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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: bruceman on February 02, 2009, 04:50:28 PM

Title: Learn me about the Sidekick
Post by: bruceman on February 02, 2009, 04:50:28 PM
Are these the same as a Geo Tracker?
Are they all coil spring suspension?
Did all years come out with a hard top?
Title: Re: Learn me about the Samurai / Sidekick
Post by: ack on February 02, 2009, 04:59:26 PM
Are these the same as a Geo Tracker?
Are they all coil spring suspension?
Did all years come out with a hard top?

No.  The Sidekick is the same as the Geo Tracker  Samurais have solid front axles. "Trackicks" have independent front suspensions


Only the "TracKick" has a factory coil spring suspension.  The Samurai (SJ-413) has a leaf spring suspension.  Newer versions of the Samurai - that are NOT AVAILABLE in the US - call the Jimny do have coil spring suspensions.


I believe that every year of Samurai and "Trackick" had a REMOVABLE hardtop. Samurais (in the USA) had a "tintop" version in the early models as did the "Trackicks"

I hope that this helps.
Title: Re: Learn me about the Samurai / Sidekick
Post by: Jeremiah on February 02, 2009, 09:00:07 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_Samurai (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_Samurai)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_Sidekick (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_Sidekick)
Title: Re: Learn me about the Sidekick
Post by: bruceman on February 03, 2009, 09:20:25 AM
Thanks that is really good info.  I now am only interested in the Sidekick.  What is the standard OEM ground clearance for a 2dr 4WD 1989 - 1994 model?  What is done to decrease this to around 5 inchs?
Purpose of lowering is not for looks and that crap, but for competing in rallycross.  The courses are not that rough but I certainly wouldn't need the standard height and lowerring it wouls help cornering.
Title: Re: Learn me about the Sidekick
Post by: jeff1997 on February 03, 2009, 12:00:51 PM
Someone on here had a lowering kit for sale a while back. If not on here ebay has lowering springs.
Title: Re: Learn me about the Sidekick
Post by: mrhawk on February 03, 2009, 12:44:12 PM
Rallycross, very interesting  ;D

Stock ground clearance should be around 9" to the bottom of the frame. Dropping it 2" would be no big problem. Not sure how much you can change in the class you're competing in, but going as low as 4" lower than stock and keeping decent suspension travel will net in some major suspension work i would think.
Title: Re: Learn me about the Sidekick
Post by: Jeremiah on February 03, 2009, 12:57:38 PM
What is done to decrease this to around 5 inchs?

Get, or make, a shorter spring. Then deal with the off-camber issues you've created in the front.
Title: Re: Learn me about the Sidekick
Post by: ack on February 03, 2009, 01:37:33 PM
Rallycross...

Right after I first got my Samurai, I checked out a rally cross event near me.  When I asked if I could run my Samurai, I was told that the Samurai is not on the list of acceptable vehicles for use in "Sanctioned Rally Cross" events.

This could be BS, some sort of actual ruling based on the 1988 Consumer's Report review on the Samurai or an actual independent handling study by a Rallycross sanctioning organization. 

That said, if I were in your shoes, the first thing that I would do is contact the appropriate sanctionig organization and  see if the Tracker or the Sidekick are acceptable vehicles - by their definition - for Rallycross events.  There is a REAL possibility that they may not meet the required specifications - which would mean a large waste of time and money on your part if you went ahead and started preparing a Tracker or Sidekick for this purpose.

A Metro or Swift might be a better choice...  cheap plentiful and low to the ground!

Finally, I'm not trying to rain on your parade here - just pointing out the facts and sharing my limited experiences on the subject.


I hope that this helps!
Title: Re: Learn me about the Sidekick
Post by: bruceman on February 04, 2009, 04:29:12 AM
Thanks for the information again.
I understand the current rules of the SCCA Rallycross events and while there maybe some issues with a standard Sidekick entering an event a modified version should not be an issue.  Dropping ride height 4 inchs would make suspension angles a challenge but for the class I am thinking of (modified) the rules are wide open for suspension modifications.
What about limited slip differentials?  I'm thinking they would be necesssary to improve cornering performance on slippery surfaces.  Are these available?  What size is the differential?  7 inch?  Not to sure how a "locker" would perform.
Title: Re: Learn me about the Sidekick
Post by: Drone637 on February 04, 2009, 08:32:57 AM
Low Range Off-Road and Trail Tough both sell the Limited Slip lockers.  At this point the other after market companies probably have them as well.

Check your rules though, some say that your diff's have to have a factory configuration.  I'm not sure if a limited slip was ever available for the front end.
Title: Re: Learn me about the Sidekick
Post by: bruceman on February 04, 2009, 08:36:02 AM
Did the convertible/soft top models ever come with a detachable hard top?
Title: Re: Learn me about the Sidekick
Post by: ack on February 04, 2009, 08:48:38 AM
The 4wd differentials are different sizes (but the same ratio) from front to back.  The rear is larger - not sure what the size is - while the front is smaller and sits in an aluminum housing.  Both are, I believe, asian-built (maybe Asin?)

You might be able to adapt a limited slip Samurai differential into a sidekick/tracker front dif.  We do sidekick/tracker R&P swaps to samurai housings for the better gear ratios all the time.

Check with the popular vendors listed here for tracker/sidekick/samurai LS dif availability.

2-door sidekick/trackers are almost all soft-tops.  There were a few actual hard-tops early on in production for the US.  Detachable hard-tops were a common aftermarket option.
Title: Re: Learn me about the Sidekick
Post by: Zukipilot on February 04, 2009, 01:52:41 PM
Someone on here had a lowering kit for sale a while back. If not on here ebay has lowering springs.

Send user 'DIGGER' a PM. He had a lowering kit for sale and I think he may still have it.

Zig
Title: Re: Learn me about the Sidekick
Post by: TrakJD on February 04, 2009, 03:58:02 PM
Did the convertible/soft top models ever come with a detachable hard top?

Yes.
Title: Re: Learn me about the Sidekick
Post by: Lindenmooch on February 06, 2009, 05:45:15 AM
Waste of money....buy a subaru.  Or an AWD talon...

Don't spend thousands of dollars to modify a sidekick just so you can qualify to rally it.  That's just goofy.
Title: Re: Learn me about the Sidekick
Post by: ranger88den on February 06, 2009, 08:29:21 AM
Did the convertible/soft top models ever come with a detachable hard top?

Yes.

I believe the "factory" hardtop was made by Bestop.  I have two 1995's, one with the roof rack and one w/o.  I've also contacted them & they no longer make the hardtops or supply parts.
Title: Re: Learn me about the Sidekick
Post by: Jeremiah on February 06, 2009, 11:06:44 AM
Waste of money....buy a subaru.  Or an AWD talon...

Don't spend thousands of dollars to modify a sidekick just so you can qualify to rally it.  That's just goofy.

I agree, but some people like to drive what they got. Some just like doing something different. I'd feel safer racing a low COG vehicle on-road... but that's just me...
Title: Re: Learn me about the Sidekick
Post by: Lindenmooch on February 08, 2009, 02:07:29 PM
Rallycrossing a track/kick is foolish and you'll be no match for your competition....that is unless everyone else is walking.


They're TOOO short to rally...too tall to rally....    The short wheelbase makes them almost impossible to drift or powerslide around tight corners....I've tried it...over and over again.   They either just go straight....or spin.   

They're also way underpowered to rally.



I should have asked this first....WHY do you want to rally a track/kick so badly in the first place?



If you can't be swayed from your decision....I have something for you.  =)

http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=23575.0 (http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=23575.0)
Title: Re: Learn me about the Sidekick
Post by: bruceman on February 09, 2009, 06:12:12 PM
Rallycrossing a track/kick is foolish and you'll be no match for your competition....that is unless everyone else is walking.


They're TOOO short to rally...too tall to rally....    The short wheelbase makes them almost impossible to drift or powerslide around tight corners....I've tried it...over and over again.   They either just go straight....or spin.   

They're also way underpowered to rally.

I should have asked this first....WHY do you want to rally a track/kick so badly in the first place?

OK.
 I want an four wheel drive mazda rotary powered vehicle.  Seems others have swapped such an engine into these.  I'm addicted to these engines and just want to combine it with 4WD for rallycross because RWD is slow.
Title: Re: Learn me about the Sidekick
Post by: Jeremiah on February 10, 2009, 01:38:50 PM
Thee off the top of my head:
Subaru, Toyota, Eclipse....

All should have room for the rotary, it's a tiny little guy. AND - those manufacturers have more rally aftermarket support.


Don't get me wrong - I'd love to see a ralley'd & lowered kick with a rotary out there. Just don't blame us when you loose 'casue someone in a lighter, lower COG vehicle passes you.
Title: Re: Learn me about the Sidekick
Post by: Drone637 on February 10, 2009, 01:46:32 PM
Are you looking to do Rally or RallyCross?  RallyCross is basically AutoCross on dirt or grass.  A rear sway bar and the Tracker would probably do really well.  I can toss mine around on the dirt roads without any fear of body roll getting me in trouble.  :)

Title: Re: Learn me about the Sidekick
Post by: ack on February 10, 2009, 03:15:14 PM
OK.

I want an four wheel drive mazda rotary powered vehicle.  Seems others have swapped such an engine into these.  I'm addicted to these engines and just want to combine it with 4WD for rallycross because RWD is slow.

I was going to give you a detailed explanation in four-part harmony on the foolishness of autocrossing with a TracKick part-time 4wd system but the site ate my elaboate post when I hit the 'Post' button...

Reader's Digest version:  Don't. 

You will destroy the TracKick drivetrain and look the fool in the process. 

A TracKick drivetrain is NOT anywhere near the same as the full-time all-wheel-drive drivetrain that everyone else has in this sport.

Don't.

Really.

Seriously.
Title: Re: Learn me about the Sidekick
Post by: Drone637 on February 10, 2009, 06:46:37 PM
I completely missed the part about wanting to run in 4wd mode.  :P
Title: Re: Learn me about the Sidekick
Post by: Jeremiah on February 11, 2009, 10:03:07 PM
4wd in a kick will explode on pavement. There's a HUGE difference between 4wd and AWD. 4wd is for off-road, or anywhere there's low-traction.