Hi there. I want to upgrade my 1997 Geo Tracker front axle housing and 3rd member to the steel one on the Vitara. When I do a junk yard search online for a used one they ask me for a vin number range for the Vitara. Does anyone know the range I am looking for?  Dot sure if they are even different? Are they the same if I pull one out of a automatic or manual?
Thanks tons!
Chris

The cast iron axles were fitted the 99~05 Grand Vitaras with the V6 engine & manual transmission and the 01~03 Grand Vitara XL-7 - please be aware, these axles will not have the same ring & pinion as your Tracker, they also use a different diff center (one with a pneumatic freewheel clutch) and the CV axles are going to be different, and some will have a different third member mount - in short, this is not a bolt-in swap.

So is this not a direct replacement for my housing?

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/1989-1998-suzuki-sidekick-tracker-steel-front-axle-upgrade-kax-csh.html

The way this is advertised they lead me to believe I can just throw my 1997 Tracker gears in and use my Tracker stock CV axles? And of course the third member would also but added. I can get these pretty cheap odd a used Grand Vitara. I already broke my third member. I have a locker in my front diff. Thanks


http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/1989-1998-suzuki-sidekick-tracker-steel-front-axle-upgrade-kax-csh.html

This article from our home page may help some.  https://www2.zukiworld.com/feature_sidekickdrivetrainimprovements/  Since that article was originally written, other ways to do the swap have been developed. What you can do is drop your ring, carrier, & pinion from the aluminum 3rd member into the steel one vs. using the Samurai third. Use your axles, locker if you got it. This is all a bolt on situation (you need to get the 'snout' mount for the donor too).The gears ratios (if you choose to buy a junk yard 3rd) can be a bit more of a sticky situation as the v6 models may have different ratios vs. 4 cylinder and earlier gen depending on year. Check the junk yard's interchange... Also take a peak at our spec sheets available from the home page.

Good luck,  -Eric

This article from our home page may help some.  https://www2.zukiworld.com/feature_sidekickdrivetrainimprovements/  Since that article was originally written, other ways to do the swap have been developed. What you can do is drop your ring, carrier, & pinion from the aluminum 3rd member into the steel one vs. using the Samurai third. Use your axles, locker if you got it. This is all a bolt on situation (you need to get the 'snout' mount for the donor too).The gears ratios (if you choose to buy a junk yard 3rd) can be a bit more of a sticky situation as the v6 models may have different ratios vs. 4 cylinder and earlier gen depending on year. Check the junk yard's interchange... Also take a peak at our spec sheets available from the home page.

Good luck,  -Eric

Thanks for getting back Eric. Yes I read that article. Its actually the one that planted the idea of this mod in my head. A couple dumb questions if u don't mind...What is a snout mount? If it is the mount on the third member, I already broke mine on my stock one.  Last question....You mention gear ratios? Well if I go to a junk yard and put my ring, pinion, and locker in the junk yard third member housing and axle housing I don't have to worry about anything to do with gearing correct?
Thanks for your help.
Chris

I know this may not help too much, but I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to to buy and fit a fabricated front steel diff.
It also has the short CV mod so use's the short CV's both sides.
I have done the Hagen mod also, this allows the use of hilux ( LN130) front CV's with a conversion kit, that is on of the panned projects for later.
https://www.zukparts.com/Suzuki-Vitara/Suzuki-Vitara-to-Toyota-Hilux-CV-Conversion-Kit

Cheers, Paul.

Now that you mention that, Calmini offers (or used to offer) a fabricated axle - I think it was called the anvil - and that I believe would be a direct bolt-in

Now that you mention that, Calmini offers (or used to offer) a fabricated axle - I think it was called the anvil - and that I believe would be a direct bolt-in

But isnt the weakness in the 3rd member? If not I'll buy that calmini today

I wish I could find a donor car with a front steel differential. Went to the yard today and every xl7 or vitara was aluminum axle. Does it need to be a 5spd? V6?

No luck with the 4cyl

Has anyone seen these front cv axles? Look like mini driveshafts.

I wonder who makes these

I haven't seen those before, and I'm curious as to how well they work - cardan joints need to be used in pairs and have the angles at each end match - which is not possible in that application - the inner joint will essentially "flex" vertically as the suspension cycles whilst the outer joint also has to flex to accommodate the steering .  I suspect there will be significant vibration possibly to the point where the vehicle is unusable at normal road speeds.

These have 2 of the joints guy says they work great i might give these a shot once i can find a steel front differential

That is a single cardan inner joint and a single cardan outer joint - what is required is a double cardan inner joint and a double cardan outer joint - so two of the joint below, one at each end of the shaft.

Does this look like the frint differential i need? I want a grand vitara not xl7 so i can install 26spline locker or mini spool

Yes it does - check it with a magnet to make sure it's steel - and be aware that Grand Vitaras and XL-7s (up to 2003) used the same front differential.