ZUKIWORLD PROJECT: GODZUKI RESURRECTION - Comments and Suggestions thread.

[ebewley]

Discussion thread for article at: http://www.zukiworld.com/month_030108/feature_project-godzuki-resurrection.htm

Cookeville, TN - Fondest Memories and New Beginnings - Over the past 13 years, I have enjoyed my favorite hobby in the same trusty vehicle, my 1989 Suzuki Sidekick. She was nicknamed ‘Godzuki’ by my fellow club members, not for its size, but for its surprising abilities. rom the beginning, when I purchased her in 1994, she surprised me and those around me with an amazing ability to conquer trails that seemed impossible for a rig that size and incredible dependability both on and off the road. For 13 years and over 300,000 miles, she NEVER left me stranded. Even though there were many times that I beat her beyond her limits, and had to limp her home, she always got me to my destination.

Click here for more: http://www.zukiworld.com/month_030108/feature_project-godzuki-resurrection.htm


That's right folks. Zig's ride is getting a makeover and we'd like your help in deciding some stuff....

-Eric

[Drone637]

Well, the article said you had a basic idea worked out.  So what do we have to work with? 

[Zukipilot]

Well, the article said you had a basic idea worked out.  So what do we have to work with? 

Right now we are looking at a V-6 Grand Vitara base w/ lockers, axles, gears, etc.. off of the Kick, and turning it into a light weight, powerfull trail rig. Outside of that it is a plan in the making.

Last year I was inspired by riding in Mikes and Blake's rigs in Moab. I loved both of their rides in their own way. Mikes uncompromising trail conquering rig with bullet proof drive line and huge tires, and Blake's fast, low sporty desert blaster that was hanging in there with the bigger rigs on most every obstacle he attacked, and still running mostly stock Sidekick and Samurai parts.

I am thinking a compromise between the two.

Right now the big decisions to be made is how extreme do we go, what to keep off the kick and what to replace, IFS or SAS, tube or frame build, how big of tire, what tires and rims, what seats,  etc....   I want a comfortable, fast dependable trail rig that can conquer most everything I try and still be dependable enough that I know I wont regularly break stuff.

Still a lot of questions to answer to get to a final product.

Zig

[ROSS]

IS THIS EXTREME MACHINE TO BE BUILT IN A SECRET PLACE IN OREGON ??

[Drone637]

I liked the kit that swapped in a Ford 9" front end...  Kept the IFS but made it strong enough for whatever tires you wanted to run.

Do you want to keep a two door convertible or can we convince you to cut up a 4 door and give it an open back/truck like setup. 
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Slightly different scale of course. 

[Zukipilot]

Definitely will be an 'Open Air' Style. I would not want to do the 4 door body due to the weight. The one common link in Mike and Blake's rig's, was they were both VERY light weight. I am shooting for as light weight as possible so a 4 door so out of the question. Plus, I like the open air feel.

Zig

[locjaw]

Definitely will be an 'Open Air' Style. I would not want to do the 4 door body due to the weight. The one common link in Mike and Blake's rig's, was they were both VERY light weight. I am shooting for as light weight as possible so a 4 door so out of the question. Plus, I like the open air feel.

Zig

hmmmmmm........
lightweight, open air feeling.......
how about a mountain bike then    
you could be one of those crazy SOB's that mountain bike poison spider!!!

[Zukipilot]

Definitely will be an 'Open Air' Style. I would not want to do the 4 door body due to the weight. The one common link in Mike and Blake's rig's, was they were both VERY light weight. I am shooting for as light weight as possible so a 4 door so out of the question. Plus, I like the open air feel.

Zig

hmmmmmm........
lightweight, open air feeling.......
how about a mountain bike then    
you could be one of those crazy SOB's that mountain bike poison spider!!!

One MAJOR problem with that.... It would take WAY to long to get back to the Moab Brewery  and it would not be a Zuk.

Zig


Zig

[Element]

Zig makes a good point....

[Zukipilot]

IS THIS EXTREME MACHINE TO BE BUILT IN A SECRET PLACE IN OREGON ??

  If I told ya, I'd have ta  If a leak like that got out, CR may sneak some spy photos and try to destroy another good Suzuki with false reports 

[locjaw]

Definitely will be an 'Open Air' Style. I would not want to do the 4 door body due to the weight. The one common link in Mike and Blake's rig's, was they were both VERY light weight. I am shooting for as light weight as possible so a 4 door so out of the question. Plus, I like the open air feel.

Zig

hmmmmmm........
lightweight, open air feeling.......
how about a mountain bike then    
you could be one of those crazy SOB's that mountain bike poison spider!!!

One MAJOR problem with that.... It would take WAY to long to get back to the Moab Brewery  and it would not be a Zuk.

Zig


Zig

My bad...... i forgot the beer factor!!!!

[Yankee-Tim]

Supercharge the big block.  I'd use a 2.7 with 2.5 injectors.  Previa supercharger.  That way, you can just snap stuff nice and clean.

Really, why the 2.5 over the 2.7?  Got a line on a 2.5?

[Zukipilot]

Supercharge the big block.  I'd use a 2.7 with 2.5 injectors.  Previa supercharger.  That way, you can just snap stuff nice and clean.

Really, why the 2.5 over the 2.7?  Got a line on a 2.5?

A direct, all stock, bolt together: 2.5L, Auto Tranny and Kick 4:1 T-case. If something goes, no looking for replacements for custom parts. Shooting for a very light weight rig, I don't think the extra HP of the 2.7 will be needed. I was amazed at how fast and powerfull Blake's Rig felt with a 16v 1.6, just due to the extreme weight reduction (plus I think he had it built a little, but I could not get any of his secrets) and I hoping to be as light or lighter than his set up.

Are there any easy HP increases for the 2.5? Chips, Headers, exhaust, injectors, etc??? You know, Just in case 

Zig

[ebewley]

Supercharge the big block.  I'd use a 2.7 with 2.5 injectors.  Previa supercharger.  That way, you can just snap stuff nice and clean.

Really, why the 2.5 over the 2.7?  Got a line on a 2.5?

A direct, all stock, bolt together: 2.5L, Auto Tranny and Kick 4:1 T-case. If something goes, no looking for replacements for custom parts. Shooting for a very light weight rig, I don't think the extra HP of the 2.7 will be needed. I was amazed at how fast and powerfull Blake's Rig felt with a 16v 1.6, just due to the extreme weight reduction (plus I think he had it built a little, but I could not get any of his secrets) and I hoping to be as light or lighter than his set up.

Are there any easy HP increases for the 2.5? Chips, Headers, exhaust, injectors, etc??? You know, Just in case 

Zig

BTW: Blake's rig is an 8-valve just like your old ride, Zig! The 2.5 with a good intake and exhaust will be plenty of power for a less than 2000 pound rig.

-Eric

[RHodge]

I think the 2.5 is a good chose. Is your's gona be nice and low with big rubbers Kinda like this