Who needs it?

When driving a Vitara/Grand Vitara I in heavy terrain, it usually goes like this:

You break the aluminum differential - you buy a new differential + a steel housing.
Then you break the spider gear carrier - you buy a stronger one + an aluminum differential for the gears (read more about carriers).
Next (only Vitara 1.6 before 1996) you break the 22-tooth spline on the drive shaft (read more about drive shafts) - you buy a new 26-tooth drive shaft + drive shaft support + aluminum differential for the gears (because it got shredded by debris).

Therefore, the cheapest option is to invest right away in a steel differential housing, right drive shaft support, stronger spider gear carrier, and have peace of mind with the front differential.
Optionally, for the Vitara, in the toughest terrain, we recommend welding a support bolt for the ring gear.

Front differential rainforcment:

1. Gears (pinion and ring) and bearings from the aluminum differential.
2. Steel differential housing.
3. Rear 4-spider gear carrier, e.g., rear from Samurai with 26 teeth (read more about carriers).
   • the Samurai carrier needs to be machined with a turner to fit the thicker right drive shaft from Vitara I (1989-1998) /Grand Vitara I
   • a spacer is needed for the Vitara or Grand Vitara ring gear
4. Right drive shaft support
5. Assembling everything together with setting the bearing clearances and the backlash between the pinion and ring gear. This can ONLY be done correctly by a person with the appropriate knowledge and experience. Video on how to properly assemble a differential.

The steel front differential housing can be found in:

• Vitara I / Santana 2.0 HDi (manual transmission)
• 5doors Vitara 2.0TD RF (1996-1998, manual transmission)
• Grand Vitara I 2.5 V6 facelift (2003-2005, automatic transmission)
• Grand Vitara I 2.0TD / 2.0 HDi / 2.5 V6 (1998-2005, manual transmission)
• Grand Vitara XL7 2.7 V6 pre-facelift (2001-2003, manual transmission)

In all Grand Vitara I models:

• The left inner axle shaft in the differential has 26 teeth and is 9mm longer than the Vitara's. When installing it together with the Vitara or Samurai carrier, it needs to be shortened or replaced with a 26-tooth Vitara axle shaft.
• The right inner CV joint has a shorter spline than the Vitara's. When installing it together with the Vitara or Samurai carrier, an extension must be installed.
• There are two types of middle mounting for the differential: