I'm in the process of installing the Calmini 2.5" lift on my 2001 Vitara 4 door. At the same time I am swapping in the front diff from a 1998 Tracker and using the pass side CV from a Sidekick Sport. I am just wondering which bracket I am supposed to use for the center mount by the pumpkin. The instructions I printed off the Zukiworld main page said to use the Sidekick mount but they look exactly the same. I am thinking I misunderstood which bracket they are talking about though.

Do they mean the C-channel-like piece that bolts directly to the crossmember using 2 short bolts? If so I only have the Vitara bracket and that is probably what the problem is.

or

Do they mean the piece that bolts to the diff with 2 nuts and bolts and also bolts to the C-channel-like piece with 1 bolt? I have the Vitara and Sidekick brackets and they look exactly the same.

I think you can use the Kick or Vit bracket as they are the same.  Problem comes in with the XL7 as both the mount AND the case mount boss are different than the Kick/Vit/GV.

I was doing some more research and I saw guys with the Calmini 3" lift on their 96-98 Sidekicks had to grind down the reinforcing rib on the bottom/rear of the front diff because the drop brackets tilt the front of the diff down a bit. I tried grinding it down a bit, I was expecting to have to visit the junkyard to pick up a different bracket but I will try mounting the diff tomorrow or the day after and see how that goes. Thanks.

Ok, tried grinding the rib on the bottom of the diff down, that seems to have helped a bit but I still think I don't have the right bracket. Tonight I tried installing the front diff twice, once with the Vitara center mount and once with the 98 Tracker center mount. Seeing as they both look completely identical, I was not surprised to find that both did not work. I am just wondering if the piece that is bolted to the crossmember is different between the two, because the bolt holes are out by about 1", which I understand is the difference in offset between the Sidekick and the Vitara. So, do I just need to go to the wrecker and pick up the crossmember mount piece that the center mount bolts into? That is about all I can think of, if ANYONE has done this (and I know quite a few of you have!), please speak up and help an inspired, but tired, Suzuki brother out!

Here are some pics to let yall know what I'm trying to say:
As you can see the bolt holes are about 1" out. This is using the Sidekick/Tracker center mount (note the rust)


Here are the two center mounts. They seem dimensionally identical, so I am thinking I need the other piece, but I need confirmatiion.


EDIT: Here is the "other piece". Is the one off the Sidekick offset 1"?


Advice welcome. thanks

I don't have the answer, but here are some clues from the Parts Catalogue:

The upper mount part is the same on the Vitara and the Sidekick Sport, but a different part# on the '98 Sidekick.

The lower mount part is the same on the '98 Sidekick and the Sidekick Sport, but a different part # on the Vitara.

I hope that helps.

Try bolting the mount to the case before the frame.  That's how I put mine in.

Thanks Tim! I tried it your way and with a jack, a prybar, some elbow grease, and the kind of determination one only gets after a nice cold Budweiser, the Sidekick diff is now bolted in!

Right on, brother.  Now go out and break your soda can so you can do this again with a steel diff. LOL

It's all good (as long as you don't look at the receipts).