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Moses, Thanks again for the advice. I was hoping the V6 2.5 L transmission would be an easy swap. Life wouldn't be that simple. I'll keep looking for a 99 and later 2.0L direct swap. Again thanks for the advice.

Rhianna, thanks for the link. I have some parts questions of my own.

After talking with my Transmission repair man, his opinion is that someone ran the 5 speed manual Transmission without oil and there is a very loud wine coming from the transmission in 1, 2, 3, and 5th gears. Because of the number of hours spend flying prop aircraft over the years, the wine is a frequency I cannot hear. To me it is just noise. Now all gears are working but in my opinion it is just a matter of time before things start going south. Now for my questions: 1. I have access to a spare 5 speed manual transmission from a 1.6L Geo Tracker that is a 2WD. Is it possible to put both of them together to create one good 4WD 5 speed manual?? 2. I have found a 99 to 05 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.5L 4WD manual transmission at a reasonable price. Of course this mated to the V6 Suzuki engine not the 2.0 L straight 4. Would this transmission mate to my 2.0 L engine. One last question: What would be involved with swapping the 5 speed manual with an automatic? I seem to be able to find lots of Automatics out there for 4WD. I need to resolve what I want to do about the transmission before seriously tackle the 4WD & indicator lights not functioning. Joseph

As I believe I mentioned I am new to 4WD’s. My only experience with a 4WD was back in the mid 70’s as a member of the Civil Air Patrol riding in WWII and Korea vintage surplus jeeps. They were very simple fully manual with no indicators what so ever. The purpose of this is to summarize what I think I understand about how the 1999 Suzuki Vitara JX 4WD works. As I understand it, there are three major components to the 4WD, the transfer case (TC), the front axle/differential , and the locking hubs. Beginning in 1999 Suzuki introduced the “on the fly” 4WD. The ability to shift into 4WDH while moving at speeds under 35mph. To accomplish this they installed an air cluck in the front axle/differential. I don’t know much and have not seen it, but read that an air pump provided 5 to 6 psi of air pressure to the front axle/differential’s air cluck to engage the front axle when you shifted the TC from 2WDH to 4WDH. As I understand it, a relay in the TC provided power to both the air pump and the 4WD dash indicator lights. Once the front axle/differential is engaged, power is provided to the CV joints to turn the front wheels, forward movement then causes the hubs to lock and provides pulling power to the wheels. There is no 4WD if ether the hubs are not engaged (locked) or the front axle/differential is not engaged (locked). The TC can be in 4WD and providing power to the front drive shaft, but if the relay isn’t working correctly, the light on the dash will not light up and the front axle/differential will not be locked, which would end the process there. Rear wheels both High and Low would not be affected so the TC would appear to be working fine. The only way I know to really test the 4WD is to lift the front tires off the ground and see if the wheels turn when you enter 4WD. This has not been done yet. And no trouble shooting other than shifting into 4WDL and confirming that you really are in the Low Range has been done yet. Again, I am just summarizing what I think I understand of the systems. But without any repair manuals etc. I really am relying on what I’ve read on the forums. If any of this is incorrect I hope someone will correct my miss understanding. Joseph

I just purchased a 1999 Suzuki Vitara 2 DR JX 2.0 4WD. In going through the car for the first time I noticed when I shift into 4WDH the transfer case seems to be working but the 4WD light in the instrument panel does not light up. When I shift the Transfer case to neutral, I can shift the 5 speed manual transmission into any gear and of course nothing happens. I can shift the transfer case to 4WDL and yes that is a very low range. Still no 4WD light in the panel, but it is definitely in LOW. From this i feel the transfer case doesn't seem to have a problem as it drives fine in 2WDH. It drives in 4WDH & 4WDL and doesn't in neutral. No light and It does not appear to actually be in 4WD. The car has automatic hubs on the front which I believe are not engaging. But why would the instrument light not work? I have purchased a used owners manual for this model year off ebay. Seems to be a Canadian version as it is in both English and French. The manual shows the 4WD light on the instrument panel but does not state it comes on to test the bulbs and then turns off like it does for most of the other indicator lights. I'm new at this and this is my first 4WD vehicle. I purchase this vehicle to tow behind my RV and as a toy as I have always felt it would be fun to drive. So I do want to put this in good condition. Any advice will be listened to.