I traded a 4-wheeler for this fugly 1995 Suzuki Sidekick, 4x4, 1.6L 16V, 4 Door, Automatic.

Lucky me, it came with a busted Front third member, so I'm looking for a replacement. It has 5.125 Ratio.

I have a local U-Pull so I'm going to go with whatever they have, because it's dirt cheap. I called and right now they have a 1999 Chevy Tracker, Automatic, 2.0 4-cyl and a 2002 Suzuki XL7, Automatic, V6.

Unfortunately according to this list I found, neither of those are the Steel/Cast versions.     Another bummer is believe neither have the 5.125 Gear Ratio either.  I'm not certain about the 1999 Chevy Tracker because it's not on the list.     

I'm thinking the third member and/or axle housing will work regardless?

So here are some questions that I have:

• If I go get just the Third member from a 2nd gen will it bolt up, or do I need the matching complete axle?
• If it doesn't have the correct Gear Ratio, then how hard is it to swap out and setup correctly?  I do have a HF shop press.
• Any other help on this topic is appreciated.

Here are the list I found on some forums:
Suzuki Front Axle Housing Material:

• Automatic Grand Vitara  = Aluminum
• Manual Grand Vitara = Steel
• Manual XL7 = Steel
• Pre 2003 Auto XL7 = Aluminum
• Post 2003 Auto XL7 = Steel

89-98 Tracker/Sidekick Gear Ratios (North American Models)

89 Sidekick 2D 1.3L Carb 8V SOHC 5 speed man. 5.625
89-95 Sidekick 2D 1.6L TBI 8V SOHC 5 speed man. 5.125
89-95 Sidekick 2D 1.6L TBI 8V SOHC 3 speed auto 4.625
91 Sidekick 4D 1.6L TBI 8V SOHC 5 speed man. 5.375
91 Sidekick 4D 1.6L TBI 8V SOHC 3 speed auto 4.625
92-98 Sidekick 4D 1.6L MPFI 16V SOHC 5 speed man. 5.125
92-98 Sidekick 4D 1.6L MPFI 16V SOHC 3 speed auto 4.30
92-98 Sidekick 4D 1.6L MPFI 16V SOHC 4 speed auto 5.125
94-98 Sidekick 2D 1.6L MPFI 16V SOHC 5 speed man. 5.125
94-98 Sidekick 2D 1.6L MPFI 16V SOHC 3 speed auto 4.30
94-98 Sidekick 2D 1.6L MPFI 16V SOHC 4 speed auto 5.125
96-98 X90 1.6L MPFI 16V SOHC Auto or man. 4.625
96-98 Sport 1.8L MPFI 16V DOHC Auto or manual 5.125
96-98 Sport 2.0L V6 4 speed auto 4.875
96-98 Sport 2.0L V6 5 speed man. 4.625

99-05 Vitara, Grand Vitara, and XL-7 Gear Ratios (North American Models)

99-03 Tracker 1.6L MPFI 16V SOHC Auto or manual 5.125
99-03 Vitara 1.6L MPFI 16V SOHC Auto or manual 5.125
01-03 Grand Vitara 2.0L V6 5 speed manual 4.625
01-03 Grand Vitara 2.0L V6 4 speed auto 4.88
02-03 XL-7 2.0L V6 5 speed manual 4.625
02-03 XL-7 2.0L V6 4 speed auto 4.88
04-05 Grand Vitara/XL7 2.5L V6 5 speed manual 4.30
04-05 Grand Vitara/XL7 2.5L V6 4 speed auto 4.88

4.30 gears have a 10/43 tooth count
4.625 gears have an 8/37 tooth count
5.125 gears have an 8/41 tooth count
5.375 gears have an 8/43 tooth count
5.625 gears have an 8/45 tooth count

The front axle housings will interchange, but be warned, there are several different types, in addition to the steel axles, there are at least two different aluminum alloy ones.

The third members will also interchange, however, you don't really want a 2 gen third member, they use a different differential, one with a pneumatic freewheel clutch - you MAY be able to swap your gears onto the pneumatic diff, but be aware there was a change in the length of the axles and the spline count may also be different, so whilst it can be done, it's starts to get complicated.

Last thing - if you're asking how difficult it is to swap out &  set up, it's a bad sign - correctly setting up the crown  pinion requires specialist tools & experience, and it is a "one shot" deal - you only have one chance to get it right, no "do-overs" - a Google search will get you some reading material, you can decide if you want to give it a try, get a professional to do it, or keep shopping around for a good used third member with the correct gears, which is how I would approach it.

Well, that's a bummer.  All I can find around here is 2nd Gens.  I guess I can either wait around until something shows up, or spend some cash on eBay for a 1st gen. 

I did some more reading, and it seems IF I do find a Gen2 with 5.125, then I can grab the entire front axle, third member mount, and passenger side axle, then all I would need is the driver side 26 spline axle for a Gen1 and the whole thing should bolt in???

Only if you're willing to weld the freewheel clutch engaged.

Okay, I got a hold of a front axle from a 1999 Chevy Tracker, 2.0 4Cyl, Standard Shift.

I'm not sure what gear ratio it is, how do I tell?  Will this Third Member work, or no?

Count the number of teeth on the ring & pinion, divide the ring count by the pinion count, it will most likely be 4.62:1.