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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: TheJodester on March 07, 2006, 06:18:22 AM

Title: Sidekick 4x2 Conversion
Post by: TheJodester on March 07, 2006, 06:18:22 AM

I have searched and read a couple of posts on this, but wondering if anybody has done a 2-wheel drive to 4-wheel drive conversion.

I currently have a 4x4 that the body is very rusted.  I just purchased a 4x2 cheap and plan to merge the two units.

The major concern I have is the mounting of the front differential.

Does anybody know if the mounts are part of the 4x2 frame??

Also, would the cross members be the same??

Thanks for your input!!

Title: Re: Sidekick 4x2 Conversion
Post by: wildgoody on March 07, 2006, 08:13:15 AM

where you have both vehicles, do a body swap.

Some early 2WD SideKicks had the front axle mounts

Title: Re: Sidekick 4x2 Conversion
Post by: TheJodester on March 07, 2006, 08:25:22 AM

I don't think that is has a full frame... Do you know what years had the mount??

I am taking the parts off a '91 and building up a '94..

Title: Re: Sidekick 4x2 Conversion
Post by: wildgoody on March 07, 2006, 08:37:14 AM

Quote

I don't think that is has a full frame...

   

???

All Track/Kicks are a full frame vehicle, box tube ladder construction

The early 89/90 were fully equiped frames (all mounts) after that I
don't know, not many non 4x4s were built in the early years.

Title: Re: Sidekick 4x2 Conversion
Post by: Uncivilized on March 07, 2006, 09:05:36 AM

Be Aware of your diff gears - auto's have different diff gears than the auto's(you didn't say what they were). I'd also do a body swap before I did the 4wd swap, I think it would be easier. I believe you need to purchase and weld in a crossmember for the 4wd swap.

Title: Re: Sidekick 4x2 Conversion
Post by: Wildweasel on March 07, 2006, 01:56:29 PM

Okay I have done 2 of these. (One with a friend on a 94 tracker and my 96 x-90)
all the mounts but the drivers side diff mount are there.  the pass side diff mount is installed but the drivers side is not. 

You can order it from suzuki, but we just cut them off the doner and welded them to the frame
of the new one.   Not real hard to do but hard to get the welder in there. I did my x-90 in my driveway just with it jacked up . (welded the mount in)

Otherwise it is straight forward.  you can reuse the 2wd spindles you just have to knock out a cover on the inside.  on mine They had all the bushings installed I just had to add the inner seals.

No big shakes to do. bigest pain is the trans swap.  (Depending on the trans you may be able to take the tailshaft off and just bolt the tcase in it's place, but on mine I just swapped in a known good  5 speed and tcase.