I've been considering the removal of the SOTF, but I'm having trouble finding a 1.6L with the 5.13 gears.  That's why I'm considering the XL7 and other Vitaras/Trackers with the 5.13.  I really want to get lower range gears while I fix the front diff (2 birds with 1 stone)...

I can't find a front diff that works (I've found rears).  If I can't find front diff's I'll have to buy a 5.13 ring & pinion and have the Suzuki dealership switch the gears while they fix the SOTF..

The SOTF removal  specifies the 1.6L Manual Japanese made....  Dam, no way the 1.8L or any other 5.13, 1996 to 1998, Canadian made would work???  Wonder why only the 1.6L Manual Japanese??

Quote from: JayInBarrie on April 09, 2008, 12:25:11 PM

5.13's are hard to find in 99 and later.

I'm pretty sure every automatic '99-up Track/Vit has the 5.125s.

Maybe.  The V6 autos have 4.88s

The SOTF removal  specifies the 1.6L Manual Japanese made....  Dam, no way the 1.8L or any other 5.13, 1996 to 1998, Canadian made would work???  Wonder why only the 1.6L Manual Japanese??

There is a slight difference between the Jap and Cami stuff, as I am told.  I do think that the 96-98 1.6L 16v autos also have 5.12s.

Nope 4.8 in the AT and 4.3 in the MT.  The XL-7 AT has 5.12 and the front is the same as the GV's but the rear will not work.

Nope 4.8 in the AT and 4.3 in the MT. 

That's the 4-dr, V6 Track/GV.  2-dr Track/Vit is 4.875 MT, 5.125 AT.  Unless my prescription's gone bad and this is wrong: http://www.zukiworld.com/main_departments_techspecs.htm .

The XL-7 AT has 5.12 and the front is the same as the GV's

Interesting thing on that:  The entire front assembly will bolt in no problem (but remember as someone said earlier to get the whole mount from the XL-7), but the axle shafts themselves are definitely thicker on the XL-7.  Since I just swapped the whole shebang, I don't know if that affects interchangeability part-by-part .

Since I just swapped the whole shebang, I don't know if that affects interchangeability part-by-part .

Naw, it's fine.  I swapped just the XL7 pig into my GV, and it worked fine, until I cracked the soda can housiing open like an egg, trashing the set of 5.12s.

Nope 4.8 in the AT and 4.3 in the MT.  The XL-7 AT has 5.12 and the front is the same as the GV's but the rear will not work.

I'm looking for just the front diff now, there's plenty of rear diff's that will easly fit.  I was looking forward to that nice steal front axle in the XL7.

I noticed on some 'car & driver' sites that 04 suzuki changed the gearing so that the auto had an overdrive.  The gear changed to 4.88 or 4.30

Talked to the dealership to confirm.  If I'm looking for the 5.125 gears in an XL7, I need the front diff from an '03 or earlier (and all the brackets). 

  I found a '04 front diff that I can get, and now I know it will not work.....

Thanks for all the input.  It's been helpfull.

I had finally found a front diff from an XL7, so I bought it.  When I got it it was an '02, so it had an aluminum pot.  Hooked up the air line (before installing) and the air did not hold, no 4wd light.

What is the issue/problem when using the third member from the 1.8L from 96 to 98.  I can get that third in the gear that I want.

thank,
JC

Dam, I hate waiting for info....  Gotta get this fixed, can't play without the 4wd....

I'm taking the XL7 third back to the wreckers (somethings rattling inside).  Let them check it out before I open it to see if its still workable, before I put it on the Tracker.

I would really like to know what the issue is with the 1.8L.  When I go looking for Sidekicks they're either pre-96 or the 1.8L.  It's difficult finding the Made In Japan 1.6L.
 :'( :'(

If you don't luck out at the junk yard you can giveTrail Tough a call - they have a lot of used parts.  They are in Oregon, 541-734-0883.  I got my 3rd from them and they were fast, friendly, and knowledgable - tough to beat.  With shipping to NJ, my bill was $255 about 18 months ago.

It's difficult finding the Made In Japan 1.6L.
 :'( :'(

All 1.6L 96-98 Sidekicks are Jap made, so that should help you out.  Problem comes with Trackers, as most were made at CAMI/Canada.

Thanks, I'll focus on the 1.6 Sidekick and stop looking at the Trackers and getting frustrated.

I still find it weird that the 1.8L Sidekick wouldn't work, the ones I've seen are Japanese made (JS Vin).  If the concern is only the parts used at the Canadian plant, then the 1.8L Japanese Sidekick would be OK, Yes??? 

Sorry to fixate on the 1.8L, but I have easy access to one and it would save some grief.

Thanks, I'll focus on the 1.6 Sidekick and stop looking at the Trackers and getting frustrated.

I still find it weird that the 1.8L Sidekick wouldn't work, the ones I've seen are Japanese made (JS Vin).  If the concern is only the parts used at the Canadian plant, then the 1.8L Japanese Sidekick would be OK, Yes??? 

Sorry to fixate on the 1.8L, but I have easy access to one and it would save some grief.

I'm not sure what the issue is, but, if it helps, the front diff housing on the Sidekick Sport is the same part as on the 1.6; just the diff mount brackets are different.  This is from the Suzuki EPC.  If you want me to look up any other parts, let me know.

I'm not sure what the issue is, but, if it helps, the front diff housing on the Sidekick Sport is the same part as on the 1.6; just the diff mount brackets are different.  This is from the Suzuki EPC.  If you want me to look up any other parts, let me know.

YESS!! THIS IS WHAT I WAS WONDERING.
In the 'Shift On The Fly Removal' DIY article it says to use the 1.6L Manual Japanesse made diff.  It Say NOT to use the Canadian made diff or the diff from the 1.8L Sport.  The older Trackers seem way more popular then the Sidekicks, so having more options really helps at the wreckers.

So the Diff from the 1.8L and 1.6L are IDENTICAL except for the MOUNTING BRACKETS.  Hmm, In the S-O-T-F article I would be keeping my pot, so I just have to worry about the crossmember bracket.  As long as I get the crossmember bracket from the donor Sidekick, I should be able to mount it on my crossmember....RIGHT?!?!

I think this may be the way for me to go.  I should be able to do this.   

Well, they are the same part number - I guess that does not have to mean identical, as long as they fit the same and do the same job.  If the Canadian-made (and Sport?) casting were to have (say) a protuberence which didn't matter on the Sidekick, but gets in the way on a GV, that would still give a problem.

To be certain, you would need to know what feature on the Canadian-made unit is alleged to make it unsuitable.