AJMBLAZER,

Thanks for the reply!  Thanks for the research and the field testing on the hubs.  One more question about the hubs.  Having the factory "shift on the fly" hubs rather than the Aisin or Warn manual hubs, I have heard that it can cause premature leaks around the axle flanges, any truth to that?  Also with the factory Aisin hubs, are they any other special parts or accessories needed for the change over?

If you can think of the brand of floor mats or where you had purchased them let me know.  I need something with some sort of a "lip" or "cup" position to catch nasty stuff.

If it wasn't for the pep of the 2.5L in the Grand Vitara I would've went with a Sidekick 4dr for the sole purpose of the aftermarket availability and less to go wrong.  I pull a utility trailer with my ATV sometimes and I pull my Coleman pop up camper and gear alot.  I felt it would be too much for the four cylinder to take.  Feedback?

Thanks!
greatwhite

AJMBLAZER,

Thanks for the reply!  Thanks for the research and the field testing on the hubs.  One more question about the hubs.  Having the factory "shift on the fly" hubs rather than the Aisin or Warn manual hubs, I have heard that it can cause premature leaks around the axle flanges, any truth to that?

Ummm....not sure exactly what you are talking about...I have heard of the air pumps and their components failing...nothing hub related though.  The factory drive flanges are simply solid chunks of steel, not auto hubs or anything like previous generations or other vehicles.  The front axle engagement is done down by the third member/diff.
Manual hubs do the same thing as the drive flanges when locked but being able to put them in the free position means less stuff spinning and wearing down unnecessarily most of the time.

Also with the factory Aisin hubs, are they any other special parts or accessories needed for the change over?

Make sure you get the six conical washers per side that are required on the Aisin hubs.  They're a bitch to find, not cheap, and completely necessary.

If you can think of the brand of floor mats or where you had purchased them let me know.  I need something with some sort of a "lip" or "cup" position to catch nasty stuff.

No clue on the brand anymore.  The name tags actually fell off a year or so ago.  Check the usual automotive accessory places online, someone has to have them.

If you can think of the brand of floor mats or where you had purchased them let me know.  I need something with some sort of a "lip" or "cup" position to catch nasty stuff.

Weathertech makes the rubber style of which you seek, including one for the cargo area. 

http://www.weathertech.com/

Weathertech's are just conventional floor mats with ridges.  The ones I've got actually have a "wall" around their edge that's at least an inch high.

AJMBLAZER,

Thanks for the reply!  Thanks for the research and the field testing on the hubs.  One more question about the hubs.  Having the factory "shift on the fly" hubs rather than the Aisin or Warn manual hubs, I have heard that it can cause premature leaks around the axle flanges, any truth to that?  Also with the factory Aisin hubs, are they any other special parts or accessories needed for the change over?

Thanks!
greatwhite

With the stock drive flanges, the front axles are always spinning, even when in 2wd. This does cause premature wear of the seals on the output shafts of the front diff, and they can start leaking. I have a slight leak of my right seal. Having manual hubs reduces this wear, as axles are only spinning when the hubs are locked.

Quote

If you can think of the brand of floor mats or where you had purchased them let me know.  I need something with some sort of a "lip" or "cup" position to catch nasty stuff.

Weathertech makes the rubber style of which you seek, including one for the cargo area. 

http://www.weathertech.com/

Thanks, Don!  I have looked everywhere for some floormats like this.  There was a company that made custom mats for all kinds of applications, but Vitaras, Trackers and Sidekicks were not an option.  Thanks again!

Quote from: greatwhite on April 04, 2007, 06:51:16 PM

AJMBLAZER,

Thanks for the reply!  Thanks for the research and the field testing on the hubs.  One more question about the hubs.  Having the factory "shift on the fly" hubs rather than the Aisin or Warn manual hubs, I have heard that it can cause premature leaks around the axle flanges, any truth to that?  Also with the factory Aisin hubs, are they any other special parts or accessories needed for the change over?

Thanks!
greatwhite

With the stock drive flanges, the front axles are always spinning, even when in 2wd. This does cause premature wear of the seals on the output shafts of the front diff, and they can start leaking. I have a slight leak of my right seal. Having manual hubs reduces this wear, as axles are only spinning when the hubs are locked.

aceluck,

Thanks, I just wanted to confirm the "hunch"  I had once before.  Mine is leaking at the same place.