I'm looking for a Sidekick or Sidekick Sport 4 door.  I want to do some medium duty offroad. I'd the Sport harder to find a body lift /2"suspension lift for? Is the 1.8 liter motor a pain to find parts for? I like the wide stance and the fender flares but I don't want any extra headaches.

I like the wide stance and the fender flares but I don't want any extra headaches.

Have you considered the later Vitara or Trackers (99~03)?

The Sidekick Sport has just enough differences to make modifications a little more difficult, and because they were only sold for three years, they can be considered as rare, and locating parts can be a bit of a problem.

In 99 Suzuki dropped the Sidekick name, calling the vehicle a  Vitara instead and they were available with a choice of 1.6, 2.0 or 2.5 V6 engines - the 2.0 is essentially a stroked version of the 1.8 - and I believe you'll find they are comparable in track width, etc.

One thing to be aware of, there are differences between the two generations, so lifts, etc., for the first gen will not fit the second gen, however, similar kits are available for the second gen.

I've owned a 96 sport for quite a few years; I built mine with a suspension kit from Kreator with fox coilovers in the front, new A-arms, new control arms and springs in the rear.  I'm not 100% certain how many miles are on that kit, but I know over 50k.  I bought mine with a blown engine and dropped in an almost-new one several years ago.
The main differences are the lower body panels, frame width, and of course the J18 engine.  *most* normal sidekick parts interchange; even some aftermarket parts work fine.  Since the frame is wider, bumpers won't fit.  A-arms are the same size, but the drop brackets for the front diff are unique to the sport (different than both sidekick and vitara ones).  Front brakes are larger; a 15" wheel will not fit which might limit your tire choices.  A strut spacer lift would work fine.  The Sports all came with 5.12 gears, which is nice for most builds. 
I haven't had any problem finding normal parts for the 1.8L; it shares many parts with the 2.0L and 2.3L J engines so it isn't as unique as a person might think.  As for OE parts, there are still parts stores carrying Suzuki stuff here in the US but they are diminishing. 
The 1.8L engine is a nice step up form either of the 1.6's, but it really doesn't make good power at low RPM's.  If you do more high speed high RPM driving, it is a good choice.  It's a bit of a pain for slow speed crawling.  A relatively easy swap would be a 2.3L out of a 2004+ Aerio. 
I would tend to agree with Fordem; if you REALLY want the older body style, the Sport might be a good choice.  The newer Vitara/Trackers have come down quite a bit in price and already come with the 2.0 (or 2.5 V-6 in the GV).  Your $$ would probably be better spent on one of them if you don't mind the newer body style. 

edit:  attached a pic of my Sport.  It's on 32's in this pic. 

I have enjoyed my Sport and would go with a sport in a Gen1 body,if I were to buy another one.

You can get the spacer lift for an easy / inexpensive 2" lift.  You can use GV springs to get another 2" without spending too much.  That is what I have now.  I am running spacers and GV springs with 31's.  The Sport has more power and a larger fuel tank, making it it easier to commute longer distances.

There is an excellent write up on Pirate for a daily driven 4x4 Sidekick lift, that I used for mine.  I can send info if you need it.

Sport

Hi, I own the Sport myself. That is the Vitara, not the Sport.
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'96 (07/95) Sidekick Sport 16V, 1.8L, 4 auto, 4x4, 4dr, A/C, ABS, 99K on odometer.