So I spent the last 2 days installing the Masterkit1 2" body lift on my 01 Vitara. Now I got some questions...what do I do about my t-case and tranny shifter boots? I'm thinking since I work at a metal shop I'll just cut them and weld in a 2" extension at the base and then the boots won't bind anymore. Or is there a simpler solution?

Also, for those of you not running the front bumper cover, where do you attach your side marker lights? I'm trying to decide if I want to keep it on or stash it away so it won't get thrashed.

On my Calmini 3" B/L for the GV, it came with a t-case shifter extension.

Thank you so much for you detailed and appropriate response. How about a little more info?!

What kind of extension are we talking about here? Something that you weld onto the top end of the stick, or the bottom, or what? Your answer is VERY vague and mysterious and hasn't helped me out at all. Thanks for wasting both of our time though.

Yes the extensions are welded in the center of the shifters after you cut them. Sorry in advance if I wasted your time. 

the tcase shifter and boot on mine required no mods of any sort and are perfectly fine.  the shifter required that i cut the bottom of the plastic under 2nd, 4th & R to allow the lever to go into place, i picked up a cheap aftermarket boot which looks just ok, there is a small open space that is visible when in 1,3 or 5th gears..  sorry, i don't have a pic. 

Yesterday, I cut the middle of my t-case stick and welded in a 2" extension, thinking that this would get it back to factory spec and it would be a-ok...well it's not ok. There's just too much rubber on that shifter boot, it bunches up and won't stay in 4Lo or 2Hi. I saw a picture where someone "stapled" their boot together using zip-ties but I don't really see how that's going to help at all.


For the tranny boot, is there some other way that doesn't involve cutting the plastic? One thing I've come to like about my Vitara as compared to my old Sidekick is the fact that it's real nice and quiet inside...I'd like to keep it that way, and from experience, those rubber boots keep ALOT of noise out of the cabin.

is a problem when in 4low? or in 2hi? or what?

all i ever did with my shifters is bend them either forward or backward (a little say about 1/2 inch was all it needed) away from where ever the shaft was pinching between the rubber and the body

-Lance

Put 1 inch spacers under the gearbox and engine mounts maybe

When I did my GV, I cut the lowest "fold" off the rubber boot, than used the one left as the bottom one. Don't have a pic so let me explain using your staple pic ax an example. You cut the lowest fold off, than use the bottom one with the staples in the pic to replace the one you just cut off, all you need to do is cut the holes as they were on the bottom piece. It will be a little smallerso you have to stretch it to fit it around the base. I'll be doing my XL-7 in 2 weeks, I'll have pics than.

When I did my GV, I cut the lowest "fold" off the rubber boot, than used the one left as the bottom one. Don't have a pic so let me explain using your staple pic ax an example. You cut the lowest fold off, than use the bottom one with the staples in the pic to replace the one you just cut off, all you need to do is cut the holes as they were on the bottom piece. It will be a little smallerso you have to stretch it to fit it around the base. I'll be doing my XL-7 in 2 weeks, I'll have pics than.

what are the plans for the xl? i have parts in a box for the wifes xl, 3inch susp and 3 inch body and a set of 33 inch trxus mt's......

Hmm, you're going to be cutting it awefully close with 33's even with 6 inches of lift. You might be able to fit them, but they will not be bery usable, so just be there for looks. You'll rub the frame hard when turning with stock offset and if you push them out an inch to an inch and a half you'll be rubbing the rear fender when turning. I've tried 32's on the GV with about a 4" lift and went back to 31's because of the rubbing. I have 31's in the garage fort he XL-7. I have a 2" body lift that should get here next week and I currently have 1" spacers installed for the s[rings. I'll keep the spring spacers and will be going with OME springs/struts/shocks for about a 2" suspension lift so 4" overall. This was about what I had on the GV and it rode well and was very usable off road.

ya, its going to be more for looks than anything else, we have a sidekick on 37's to beat on, here is our old gv with 3" susp and 2" body and 31's,

Thank you so much for you detailed and appropriate response. How about a little more info?!

If you needed more info, you could ask nicely.  Man, for a guy who lives in the land of BC bud, you're a rather hostile fellow.  If you don't smoke, you should consider starting.  Not only to calm you down, but give you the insight to figure this crap out yourself.

What kind of extension are we talking about here? Something that you weld onto the top end of the stick, or the bottom, or what?

Now see, if this was all you replied with, you would have been appropriate and kind.  But you didn't.

The extension threaded on to the end of the t-case shifter, and the knob threaded on to that.  I didn't need to weld, cut or bend any part the shifter.  I didn't have to cut the boot, but I did spin it 180* for a better fit.  It never bound or kicked it out of gear.  I know nothing about the manual as my tranny is a slushbox.

The extension was 2" or 3", I don't exactly recall without looking.  If you were nice, I would have gone out to the shop and measured it for you.  But you weren't, so I won't.  You figure it out.

Your answer is VERY vague and mysterious and hasn't helped me out at all.

Really, hasn't helped at all?  Odd.  And "On my Calmini 3" B/L for the GV, it came with a t-case shifter extension." is VERY vague to you?  The fact that the Calmini B/L comes with an extension (meaning it EXTENDS the shifter) seems pretty self-explanatory.  If you wanted exact specs and measurments (I forgot you're like that), you could have, again, asked nicely.

Thanks for wasting both of our time though.

You're very welcome.

Now, since you obviously avoid the good Ganja, your creative juices aren't flowing as much as they could or should.  The side markers are a no-brainer.  Look at your front fenders.  Notice that the curve behind the headlight is the same as the bumper?  Hmmm... break out your plasma cutter and torch out mounting holes that match the ones on the bumper.  Mount the lights in the fender.  Stand back, lit up a phatty and admire your good work.

If you can't picture this, you can look at the ones on my rig for "inspiration"

Lastly, are you always this hostile, or is it that time of the month?

You know, its odd, but if you have these questions regarding the B/L, why don't you ask the posers over at Mastercrap2 since they made it?   

Hmm, you're going to be cutting it awefully close with 33's even with 6 inches of lift.

Remember, XL wheel opening (especially the rear, are larger than the GV.  Removing the sill plastic foo-foo helps alot too.

but still, 33"s will be tight and will rub some on the tight stuff.