[RJ6]

fordem wrote:

RJ6 - I just checked the Suzuki EPC - there was one idler arm part number used on ALL the SE & SV series Vitaras, regardless of engine size or steering wheel position.

THANK-YOU VERY MUCH!!!!

[RJ6]

Does anybody know what vehicle this idler arm is for??:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1x-Idler-Arm ... Swu4BVyZ5q

[Gwagensteve]

Just a generic photo I reckon.

[RJ6]

Here's an updated list of links or URL's for Trackick/Vitara Idler Arms & Idler Arm Braces:

#1. Sky's Extreme Duty Trackick/Vitara Idler Arm:

http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/cgi-bi ... E-HDIA-001

#2. Trackick/Vitara "L" Shaped Idler Arm Braces:

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/suzuki/s ... r-iab.html

http://www.mods4vits.com/index.php?main ... ucts_id=22

http://www.jimnybits.co.uk/shop/vitara- ... _1490.html

#3. FTS Idler Arm Brace for 1st Generation 2.0 Liter Vitaras:

http://www.fts4x4.com/en/products/?meth ... il&aid=251

#4. Australian DIY 1st Generation 2.0 Liter Vitara Idler Arm Brace:

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=6657

#5. Calmini's Idler Arm Brace for 1989-94 Sidekick 2DR ONLY:

https://www.calmini.com/detail.php?b=2&m=5&t=2&p=683&n=

#6. Sky's Heavy Duty Trackick Idler Arm PLUS Calmini's Idler Arm Brace for 1989-94 Sidekick 2DR ONLY by Eric Bewley:

http://www2.zukiworld.com/feature_skysidlerarm

#7. Strengthening the EXISTING Trackick Idler Arm by Eric Bewley:

http://www2.zukiworld.com/feature_sidekickidlerarm

#8. Jim Mazzola's Trackick Idler Arm Bracket:

http://www2.izook.com/?s=Idler+Arm+Bracket+with+BEEF%21

[frak]

Thanks this is a fantastic thread.

So are the simple l brackets as effective as the replacement arm?

The latter sounds better but the former is cheaper of course. Just trying to weight up the pro/con before i spend the money.

[fordem]

Personally I would go with the "simple L bracket".

The problem, as I see it, is that the idler arm is in single shear, and it is the pivot shaft that bends, not the arm itself - having a brace of some sort that supports the end of the pivot shaft is what is needed - the simple L bracket does that, and it has the advantage of fitting both left & right hand drive.

I have been paying attention to this thread even though I don't own this model, because we're about to lift my nephew's V6 Vitara, he's already running larger tires, so it's only going to be a matter of time - the lift is going to come from Low Range Off Road, so that's where the brace is going to be coming from.

[RJ6]

fordem wrote:

Personally I would go with the "simple L bracket". The problem, as I see it, is that the idler arm is in single shear, and it is the pivot shaft that bends, not the arm itself - having a brace of some sort that supports the end of the pivot shaft is what is needed - the simple L bracket does that, and it has the advantage of fitting both left & right hand drive. I have been paying attention to this thread even though I don't own this model, because we're about to lift my nephew's V6 Vitara, he's already running larger tires, so it's only going to be a matter of time - the lift is going to come from Low Range Off Road, so that's where the brace is going to be coming from.

#1. What size engine is in your nephew's V6 Vitara, & what year is it????

#2. If you want an idler arm BRACE for a 2.0 Liter Vitara, then you'll either have to make your own brace like "atari4x4", or order it from FTS:

http://www.fts4x4.com/en/products/?meth ... il&aid=251

#3. "atari4x4" started this email thread by saying that the front ends of the 2.0 Liter Vitaras were different than the front ends of the 1.6 Liter Vitaras, & that's a different issue than the fact that the idler arms THEMSELVES are the same!!!!

#4. Have you seen this lift kit??:

http://www.giz.com.tw/english/product_d ... id=2&Id=10

[fordem]

#1 - The V6 Vitara was marketed with only one engine choice - the H20a, 2.0 litre V6.

#2 - I don't agree with you on that - and time will prove me right or wrong - I've already done the research, the SV620 (V6 Vitara) and the SE416 (Sidekick/Vitara) use not only the same idler arm, but also the same idler arm bracket, therefore, an L shaped brace that mounts under the bracket on one vehicle should also fit the other - I'm not going to lose any sleep if a USD$25 brace doesn't fit, if it doesn't, chalk one up to experience & move on.

#3 - I'm well aware of the differences between the 2.0 litre Vitaras (SV420/SV620) and the 1.6 litre ones (SE416) - it is the similarities that actually surprise me - just to give you one example - yes, the front ends are different, but yet Suzuki used the same front axle casting from a 1989 all the way out to 2005, across three different series of vehicles - SE, SV & SQ series - I suspect it will even fit a JA but I wouldn't want to see that attempted.

[RJ6]

RJ6 wrote:

#2. If you want an idler arm BRACE for a 2.0 Liter Vitara, then you'll either have to make your own brace like "atari4x4", or order it from FTS:

http://www.fts4x4.com/en/products/?meth ... il&aid=251

fordem wrote:

#2 - I don't agree with you on that - and time will prove me right or wrong - I've already done the research, the SV620 (V6 Vitara) and the SE416 (Sidekick/Vitara) use not only the same idler arm, but also the same idler arm bracket, therefore, an L shaped brace that mounts under the bracket on one vehicle should also fit the other - I'm not going to lose any sleep if a USD$25 brace doesn't fit, if it doesn't, chalk one up to experience & move on.

#1. I just called Low Range Off-Road on the telephone, & evidently, you're right!!!! William Love told me that their idler arm brace fits underneath the existing idler arm bracket, & that no new drilling is required!!!!

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/suzuki-o ... r-iab.html

#2. However, in regard to Sky's Heavy Duty Trackick/Vitara Idler Arm, their webpage claims the following:

"What we did was take solid stock 1018 steel, machined to match the stock arm in critical dimensions. Next we machine it to fit massive UHMW bushings. UHMW is self lubricating as well to provide years of trouble free service. Then we enlarged the shaft itself followed by building a new much stronger mounting bracket." If you'll click on the small image at the following webpage, you'll see that it also has a thicker mounting bracket:

http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/cgi-bi ... E-HDIA-001

[christover1]

Important Note:
I had to redrill my Sky Idler Arm bracket with a metric drill bit,
as the imperial holes were too tight for my metric bolts.
I imagine they are on top of that, now.

[RJ6]

frak wrote:

Thanks, this is a fantastic thread. So are the simple "L" brackets as effective as the replacement arm? The latter sounds better, but the former is cheaper of course. Just trying to weight up the pro/con before I spend the money.

"christover1" & "shandy92", what would you say??

[christover1]

Never used a bracket support or know anyone who has, so can't comment on them.
I personally like the bush in the replacement arm, steering became much lighter and precise.
I know one person who busted a stock arm, so do one or both before you go off road on bigger tyres and lockers

[RJ6]

atari4x4 wrote:

also 7 years ago there wasn't any support for the SV's

According to the following "Wayback Machine" archive website, Sky has offered their Extreme Duty Idler Arm on their website since at least February 4, 2005:

http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www ... turing.com

[atari4x4]

RJ6 wrote:

frak wrote:

Thanks, this is a fantastic thread. So are the simple "L" brackets as effective as the replacement arm? The latter sounds better, but the former is cheaper of course. Just trying to weight up the pro/con before I spend the money.

"christover1" & "shandy92", what would you say??

I've run both, I'd go the Sky Manufacturing Heavy Duty Idler Arm, I flogged the rubber bush out in the braced stock Idler arm.

RJ6 wrote:

atari4x4 wrote:

also 7 years ago there wasn't any support for the SV's

According to the following "Wayback Machine" archive website, Sky has offered their Extreme Duty Idler Arm on their website since at least February 4, 2005:

http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www ... turing.com

Thanks for pointing that out

I had Calamari tell me 10years ago that their Idler Arm Brace didn't fit SV420's actually being American they had no idea what a J20a powered SWB Vitara was... so rather than buying something that might not have fitted I DIY'd my own with the help of Polar_Bear & posted this thread.

[fordem]

Looking at the design of the Calmini brace, I doubt that it would fit a right hand drive vehicle.

[atari4x4]

RJ6 wrote:

christover1 wrote:

My Sky idler arm is still going strong. Steering smoothed up and got more precise when fitted. Has stayed that way.

Have you ever heard of anybody who installed or tried to install the Sky Heavy Duty Idler Arm in a 2.0 Liter Vitara?

[RJ6]

#1. As far as I know, Calmini has always advertised their brace for 1989-94 Sidekick 2DR Only:

https://www.calmini.com/detail.php?b=2&m=5&t=2&p=683&n=

#2. What about BOTH Sky's Idler Arm AND Low Range Off-Road's Brace??:

http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/cgi-bi ... E-HDIA-001

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/suzuki-o ... r-iab.html

[fordem]

RJ6 wrote:

#2. What about BOTH Sky's Idler Arm AND Low Range Off-Road's Brace??:

That would require drilling out the LROR brace for the larger idler arm shaft - I'm not certain how much material there is at the end there. Also, that raises another question - what is it that's the real weak point - the mount bracket or the arm itself - all the pictures I've seen suggest it's the mount

[RJ6]

fordem wrote:

RJ6 wrote:

#2. What about BOTH Sky's Idler Arm AND Low Range Off-Road's Brace??:

That would require drilling out the LROR brace for the larger idler arm shaft - I'm not certain how much material there is at the end there. Also, that raises another question - what is it that's the real weak point - the mount bracket or the arm itself - all the pictures I've seen suggest it's the mount

Considering the weakness of the OEM rubber bushing, why not order both, & experiment, & find out for sure??

[fordem]

What gives you the idea the OEM rubber bushing is weak?

I'm pretty certain if it was, all the folks you see offering braces would also be offering polyurethane replacements - they're not.

[RJ6]

fordem wrote:

What gives you the idea the OEM rubber bushing is weak? I'm pretty certain if it was, all the folks you see offering braces would also be offering polyurethane replacements - they're not.

christover1 wrote:

I personally like the bush in the replacement arm, steering became much lighter and precise.

atari4x4 wrote:

I've run both, I'd go the Sky Manufacturing Heavy Duty Idler Arm, I flogged the rubber bush out in the braced stock Idler arm.

[atari4x4]

RJ6 wrote:

fordem wrote:

RJ6 wrote:

#2. What about BOTH Sky's Idler Arm AND Low Range Off-Road's Brace??:

That would require drilling out the LROR brace for the larger idler arm shaft - I'm not certain how much material there is at the end there. Also, that raises another question - what is it that's the real weak point - the mount bracket or the arm itself - all the pictures I've seen suggest it's the mount

Considering the weakness of the OEM rubber bushing, why not order both, & experiment, & find out for sure??

i've done this... braced the stock arm & the bush got sloppy after a few years of wheeling, replaced the bush & then when i upgraded to the SV620 I picked up the sky arm & it's a vast improvement.

the bush was genuine & wasn't much cheeper than the sky arm.

[fordem]

Atari - are you running a brace on your SV620 or just the Sky arm?

[atari4x4]

Sky arm on the SV620, the DIY'd brace is still on the SV420

[RJ6]

fordem wrote:

RJ6 wrote:

#2. What about BOTH Sky's Idler Arm AND Low Range Off-Road's Brace??:

That would require drilling out the LROR brace for the larger idler arm shaft - I'm not certain how much material there is at the end there. Also, that raises another question - what is it that's the real weak point - the mount bracket or the arm itself - all the pictures I've seen suggest it's the mount

"atari4x4" & "shandy92" & "christover1":

What do you think about the strength of Sky's Idler Arm mount bracket?

[shandy92]

Its pretty solid and certainly wont bend, its a buy/fit and forget kind of job. Never looked at it since it was fitted 2yrs ago. Well worth the money. Just buy it already!

[RJ6]

#1. Sky's Extreme Duty Idler Arm Installed in 2012:

http://www.zukikrawlers.com/showthread. ... =idler+arm

#2. Low Range Off Road does NOT sell this anymore!!!!

#3. Sky's Extreme Duty Idler Arm from Sky Manufacturing:

http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/cgi-bi ... E-HDIA-001

[atari4x4]

thanks for the links... again.

[RJ6]

Sky's Extreme Duty Idler Arm Installed in 2008 when it was still sold by Low Range Off Road:

http://www.zukikrawlers.com/showthread. ... =idler+arm

[RJ6]

Sky's Extreme Duty Idler Arm PLUS Calmini Brace on righthand drive????:

Beefing up the Idler Arm:

http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/general- ... /msg106538