kicks.  I just bought a 1990 Tracker LSI for $75 from a buddy of mine. Im usually in the minitruck category.. this is what Im drivin'

But I needed a daily, now I wanna wheel this thing.  Anyways to the nitty-gritty.  My strut towers are so rusted they have separated from the supports and I am waiting for one to rip off.  What I would like to do is position the strut where it goes, and fab up a new support out of tube steel from the firewall to core support, then make strut towers off of that.  I have fabrication skills, I just need the correct measurements between strut towers.  Basically as this thing rusts away I will be adding more tube steel and eventually it will be complete.  The rockers are completely gone and that wil be next.
2002 Blazer, half bagged on 20/22
1990 Tracker LSI, 29"tires, snorkel, paid $75

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Offline Uncivilized

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Re: Strut Towers
« Reply #1 on: August 11, 2008, 05:40:36 PM »
Is it the strut tower that's separated, or the inner fender inside the hood that makes it look like it's separated? -Have any pics?
The strut tower is welded to the frame above the coil spring, if it was separated you wouldn't be able to drive it, and I've never seen or heard of one breaking... even with the jumpers here.

Good job on the Blazer, it's super nice. Is it always that low, or do you have air/hydraulic setup?

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Offline 90LSI

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Re: Strut Towers
« Reply #2 on: August 12, 2008, 07:04:26 AM »
Well the towers look solid, Ive hit some pretty large bumps.  But all in all the supports and everything is rotting.  I figured I would start here and keep going.  Ill try to get pics up by the end of the week.  The blazer has a full tubular front suspension with  air ride, the rear is just static dropped for now.  Thanks for the compliments.
2002 Blazer, half bagged on 20/22
1990 Tracker LSI, 29"tires, snorkel, paid $75

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Offline jeff1997

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Re: Strut Towers
« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2008, 04:12:19 PM »
The blazer is awesome!!  8)
1997 4dr. Sidekick Sport 1.8L DOHC
2" coil spacers- I make and sell 1.5" and 2" on e-bay.  Look under seller: hoepkers
3" Masterkit1 body lift
Custom strut spacers
31/11.50/16 Super Swamper LTB's w/1.5" wheel spacers Steel bumpers Custom cold air intake 2" exhaust w/cherry bomb 98 Expedition, 2" lift, 35's, Magnaflow exhaust - BIG BLUE

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Offline 90LSI

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Re: Strut Towers
« Reply #4 on: August 16, 2008, 01:13:53 PM »
Thanks Jeff1997, I figured that the offroad community woud hate on it.  Around here all you hear is "Who wants to get run over first?!".  Needless to say, all I really need is for someone to measure from strut to strut, and from strut to firewall for me PLEASE!!!! pretty simple if you remember while tinkering under the hood of your track/kicks.
2002 Blazer, half bagged on 20/22
1990 Tracker LSI, 29"tires, snorkel, paid $75

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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: Strut Towers
« Reply #5 on: August 16, 2008, 03:54:35 PM »
Strut tower centres are 963.4mm apart according to the chassis drawing in the FSM.
2000 Vitara 1.6, 3+3 Lift, 33"MTs, 5:83s, LWB brakes, Winch, Snorkel, Safari Rack
1986 SJ413K PickUp, 1.6L conversion.

OBD1 - Full diagnostics on a PC/Laptop: http://www.rhinopower.org

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Offline Hillbillydave

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Re: Strut Towers
« Reply #6 on: August 16, 2008, 06:33:47 PM »
963.4mm = 37.929" or almost 37 15/16".
'89 sidekick 1.3L 3" blue suspension parts, custom strut extensions 31x10.5 Mud Trac's on 10" rims rear fenders trimmed, lincoln locked rear, Rochester Carb on custom adapter
93 Sammy project, SPOA with 34's, 5.12's, welded, in the works

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Offline jeff1997

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Re: Strut Towers
« Reply #7 on: August 16, 2008, 07:20:55 PM »
90LSI, don't worry about me hating on any vehicle. My best friend and I have a motto: 2wd-slam it, 4wd-jack it. When i was in high school (15 years ago!!!!) I wanted a lowrider SSSOOOOO bad. In the farming community I lived in it would not do well on the country roads so it never happened. I still think they look awesome though!  8)
1997 4dr. Sidekick Sport 1.8L DOHC
2" coil spacers- I make and sell 1.5" and 2" on e-bay.  Look under seller: hoepkers
3" Masterkit1 body lift
Custom strut spacers
31/11.50/16 Super Swamper LTB's w/1.5" wheel spacers Steel bumpers Custom cold air intake 2" exhaust w/cherry bomb 98 Expedition, 2" lift, 35's, Magnaflow exhaust - BIG BLUE

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Offline 90LSI

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Re: Strut Towers
« Reply #8 on: August 17, 2008, 08:34:39 PM »
Thanks for the help fellas!  Yeah a lowrider or minitruck wouldnt fare well in the country. Although I bougt this Tracker to hit some trails, the urge has just come over me. I need some mud lol
2002 Blazer, half bagged on 20/22
1990 Tracker LSI, 29"tires, snorkel, paid $75

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Offline jeff1997

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Re: Strut Towers
« Reply #9 on: August 18, 2008, 06:43:22 PM »
Where are you located?? My cousin has a HUGE mudfest in IL on Sept. 6th. The website is: midillinoismudfest.com.
1997 4dr. Sidekick Sport 1.8L DOHC
2" coil spacers- I make and sell 1.5" and 2" on e-bay.  Look under seller: hoepkers
3" Masterkit1 body lift
Custom strut spacers
31/11.50/16 Super Swamper LTB's w/1.5" wheel spacers Steel bumpers Custom cold air intake 2" exhaust w/cherry bomb 98 Expedition, 2" lift, 35's, Magnaflow exhaust - BIG BLUE

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Offline 90LSI

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Re: Strut Towers
« Reply #10 on: August 18, 2008, 07:48:56 PM »
I live in MI, about 45 min North of Detroit...  Theres a few large bogs further north from me, but Its not worthy of anything like that yet. I need a lift and some larger rubber...
2002 Blazer, half bagged on 20/22
1990 Tracker LSI, 29"tires, snorkel, paid $75

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Offline 90LSI

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Re: Strut Towers
« Reply #11 on: September 09, 2008, 07:56:24 PM »
Well I am horrible with taking pics, but I have already got some 235/75 15s on her, homemade snorkel, and re-done my rear window (zipper stitching was ripping off).  Now my snorkel is PVC, ran along the fender snug to the A pillar.  I have a smaller 2bbl carb filter on the top of it.  It looks cool and all, functions well up to 80mph as well.  Just with the open filter will it be a large problem with rain/snow?  I figure when its parked ill just cover the filter anyways.

ALSO, as I was driving the other day, the rear pass end started SLAMMING loudly over any bumps I would encounter.  I checked and everything looks tight and what not in there.  Is it possible that the shock is freezing up?
2002 Blazer, half bagged on 20/22
1990 Tracker LSI, 29"tires, snorkel, paid $75

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Offline 90LSI

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Re: Strut Towers
« Reply #12 on: September 11, 2008, 05:08:27 PM »
Ive been looking into different front suspension setups for the Track/kick lately and I realized that the wheel wells are just rusted off, but the strut tower itself (structural piece) is still in tact.  BUT it is moved in a bit.  Ill try to get some tube steel in there to brace it from the frame and ditch the factory inners.  Hopefully pics to follow soon.
2002 Blazer, half bagged on 20/22
1990 Tracker LSI, 29"tires, snorkel, paid $75