A while ago I had a thread going on lifting my sportage. Currently it has 2" longer springs in it. I got my mechanic to build me spring spacers to get another 2" of lift (4" total). Going on Dennis's advice I got him to build a 2" spacer for the rear and a 1" spacer for the front. I just got a call from him saying it looks bloody high are you sure those measurments are right? He hasn't put the wheels back on and lowered it down yet as they have the diff apart doing the locker. Am I freaking out over nothing here as now I am worried it's going to be too high and have problems? I'm going to look at it tomorrow, any advice to give?

Well if it's on a lift with no wheels, then the suspension is at it's farthest point of downward travel so it will look high. The test would be to lower it and put weight on the wheels to see how much upwards travel you have.

Locker, what locker? Please share...

Well it's all fallen to sh!t again. The first time they sent me a front locker and it wouldn't fit, so $600AU labour down the drain for nothing. Sent it back they sent me a rear locker saying it will fit no worries, yesterday get a call from my mechanic - the splines are different or someting. So yeah looks like its a losing situation. Maybe the US models are different and it might fit but here in AUS I think we are buggered. Can anyone tell me what number of splines the later model diff's have as mine is a January 99 model and I know a few thigns changed after June in 99.

Thanks

Damo

The front and early rear are 26 spline and the later rear are 28 spline.

If you have the wrong one (ie 28 spline instead of the 26 spline) I would gladly take it off your hands as a clean deal = exactly what you paid for it.

Did it fit too loose (not engaging splines in locker) or not fit at all (shaft too large for splines on the locker)? if it's the former, give me a call...

Has anybody considered trying to fit a Suzuki 26 spline locker to our front diff center. IIRC (and I think I should given earlier research) the shaft diameter are the same and the spline profiles are the same. Could possibly work for the early rear too. Only thing to watch would be the pinion shaft diameter. I will do a little more research on another Zook board about the pinion shaft......

Gary, I am pretty sure he said the locker has more splines then my diff. So am I able to source a 28 spline setup from a later one and put it into mine, I honestly know bugger all about diffs so its all greek to me. If it all turns to poo I will happily sell you it. I even have some 2" spacers made up for extra lift that may be sold as well as I am seriously thinking of selling the kia and moving to something more straight forward.

Damo

The longbody 2000+ version came with a 5 link rear suspension whereas the shorty's have a four link. Not real sure about the 99 and a half shorty's. I am not sure if the 26 to 28 spline conversion occurred at exactly the same time as this.

You would need to look into getting some rear halfshafts and outer wheel bearings, etc to retrofit the late internals to the early case (could be issues with the outer part of the outer wheel bearing diameter vs casing tube diameter), or get the upper link repositioned on a late case to suit the early chassis mount.

Good luck with it. Happy to run my car up to you mechanic's place for a better look and comparison (esp outer bearing diameters)

Too complex for this project. It was meant to be kept simple so I'm not going to go changing all that stuff on my daily driver. I will wait to hear back from the locker people if they can actually supply one to me with correct number of splines, if not I will sell it to you.

Thanks Damo

If you are still going to buy one then don't send the old one back, I'll pay for your new one. If need be, I'll source a new carrier to send to them.

Righto well I will wait to hear back from them and go from here. I should have the locker back in the next couple of days if you want to check to see if it will fit yours.