front axle

All tech relating to the Suzuki Vitara that won't relate to any other models, Front IFS etc.
Post Reply
User avatar
bradsvitzy
Got muddy boots
Got muddy boots
Posts: 67
Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 12:38 pm
Location: bridport, dorset

front axle

Post by bradsvitzy » Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:45 pm

hi guys .
just a little qeustion . would it b possible to put a solid axle on the front of my vitara and if so what types of axle fit?
THANKS

User avatar
ScottieJ
The Boss
The Boss
Posts: 11620
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:13 pm
Location: Chippenham, wiltshire

Re: front axle

Post by ScottieJ » Mon Jan 16, 2012 6:39 pm

It's known as SAS Solid Axle Swap, it is a common mod over in the USA, however you need to be a competent fabricator and welder to do it properly and also you should legally have a £450 IVA test done by VOSA :thumbdown:
Zuki Build

Steady as she goes!

User avatar
Tramp
Suzuki, will you marry me?
Suzuki, will you marry me?
Posts: 2828
Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:09 pm
Location: Rotherham - South Yorkshire

Re: front axle

Post by Tramp » Mon Jan 16, 2012 7:00 pm

It has been done over here a couple of times though hasn't it? generally a sammy front axle is used, and then a sammy rear diff is used in the vit back axle to keep the ratios the same although you could put a vit rear diff into the sammy front. But sammy diffs are stronger as they have 4 pin construction rather than the 2 pin of the vit.. even though the vit has a lower ring & pinion ratio, if your competant you can use the 4 pin constructed diff with the vit ring and pin, Thats right isn't it scott?

User avatar
bradsvitzy
Got muddy boots
Got muddy boots
Posts: 67
Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 12:38 pm
Location: bridport, dorset

Re: front axle

Post by bradsvitzy » Mon Jan 16, 2012 7:03 pm

Ill think ill have to pass on that idea i think. Thanks guys

User avatar
ScottieJ
The Boss
The Boss
Posts: 11620
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:13 pm
Location: Chippenham, wiltshire

Re: front axle

Post by ScottieJ » Mon Jan 16, 2012 7:04 pm

Yeah it has been done a few times using a samurai axle.

You got the diffs a bit mixed up though, the vit rear axle has a large diff that will not fit a sammy axle and vice versa.

But the front vit diff does fit in samurai axles so would need to swap that into the front to get the ratios to match.
Zuki Build

Steady as she goes!

User avatar
Tramp
Suzuki, will you marry me?
Suzuki, will you marry me?
Posts: 2828
Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:09 pm
Location: Rotherham - South Yorkshire

Re: front axle

Post by Tramp » Mon Jan 16, 2012 7:21 pm

Something like that! I was trying to remember it off the top of my head!

vitara_mad
Engaged 4wd low
Engaged 4wd low
Posts: 135
Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2011 10:05 pm
Location: dronfield , derbyshire

Re: front axle

Post by vitara_mad » Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:39 pm

i have plans to do the sas on my vit sometime in the near future i have the sammy axel & some jimny rear arms ready the only part of this conversion i don't like is having to fit big wheel spacers

User avatar
bradsvitzy
Got muddy boots
Got muddy boots
Posts: 67
Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 12:38 pm
Location: bridport, dorset

Re: front axle

Post by bradsvitzy » Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:33 pm

Hey mate i ave seen the pictures of u r vit conversion on the back end.
Just wondering was it very difficult because been thinking of doin a conversion but make it like a pick up.
CHEERS

vitara_mad
Engaged 4wd low
Engaged 4wd low
Posts: 135
Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2011 10:05 pm
Location: dronfield , derbyshire

Re: front axle

Post by vitara_mad » Wed Jan 18, 2012 2:15 pm

you meen something like this one that i did a few years ago

Image
Image
Image

its not a 5 min job but as long as you can weld its not realy that difficult

i was going to do the 1 im doing now something like this again but i did not see the point of the extra work making the back part just to fill it with the fuel tank & rear winch

User avatar
bradsvitzy
Got muddy boots
Got muddy boots
Posts: 67
Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 12:38 pm
Location: bridport, dorset

Re: front axle

Post by bradsvitzy » Wed Jan 18, 2012 5:29 pm

That is smart. I like that alot.
Think im gonna do that now i have seen picture of one now.
Thanks mate

Post Reply