Vitara Diff Drop brackets

[rodw]

Hi Guys
This site has drop brackets for the front and back diffs. http://www.vttr.com.tw/e4X4.htm . I can land them in Aus for about $200.

I was thinking that if I put in an OME lift and the drop brackets, the CV angles might be about the same as stock. So If I had some spacers to take the lift from OME's 30 mm to 50-60mm, the CV angle will be about the same as the OME lift which is considered to be quite safe for CV's. So then it might be safe to Flip the Strut mount to give the OME struts the travel required to make up for the diff drop brackets so the down travel is enhanced but the CV's are not stressed.

So what do you reckon? Or am I being too technical? Any advice or thoughts about this would be appreciated.

[cj]

Adding the diff drop brackets is a good thing and yes, you could also flip the strut mount if you wish. Check and see if they offer the 3rd front diff bracket for the cross-member as I don't see it in their pics on the site.

[rodw]

cj, Thanks for the advice. I am a novice at these sort of mods but when I got under the car, I assumed that the brackets would also twist the Diff up at the rear to preserve the driveshaft angle and to stop the diff hitting the cross member. I did not think that there was a need for replacement rear mount but will have another look.

Do you know of any other supppliers of this sort of stuff?

[cj]

Basically what the kits do is to rotate the front diff slightly dropping the front of it lower. Calmini does this as part of it's 3" suspension kit but they do not sell the components separately. Apart from VTTR, Boondox Motorsports in the US and 4xFourART in Turkey have offered these products but Boondox has been redesigning theirs so they are currently unavailable and the guy in Turkey doesn't speak English. Also you generally have to do a little grinding on a web on the housing to clear the cross member.

[rodw]

cj, Thanks a lot. I have visited all the sites you refer to before, so I'll have a look at them again.

The only other feedback I got on this topic from another forum said "I only know one person to use the brackets and the whole front diff used to twist and break lots of CV's, since taking them out it was a lot better."

Have you heard anything like what was reported above? Any idea of how much the drop is?

So right now, I have one for and one against, but you certainly seem to know your stuff. Seems cheap enough to give VTTR a go.

Thanks again

[cj]

A problem with the Calmini brackets I have come across is that they drilled 1/2" holes for 12mm bolts. This can allow the housing to move slightly and break on the drivers side. I modified mine so it won't happen again. I have also seen the open space on the alloy housing filled in with Quicksteel to help prevent this. Changing to countersunk heads could also help to locate it better. Another mod is to tie down the housing to the cross member on both sides with some strap steel. This stops it twisting under load in reverse and snapping off the mount. The best thing you could do though is to swap to a steel housing from the later GV. CV's are a separate issue altogether.

[rodw]

Thanks mate. Any Idea how much the drop is? You would think that VVTR would be using metric stuff given their address

[cj]

Can't tell you for sure but it is about an inch or so. Ask Royce if he can get you the brackets that came of the Vit he was talking about. It may be a quick and easy way to get some.