ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: akfedor7 on August 29, 2006, 08:57:06 AM
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Since this is my first post I’ll go ahead and tell everybody that I am an absolute noob with Suzukis and off road accessories. I have always had and used 4x4 vehicles, just never did any modifications. So go easy on me if I ask a stupid question…
Last weekend I purchased a 1997 Sidekick sport with automatic transmission. I have a few questions involving different areas on this vehicle. Any help is greatly appreciated…
1. This truck has 102K miles on it. Any general maintenance type things I should have done or checked for? The check engine light is on(was told it needs an O2 sensor), but it runs fine.
2. I gotta have some bigger tires! It currently has 215-55’s on it and looks like a lowrider! What is the largest tire that can fit this sidekick without any modifications? I have searched these forums and other sites and cant seem to find a consistent answer to this question
3. I am considering a slight lift, but nothing too crazy. I cant afford a whole lot right now. I have looked at coil spacers and body lifts so far(suspension seems too expensive). Which of the two will be cheaper and easiest to install. I don’t have a very good place to perform automotive alterations, and have never done much beyond changing plugs and a water pump on my old Cherokee, so ease of installation is very important. And how much tire size can I expect to gain with typical body lifts or coil spacers?
4. finally, I need a rack for this truck. Nothing heavy duty, since my old flimsy factory rack on my Cherokee worked fine for years. All I ever use it for is to carry a lightweight canoe. Do they make a factory roof rack? If not, do you recommend any aftermarket ones that are reasonably priced?
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Welcome to the board, The CEL might be mileage related, I'm not that familiar with the Sport model so I'll leave the recommendations to those who are.
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I purchased a '96 Sidekick Sport last weekend too. I'm happy with it as I was upgrading from a '91 Tracker that my wife rolled on us 3 years ago. It was still my daily driver so I know it's a tough line of vehicles.
As for general maintenance, I'd look at the timing belt. I'm going to replace mine as soon as possible ($25 investment for some big peace of mind). Don't want a break on me. D'ya know if yours has been replaced recently?
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I dont know if the timing belt has been changed, but probably not since it wasn't mentioned by the seller. What does labor usually cost for that?
And about the CEL, I installed a new battery and it went off, but after about a day it came back on...
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Yeah, something is wrong if it kicked the CEL again.
I got a quote on a timing belt repair for $300. That's when I decided it was worth learning how to do myself. I did it on a '91 tracker with no experience, and it went fine. Drove it for years & 40k miles after that. My Sidekick looks a bit more complicated so I'm going to get some help from my father - he's an airplane mechanic so shouldn't have any problem with it.
I "fixed" my CEL on the Tracker. It was running fine, so I just took the bulb out from behind the panel!
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I may try that "fix" as well! lol. Will it hurt my gas mileage(or anything else) if the O2 sensor is bad and I dont replace it?
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Fuel mileage will suffer, and the Cat will get trashed
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Well... that's not good. I checked my gas mileage and am getting 24 MPG with the tiny tires I currently have. Is there anything else that might cause the CEL?
Any help on the other things I listed?
Thanks
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the 02 sensor is not as expensive as you may think. i thought it would be horrendis so i didnt replace it. i am now driving with a hallowed out cat because mine was destroyed by the falty 02 sensor ::)
also you shuld be getting more then 24mpg so you might be pleasently suprised at the gain you will get =-)
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If there are more than one sensor, is it recommended to change both at once, or should you try one and then the other?
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any help on the tires, lift, or rack?
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check out calmini for the lift and rack.
http://www.puresuzuki.com
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Yeah, the calmini stuff looks nice, but are a little expensive for me... I'm already broke from the initial purchase of the kick! I am thinking about just starting out with coil spacers...
And the calmini rack is WAY more than what I need. Like I said above, a very light duty rack will be plenty for my 60 pound canoe, which is all I will ever need the rack for.
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No more help guys?? :'(
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well, you should be able to run 235/75x15 all terrain or all season radials without much of a lift at all.
as for the rack, i liked the look of the big Nissan bars on their tops, but without the big cost.
so, i just got the bolt on handicap bars they use in public restrooms and such. they are about 1.5 inches in diameter and common lengths of 18, 24, 36, and 48 inches. i threw away the screws they came with and through-bolted them using stainless bolts and stainless eye-bolts at each end to help with tieing down whatever. the local Menards or Home Depot type store should have them for about $20-30 each depending on the length. then add the stainless bolts if you want those.
cheap, very solid/heavy duty, and not bad looks really. very adaptable for adding a basket later.
good luck and have fun with your new trackick !! ;D
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Thanks. Good idea. What about keeping the holes from leaking?
Yeah, I was hoping for at least 225/75s. Do you think I could pull those off without a lift?
I cant wait to try it out! I just hope the bug doesn't get me too bad... ;)
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i used the Permatex Black adhesive sealant at each of the holes and have had no leaks whatsoever. good stuff and worth the extra few cents over lesser brands i think.
as for the tires, 225's should be ok. might have to trim some of the plastic in the front wheel wells if you get a heavy mud-n-snow type tread that could rub. put 'em on and turn 'em lock to lock and see what happens. i think you'll be pleasantly surprised!
have fun!! :)
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Sounds good. I think I'll do some browsing at home depot this afternoon.
Has anyone ever seen a removeable rack that would fit this truck, such as those you see made by yakima or thule? That was another option I was considering.
As for the tires, I was planning on something all terrain. Nothing too crazy on the tread cause this will still be my daily driver. The tires I had last on my jeep were some of those Walmart special "liberators" and they had plenty of tread for the offroading that I do. Any recomendation on a good reasonable all terrain?
Thanks
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well, if those tires worked well for your jeep then i'm sure they would do at least as well on your zuk. just about any M&S or all-terrain tire will work well for your stated purposes. just make sure there is plenty of siping for the rain slick roads is all.
as for the the rack, i plan on going back to Menards or Home Depot and checking out some of their stainless steel, deep shelving racks to find one about 30"-36" wide x 48" long or so. hopefully find one that is about 3"-4" deep. easy enough to mount to the bars and will hold way more weight than the roof was intended to handle.
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You're probably right.
I see you are running 235/75s with your 1.5" lift. Do they rub any? Do you think I could get away with 235/70s or 225/70s on my sport kick with no lift?
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my tires did rub the thin plastic pieces in front at full lock, so i just cut them back. no big deal and you could hardly tell it. getting a new bumper and now all that plastic bumper cover stuff is gone anyway.
i would think any of the sizes you mentioned should work for you. just find the ones you like, have them mount the front ones first in the size you want and turn the steering wheel to see how it goes.
good luck and have fun ;D
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Have you gotten a readout on the CEL code? A lot of parts stores in our area will read them for free. My '96 (not Sport model) was throwing an EGR code. It turned out that the steel tube between the head and the EGR valve and the passage in the head was plugged with carbon. A half hour with a wire and some carb cleaner solved the problem.
Check your tire pressure. My truck gets low 20's when inflated to the factory "recommended" pressure. If I pump them up to about 32, I get between 28 and 30 MPG (but it rides like a brick...)
I am running 225x75 15's on my Tracker with no lift without any problem, but I think the Sport came with 16 inch wheels...
Check with Digger. He is selling spacers, 2" lift for under $100, but I don't know if they will fit the Sport.
You may not be getting a lot of replies because the Sport is different in some respects, and a lot of people here aren't real familiar with them...
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Thanks jzap. The previous owner said he got a readout and it was the O2 sensor, but he didn't say which one. I think I'll go have it checked this afternoon.
Interesting about the tire pressure. I never knew that would affect gas mileage. How much more tire pressure is usually safe to add past the factory recommended pressure without affecting tire wear?
yeah, mine has 16" wheels, which I hate because the tires cost more...  :( I think I've decided on either 225/70s or 235/70s. Hopefully these will work
I think the spacers will work well for me. Are there any problems or things I have to look out for when using spacers? I've never had a vehicle with any kind of lift before. Also, are there any other factory parts(such as shocks, springs, etc) that wear and cause the vehicle to sag or be lower than it originally was?
Yeah, I hate that the sport is different, cause like you say, it is a bit harder to get info. I didnt realize the sport was much different until after I had alread bought it...
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The 70 series tire is wider and lower than a 75. A 70 might rub where a 75 might not.
The 75 may also be better off road because it doesn't present as wide a surface when you attack sand or mud. In theory, that means it won't bog down as quickly as a taller, narrower tire. You can also go the other way and get too narrow a tire that cuts into the soft surface. The idea is to find a balance.
I would suggest you check with Digger on this board about the spacers. He may have some idea about how it affects the Sport.
Good luck with the tires and the CEL.