ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum

ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: zukigroundpounder on April 01, 2007, 06:11:26 AM

Title: lifting a sidekick
Post by: zukigroundpounder on April 01, 2007, 06:11:26 AM
hello
i got me a sidekick and was wondering if any of you guys have any ideals on how to lift it without spending a a lot of $$$$$.  i need to lift it about 3 inches so it does not belly out in ruts.
thanks
ps post some pics of your lifted rig if you have any.
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: jeff1997 on April 01, 2007, 07:09:10 AM
I lifted my 1997 4dr using 1.5" coil spacers and a 3" Masterkit1 body lift. I sell the coil spacers on e-bay look under seller name: hoepkers. The spacers are 49.99 and up., cheap lift compared to others.
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: fullsink18 on April 01, 2007, 10:45:55 AM
Just do a 3" body lift.  Calmini has them for around $150.  That will move you belly up enough. 
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: Quaddawg on April 01, 2007, 12:24:33 PM
Just do a 3" body lift.  Calmini has them for around $150.  That will move you belly up enough. 

Not sure what you are talking about, a body lift won't raise the belly at all...

The frame will be sitting exactly where it was before the lift, except that you will be able to put a larger tire on, and that will raise you a little.. no more than an inch or two.

You need to do a coil spring lift, or at least a coil spring spacer.

Coil spacers are the cheapest, and work fine.  You will need longer shocks for the rear, if you don't want to limit your axle travel, and longer struts, strut extentions, or a strut mount flip for the front, for the same reasons.

A 2-4" spacer or coil lift (or combo of both) plus a little trimming will allow 31" tires WITHOUT a body lift.
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: lacrosse10604 on April 01, 2007, 08:24:01 PM
Can you do a 4" coil spacer?
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: zukigroundpounder on April 01, 2007, 08:42:59 PM
hello
and thanks for the replys what do you mean by the strut mount flip? tell me a little more about it. also what  kind  of  shocks  are   you  guys   running  on  the  back  of  your  rigs?  and  yes   quaddawg  the  frame  is  what  i'm  trying  to  get   up  out  the   ruts  thing  sits  to  low   and   just   doing  a  body  lift  wont   get  it.  just   about   done   the   cross  menber   in  on  the   thing  this   evening  got  to  get  it  lifted  up  some.
thanks  rick.
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: PHX96TRACK on April 01, 2007, 09:00:07 PM
I flipped the strut mounts, used 1-3/4" spacers and '91 Ford Crown Victoria Shocks, $20 Monroes. Works great!

Good thread for strut mount flip
http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=13687.0
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: zukigroundpounder on April 01, 2007, 09:39:53 PM
hey  thanks   alot  that  was  just  what  i  was  looking  for.
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: hcgalvin on April 02, 2007, 07:54:18 AM
Maybe this'll help.

http://www.granitepath.com/~kd7hcg/sidekick/pictures/budgetbodylift/index.html

 ;)
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: Quaddawg on April 02, 2007, 03:24:33 PM
Maybe this'll help.

[url]http://www.granitepath.com/~kd7hcg/sidekick/pictures/budgetbodylift/index.html[/url]

 ;)


BLEH on body lifts... :P
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: zukisidekick on April 02, 2007, 07:20:55 PM
I with testify that Heather's Budget 5" lift is one of the best suspension mods you can do if you're on a budget.     

I disagree that body lifts are bad.    If done correctly, they can accomplish a few things A) get the body (rocker panels) further off the ground, and B) Allows the fitment of a larger tire without having to hack the fenders.     

While some vehicles that have measureable amounts of "Cancer" may actually benefit from this, cutting a perfectly clean body is unnecessary for 31's.    Besides, a body lift is reversible, while hacking is not.   

Zukisidekick
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: kirknd4spd on April 02, 2007, 10:48:11 PM
a 2" coil spacer lift, strut mount flip, and crown vic shocks with a little trimming should do great with some 31's. and i have to agree with quaddawg on the body lifts. they dont give you any more ground clearance, which is exactly what zukigroundpounder needs more of, and why this topic was started in the first place. besides, if you rip off the rocker panels, you cant drag them over rocks anymore.  >:D
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: zukigroundpounder on April 03, 2007, 06:50:50 AM
hello
well  i  done   the  strut  mount  flip  yesturday  and  also  changed  the  rear  shocks.  i  also  trimed  the  rubber  bump  stops  on  all  for  corners  and  removed  the  stablizer  bar  in  thee  front  of  the   thing.now   all  i  need  is  some  coil  spring  spacers  you  guys  are  talking  about  and  i'll  be  good  to  go.  anyone  have  a  good  ideal  as  to  where  to  buy  these?  i   dont  have  a  flebay  acount  stop  using  it  after  getting  burnt  on  there  a  few  times.  or  i'll  buy  a  set   off  one  of  you  guys  iif  you  have  any  for  sale  just  let  me  know.
thanks   again  for  all  your  help  on  this  i  love  this  fourm  lots  of  great  people  and  lots  of  info   and  help.
rick.
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: zukigroundpounder on April 03, 2007, 07:02:17 AM
are there any other front and rear coil springs that can be use on the sidekick other than the oems that will work good that any of you all know about or have tryed?  just wondering about that also what about a set off a 4 door kick would they be any better than a 2 door kick springs?
thanks rick.
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: zukinator-z on April 03, 2007, 07:14:16 AM
I used Digger spacers with the strut mount flip and put 3'' front cherokee shocks in the rear (had some lying around)I ended up putting a limiting strap on so the springs don't fall out.
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: Quaddawg on April 03, 2007, 09:32:59 AM
I have used Digger Spacers, they are top quality.

I am using BDS springs, struts and shocks... overpriced, but they work fine.

OME makes great springs and struts


and once again.  DOUBLE BLEH on body lifts..   ;D
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: Rhinoman on April 03, 2007, 12:50:40 PM
are there any other front and rear coil springs that can be use on the sidekick other than the oems that will work good that any of you all know about or have tryed?  just wondering about that also what about a set off a 4 door kick would they be any better than a 2 door kick springs?
thanks rick.

GV springs are supposed to work well. Give around 2" of lift.
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: jeff1997 on April 03, 2007, 02:02:42 PM
I'll sell you a set of 4 new 1.5" new coil spacers for $75 including shipping or 4 new 2" spacers for $90 including shipping. Look at them on ebay, seller:hoepkers. You can pay me with money order and I'll ship right away. Read some of my feedback, you won't be disappointed. E-mail me direct at hoepkers|removethispart|@charter.net to talk more about it.
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: zukigroundpounder on April 03, 2007, 06:39:21 PM
you  have   mail  and  pm.
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: Jeremiah on April 05, 2007, 08:56:45 PM
are there any other front and rear coil springs that can be use on the sidekick other than the oems that will work good that any of you all know about or have tryed?  just wondering about that also what about a set off a 4 door kick would they be any better than a 2 door kick springs?
thanks rick.

I think ones off of the grand vitras give you lift too.
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: olija on April 05, 2007, 11:12:53 PM
Jeep Grand Cherokee springs give about 3" of lift I believe.
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: zukigroundpounder on April 06, 2007, 10:02:57 AM
hello
thanks i did not know you could use the jeep springs. have you used them or anyone you know of use them? let me know i know where i can pick up some of these cheap.
thanks rick.
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: brace on April 07, 2007, 04:11:09 AM
 ??? I wish I would have seen this before I bought my 1 1/2 inch strut spacers for $60.    Does it matter what year Crown Vic for the rear shocks?  Do I still need to do a body lift to fit 31's?  I bought  the spacers from hoepkers on Ebay. 
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: john1974 on April 07, 2007, 06:44:38 AM
Dont want to spend alot, buy just the boondox 2.5 lift coils, or 3inch lift coils, and there strut spacers....   Rest is up to you.....

I bought the 4 door 3 inch lift springs, strut spacers... tossed them in my 2 door, sitting on 31x10.5's

(http://www.zuknation.net/tracker/FB3.jpg)
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: brace on April 07, 2007, 07:31:17 PM
Dont want to spend alot, buy just the boondox 2.5 lift coils, or 3inch lift coils, and there strut spacers....   Rest is up to you.....

I bought the 4 door 3 inch lift springs, strut spacers... tossed them in my 2 door, sitting on 31x10.5's

What shocks did you buy for the rear?
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: Armour on April 07, 2007, 11:33:40 PM
hello
thanks i did not know you could use the jeep springs. have you used them or anyone you know of use them? let me know i know where i can pick up some of these cheap.
thanks rick.

I am using jeep grand cherokee front springs in the rear of my tracker. They give approx. 6" of lift. Cut the little end off the top, they fit right in. Just have to make new pocket for the bottom. Nothing 3 1/2 " tubing and flat plate can't fix.
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: zukigroundpounder on April 08, 2007, 08:16:45 AM
hello
on the shocks if i remenber right i think they told me 91 vic shocks work real good. as for the jeep coils i pick up a set of those yesturday and going to go today and get some gv coils from a friend of mine and see if they will work. as for the coil spacers i have a friend that just made the coil spring prech on the rear and front 3" taller than the factory one on it they work great i'm planning on doing mine that way and then redoing the rear shock mounts to on the back.
thanks rick.
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: Jookycola on April 08, 2007, 09:50:15 AM
hello
thanks i did not know you could use the jeep springs. have you used them or anyone you know of use them? let me know i know where i can pick up some of these cheap.
thanks rick.

I am using jeep grand cherokee front springs in the rear of my tracker. They give approx. 6" of lift. Cut the little end off the top, they fit right in. Just have to make new pocket for the bottom. Nothing 3 1/2 " tubing and flat plate can't fix.

So what springs did you use for the front then?
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: trackenator on April 19, 2007, 11:29:18 AM
i have a 92 tracker 2dr. here is what i did. i have 2in heep spacers all the way around and a 3in home made body lift. i am now running 34x10.5 swamper ltb only a little trimming on the front fenders (i already trimmed bumper b4) its a 5spd 1.6  512 gears and moves them bid tires fine around town. i havent taken it off road but im sure tires would be hitting on something. also i just made 3in strut extenders today to put on my front end doesnt bounce at all even with new struts( i think they are on a bind /fully extended or something) just my 2cents worth.
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: zukigroundpounder on April 21, 2007, 08:43:23 PM
hello
the 3in strut extenders you made do you have Any pics of thema? i'd like to do thAt to mine in the front.
thanks rick
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: Jeremiah on April 22, 2007, 12:13:12 PM
hello
thanks i did not know you could use the jeep springs. have you used them or anyone you know of use them? let me know i know where i can pick up some of these cheap.
thanks rick.

I am using jeep grand cherokee front springs in the rear of my tracker. They give approx. 6" of lift. Cut the little end off the top, they fit right in. Just have to make new pocket for the bottom. Nothing 3 1/2 " tubing and flat plate can't fix.

Do you have pics? What did you use in the front?
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: 96Kicker on April 22, 2007, 01:20:39 PM
trackenator we need to see a picture of your rig on 34's! I have the same lift with 31's and would like to go to 34's also or 33's
Title: Re: lifting a sidekick
Post by: zukigroundpounder on April 23, 2007, 06:00:14 AM
yep me to i have 31-9.50-15 And would like to run 32's or 33's would be nice but dont need the rubbing and cutting off the fenders.
rick.