I know the later GV's use different rear 3rds than the Track/Kicks/earlier GV's.  However they use the same 26 spline axleshafts...which has me wondering if I can use a Track/Kick spool in a GV.

I know lockers won't work...would a minispool?

Mini spool with big tires ur gonna snapp a axle in the streets

Ummm, so would it work or not?

everything i look at points me to the scrap yard to pick up an axle from a smashed older model with same gearing to put in some type of locker....  not what anybody wants to hear but even the manufacturs are telling me this is my only option. 

it woud be really badass to put a toyota axle or a ford 9 inch or 8.8 in the back. lots of work to make your 5 link fit but there are allot of things you can get to build up those axles and for a zuk they are pretty strong

calmini makes an lsd for GV's, don't know if you'd want it but thought I'd let you know. I personally don't think a stock GV axle would hold up very well with a locker or spool. they are tiny

My problem is I have a late year '03.  From then to the end of the '05 model they used a different 3rd than the earlier models.  That's why all the lockers and LS's only fit up until '03's.

I can always swap out the thirds for Kick/Track 3rds and run their lockers.  Gear did this and all he's broken so far is axleshafts, no diff parts.  That's a V6 GV pulling 31's with lockers front and rear.

Don't let appearances deceive you.  Like many other Aisin supplied axles Suzuki was fond of using beefier axles than US manufacturors did.

yea, I guess it could be decieving. I think the early GV thirds may be different than the kick ones. I think I've heard that somewhere. either third should work. I remember a write up on making kick axles full floating so you can change shafts without taking the tires off and you can still roll and everything when you snap one.

I have to say I am surprised that guy hasn't hurt his diff at all and only the axle shafts. sounds like the axle shafts on these may be a bit weak.

I have thrashed my rear axle a bit. some burnouts on dry pavement and trying to drift on wet pavement. it's taken the abuse well so far but my tires are stock and my diff is open. I just make sure to never do that with allot of weight in the back whether it be passengers or cargo.

Remember that the same 26 spline axleshaft that came under a '89 carb equiped 1.3L Kick was used under a 2005 2.5L V6 Grand Vitara with almost triple the horsepower.  The gears are nice and thick and oversized while the axleshafts aren't as much.  The gears seem to have had plenty of "growing room" for larger and more powerful drivetrain components while the axleshafts didn't so much.  Then again you can talk to guys with Track/Kicks that broke their rear axleshafts with big tires and 85hp engines.

I'm just a big proponent of being locked.  I put a locker in the rear of my Ranger and DD'd it for almost 2 years that way, I loved it.  Great onroad and really not that noticeable onroad.

yea, i would love to have a locker but it just sounds like the axle shafts on zuk's make the axles almost not worth investing in. if there were a way to get better axle shafts I think they would be worth putting lockers on.

for my GV I will only be running 29's once I up my tire size and I want to keep them small to avoid having to regear and not abuse the drivetrain too much. when I'm done with college I will most likely get another vehicle and start seriously wheeling the GV (4 years from now or more) when I do that I am likely to snap the axle in which case I think I would want a 9 inch under it and possible make it a 3 or 4 link with some good long links

I have allot of time to think it over.. lol

will take quite a while to have that kind of money

Just an FYI, the 99+ axle shafts are actually quite a bit beefier than on the TrackKicks except where they taper down to the same size at the splines.  Attached is a great picture from the parts catalogue that illustrates this.

I'm in the same boat, I plan on wheeling my Tracker harder and harder in the future but it will be a few years before that happens so I have lots of time to consider my options.  It seems some people have been fine with 31's and lockers while others have had problems, so I think I will take my chances and just make sure that I don't abuse it too much.  The options I am considering for the rear:

Option 1:  Ford 9 inch.  Takes care of everything, don't have to worry about strength, lockers or gears.  But doing an axles swap seems scary, and I would definately need another DD before then so I can leave it on jackstands for a couple weeks (or more).

Option 2:  Replace side gears and axles shafts.  Since the axle tubes are bigger there has been some speculation that you can replace the sidegears and use D44 (size & splined) axles shafts.  Several of ARB's carrier's have interchangeable sidegears, so you could swap the small suzuki 26 spline sidegears for D44 sidegears.  Yankeetim was looking into this, but I think the custom axle shafts were going to be EXPEN$$$$IVE.  If you could find a place to make them at a reasonable price this seems like it could be a weekend project: pull the axle shafts, pull the 3rd, replace sidegears and put it back together.

I'm unsure of our GV's locker future other than it will get something.  I HATE open diffs.

interesting how the axle tapers. it doesn't seem as weak as I thought now but I still don't think a zuk axle is worth investing in. I like the 9 inch option myself

Forget about ABS and say hello to your brake light and possibly your check engine light.  It'd work but you'd end up with things not working that should.

Honestly, for what you outlined above there's no reason a Suzuki/Aisin axle wouldn't work.  Nothing you're asking is beyond it's capabilities.  When you're done with school and going big time, then look into something else but a GV rear axle should take a locker and 29's all day long.  Just because these are "cute little trucks" doesn't mean their weak in the strength department.  It's one of their advantages over US-made counterparts.

Forget about ABS and say hello to your brake light and possibly your check engine light.  It'd work but you'd end up with things not working that should.

Honestly, for what you outlined above there's no reason a Suzuki/Aisin axle wouldn't work.  Nothing you're asking is beyond it's capabilities.  When you're done with school and going big time, then look into something else but a GV rear axle should take a locker and 29's all day long.  Just because these are "cute little trucks" doesn't mean their weak in the strength department.  It's one of their advantages over US-made counterparts.

yea, I think a locker and 29's would hold up fine for quite a while but I'm not really seeing the axle worth investing in. I might change my mind later on down the road, who knows

interesting how the axle tapers. it doesn't seem as weak as I thought now but I still don't think a zuk axle is worth investing in. I like the 9 inch option myself

Yes the axle shaft should be fine, except when it breaks it snaps off at the splines and might leave little bits in you diff.