Build 5.3 swapped 00 Vitara

Oldjetblack

Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2026
Member Number
10138
Messages
6
Alrighty guys, I picked this 00 Suzuki up last fall. Since then, I’ve tried getting the original power plant to be dependable and reliable. But she was always rode hard and put away wet and she finally gave up. Now I have a 05 5.3/4l60e/np263 (unsure if tcase) from a burban laying around that I think I can make fit with a body lift and minor massaging to the trans tunnel. Now my questions, what would a good straight axle swap be switching over to driver side drop trans. TJ frames are similar in width so would I be able to get away with putting TJ buckets and hangers in and it be fairly bolt in? If not I can do 4 link and coils, no biggie. Next question. Getting my stock analog gauges to work with the 5.3. I seen a guy on YouTube did the swap on a 02 tracker and says he has his gauges working like a stock tracker. Would I have to modernize my cluster, or make/get something to switch an analog signal to digital? Any input is appreciated! First build and I’d like it to not look like it🤘🏻
 

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Welcome to the board, Nice rig!!

Oldjetblack said:
Now my questions, what would a good straight axle swap be switching over to driver side drop trans.
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HP Dana 30 if its a street rig since it would be pretty narrow.
Driver drop waggy dana 44 would be cool, but harder to fine.
Super duty 60's are cheap, but wide.

Oldjetblack said:
Would I have to modernize my cluster, or make/get something to switch an analog signal to digital? Any input is appreciated! First build and I’d like it to not look like it
Click to expand...
IIRC the wiring was GM in those generations. I'm 99% convinced that you can just hook the LS outputs to the stock wiring harness and it will work.
 
chaplinfj60 said:
to hell with the tcase. make it a light weight burn out rig...

but this looks neat :smokin::smokin::smokin:
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Plan is to have it wheels up in silver lake sand dunes. Something I can hop in, drive anywhere, and put on a show no matter what it’s doing. Sand drags, dune jumps, you name it. Tired of these SXS boys thinking they rule the offroad community😎
 
bad zuki said:
Welcome to the board, Nice rig!!


HP Dana 30 if its a street rig since it would be pretty narrow.
Driver drop waggy dana 44 would be cool, but harder to fine.
Super duty 60's are cheap, but wide.


IIRC the wiring was GM in those generations. I'm 99% convinced that you can just hook the LS outputs to the stock wiring harness and it will work.
Click to expand...
I asked this in a Suzuki forum as well and was told they were analog. I was under the impression they would wire up as well🤔 guess it’s time to get my hands dirty and find out
 
And i thought the 2.7 "was fine" in my GV. :laughing:
 
Oldjetblack said:
I asked this in a Suzuki forum as well and was told they were analog
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The speedometer is, but that can be driven with a 700r4 drive in the 4l60e and that might run the stock tracker speed sensor. My plan was to use the stock vss in the tracker cluster to backfeed the LS harness instead of the 4l60e stuff. It's in your cluster.
I've had this swap in my mind for a while, but lowered with TBSS awd.
 
bad zuki said:
The speedometer is, but that can be driven with a 700r4 drive in the 4l60e and that might run the stock tracker speed sensor. My plan was to use the stock vss in the tracker cluster to backfeed the LS harness instead of the 4l60e stuff. It's in your cluster.
I've had this swap in my mind for a while, but lowered with TBSS awd.
Click to expand...
That’s a good idea. I considered running a Holley system with a display but want to keep the stock look inside and out (minus the SAS, lift and tires). I want it to look slow when it’s not running. Something most people would look right past in a parking lot, yet be an animal Offroad. And you should definitely pull the trigger on that. Be a nice street/track car
 
bad zuki said:
HP Dana 30 if its a street rig since it would be pretty narrow.
Driver drop waggy dana 44 would be cool, but harder to fine.
Super duty 60s are cheap but wide
Click to expand...
I’ve got a 06+ Superduty 60 in Solidworks I’ve been tinkering with for using two short side axles to get it down to 50”-ish WM to WM.
 
ReadSpeed said:
I’ve got a 06+ Superduty 60 in Solidworks I’ve been tinkering with for using two short side axles to get it down to 50”-ish WM to WM.
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What sized tires are you planning on running?
A centered Superdookie 60 will be sweeeeeet, but you're going to need to make it extremely tall to avoid the oil pan of the LS. Centering it makes it worse.

And I was wrong on the 1999+ vitara speedo. It is digital.
 
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bad zuki said:
What sized tires are you planning on running?
A centered Superdookie 60 will be sweeeeeet, but you're going to need to make it extremely tall to avoid the oil pan of the LS. Centering it makes it worse.

And I was wrong on the 1999+ vitara speedo. It is digital.
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Not my thread I was just adding to the conversation, my tracker is currently a 1.6 and will stay that way for a while.

I have it modeled with 35s, pumpkin clearance is reasonable, the 1.6 engine is super high in the engine bay so I think there would be ample room for the pumpkin/front driveshaft to cross. I’d like to get 3d scans of the chassis and bay Area’s before finalizing anything though.
 
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