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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: thrown_hammer on October 18, 2006, 04:45:02 AM

Title: Sidekick or Samurai?
Post by: thrown_hammer on October 18, 2006, 04:45:02 AM
I started my search looking for a Samurai. After poking around here I am thinking maybe a Tracker or Sidekick. Any unbiased comparisons?

 Which one is “betterâ€?? I am looking for a capable trail rig. How about differences of up front cost, maintenance, ability, upgrade cost, parts availability? Should I just buy the best one I can find regardless of model?

 I currently daily drive a Class 5/1600 Baja race car so creature comforts aren’t real high on my list.   ;D
Title: Re: Sidekick or Samurai?
Post by: john1974 on October 18, 2006, 05:42:37 AM
all are capable. Trackers, Sidekicks are just new sammys really.  Sammys are cheaper to mod, and lift... but if I came across a tracker,sidekick for decent price I would go that route.  plus it has alittle more power with the bigger motor.

My plans down the line is to do a straight axle kick.  Guess it just depends what you come across and price.

goodluck

John
Title: Re: Sidekick or Samurai?
Post by: LilRed on October 18, 2006, 06:34:17 AM
    The Samurai is cheaper to mod and there's probably more aftermarket parts available (cheaper) for them for now.  But used parts & Sami's are getting harder & harder to find and prices going up.  Much easier to find parts Trackers in the local junkyard.  The biggest differences are the power & solid axle vs IFS, both of which can be altered on both vehicles.  The Sami is a little narrower & lighter weight.  Stock, I'd say the Sami is more capable in general.  Once their modded though, capablitility just depends on the combination of mods and the terrain. 
Title: Re: Sidekick or Samurai?
Post by: flea on October 18, 2006, 01:30:38 PM
i like the sami  because of its weight. when i started this project 6 years ago i wanted the lightest stock rig to start with and now its REALLY light.

i like the track/kick because of the 1.6l 

but id still go sami    but im partial
Title: Re: Sidekick or Samurai?
Post by: JayN on October 18, 2006, 02:45:08 PM
i am a kick driver and the reason for that is,

i prefer the look of the little guys, i also like the interior a littl emore. the ifs is a downfall, but the stock sami axle will need to be replaced anyway if your going to do anything really hardcore. the gearing and the motor in the kick is a huge plus. i have a kick with pretty cheap mods done and 33's with a welded rear. it went everywher e a sami went on my last trip out and more. there are lots of used parts out there for both.  if i came across a pretty cheap sami i would probobly pick it up as well though.  i would like a lwb sammi.
if oyur the minimalist type of guys and want osmething to just beat on, the sami is a great rig. if oyu like a little more comfort, the kick is oyur rig.

my 2 cents ;D
Title: Re: Sidekick or Samurai?
Post by: ZeusZuki on October 18, 2006, 03:42:56 PM
Hi t-h,

I have built up both over the years and when I owned a Sammie I really did not think Kicks would be up to serious trail stuff.

Now that I have a Kick and have a lift kit etc in it I have to say that I have eaten my words - this rig is GREAT  ;D , it is very capable, has all the extras and it is still a pleasure to drive on the black stuff.

IMO - by the time you upgrade a sammie with all the extras that a Kick already has then you would have been better off just buying a Kick in the first place and tweaking it to trail status.

My Kick has out performed heavily modified Sammies in my club time and time again - me, I am not going back  ;)

With the current level of development being put into Kicks by guys on this forum it can only get better  ;D

ZeusZuki  8)
Title: Re: Sidekick or Samurai?
Post by: thrown_hammer on October 18, 2006, 04:37:43 PM
Thanks for all the info. I take from this that I should look for the best rig for the money be it a Kick or Sammy and buy it. If or when I sell my Baja I want to get a fully set up trail rig.
Title: Re: Sidekick or Samurai?
Post by: Tracker_Camps96 on October 18, 2006, 06:35:21 PM
Obviously Im a big fan of Trackers, I have one I love to death.   Sammies are a hell of a lot easier to get parts for without emptying the pocket.   Ive heard Trackers/Kicks may be a little more comfy, and yes they have the bigger engine.   If you found a Track/Kick, try for the 16 valve!   What you could do, however, is get a Sammie and put a 1.6 16 valve in it, ay?   I want a Sammy to make a light off road toy, but my Tracker will primarily be street.
Title: Re: Sidekick or Samurai?
Post by: Quaddawg on October 19, 2006, 06:14:52 AM

My Kick has out performed heavily modified Sammies in my club time and time again - me, I am not going back  ;)




Me too... many many times.
Title: Re: Sidekick or Samurai?
Post by: 89tintop on October 19, 2006, 11:03:09 AM
well i first owned a sammy that i bought in florida and drove it back to chicago, I thought it was very comfortable and a great ride and then i sold it and next i bought a 96 tracker that i liked but always missed my sammy so after about a year i got another sammy and after driving it for awhile i realized how much more comfortable to drive and how much more solid a tracker is with good heat and air and just an all around better daily driving and offroader so there we have it a die hard sammy guy has been converted to the track kicks and wont go back but dont get me wrong I still have a samurai that is my snowplow machine and one that I am selling to buy more mods for my new 4 door kick.