"It appears that the only things that would need to swapped on the 1.6 Vitara to get the bigger brakes are the actual brake components - disk rotors, dust shields & loaded calipers"

That's the parts I was wondering about.  I'm still running the original calipers on my Buster.  Time and mileage tell me they too will need replaced in the not so distant future... so I was considering just purchasing the GV components when they need replaced. 

This would keep the cost factor down a bit since I would already need to purchase new calipers... and rotors.  So the caliper bracket would bolt right up to my Tracker's knuckle, as in the bolt holes are the same?

The spare wheel/hub/knuckles I have are form a 99 2.0 2 door vitara (stock 16" wheels). Wheel bearings for this are:
Timken 517009
CHEVROLET   TRACKER   1998-2000
GEO   TRACKER   1989-1997
SUZUKI   GRAND VITARA   1999-2000
SUZUKI   SIDEKICK   1989-1998
SUZUKI   VITARA   1999-2000
SUZUKI   X-90   1996-1998

On my 2003 2.0 2 door tracker it is the MOOG 513193 as you mentioned. This fits:
CHEVROLET   TRACKER   2001-2004
SUZUKI   GRAND VITARA   2001-2005
SUZUKI   VITARA   2001-2004
SUZUKI   XL-7   2002-2006


So it appears not to be a difference in models but in a redesign starting in 2001

all the same, look at these interesting part notes from rockauto when I pull up the details on wheel bearings for a
99. ACDELCO FW176 {#96057729} GM Original Equipment; Press-In Bearing Front; FOR 2001 USE Hub 30025890 W/ J41, OR USE Hub 30025891 WITHOUT J41, Bearings COME W/ HubS

When I'm home next week I'll upload some pictures. It's amazing how these have been out of production for 10 years but we are still trying to figure them out.

It's also worth nothing, 99-04 1.6/2.0 vitaras and 2.0/2.5 trackers share all part numbers related to front brakes, calipers pads and rotors are all the same.

on the other had grand vitaras, xl7s and sidekick sports share brake components, different from above.

So i wonder why the 99 2.0 vitara I had came with 16s?

So the caliper bracket would bolt right up to my Tracker's knuckle, as in the bolt holes are the same?

I don't recall a caliper bracket in the parts manual, I did look for it.

My car is in the body shop at this time (I was rear ended a few weeks back, no significant damage, but I decided to have it refinished), so I don't have the luxury of sticking my head underneath to confirm.

It's also worth nothing, 99-04 1.6/2.0 vitaras and 2.0/2.5 trackers share all part numbers related to front brakes, calipers pads and rotors are all the same.

Maybe on paper they do, but in reality they don't - in my neck of the woods, the 1.6 Vitara  (they were badged as Grands) is the only one with the smaller brakes, the 2.0 has the larger brakes, and we never got the 2.5 V6 models - I was quite surprised when I discovered that US market 2.0s had the smaller brakes, and even more so, when I discovered that some of US 2.0s have small and others large.

Canada v6 trackers also have the smaller brakes and are available with 15" wheels. All the information I just gave was Canadian models.

AFAIK ALL Trackers have the small brakes and take 15" wheels, what I'm pointing out is that the 2.0 Vitaras may or may not have the small brakes.

can I swap out my tracker calipers and discs for the bigger 16" ones from a vitara since I have oversized wheels on my 01 tracker 2.0 2dr 4x4?

AFAIK ALL Trackers have the small brakes and take 15" wheels, what I'm pointing out is that the 2.0 Vitaras may or may not have the small brakes.

They also have "small brakes", they don't look any different and have all the same part numbers on every single resource I have checked online and otherwise (in North America).

can I swap out my tracker calipers and discs for the bigger 16" ones from a vitara since I have oversized wheels on my 01 tracker 2.0 2dr 4x4?

If you want bigger brakes and live in North America you need brakes from a GV or XL7 (or sidekick sport from my research?). I have no idea if they will bolt up to your knuckle though as I've never tried it.

Your Tracker has come quite a ways by the way, very nice. What brand/model of wheel are you running?

whats the advantage of 16" rims

A couple.  First you can run a taller, narrower "pizza cutter" tire like a 235/85/16 or larger if you can work the clearance.  Second you can find 8 and 10 ply tires that are tough as hell and durable for off-roading.  Several companies make good MT and AT tires in the 16" rim size.

A typical 215/85/16 tire is 30" in diameter and less than 9.5 inches wide at the tread, which is typical width for just a 235/75/15 tire that is only about 28" diameter.  A 235/85/16 tire is closer to 31 or more in diameter.  A narrower tread foot print puts more pressure down on the road surface and, generally, provides better traction in snow and ice, but also does well in dirt, gravel and rock off-road.

I was looking at going with the 215/85/16 size tire.  You can gain more ground clearance without gaining the additional weight of a larger AND wider tire. 

The last benefit I can think of is being able to install the larger caliper and rotor which will give you more braking power to stop the bigger and heavier tires AND to assist in stopping when pulling trailers, especially when they are loaded down.  Generally 60%+ of your vehicle's brake "stopping" "power" occurs in the front brakes.

Quote from: fordem on May 27, 2016, 01:19:06 PM

AFAIK ALL Trackers have the small brakes and take 15" wheels, what I'm pointing out is that the 2.0 Vitaras may or may not have the small brakes.

They also have "small brakes", they don't look any different and have all the same part numbers on every single resource I have checked online and otherwise (in North America).

You seem not to get the point.

You're looking at resources, I'm looking at vehicles - the vehicle can be found with BOTH sizes of brake - you want to go by what the resources say, I'm cool with that - someone else reading this thread, may not be, when they find that what they thought would fit, doesn't.

Let me give you another discrepancy between the resources and reality - there are different calipers (at least two) used on the "large" brakes, they are physically interchangeable, but, take it from me, ordering parts, based on "resources", waiting for them to get your truck back on the road, and then discovering they are the wrong part, sucks.

Yup - buy local is the answer - except that the local AutoZone & Advance stores had the "wrong one" in stock too.

And by the way - the "resource" I use is the Suzuki dealer parts catalogue.

whats the advantage of 16" rims

Just my opinion - the sole advantage is that they clear the larger brakes which are needed for more stopping power, the disadvantage is that there is usually a wider range of tire size options available to fit a 15" rim.

I notice that Norm seems to prefer the tire choices open to him with the 16 rims, I would rather go wider than tall & narrow - this may be a function of where we drive - I'm running 225/70R16, because I could not get a 235/70R16 in an all terrain tread pattern, and have found that with the narrower tread, I can break the back loose with the slightest provocation (even with the lower gearing caused by the taller tire).

One word of caution - not all 16" rims will clear the calipers and it may take some searching to find ones that do.

Agreed.  I was thinking of sourcing some used GV rims.  Apologies, I stepped away from modifying my last entry for an hour or so and just came back to it.  Feeding the animals .

With the 16" tires, all I have to contend with is diameter.  There should be little to no "width" clearance problems on the frame and no rubbing fenders when stuffing the suspension.  Tire pressure has to be accounted for with 8 or 10 ply tires as well.  With a fully loaded full size truck you have to run the higher tire pressures.  With lighter trucks like ours, much less.  I'm running 32PSI on my Jeep for rolling down the road on the 10 ply Toyos.  I suspect I would be be running even less air pressure with a 10 ply on my Tracker, both for ride comfort and traction. 

I pulled my front passenger hub on Buster today... and the bearing and hub looked perfect inside.  Lots of fresh grease still in it.  That WARN hub still locks in and out easily and there was zero signs of moisture contamination.  I added some additional grease, cleaned up the surface mounting areas, RTV'd it again and re-installed the WARN.  Yea... I now have an OEM fixed hub lock on my driver side front axle and a WARN manual hub on the passenger side.

Also... I noticed the WARN hub was in the locked position so I unlocked it, took Buster out for a test drive and no odd noises what so ever.  He is as quiet as he can be with the tires I have on him.  I drove to a graveled parking lot, locked the hub, placed the transfer case in 4LO and dumped the clutch pretty hard.  Buster left four distinct areas where all four wheels were digging the crap out of the graveled surface.  Appears he is good to go again. 

On the bright side, I now have an extra hub assembly for when I need one in the future.  If I don't need it for my Tracker, I have family who own Trackers who may.