New here and new to Suzuki Samurai

[Buck]

Hi
I am new to this site and to Suzuki Samurai. I am in the process of refurbuishing a 1988 Samurai. I live in Northern Ontario, Canada. I am changing the differential from spring under diff to spring over diff. I have 3.73 gears in my differential and would like to change them to 5.13 gears or higher with lockers. Would any one know what type of vehicle would have some 5.13 gears and lockers that would fit my Samurai? I would like to keep the same differentials. Are these gears and locker only after market or what? I will be installing some 35 inch tires when I am finished. That why I would like to change the gears. I will be keeping the original 1.3 litre engine for now.
Thanks for all the info

Buck

[Billjohn]

You can use the gears from the front differentials from a Sidekick or Tracker. Only the gears from the front diffs will work as the rear on a 'track/kick' is a larger gear set. The gears are stock suzuki, but the kit to install it in the Samurai (steel) differential is aftermarket. Go to any of the zook vendors and they will have the conversion kits.
A word of warning though. I have run Suzuki axles up to 33" tires with only a few breaks, going to 35's would be questionable. I would look into putting Toyota axles in place if you are going to take it off-road on 35's or larger.

[Buck]

The front gears of a Tracker or Sidekick will fit. If I understand properly to use the gears from a Tracker or Sidekick I will need a after market kit. What those the after market kit include, to intall these gears? Is it a spacer plate or what?
I will not go over 33 inch tires.
Thanks for the info

Buck

[Billjohn]

The ring gear has a larger inside diameter, so the kit comes with a 'can' (cylinder with no top or bottom) that slides over the carrier chunk. This keeps the center pins from sliding out. It also includes a spacer that will move the ring gear a little farther away from the center point. The teeth in the ring gear are a little taller so the spacer lets you adjust without running out of adjustment on the bearing ring adjuster. Sorry, the picture is just a standard install, couldn't find one I did with a conversion kit...

[Buck]

Thanks that was very helpful. We don't have any Zook dealer around but I will look on the internet for some. Can't we use the carrier from the Tracker. Is the carrier from the Tracker the same type.

Buck

[Billjohn]

The carrier is different, soyou have to pull the gears from the carrier and install them in the sami carrier.

For street use, you can just swap the whole diff from the track/kick if it is an early model (22 spline axle shaft). But because it is an aluminum housing I wouldn't suggest it for going off road. I have seen them crack like an egg just hitting a log!

Try a few of these folks:
PetroWorks
Welcome to Low Range Off-Road, your off-road parts and accessories source for your Suzuki, Toyota, and Jeep
Welcome to the Trail Tough Products

All of these folks are reputable and will get you what you need.

[Buck]

Thanks Billjohn for the help and the web site for info.