ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: kingzoo on May 24, 2007, 10:47:28 AM
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Almost every zuki i see being wheeled is a 2 door model.Is there a reason for that,or is it just me?I am hoping to start soon on my 1991 4 door jlx sidekick,and was just curious about why i see so few 4 doors .I have a family that is as involved as I am,so a 4 door is mandatory,and i just prefer the extra room and wheel base.
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Probably because the 2 doors are a little bit smaller so a touch more maneuverable. Plus most are soft tops, always a bonus when out playing in the sun.
Most likely though, the 2 doors are usually cheaper and quite a bit more abundant. Especially in the older models. ;D
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BUILD IT!! Here are some pics of some killer 4 doors. Plus I am building one...
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Awesome 4 door! i love that lift,and the big tires are always a good thing.I am only planning on a total of 3.5 inches of lift,with my OME lift kit, which I just bought,and a 2 inch body lift i will build after i recover from my last back surgery from a week ago.
I plan on running 30 inch tires,probably9.50's but 10.50's are possible,and just finished designing my front and rear bumpers.I have all the proper equipment,and metal at work,so I will have a much easier time doing the things I want when I am able.Besides that,i am a broke single parent,and a cheap bastard to boot,so i would rather build than buy.
thank's for the pics,they are definately an inspiration.
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Well I was gonna wheel a 4dr
(http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n66/amandaplaywith/Suzukis/4drSwampers2.jpg)
Wanted more interior space.
But I like my 2dr more. ;D
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See sig. ;)
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How much lift,and what size tires are you folks running?Any cv problems?This is my daily driver since my kids take the nice,newer stuff,so it has to be civil,but it still has to wheel.I will be installing a 1.5 inch OME spring/strut/shock kit,and 2 inch body lift with 30 inch tires.Any problems with this?What gear reccomendations would you make to keep my Sidekick in its normal powerband and range on road(I have to keep my gas mileage!!)and still perform well off road?I wouldn't mind a transfer case gear change as well,but would not want to get any more serious than that.Definately no axel swap,and don't want to lower my diff.
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I have a 97 4 door with a 1.5" lift and 235/75/15 tires (approx 29"), it's a pretty decent rig just the way it is right now. I could probably fit some 30" tires under it without any more lift, MAYBE some trimming, but I would need wider rims, and it's plenty capable the way it is right now anyway. In the future I am planning for a 2" body lift and 31" tires, but that may or may not happen. Here's a pic:
(http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r130/olija/DSCN1827.jpg)
(http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r130/olija/DSCN1832.jpg)
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I have the same rig as you do. A '91 4 door is a one year only vehicle. meaning it was the only year they put the 8 valve engine in a 4 door! You also have 5.38 gears which help some. I have the calmini 3+3 kit and with 30" tires I lost alot of power put I also have one cyl. down a little on compression. I drove a 16 valve and it had way more power.
You will be amazed at where a 4 door will go. Its still smaller than a jeep and a toyota (width wise.) I am always amazed at what I can get inside my 4 door. fold the back seats down and its actually quite big back there. we had all our camping gear, 1yo son, fat 75lb dog and wife and me in it last weekend. we do have a roof basket though.
I say wheel the 4 door and be happy.
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my 2cents
My 97 4dr was 5spd with 5:12s.
had the Calmini 3"inch suspension (best available list if ya got the $$)
Homemade 3"body lift. (just better than any available)
31"inch Cooper A/T
was a daily driver(for 2 years) till the day I sold it and bought another Zuk (06 Aerio SX awd)
average mpg 26.
Loved it to death and wish I could get it back (and sell my SX)
absolutely no Problems with CVs and what nots
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The shorter wheelbase on the 2 dr allows you to clear more of a "breakover" (hump) without getting hung up on the frame. With enough lift, it is not much of an issue.
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fat 75lb dog and wife
Your next purchase should be a top-of-the-line couch.
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(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/MUDDYJLX/Picture018.jpg)
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Thank's for the info.I hope to get to the shop in a couple of weeks to try out my new plasma cutter making my body lift.I have several feet of 2 inch chromoly left over from another job to use,so it will definately be strong.I dont want wheels that are too wide,and I am loking at a pair of 15x7's in aluminum that I really like so mabey that will work out.Then I can fab some bumpers,put it all together,and be the happiest guy in Turkey Bay.
I already have the top of the line couch,and it is SWEET!!I bought a tempurpedic matress set a couple of surgeries ago,and recently found out that they made couches and jumped on 1.
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You see more 2 doors because...
1) WAY more 2 doors were sold than 4 doors
2) 2 doors have the 'jeep' feel (small, convertible)
I have a 4 door kick now, and love it. More room & A/C :)
There's lots of very capable 4 doors out there. If you go bigger than 31" tires, or lockers I'd consider swapping to Toyota CVs - otherwise stock will hold up just fine. Consider installing body armor (like skid plates and rock sliders). Mud Terrain tires will help LOTS. WARNING: The larger the tire, the more you're going to notice power loss (especially up hills / freeway). The only way to combat this is by changing diff gears, adding a turbo or engine swap.
I'm NOT a fan of body lifts. It raises your center of gravity, looks funk, and doesn't get you anymore clearance from the frame to the ground. Spend a couple hundred on spacers and new shocks - you'll get more clearance for tires AND more frame to ground clearance. FYI - steel wheels will take more abuse than aluminum. If you go with aluminum, be VERY careful when wheeling.
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FYI - steel wheels will take more abuse than aluminum. If you go with aluminum, be VERY careful when wheeling.
Can't say as I agree with that. I've run both steel and alloy wheels and never had a problem with the alloys and they have taken some pretty hard knocks that would have bent the steel rims in the same situations. The modern alloy wheels designed for 4x4's are pretty strong and if you have destroyed the alloy wheel then the steel would have been stuffed too. I'm about to go pick up another set of alloys for my 34 swampers to go on for my new build. I'm swapping them off the steels that they're currently on. Also I will have a nice weight saving ......and they do look bling ;D although not as bling as some Walker Evans alloy beadlock wheels would but then again I'm running internal beadlocks for a little bit of stealth to keep the law away here.
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I was unaware they made better aluminums these days. If they have them, I'm interested - saving rotational mass is NICE. I could care less about bling factor - in fact - the less attention I get, the happier I am - less theft makes for a happy Jeremiah.